Type 2 Diabetes Care in Alaska via Telehealth

Clear Guidance, Compassionate Care

Managing diabetes doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. At Be Well Berlin, we provide clear guidance, compassionate care, and treatment that works for your life.

We help you understand your numbers, your medications, and your goals. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking for better control, you’ll always know why we recommend a treatment—and you’ll never be pressured into something you’re not ready for.

In-Network with Alaska Medicaid, pending contracts with Cigna and Moda Health

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Type 2 Diabetes Overview
Diabetes complications – brain heart kidney eye and nerve damage explained

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin, the hormone that helps move sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. Over time, your pancreas can’t keep up with the extra demand, leading to higher blood sugars.

It’s often a disease of decades, developing slowly due to genetics, lifestyle, stress, and sometimes other medical conditions. T2DM can affect nearly every system in the body:
 

  • Heart and blood vessels (increased risk for heart attack and stroke)
  • Kidneys (diabetic kidney disease)
  • Eyes and nerves (retinopathy, neuropathy)
     

Family history plays a major role, and environmental factors matter too. This is why we focus not just on medication, but also on education, prevention, and supporting the whole person—mental health, trauma history, and body diversity are respected here.

Telehealth Type 2 diabetes care available in Homer, Anchorage, Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, Bethel, Nome, and rural Alaska communities. Medicaid accepted, pending contracts with Cigna and Moda Health

Man.checking.his.blood.sugar.getting.medical.care

Our Goals and ADA-recommended Targets 

We follow the latest American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines so your care is always evidence-based:
 

  • Fasting blood sugar goal: 80–130 mg/dL
  • Two-hour post-meal goal: Under 180 mg/dL
  • A1C: Individualized, but if your A1C is above 9%, ADA recommends starting insulin or a GLP-1 receptor agonist (like Ozempic® or Mounjaro®) to bring your sugars down safely and reduce complications.
     
Why is Insulin or GLP-1 medications recommended for A1C above 9%?
When your A1C (average blood sugar) is above 9%, it means your blood sugars are running high most of the time. At these levels, your body’s own insulin isn’t working well enough to keep up, and the risk of long-term complications goes up quickly. These medications can help us quickly get your blood sugars under control when a larger insulin demand is necessary.


Most importantly: We always work at your pace. We’ll explain your options, answer questions, and choose the treatment that feels right for you.

What we typically avoid:
Older medications called sulfonylureas (glipizide, glimepiride) because they:
  • Increase the risk of hypoglycemia (dangerous lows)
  • May negatively affect the heart
  • Are harder to manage for people with modern, flexible lifestyles
Illustration of healthcare providers reviewing blood sugar results and treatment options for type 2 diabetes patients in los angeles

Treatment, Support, and Safety

Treatment, Support, and Safety

We believe diabetes care should fit your life—not the other way around. Here’s what you can expect:
 
  • Personalized medication plans using the safest, most effective options available
  • Lifestyle coaching around nutrition, activity, sleep, and stress
  • Telehealth visits statewide so you can follow up without leaving home
  • Affordable labs to track your sugars, kidney and liver function, and cholesterol
  • Insurance and Medicaid accepted for most California patients
 
Hypoglycemia education:
Low blood sugar can happen, especially with mealtime insulin or sulfonylureas. We’ll teach you the 15-15-15 rule:
  • Eat 15 grams of fast-acting sugar
  • Wait 15 minutes and recheck.
  • If above 70 mg/dL, eat a balanced meal.
  • If still low, call 911 if symptoms worsen.
Smiling primary care provider in blue scrubs at be well berlin clinic offering personalized health services

Why choose Be Well Berlin?

Our approach blends primary care, mental health insight, and patient-first convenience. You get care that’s:

 
  • Judgment-free and respectful of every body
  • Available where you are – Telehealth care available statewide in Alaska, including  Homer, Anchorage, Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, Bethel, Nome, and rural Alaska communities. 
  • Grounded in relationships – We learn your goals and walk alongside you
 

Ready to feel better and take control of your health? [Schedule your diabetes visit today.]

Type 2 Diabetes Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are insulin or GLP-1 medications recommended if my A1C is above 9%?
A: When your A1C is over 9%, your blood sugar is running high most of the time, increasing the risk of complications like heart, kidney, eye, and nerve damage. Starting insulin or a GLP-1 medication such as Ozempic® or Mounjaro® can bring sugars down quickly and safely. At Be Well Berlin in Homer, we follow American Diabetes Association guidelines and explain every option so you feel comfortable and informed.

Q: Are insulin or GLP-1 injections permanent?
A: Not always. Many people use insulin or GLP-1 medications temporarily to “reset” their blood sugars. Once numbers improve, we can often adjust as needed. Every plan is personalized at our Homer clinic and via secure telehealth for patients across Alaska, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and rural communities.

Q: What is a GLP-1 medication and how is it different from insulin?
A: GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic® or Mounjaro®) help your body use insulin more effectively, slow digestion, and reduce appetite. They are not insulin and usually have a much lower risk of low blood sugar. Insulin replaces or supplements what your body can’t make enough of. We explain both options clearly during your visit so you can choose what fits your needs.

Q: Can my nurse practitioner prescribe insulin or GLP-1 medications in Alaska?
A: Yes. As a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner in Alaska, Isaac Berlin, FNP-C, can diagnose, prescribe, and manage medications including insulin and GLP-1s for Type 2 diabetes. We offer telehealth care across the entire State

Q: Is this covered by insurance or Alaska Medicaid?
A: Most major insurance plans and Alaska Medicaid cover insulin and GLP-1 medications, but coverage can vary. At Be Well Berlin, we help you navigate your benefits and find affordable options, whether you have Medicaid, private insurance, or pay cash.

Q: What are the symptoms of high A1C or poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes?
A: Symptoms may include thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds, though some people have no symptoms. Through our Alaska telehealth visits, we can order A1C and lab tests at local facilities and create a treatment plan to protect your long-term health.

Q: Can lifestyle changes alone lower my A1C?
A: Yes, diet, exercise, weight management, and stress reduction can improve blood sugar, especially early on. But if your A1C is above 9%, medications are often needed for safety. We combine lifestyle and medication strategies that fit your life, all through secure telehealth for patients in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Homer, and rural Alaska.

Q: What labs and tests do you recommend for Type 2 diabetes?
A: We follow American Diabetes Association guidelines, which usually include A1C, fasting glucose, kidney and liver function, cholesterol, and sometimes thyroid or vitamin levels. We send lab orders to local Alaska facilities so you can get tested close to home and track results with your care team online.

Q: Can you help if I’m already on diabetes medications but still have high numbers?
A: Absolutely. Many patients come to us frustrated with their current plan. We review your medications, labs, and daily habits, then adjust or add treatments as needed. Our goal is to simplify your routine and improve your numbers through Alaska-based telehealth appointments.

Q: Do you treat patients without insurance or with high deductibles?
A: Yes. We offer transparent pricing and membership options for patients paying cash. Labs and medications can often be arranged at affordable rates. We accept Alaska Medicaid and are pending contracts with Cigna and Moda Health, so coverage options are expanding soon.