Buffalo, N.Y. – BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York announced today that it expanded its partnership with Livongo® to offer the Livongo for Diabetes program at no-cost to fully insured BlueCross BlueShield members living with the condition.
On average, people reduce their diabetes-related medical costs by approximately 22% during their first year with Livongo.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, the Livongo for Diabetes program will offer BlueCross BlueShield’s members a simple and convenient way to manage their diabetes, including providing a glucose meter, and as many testing supplies and lancets as needed delivered straight to members’ homes. Personalized 24/7 health coaching will also be part of the benefit. The smart program enables members to reorder testing supplies directly from their meter, track food and activity, and enable family and doctor alerts if readings are off-track.
BlueCross BlueShield first launched the program in 2018 with its own employees before expanding the program to its self-funded groups in 2019. The local health plan pivoted during the height of the pandemic to expand access to the digital diabetes management program to its Medicare Advantage members. Since March, more than 1,100 Medicare members have enrolled in the program.
Within 90 days of beginning the program, most Livongo users decreased their A1c (the average of blood glucose readings over a three-month period) by 0.8%. After three years, most Livongo users had a A1c of approximately 7.0% (an A1c goal of at or below 7.0% is reasonable for most adults with diabetes).
“After successfully launching the Livongo for Diabetes program with BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York employees and Medicare Advantage members, we are excited to expand our partnership to include BlueCross BlueShield fully insured members,” said Livongo President, Dr. Jennifer Schneider M.D., M.S. “Our ability to deliver clinical and financial results at scale enables us to advance our relationships in the health plan market and reach more members.”
Livongo makes it easier for members to manage their health by providing a connected system that includes cellular devices and integration with continuous glucose monitors, access to health coaches, and real-time health insights delivered through Health Nudges. The Applied Health Signals platform leverages data science to understand people’s unique health needs and then provide clinically based guidance to drive positive behavior change.
“As the region’s leading health plan, our continued focus is on helping our members manage their overall health so they can maximize their quality of life,” said Dr. Thomas Schenk, Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. “We’re proud to expand our partnership with Livongo to offer this simple, comprehensive diabetes management tool at no-cost to our members.”
Additionally, as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting members’ overall wellness during the pandemic, the community-based, not-for-profit health plan also offered its members free access to Livongo’s highly interactive behavioral health solution. The app features modules that can help manage heightened stress and feelings of social isolation due to COVID-19, as well as manage anxiety, stress, depression, chronic pain and sleep challenges.
To get started members can visit join.livongo.com/bcbswny or call Livongo Member Support at 1-800-945-4355 to sign up or learn more. Members can also speak with a BlueCross BlueShield care manager by calling the number of the back of their member ID card.
About BlueCross BlueShield of WNY
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is a division of HealthNow New York Inc., an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. Since 1936, BlueCross BlueShield has helped millions of people lead healthier lives. BlueCross BlueShield offers a full range of insured, self-insured, and government programs and services covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as life and disability coverage, dental and vision plans and stop-loss coverage. As a community-based, not-for-profit health plan, BlueCross BlueShield contributes significantly to organizations that strengthen and enrich the health of our community.
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About Livongo
Livongo offers a whole person platform that empowers people with chronic conditions to live better and healthier lives, beginning with diabetes and now including hypertension, weight management, diabetes prevention, and behavioral health. Livongo pioneered the category of Applied Health Signals to offer Members clinically-based insights that make it easier to stay healthy. Livongo’s team of data scientists aggregate and interpret substantial amounts of health data and information to create actionable, personalized and timely health signals delivered to Livongo Members exactly when they need them. The Livongo approach delivers better clinical and financial outcomes while creating a different and better experience for people with chronic conditions. For more information, visit: www.livongo.com or engage with Livongo on LinkedIn or Twitter.