Diabetes Prevention Program Glen Rose – Wellness Visits & Nutrition Support

Hey Somervell County, Sarah Here!

If your doctor has ever said “your blood sugar is creeping up,” you’re not alone. One in three adults in Texas has prediabetes, and most don’t know it. The good news is that the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes by 58% overall and 71% if you are over 60 (CDC, 2024).

At Glen Rose Medical Center (GRMC), we make prevention simple. You meet one-on-one with Registered Dietitian Sarah Connelly, MS, RDN, LD. No big classroom, no Dallas traffic, no three-month wait to talk to somebody about your labs. Medicare often covers these visits for eligible patients, and many private plans do as well.

If you want to check your coverage, you can call (254) 897-2215 and our team will walk you through it in a few minutes.

 

What Is a Diabetes Prevention Program?

A diabetes prevention program (DPP) is a structured plan that helps adults with prediabetes, or a high risk for type 2 diabetes, change daily habits so blood sugar stays in a safer range.

The model was developed and tested by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The research is clear: when people lose a modest amount of weight and move more, diabetes risk drops sharply.

Most programs focus on three main goals:

 

Big national programs often use group classes that run for a full year. At GRMC, your starting point is different. You begin with a one-on-one wellness visit where we look at your labs, talk about your routine, and set goals that make sense for your life in Glen Rose.

 

Who Qualifies At Glen Rose Medical Center?

If any of this sounds familiar, you are exactly the type of person these programs help:

• • Your A1C is 5.7–6.4%
  • Your BMI is 25 or higher
  • You have a family history of type 2 diabetes
  • You had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
  • You are 45 or older
  • You spend most of the day sitting and do not move much

You do not need a formal “prediabetes” label to start. Many patients come in after hearing phrases like:

• • “Your sugar is creeping up.”
  • “You are in the prediabetic range.”
  • “Let’s keep an eye on this A1C.”

We regularly see people from Glen Rose, Granbury, Stephenville, Walnut Springs, and across Somervell County. If you live nearby and want to get ahead of diabetes instead of reacting to it, you are in the right place.

 

(Meet Tammy – A Real GRMC Success Story

“When I walked into GRMC last August, my A1C was 6.3 and I was scared I would end up on insulin,” says Tammy R. from Walnut Springs.

Tammy’s doctor referred her to nutrition services at Glen Rose Medical Center. She did not want a complicated plan. She wanted someone to look her in the eye, explain her numbers, and give her steps she could actually follow.

Working together, we made three realistic changes:

1. 1. Drink swap
      She replaced her daily Dr Pepper with Topo Chico and lime. That single swap cut roughly 40–50 grams of sugar on most days.
   2. After-supper walk
      She started a 22-minute walk around the Glen Rose square after supper three to four nights per week. It fit her schedule and gave her a chance to clear her head.
   3. Smarter treat night
      Friday evening stayed “treat night,” but she switched to sugar-free Blue Bell ice cream from the H-E-B freezer instead of doughnuts or pie.

By November, Tammy’s A1C had dropped from 6.3 to 5.7. She was down 14 pounds, and her doctor was able to stop one of her blood pressure medications. Her routine is not perfect, but it is realistic. That is why she has stayed in the healthy range.

Tammy’s story is not a promise or a guarantee. It is an example of what can happen when local support and small changes line up.

 

What To Expect At Your Wellness Visit

The first visit is designed to be low-stress and practical. You will spend time with the dietitian, not rushing in and out of a room.

Here is how a typical visit goes:

1. 1. Review your labs and medications
      We look at your A1C, cholesterol, blood pressure, and current medicines. You can ask questions about what those numbers really mean.
   2. Talk through your eating habits and routine
      We go over what you usually eat and drink on a workday, weekend, and eating out in our local spots. No shame, no lectures.
   3. Set 1–3 clear goals
      Together we pick a few specific changes you feel ready to try. Things like “no sugared drinks on weekdays” or “walk 15 minutes after lunch.”
   4. Plan follow-up visits
      You choose how often you want to check in. Some people like monthly visits, others prefer every few months.

You leave with printed notes and a simple plan written for you, not a generic handout pulled off the internet.

To learn more about how this fits into other services, visit our Nutritional Services page.

 

Medicare And Insurance Coverage

Paying for care is a real concern, so we talk about it up front.

The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) is a year-long lifestyle change program that is covered under Medicare Part B. For eligible patients, there is typically no out-of-pocket cost for the MDPP sessions themselves.

For one-on-one nutrition visits at GRMC:

• • Many Medicare plans cover nutrition therapy for prediabetes and diabetes when ordered by a provider.
  • Private plans such as Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna often cover visits for prediabetes or related conditions when they have a referral on file.
  • Our team can check your specific benefits before you schedule, so you know what to expect.

