Wellness programs—especially those designed for employees—not always proven to actually be beneficial. But South Carolina-based BlueCross BlueShield says the members it serves have had enough success with its personalized health plan that it Expanded the program earlier this month Includes mental health and musculoskeletal services.
BlueCross has been working with Solera Health, which builds a custom healthcare platform and offers select condition management plans on behalf of BlueCross to employees of fully insured employer groups. The insurer and Phoenix-based Solera launched health plan My Health Novel in January 2021. The first “chapter” focuses on healthy weight management, diabetes prevention, and behavioral counseling.
About 1,500 members who participated in the weight loss program lost 5 percent of their body weight, Kasey How, director of product and marketing communications at BlueCross, said on a Zoom call last week.
“Members who participated for at least 26 weeks lost an average of 9 percent of their body weight,” How said.
According to BlueCross, losing weight also helped one in five employees who enrolled in a health plan cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than half.
How to say BlueCross has received positive feedback from employees and employers who only pay for wellness plans when employees participate. In fact, the company found that the vast majority (84%) of people who were matched with an online program tailored to their specific needs said the program improved their satisfaction with BlueCross.
My Health Novel’s new service now includes services provided by eMindful, headspace and ginger For mental and behavioral health. Members can access these platforms for help with stress, anxiety and depression, and other mental health issues.
Employees looking to proactively address joint pain from arthritis or other musculoskeletal problems There are also options.my health novel Now link members to hinge health, Kaia Health and Sworkit Get ongoing guidance and support to address musculoskeletal disorders, such as helping develop and follow a home physical therapy program.
A Solera spokesperson confirmed that the company selected network partners after an extensive vetting process to ensure they met its efficacy and customer satisfaction standards. How said chooses different companies as platforms to meet the needs of different levels of members.
BlueCross isn’t the only company offering custom health plans. Other insurers are increasingly doing the same. E.g, United Medical Supports many corporate wellness programs, including by Rally Healthand Aetna has more than 70 health plans.
With healthcare, people “expect it to be highly personalized and seamless, and health insurance is no exception,” How said.
Photo: fcafotodigital, Getty Images
