It's a mark of distinction for a diabetes-education class to be officially "recognized" by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Indeed, some health-insurance plans (including Medicare) will pay only for courses that carry this seal of approval.

Below are 51 programs in the eight-county Philadelphia region that pass muster.

Most offer 10 hours of instruction about medicines and monitors, nutrition, physical activity and other facets of managing diabetes.

The courses are designed for diabetics, but some doctors now encourage pre-diabetic patients to attend to learn strategies for preventing or delaying the illness. Students with pre-diabetes may have to pay some charges out of pocket.

You can find ADA-recognized classes outside the eight-county region on the association's Web site, www.diabetes.org. Enter your ZIP code in the "Local Events & Information" box on the home page and click on "Go." Then, click on "Find a Recognized Education Program" to search for classes held in and near your ZIP code.

Philadelphia

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, 5501 Old York Road. Living with Diabetes, 215-456-6839.

Aria Health Frankford Hospitals, Frankford campus, Frankford Avenue & Wakeling Street, 215-831-2122.

Aria Health Frankford Hospitals, Torresdale campus, Knights & Red Lion roads, 215-831-2122.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Diabetes Center for Children, 34th Street & Civic Center Blvd., 267-426-0271.

JFK Southwest Medical Clinic, 3001 Walnut St. An ABC Diabetes Programs course, 215-283-2833.

Northeastern Hospital, 2301 E. Allegheny Ave. An ABC Diabetes Program course, 215-283-2833.

Pennsylvania Hospital Diabetes Education Center, 800 Spruce St., 1st floor Ayer building, 215-829-5725.

Nazareth Hospital, 2601 Holme Ave. An ABC Diabetes Program course, 215-283-2833.

Roxborough Memorial Hospital, 5800 Ridge Ave. An ABC Diabetes Program course, 215-283-2833.

University of Pennsylvania's Penn Rodebaugh Diabetes Center Education Program, 4 Penn Tower, 3400 Spruce St., 215-662-3661.

Bucks County

Abington Memorial Hospital Diabetes Center's Warminster campus, 225 Newtown Road, Warminster, 215-672-0899.

Aria Health Frankford Hospitals' Bucks campus, 380 North Oxford Valley Road, Langhorne, 215-831-2122.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Specialty Care Center in Bucks County, 500 W. Butler Ave., Chalfont, 267-426-0271.

Doylestown Hospital Diabetes Self-Management Education Program, 595 W. State St., Doylestown, 215-345-2172.

Grand View Hospital, 700 Lawn Ave., Sellersville. An ABC Diabetes Program course, 215-283-2833.

Lower Bucks Hospital, 501 Bath Road, Bristol, An ABC Diabetes Program course, 215-283-2833.

St. Luke's Hospital, 1025 Park Ave., Quakertown, 215-538-4575.

St. Mary Medical Center Diabetes Self-Management Education Program, 1201 Langhorne-Newtown Road, Langhorne, 215-710-5812.