Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and the N.D. Department of Health's Diabetes Prevention and Control Program have awarded 2007 North Dakota Diabetes Care Provider Achievement plaques to 171 providers and 12 clinics. The awards, which recognize recipients for demonstrating excellence in managing the care of adult or pediatric diabetes patients in 2006, were presented at provider appreciation events in Fargo and Bismarck in May.

Providers earn an award if they have four or more adult or pediatric patients and meet at least four out of five criteria, which are based on American Diabetes Association Standards. Providers who meet all five criteria receive gold awards. Clinics earn an award if they have more than 10 patients and meet all five criteria.

Of the providers who work with adult diabetes patients, 71 earned gold and 88 earned silver awards. The adult criteria are:

• Annual office visit, 100 percent
• Annual A1C (assessment of blood sugar control over time), 95 percent
• Annual dilated eye exam, 60 percent
• Annual lipid profile, 85 percent
• Annual nephropathy (kidney disease) assessment, 80 percent

Of the providers who work with pediatric diabetes patients, six earned gold and 6 earned silver awards. The pediatric criteria are:

• Annual office visit, 100 percent
• Annual A1C (assessment of blood sugar control over time), 95 percent
• Annual dilated eye exam, five years after diagnosis, then annually, 60 percent
• Annual lipid profile, five years after diagnosis, then annually, 85 percent
• Annual nephropathy (kidney disease) assessment, five years after diagnosis, then annually, 80 percent