Priority Health, a nonprofit health program, announced Tuesday a partnership with Virta Health to support employers in weight management and diabetes.
Virta Health, based in Denver, Colorado, is a digital health care company that works with payers and employers and provides nutritional support and medication prescriptions if necessary. It creates a personalized care plan based on the patient’s medical history, personal goals and risk factors.
Through the new partnership, Priority Health employer clients can access Virta Health’s three solutions based on their needs and budget:
- Sustainable weight loss, which helps members lose weight through nutritional therapies
- Sustainable weight loss through responsible prescriptions, which provide GLP-1 prescribed by Virta clinicians, as well as nutrition and lifestyle support
- Diabetes Reversal, Utilizing Nutritional Therapy to Help Members Relieve Type 2 Diabetes
All three solutions are available for priority health self-funded employer clients, while fully funded clients can access the first two programs.
Prioritized health selection for Virta Health as a partner “is because they are leaders in addressing chronic metabolic conditions, and their approach is in line with our commitment to the well-being and empowerment of members.” “Their personalized nutrition program, behavioral support, and ongoing drug supervision provide a comprehensive approach to address weight management and type 2 diabetes remission.”
The data indicate that this support is needed. According to the American Diabetes Association, in 2021, 38.4 million Americans (11.6% of the population) have diabetes. In addition, according to National Diabetes and Gastrointestinal and Kidney Diseases in the United States, nearly one-third of adults are overweight, while one-fifth are obese.
GLP-1 is considered an important tool to address the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes, but it is costly. Virta Health co-founder and CEO Sami Inkinen had previously told Medcity News that the company controls the cost of GLP-1 through “affordable nutrition priorities and outer ramps” and that our providers can also control responsible prescribers of these drugs to control irresponsible use, which we offer over 10 years of experience given our 10 years of experience through telemedicine. ”
However, Virta Health is not the only company that offers weight loss and diabetes support. Other companies include Livongo, Vida Health and Omada Health. That being said, a recent report from the Peterson Institute for Health Technology found that Verta Health is the only company that has promising results for diabetes.
In working with Virta Health, the priorities ultimately aim to “improve metabolic health in a way that supports members’ long-term health and saves costs for employers.”
Priority Health’s partnership with Virta Health comes shortly after the insurer announced another vendor partnership earlier this month, with its virtual gastrointestinal care.
Photo: Mikdam, Getty Images
