A diabetes care plan should be reviewed at least twice a year and any time goals, health, or life circumstances change.
Your care plan is a living document. It shapes steps, medicines, food choices, activity, and targets like A1C, blood pressure, and lipids. The plan works best when it fits real life. This guide sets a clear cadence, shows triggers for earlier visits, and gives a prep list for confident next moves.
How Often To Review Your Diabetes Care Plan: Practical Timelines
Most adults do well with reviews every three to six months, plus extra touchpoints during big shifts. The exact rhythm ties to glycemic status, recent changes in therapy, and personal events. The American Diabetes Association advises checking glycemic status at least twice each year, or about every three months when targets are missed or treatment changes happen; link your plan review to those labs so decisions happen while results are fresh. In many health systems you will also have a thorough yearly review that checks complications and sets goals for the next year.
| Trigger | What To Update | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| New diagnosis or new provider | Targets, education, first prescriptions, monitoring setup | Immediately and again in 1–3 months |
| Therapy change (insulin or non-insulin) | Doses, side effects, hypoglycemia plan, follow-up dates | About every 3 months until stable |
| A1C above goal or frequent highs/lows | Medication changes, nutrition plan, meter/CGM review | About every 3 months |
| Health change (illness, surgery, steroid course) | Sick-day rules, temporary targets, monitoring frequency | During the event and soon after |
| Life change (pregnancy, shift work, travel, move) | Safety rules, schedule, supplies, prescriptions | Before and shortly after the change |
| Annual review window | Foot, eye, kidney, lipids, blood pressure, vaccines, goals | Once each year |
What “Twice A Year” Looks Like In Practice
At two set points each year, bring A1C, lipids, kidney labs, and blood pressure numbers. If you use a CGM, download time in range, time below range, and glucose average. Carry a medication list. Bring your meter or device and chargers in case settings need a quick check. Pick one to three changes you can keep for the next stretch.
When Three Months Beats Six
A three-month cycle is smart when therapy just changed, targets are not met, lows are showing up, or health status shifted. Three months aligns with A1C biology and gives time to see trends without delays. Your team can adjust timing for safety concerns.
Link Your Plan To Trusted Standards
The ADA states that glycemic status should be assessed at least two times per year and more often, such as every three months, when goals are missed or therapy changes. Read the exact wording in the ADA’s 2025 Standards (Glycemic Goals And Hypoglycemia) and use it as your anchor for timing. In the UK, care teams schedule a thorough yearly review with agreed steps for the year ahead; see NICE’s annual review overview for what that visit includes.
How To Prepare For A Productive Review
Preparation shortens visits and leads to clearer decisions. Print the checklist or save it on your phone. Use this list the week before your appointment.
Data And Logs
- Complete labs: A1C, fasting lipids, kidney tests, and urine albumin as ordered.
- CGM or meter: bring 14–30 days of data with time in range and low events flagged.
- Blood pressure: a home log with date, time, and cuff size.
- Weight trend and any symptoms since the last visit.
Medications And Supplies
- Updated list with doses, timing, and any missed doses or side effects.
- Injection or pump settings, pen types, needle length, and refill dates.
- Hypoglycemia kit (glucose tabs, glucagon), ketone strips if advised.
Goals And Barriers
- Pick one main goal for the next three months, such as fewer lows overnight.
- Write two barriers that make care hard, such as shift work or meal timing.
- Bring questions you want answered before you leave.
What To Adjust During The Review
A good review updates targets, therapies, and daily tactics. Go line by line so nothing gets missed.
Targets And Labs
Confirm A1C and time in range goals, blood pressure goals, and lipid targets. Decide when to repeat labs. Many teams repeat A1C in three months if goals are not met and in six months if things are steady.
Medication Plan
Check drugs that lower glucose, heart risk, and kidney risk. Adjust doses. Titrate insulin based on patterns, not single values. Review risk for lows, weight gain, and interactions with other drugs.
Monitoring Plan
Set meter checks or CGM alerts that match daily life. Agree on rules for sick days, steroid bursts, or travel. Confirm who to message when patterns drift.
Food, Activity, And Sleep
Match carbohydrate targets and timing to your schedule. Pick movement you can keep. Sleep and stress affect glucose; name one small step that helps both today.
Foot And Eye Safety
Schedule a foot check and a dilated eye exam if due. Numbness, wounds, or vision changes call for faster care and a quick plan review.
When A Faster Plan Review Is Wise
Set an earlier visit if any of these show up between regular check-ins:
- A1C rises, time in range falls, or lows are more frequent.
- Steroids, infections, or surgery change glucose patterns.
- Pregnancy or planning pregnancy.
- New job hours, travel across time zones, or a move.
Education Refresh Points That Keep Care On Track
Education is not a one-time class. Four moments stand out: at diagnosis; yearly and when targets are missed; when complicating factors develop; and during transitions in life or care. Ask for referrals at those times so your plan matches your skills and resources.
Monitoring Milestones And Plan Tweaks
Use routine checks to trigger small edits instead of big overhauls. The table below pairs common tests with plan actions.
| Check | Standard Frequency | Plan Impact |
|---|---|---|
| A1C | Twice yearly if stable; about every 3 months if off target | Adjust therapy, monitoring, and targets |
| Blood pressure | Each visit and at home | Update meds; add home log |
| Lipids | Yearly in many adults; sooner with therapy change | Statin dose or add-on therapy |
| Kidney labs and urine albumin | Yearly or as advised | ACEi/ARB and SGLT2 use; dose checks |
| Foot exam | Yearly, more often with neuropathy | Foot care plan; podiatry referral |
| Eye exam | Yearly in many adults; sooner if retinopathy | Retina care and glucose targets |
Make Reviews Easier Between Visits
Good care does not happen only in the clinic. A few simple habits keep the plan current day to day.
Use A Single List
Keep one running list that holds doses, device settings, refill dates, and the next lab due date. Bring it to each visit and update it the same day after any change.
Set Two Alerts
Use calendar alerts for lab draws and follow-ups. Add a second alert seven days prior to cue data downloads and refill checks.
Special Situations That Change The Clock
Type 1 Diabetes
Insulin needs shift with seasons, activity, and growth. Many people with type 1 benefit from three-month plan reviews even when targets are met, with extra visits during sports seasons or device changes.
Pregnancy
Preconception counseling starts the plan. During pregnancy the plan can change weekly. Teams often use shared messaging and frequent visits to keep both parent and baby safe.
Putting It All Together: A Simple Cadence You Can Keep
Anchor two major reviews per year. Add a three-month visit when therapy changes or targets are missed. Layer in quick touchpoints during illness, travel, pregnancy, or major life shifts. Tie reviews to labs so each visit ends with clear actions. Keep one list, set alerts, and share data early.