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Diabetes nutrition education helps members achieve remarkable results

Jose has been struggling to control his Type 2 diabetes for over 20 years. Even with regular exercise and medications prescribed by his doctors, his symptoms were difficult to manage. New diabetes-related health issues were starting to develop and affect his day-to-day life. According to Jose*, “something was missing from the equation.” That’s when he received an invitation to participate in the Banner|Aetna Kitchen. “Thanks to the amazing program, I have been able to recover my health,” he said.

Banner|Aetna Kitchen is designed for a small group of participants to learn kitchen and cooking skills under the guidance of a chef and a dietician. Unlike other diabetes nutrition education programs, which can be difficult to understand and apply, the program’s hands-on approach and “atmosphere of friendship” help inspire lasting lifestyle changes and improve health outcomes.

It made a big difference for Jose. “It sounds kind of cliché, but food is health and I wish I had learned it sooner,” he said.

Every other week over four months, participants gather for dinner parties and gardening days to learn skills for healthy living. During the event, a chef instructs members as they work to prepare a delicious, healthy meal. While they enjoy the food together, a dietician guides conversations about practical nutrition, home gardening and the benefits of regular physical activity to round out their diabetes nutrition education. At the end of each party, members take home all the ingredients for the recipe so they can practice at home, making it easier to establish new habits.

For Jose, the program has been life changing. “You’re going to laugh, but because of this program, I cut down my sugar intake and discovered how delicious and juicy a strawberry is naturally,” he explained. “It was so unbelievable. I was like a baby experiencing something for the first time, and I'm glad I didn't die before knowing such a revelation of life that I was totally missing because of the added sugar in my diet.” 

Overall, people who participate have achieved remarkable results. Participants have seen hemoglobin A1C drop by a point and have lost 5% of their body weight on average.

Banner|Aetna Kitchen continues to expand to serve more members in more locations throughout Arizona. In 2024, a companion program to Banner|Aetna Kitchen called Active Project will launch. It will build on what makes the kitchen program so successful—a foundation of community, open dialogue, and proactive health education. Members will be invited to the Active Project to engage in group activities that are practical to incorporate in everyday life, like walking, hiking, gardening and more. Both programs are part of the Banner|Aetna Ecosystem (The Eco), a new community model for health and wellness that leverages the power of peer support to positively affect health outcomes. The Eco also includes powerful offerings like a diabetes reversal program, the provider-led Care Advocate Team program for certain chronic conditions, and more.

Banner|Aetna Kitchen is just one of the ways Banner|Aetna is innovating health care. Members interested in learning more about diabetes nutrition education or hearing additional stories from program participants can visit our Diabetes Care Support Center.

For information about Banner|Aetna health insurance coverage, visit our Employer page.

*Illustrative example based on real Aetna Member experiences.

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Banner|Aetna aims to offer access to more efficient and effective member care at a more affordable cost. We join the right medical professionals with the right technology, so members benefit from quality, personalized health care designed to help them reach their health ambitions.

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Health benefits and health insurance plans are offered, underwritten, and/or administered by Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company and/or Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc. (Banner|Aetna). Banner|Aetna is an affiliate of Banner Health and of Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna). Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products. Aetna and Banner Health provide certain management services to Banner|Aetna. Aetna, CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic, LLC (which either operates or provides certain management support services to MinuteClinic-branded walk-in clinics) are part of the CVS Health® family of companies.

On-Demand Virtual Care with 98point6 by Transcarent

Banner|Aetna offers access to 98point6 by Transcarent, a virtual care solution that enables members to connect to care anytime, anywhere via secure in-app messaging.

Treatment is provided by a U.S.-based care team, including board-certified doctors, who can diagnose and treat over 1,000 conditions, outline care options, prescribe* medication, and order labs or imaging when appropriate—all through the convenience of a mobile app.

Key Features:

  • Audio, video, and Spanish translation support available as needed
  • Access to care plans and lab results directly within the app
  • Referrals to in-network resources and specialists
  • Care is available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
  • 24/7/365 access with an average wait time of under 2 minutes—no appointment required.

Available to enrolled Banner|Aetna members and covered dependents age 1+* in an eligible plan.

Cost: Low-to-no-cost per visit*, depending on plan details.

*FOR ENROLLED MEMBERS AND COVERED DEPENDENTS AGE 1+: 98point6 by Transcarent is available to members age 1-17 when an adult parent or guardian is also enrolled in the plan. Access to 98point6 by Transcarent is not included in all plans.

*FOR LOW-TO-NO-COST WITH 98POINT6 BY TRANSCARENT: Members enrolled in a health savings account (HSA) or qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP) must pay the applicable cost-share for virtual care visit until their deductible is met, after which services will be provided at no cost-share. All other health plan members pay $0 per virtual care visit regardless of whether their deductible has been met. Please refer to your plan documents for your applicable cost-share amounts.

*FOR 98POINT6 BY TRANSCARENT PRESCRIBING: 98point6 by Transcarent providers do not prescribe controlled substances (such as opioids), lifestyle medications (such as Viagra and Propecia) or weight loss medications (Wegovy or Ozempic). 98point6 by Transcarent and Transcarent Clinic clinicians are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Banner|Aetna or plans administered by Banner|Aetna, and does not guarantee that a prescription will be written. Transcarent Clinic providers will not prescribe DEA-controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs and certain other drugs that may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. Clinicians reserve the right to deny care for potential misuse of services

This material is for information only. An application must be completed to obtain coverage. Rates and benefits vary by location. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Banner|Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice.

Health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations.