Skip to main content

Arizona nutrition program helps Banner|Aetna members bring healthy habits home

Food can be a powerful tool when it comes to managing many health conditions, including high-cost diseases like diabetes. Expenses from diabetes drive 25% of all U.S. medical spending, causing $90 billion in lost productivity annually. Plus, those with the disease are burdened with considerably higher medical costs than those without. That’s where hands-on, evidence-based programs like the Banner|Aetna’s Kitchen program comes in.

The Arizona nutrition program was developed for members with certain health conditions like diabetes or hypertension. It aims to engage, inspire and educate these individuals to make lasting lifestyle changes that lead to improved health outcomes and ultimately lower health care expenses. “A lot of people don’t realize the complications that can happen because of diabetes,” shares Melissa Saliba, a Banner|Aetna member and Kitchen Program alumni-turned-ambassador. She has been coping with health issues stemming from her diabetes for over 30 years.

When Melissa received an invitation to participate in the program, she was skeptical. She had attended several educational diabetes classes in the past but found the information difficult to understand and apply to her daily life. Yet Banner|Aetna offered something unique—the Arizona nutrition program incorporated kitchen and cooking skills under the guidance of a chef. That piqued Melissa’s interest, and ultimately, she started seeing real results after joining the program.

The Banner|Aetna Kitchen program is tailored to a small group of participants. Members meet for dinner parties and gardening days over a four-month period to learn a whole host of skills for healthy living.

During each twice-monthly dinner party, the group works together to prepare a nutritious, delicious meal while a trained chef gives a live cooking lesson. All of the hard work in the kitchen pays off when the group enjoys their meal together and participates in guided conversation about topics like practical nutrition, home gardening and how to stay physically active. Plus, to help these newly learned skills stick, members go home with all the ingredients in tow. They can then practice making the recipe again during the week.

Hands-on gardening sessions are also part of the Arizona nutrition program offered by Banner|Aetna. Participants learn how to plant, compost, grow and harvest fruits, vegetables and herbs. Melissa recalls a delicious dish the group prepared in the teaching kitchen: greens with garlic, balsamic and a mirepoix (carrots, celery and onion-all from the group’s garden harvest).

Following the program, Melissa’s A1C levels are lower than they’ve ever been. She’s also off one of her medications. “I’m exercising consistently and fit into my clothes again. And I feel like I’m just getting started,” she stated. “And my kids have learned so much too. We are all eating much healthier now because of this program; it affects whole households.” As an ambassador of the Kitchen Program, she will provide ongoing peer support to future members who participate.  

The Kitchen Program is just one of the innovative ways Banner|Aetna is changing health care for the better. Members interested in learning more can visit our Diabetes Care Support Center for more resources. And for information about our coverage, visit our Employer or Individual pages.

Our programs, care team and care managers do not diagnose or treat members. We assist you in getting the care you need and our program is not a substitute for the medical treatment and/or instructions provided by your health care providers.

Transforming health care, together

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.

Contact us

What's New

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.