Blue Shield of California embraces digital health innovation to improve outcomes for its members

A digital health management platform is disrupting diabetes care and can help members with other care needs.

Blue Shield of California is seeing positive results from a digital health tool designed to give members access to a wide range of health and wellness resources.

In partnership with Solera Health, BSC members have access to Wellvolution, which offers holistic and lifestyle medicine services such as diabetes care, weight management, mental and behavioral health, hypertension management, musculoskeletal health, and smoking cessation services.

The goal of the program is to address these chronic conditions by teaching sustainable healthy habits through personalized coaching and education. Some services offer tools for members, such as glucose meters, exercise trackers, nicotine replacement therapy, or a blood pressure monitor to track progress.

Solera Health officials say Wellvolution has seen positive results on all fronts. According to the company, after using Wellvolution, participants reported:

• A 74% improvement in the treatment of moderate to severe depression.
• A 71% improvement in the treatment of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.
• A 49% decrease in the use of diabetes-related medications.

The Innovation Image

According to Angie Kalousek Ebrahimi, senior director of lifestyle medicine at Blue Shield of California, the health plan has positioned itself as a digital health innovator with numerous virtual care programs, Ebrahimi told HealthLeaders. Broad adoption of virtual care and digital health tools during the pandemic has helped BSC push that strategy even further and develop a digital-first mindset.

“I think digital also has the opportunity to simplify things for members that we have in health care,” she said. “Health care is really complicated. We can do something in the digital space that simplifies it.”

A big blow for diabetes

A key element of the platform is diabetes management. Ebrahimi says platforms like this have the potential to transform diabetes management across the country and reduce the number of Americans living with the chronic condition.

When people are diagnosed with diabetes, they often see it as a life sentence of having to monitor their blood sugar levels and take medications. Furthermore, healthcare providers often do not provide their patients with tools to understand this process.

When members are given the opportunity to take control of how they manage their diabetes, Ebrahimi says, the results and transformation begin.

“What we’ve been able to do with that particular condition (diabetes) is let our members know that there is an alternative to support them in their journey,” Ebrahimi said. “And in many cases, members (with type 2 diabetes) reverse the condition with the programs that we offer.”

The power of control

According to Ebrahimi, part of the success of the Wellvolution platform is because members have transparency about their treatment options and the authority to make their own decisions, with some guidance.

“They can see all the different programs that we offer them,” she said. “They can also take an online quiz to find out which programs are the best fit for them.”

“We’ve come a long way in embracing the value of personalized care,” said Solera’s interim CEO John Santelli. “The best solutions are the ones that can not only deliver high-quality care, but also resonate with patients while providing great value to payers.”