Blue Shield of California is launching a new digital therapeutics platform that will provide programs to eligible members at no cost to them. Powered by Solera Health, the new Wellvolution platform provides curated, scientific and results-based digital programs that can be personalized to each of its members’ individual health needs and preferences. The program is available at no cost to members enrolled in Blue Shield’s fully insured employer-sponsored plans or it’s Individual and Family Plans.
Blue Shield’s new platform gives its members access to a best-in-class network of clinically proven health-management and wellness resources – the largest in the industry – that makes DIY (do-it-yourself) health possible, improving the ability to address:
· Sleep quality
· Stress management
· Physical activity
· Diet and nutrition
· Tobacco cessation
· Cardio-metabolic disease prevention (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, etc.)
· Chronic condition reversal
Zombie Health Management
Currently, there are more than 320,000 health apps available online for consumers to choose from, and they lack trusted guidance to follow so they can achieve the health results they want. Wellvolution’s curated, scientific approach provides a proven path for our members to follow.
“Traditional wellness programs are clearly dead – too costly and ineffective – yet the zombie health management program epidemic continues. Enough already,” said Bryce Williams, vice president, Lifestyle Medicine at Blue Shield. “With Wellvolution, Blue Shield members and their families can now meaningfully utilize lifestyle to meet their health needs whether they’re trying to reverse disease such as diabetes or simply get a better night sleep, and it won’t cost them a penny more.”
In addition to a broad network of results-oriented digital therapeutic providers, Wellvolution offers a variety of online applications and in-person health and lifestyle-program resources to help members improve and maintain their health. In total, Wellvolution offers access to more than 30,000 brick-and-mortar services such as Weight Watchers, gyms and community centers, and nearly 70 digital health programs. This new approach delivering digital and community lifestyle programs as a member benefit versus a traditional workplace wellness program builds upon Blue Shield’s 10-year experience with its original Wellvolution program.
How Wellvolution Works
Members create an online account, answer survey questions about their lifestyle and health goals, and get matched with their personalized approach. They receive step-by-step weekly action plans that act as their personal digital coach and have access to recommended mobile apps and in-person resources (e.g. Weight Watchers, stress management and fitness apps, local gyms, community centers).
Because the programming is scientifically backed and the network is built on performance, vendor partners who provide the digital apps are held accountable for producing results through monthly reports that track app downloads, member engagement, and other metrics that determine their success in helping members achieve positive outcomes.
Wellvolution’s Selection Criteria for Digital Apps
Wellvolution’s clinically validated digital apps have gone through a rigorous vetting process conducted by Blue Shield and Solera Health. They have proven results in-market and high consumer rankings. Most importantly, if an individual is not seeing the results expected or has a health goal change, he or she can switch to a different program at no cost. This approach ensures that participants remain engaged and see results.
Importantly, members with at-risk medical conditions (e.g. diabetes) are matched with health applications and resources that focus on disease prevention. All disease-reversal programs offered by Wellvolution have been clinically reviewed and have scientific evidence that they can treat members’ conditions at the same level or better than traditional therapy. For this group, Blue Shield and Solera selected vendors that leverage evidence-based methods and scientific principles to support a statistically significant reduction of risk factors for populations who don’t have a disease and reversal of existing conditions for those who have a chronic medical condition. They also measure demonstrated success with user engagement and satisfaction to ensure that these solutions can be delivered to members in real-world, real-life settings.