If you are unsure how your plan handles this, call (254) 897-2215 and ask to speak with registration about diabetes prevention or nutrition coverage.

If you do not have insurance, ask about self-pay options through our patient services office.

 

Simple Steps You Can Start Today

You do not have to wait for an appointment to begin lowering your risk. Pick one or two of these and try them this week:

• • Drink water or unsweetened tea with meals. One or two less sugary drinks per day can move your numbers in the right direction.
  • Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables. Think green beans, okra, salad, squash, or broccoli.
  • Eat breakfast within an hour of waking. It steadies your appetite and helps avoid mid-morning snacking.
  • Walk 15 minutes after one meal. If you already like walking the Heritage Park trail or your neighborhood, use that.
  • Use a smaller plate. You will usually serve yourself less without thinking about it.

Most patients who follow even a few of these steps notice more energy within a couple of weeks.

 

Why Glen Rose Locals Stick With It

I often tell folks that preventing diabetes is not about a special diet book. It is about a plan that fits your real life here in Glen Rose.

People stick with our program because:

• • It is personal. You see the same dietitian and staff, not a rotating cast.
  • It is close to home. No long drive, no parking garage, no getting lost in a big complex.
  • It fits local routines. We talk about meals at home, church potlucks, trips to H-E-B, and walking routes you actually use.
  • It feels like neighbors helping neighbors. Patients swap ideas and often send each other encouragement.

When care is local, the plan is easier to keep up, and change feels less like a chore and more like part of daily life.

 

Fast Facts For Diabetes Prevention In Glen Rose

These are the numbers I share most often in clinic:

• • 58% lower risk of type 2 diabetes for adults under 60 in NDPP-style programs
  • 71% lower risk for adults 60 and older
  • 1 in 3 Texas adults has prediabetes
  • 12.4 pounds average weight loss for GRMC diabetes prevention participants in first 90 days (based on 2024-2025 patient data)
  • (254) 897-2215 is the number that starts the process

These are not magic tricks. They come from steady changes that almost anyone can make with the right support.

 

Frequently Asked Questions Diabetes Prevention

What is the Diabetes Prevention Program?

It is a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program that helps people with prediabetes prevent or delay type 2 diabetes through changes in eating habits, physical activity, and weight.

How does it work at Glen Rose Medical Center?

You work one-on-one with a Registered Dietitian. Visits focus on your lab results, your routine, and step-by-step goals. Instead of a big classroom, you get a private, tailored plan.

Is it covered by Medicare?

Many eligible Medicare beneficiaries have no out-of-pocket cost for MDPP services. Nutrition visits related to prediabetes and diabetes are often covered as well when ordered by your provider. Our registration team can check your exact coverage.

What are the main benefits?

The research shows 58–71% lower risk of type 2 diabetes, better blood pressure and cholesterol for many participants, more energy, and often fewer medications over time.

How much does it cost?

Cost depends on your insurance plan. Medicare-eligible patients usually pay $0 for MDPP sessions. Most private insurance plans cover medical nutrition therapy for prediabetes with a referral. If you do not have coverage, ask about self-pay options.

Who qualifies?

Adults with prediabetes, an A1C between 5.7 and 6.4%, BMI of 25 or higher, or other risk factors often qualify. People who already have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes are not eligible for MDPP but can still benefit from nutrition counseling.

Can prediabetes be reversed naturally?

Yes — for many people, prediabetes can be reversed with steady lifestyle changes.
Losing 5–7% of your body weight, walking or exercising about 150 minutes per week, and improving meal balance can bring blood sugar back to a healthy range.
At Glen Rose Medical Center, we’ve seen patients return to normal A1C levels within a few months by focusing on small, consistent changes — no medication required in most cases.

Where can I find a diabetes prevention program near me?

You can participate at Glen Rose Medical Center. Call (254) 897-2215 or visit our Nutritional Services page to get started.

 

Take The First Step In Controlling Your Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes does not have to be your story. With the right support, many people in Somervell County have lowered their blood sugar, improved their health, and stayed off medication longer than they expected.

If your labs have been creeping up, or if diabetes runs in your family, this is a good time to act.

Schedule your wellness visit with Sarah today:

• Use our online form: Request Appointment
• Or call (254) 897-2215 to talk with our team

We will review your numbers, talk through your routine, and build a plan that fits your life here in Glen Rose.

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About The Author

Sarah, MS, RDN, LD
Registered Dietitian – Glen Rose Medical Center

Sarah is a Master’s-level dietitian who specializes in diabetes prevention, senior nutrition, and heart-healthy eating. She has helped many Central Texas residents bring A1C levels down through practical changes that work in real life.

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Sources

• CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program
• NIH Diabetes Prevention Program Research
• Medicare.gov MDPP Coverage Guidelines
• American Diabetes Association Standards of Care 2025
• Texas Health & Human Services – Diabetes Prevention Resources