There are over one million people living with diabetes in Michigan and an additional 2.6 million with prediabetes. Nationally, type 2 diabetes is the fifth most prominent chronic condition affecting 5.5 percent of commercially-insured Blue Cross members, according to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association https://www.bcbs.com.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), a nonprofit mutual insurance company, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.6 million members residing in Michigan.
BCBSM supports the prevention and management of diabetes with new digital solutions for large customers whose benefit plans are administered by Blue Cross. Starting January 1, 2019, Blue Cross will partner on programs with Livongo https://livongo.com and Omada Health https://www.omedahealth.com, designed to help prevent diabetes and help people better manage their diabetes.
Omada Health a digital behavioral medicine company will provide eligible Blue Cross members with evidence-based intensive behavioral counseling through a remote digital delivery system. The year-long program will enable participants to learn to make changes related to eating habits, activity, sleep and stress, via interactive learning sessions if needed. Members will use smart technology to communicate with peer groups, be coached, and receive feedback.
To support diabetes management, Livongo’s program is powered by advanced data science so that the members receive the right information, tools, and support at the right time. The program will offer insights on how to manage diabetes by showing people how to read smart blood glucose meters, provide real-time support, and send testing supplies to the home.
Livongo will provide support via coaches that have been certified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators and available 24 hours a day by phone, text, email, or on the Livongo mobile app. Members will receive a call or text from a coach within minutes of a high or low blood glucose reading to provide support.