Capital Blue Cross has announced that its diabetes-management programs have helped the insurer’s customers lose tens of thousands of pounds, reduce their reliance on prescriptions, lower their blood sugar, and collectively save more than $20 million since 2021.
Three years ago, Capital said it became the first Pennsylvania health insurer to offer a program that works to reverse the effects of type 2 diabetes.
Capital also began offering a separate program that helps members reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and helps those with types 1 or 2 diabetes manage their disease. These programs are free to members whose plans include them.
“Some 135 million Americans either have or are at risk of developing diabetes, and Capital Blue Cross goes the extra mile to give our members a variety of accessible tools to battle the disease,” said Dr. Jeremy Wigginton, Capital Blue Cross chief medical officer. “These positive outcomes reflect Capital’s commitment to fight and prevent diabetes as effectively and affordably as possible.”
Capital said that the programs have helped its employer group customers save more than $20 million, and members have enjoyed substantial savings. In 2023, for instance, the diabetes reversal program saved the average engaged member more than $2,000, while the diabetes control program saved nearly $1,200.
More than 38 million Americans have diabetes according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
An additional 98 million U.S. adults are at high risk of developing it.
The economic toll of diabetes is about $412.9 billion, according to the American Diabetes Association, making the disease the most expensive chronic condition in the United States.
In addition to the disease-management and reversal programs, Capital said it offers a broad range of resources and support to help control diabetes and encourage healthier choices to help prevent Type 2 diabetes.
Capital reaches out to high-risk members with diabetes to provide care management opportunities and offers multiple programs to employer groups, including a diabetes presentation, an awareness toolkit, and other offerings such as its Healthy Blue Rewards program.
