Virtual diabetes management is changing the game for Banner|Aetna members

By Tom Grote

When asked earlier, to name the smartest decision I’ve made this year to set Banner|Aetna up for success, I said it was forming a partnership with virtual diabetes management program Virta Health. The model combines personalized nutrition and continuous virtual care to help members achieve normal blood sugar without expensive medications, and our partnership has showed impressive results.

The initial 90-day data from current participants show promise. Thanks to Virta, the group on average:

• Reduced their need for diabetes-specific medications by 48%
• Experienced weight loss of -6.5%
• Saw an eA1c (a measure of estimated blood sugar) reduction of -1.55

Some members, like William, no longer need insulin at all. Though William was skeptical when he was invited to participate in the program by his employer, Banner Health, his “truly life altering” results have made him a believer in Virta’s science-based approach to diabetes management.

“I figured it was just another diet plan with little to no actual support,” he recalls. But Virta’s team-based approach to providing virtual care means members have 24/7 access to a group of licensed care professionals and it’s not a struggle to get in contact with one busy provider (doctor, health coach, dietician, etc.) for support or guidance. Peer support from like-minded people, who have been through the experience themselves, is also available. This individualized approach follows the latest American Diabetes Association guidance emphasizing the need for patient-centered services based on life circumstances, desires, needs and social determinants of health. It’s also proven to be extremely effective.

Overall, peer-reviewed clinical trial results show patients who complete two years of Virta's virtual diabetes management:

• Reduced their average daily insulin dosage by 81%
• Eliminated 67% of all prescriptions
• Experienced 10% weight loss, exceeding FDA benchmarks by 100%

And members are sticking with the program. Two years in, the retention rate is 70% which means Virta is more sustainable than other diet and lifestyle programs. These impressive results are possible, in part, because Virta’s comprehensive intake process sets members up for success by helping them become their own advocate. When people can identify their own motivation for improving their health, the ‘why’ gives them a deep source of inspiration to draw from and stay on track.

For William, part of this process meant talking extensively with Virta’s team of physicians to understand the science behind the treatment before committing. “The key piece of information I learned was that my body had become carb intolerant. The more carbs I ate, and trust me when I say I ate a lot of bread and pasta, the more I seemed to depend on carbs.” Now, William is down 45 pounds and has gone from a 4X in men’s clothing to an XL. And he’s just getting started on his health journey. “These are truly life altering results and make me want to continue to succeed.”

Virta’s  type II diabetes management program is available at no extra cost to eligible members of Banner|Aetna’s fully insured groups and self-funded groups who elect to offer Virta. Self-funded employer groups can also access prediabetes and obesity offerings that use the same innovative care model to deliver sustainable health transformation. If you’re interested in learning more about our coverage, visit our Employer or Individual pages. 

Banner|Aetna’s innovative relationship with Virta Health has been highlighted in leading publications such as AZ Central, ABC15 Health Insider, Healthcare Finance, Modern Healthcare and mHealthcareIntelligence. 

William is an enrolled Banner|Aetna member and was not compensated for his testimonial.

Banner|Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company and Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Banner|Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Refer to BannerAetna.com for more information about Banner|Aetna® plans. Health benefits and health insurance plans are offered and/or underwritten by Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company and/or Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc. (Banner|Aetna). Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products. Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company and Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc. are affiliates of Banner Health and of Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna). Aetna and Banner Health provide certain management services to Banner|Aetna.

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