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Blue Shield Wellvolution First Year Results and Outcomes

Jul 20, 2020, 3 Minute Read

In just one year, more than 23,500 Blue Shield of California members enrolled in Wellvolution® and reclaimed their health by prioritizing their health and well-being, reporting weight loss, reducing stress, and reversing chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Wellvolution’s innovative digital and community health network platform uses decades of research and leading technology to deliver personalized support, offering nearly 60 digital apps and 30,000 brick-and-mortar community locations, the largest network of such providers in the nation. Best of all, Wellvolution is available to most Blue Shield members at no additional cost.

The top reason members joined Wellvolution was to lose weight, with about 13,000 participants reporting they lost a total of more than 83,000 pounds in the first six months of the program. Other top reasons for joining were to move more, reduce stress, and eat more healthily. And, since the COVID-19 pandemic, engagement has spiked 10 times compared to pre-pandemic levels.

First Year Results
More than half of the program participants were matched with programs tailored to address specific health conditions or risks such as reversing or preventing diabetes, lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol, and eliminating the need for prescription drugs.

Wellvolution programs that address specific health issues are measured for clinical outcomes, which are established quality assurance and improvement standards in the medical industry. Data from Wellvolution’s best-performing programs show sustained clinical outcomes for members in normalization of A1C numbers* or at least a 5% weight loss. Among these programs:

• 60% of members signed up for weight management.
• 30% of members enrolled for diabetes prevention.
• 10% of members signed up for diabetes treatment and reversal programs.

Program Outcomes
Below are some member outcomes from three popular, clinically proven Wellvolution digital programs that helped members address health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, and allergies:

• Virta Health: In six months, 93% of participants improved their blood sugar levels, with a 1.6% average A1C reduction. Research shows that a 1% reduction in A1C levels can reduce diabetes complications by 28%. Further, 74% of patients have eliminated at least one diabetes medication, and those on insulin when they started the Virta treatment saw their dosage reduced by an average of 76%.
• Betr Health: Within 90 days, members saw an average weight loss of 12.6% and 1.4% reduction in A1C. In addition, 91% reported lower blood pressure and inflammation with improved sleep, digestion, mood, and energy, and 86%, with the guidance of their physician, reported reducing or eliminating one or more medications.
• Digbi Health: Among participants, 72% saw an 8.92% average weight loss, and members with pre-diabetes or diabetes have seen an average decline of 1.01% in their A1C levels. In addition, 75% experienced reduced Irritable Bowel Syndrome and acid reflux; 75% experienced relief from headaches/migraines; 66% decreased their anxiety; and 66% lowered their chronic pain.

Wellvolution Health Platform

Members get access to innovative health programs personalized to improve well-being at no additional cost. With support from experts and coaches, and digital tools to analyze and achieve health goals, Wellvolution helps members:

• Prevent and reverse existing health conditions.
• Lose weight.
• Manage stress and improve sleep.
• Be more active and eat better.

Learn about Blue Shield’s preferred pricing and well-being discounts.

*AIC is a blood test that measures a person’s average blood sugar levels over the past three months; it is used to diagnose risk for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

Blue Shield Resources

• COVID-19 Resources for brokers and employers.
• Blue Shield News Center
• Product Cycle Updates
• Employer Connection Plus (EC+)
• Broker Communications
• Broker Connection
• Plan Comparison Tool
• Small Business Plan Documents
• Mandates
• Renewal Center
• Forms and Applications

Additional Resources

• 2020 Small Business Plans at a Glance
• What’s New for Small Business Q3-2020
• Q3-2020 Small Business Sales Brochure
• 2020 Medical Plan Cheat Sheet
• Specialty Plan Quick Facts
• Trio HMO Flyer and Website
• Tandem PPO Flyer
• Teladoc Brochure
• Pharmacy Directory
• Specialty Drug Short Cycle Program Expansion RxNews Flash
• Blue Shield Small Group Underwriting Guidelines
• Relaxed Participation Extended to December 31, 2020.
• New Small Business Multiple Subscriber Change Spreadsheet form for subscriber-level plan changes during renewal.
• Master Group Application Form
• Updated Employee Enrollment Form
• Blue Shield’s Renewal Center will help streamline the renewal process. You can:
  • Complete your renewals, 100% paperless.
  • Compare/add/edit/delete subscribers and dependents to calculate quotes.
  • Submit group renewals and enroll clients’ employees online.

Visit Blue Shield’s Broker Connection to learn more.

Questions?
Contact your Claremont team at 800.696.4543 or info@claremontcompanies.com.