Blue Defend of California’s Wellvolution debuts new options for sort 2 diabetes

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Blue Shield of California is adding two new services to its Wellvolution program that provide personalized and nutritional support to members living with type 2 diabetes or at risk of type 2 diabetes.

Wellvolution is a digital lifestyle medicine and health platform that can be tailored to each member’s individual health needs and preferences. The platform, including these advanced programs, is available to members at no additional cost.

New services include a digital health tool that members can use to make decisions with their care team, and a fresh food delivery service for eligible members.

WHAT’S THE IMPACT?

Treating and treating chronic illness has long been a goal of insurers because it saves them and the health system money when done effectively.

With the new tool from WiserCare, members with type 2 diabetes receive support in creating a personalized treatment plan. Care Compass enables eligible members to share information such as their target blood sugar, a plan for lifestyle treatments, and understanding of medications with their doctors, family and friends to help them manage their care.

And then there is Betr Health, a program within Wellvolution. Betr Health is a diabetes treatment and reversal program that helps members control blood sugar without medication through nutritional science and remote care from doctors and behavioral experts.

Betr Health offers eligible low-income members with diabetes up to six months of healthy meals to help them follow their diabetes-prescribed diets and reverse their chronic conditions.

Betr Health’s digital program – developed for all members but especially relevant to people with diabetes – helps members monitor food intake, weight and blood sugar levels. The tool is supported by professional health coaches and an online support community.

Overall, 81% of the members of the diabetes care program use Betr Health and VirtaHealth.

THE BIGGER TREND

Most adults in California have prediabetes or diabetes. Nearly half of California’s adults, including one in three young adults, have either prediabetes – a precursor to type 2 diabetes – or undiagnosed diabetes, according to a study published by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

According to the 2020 National Diabetes Statistics Report, diabetes was highest in the United States among Native Americans (14.7%), Hispanics (12.5%), and blacks (11.7%), followed by Asians (9.2%) ) and non-Hispanics (7.5%)%).

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the author: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com