DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado (Anthem) announced it now offers a diabetes prevention program recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help members throughout the state lower their risk of diabetes and help employers take charge of diabetes-related health care costs.
Anthem’s yearlong program offers lifestyle health coaching and weekly classes to teach members the skills needed to lose weight, become more physically active and manage stress as part of their daily life. The program is part of the evidence-based National Diabetes Prevention Program led by the CDC and supported by the American Medical Association (AMA). Members can refer themselves to the program after completing a risk assessment or can be recommended by their doctor.
“According to the CDC, nearly one in three adults in the U.S. has prediabetes, which increases their risk for type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease,” said Mike Ramseier, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado. “The good news is the condition is reversible with lifestyle changes, and we are proud to offer our Colorado members the tools to help them live their healthiest lives possible.”
“Insurers’ participation in the National Diabetes Prevention Program is crucial,” said Ann Albright, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, “and Coloradans covered through this plan now have an evidence-based lifestyle change program available to them which can be life-changing and life-saving. We enthusiastically welcome Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program and look forward to learning about the improved health outcomes in Colorado.”
Anthem’s Diabetes Prevention Program is administered by Viridian Health Solutions Inc., and offers members the flexibility to take classes at community locations, participating employer sites or entirely online through Viridian's network of DPP providers. The program is based on a National Institutes of Health trial that demonstrated participants under age 60 reduced their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent, while participants over 60 reduced their risk by 71 percent.
“Prediabetes is a serious medical condition that must be addressed in our country and we applaud Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for recognizing the need to help prevent type 2 diabetes,” said AMA President Steven J. Stack, M.D. “With more than 86 million Americans living with prediabetes and 90 percent of them unaware of it, we’ll need more insurers like Anthem to provide coverage for proven diabetes prevention programs that will help reduce health care costs and improve health outcomes.”
“Delivering Anthem’s Diabetes Prevention Program requires innovative approaches to member engagement, outreach and enrollment, reporting and reimbursement management,” said Brenda Schmidt, CEO of Viridian Health Solutions, Inc. “Viridian is excited to partner with Anthem to serve as the integrator ‘hub’ for a wide variety of community-based and virtual diabetes prevention programs that Anthem members can choose from, and to coordinate program referrals from Anthem’s own care management programs, employer customers and physicians throughout Colorado.”
Anthem’s Diabetes Prevention Program is covered in full as a preventative care benefit for members enrolled in Affordable Care Act-compliant plans. Non-ACA compliant plans, such as Grandfathered individual or small group plans that were purchased on or before March 23, 2010, may cover preventative care with a member co-pay on some plan designs.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin
About Viridian Health Solutions, Inc.
Viridian Health Solutions, Inc. is a technology-enabled healthcare services company that integrates community - based and online preventive health programs, including the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program, through referrals from healthcare providers and health plans. Viridian is the “health community integrator” for a national network of community providers with technology that manages reimbursement and payment, aggregate data and reporting, and supports consumer engagement and choice through varied program and service referrals. For more information visit www.viridianhealth.com.