The landscape of weight management is evolving, with innovative programs and partnerships emerging to address the growing need for accessible and effective solutions. Humana CenterWell is at the forefront of this evolution, offering comprehensive weight loss programs and collaborating with industry leaders to expand access to vital medications and support services.
Strategic Partnerships for Medication Access
Humana's CenterWell Pharmacy has forged a significant partnership with Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, an injectable prescription weight loss medicine that has demonstrated effectiveness in helping individuals with obesity. This collaboration designates CenterWell Pharmacy as the fulfillment partner for NovoCare, Novo Nordisk's direct-to-patient pharmacy service.
NovoCare aims to provide convenient home shipments of all dose strengths of Wegovy at a reduced cost of $499 per month for cash-paying patients. This initiative directly addresses the challenge of affordability, as many health insurance plans do not cover anti-obesity drugs, leaving individuals to bear the significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Guillermo Sollberger, Senior Vice President of CenterWell Pharmacy, emphasized that this arrangement enables consumers to benefit from reduced costs and convenient access to safe and effective brand-name medications. This partnership is particularly crucial in light of decisions, such as the one concerning Medicare and Medicaid coverage for weight loss drugs, that limit access for certain populations.
Direct-to-Patient Models: A Growing Trend
The partnership between CenterWell and Novo Nordisk exemplifies the growing trend of direct-to-patient models in the pharmaceutical industry. These models aim to streamline access to medications, particularly for individuals who lack insurance coverage or face other barriers to traditional pharmacy services.
Read also: Benefits of couples massage detailed
NovoCare follows a similar initiative launched by Eli Lilly called LillyDirect, highlighting the increasing recognition of the potential of direct-to-patient approaches. These models leverage technology and telehealth to facilitate easier access to prescription drugs, potentially extending beyond GLP-1 medications to include other categories like migraine therapies and women's/men's health.
Sollberger noted that CenterWell Pharmacy is well-positioned to scale such programs, possessing the agility to meet the needs of this growing market. This suggests a future where direct-to-patient distribution models become more prevalent, offering greater convenience and affordability for consumers.
Go365: A Holistic Approach to Wellness
Beyond medication access, Humana offers a comprehensive wellness program called Go365, designed to promote healthy living and reward members for engaging in healthy activities. This program is available to eligible Humana Medicare Advantage members and Humana Healthy Horizons members in Florida.
Go365 encompasses various aspects of wellness, including:
- Preventive Care: Encouraging members to stay on top of their health through annual wellness visits, screenings, and other preventive measures.
- Engagement and Learning: Providing opportunities for members to participate in activities like volunteering, attending classes, or joining social clubs, promoting mental and social well-being.
- Physical Activity: Supporting members in achieving their fitness goals through verified workouts, SilverSneakers classes, online fitness programs, and other activities.
Members can earn rewards for completing these healthy actions and redeem them for gift cards to various retailers, incentivizing them to prioritize their health and well-being.
Read also: How digestive health affects weight loss
Testimonials from Go365 participants highlight the program's positive impact on their lives, with individuals reporting improved physical fitness, increased mental engagement, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Humana Healthy Horizons in Florida: Comprehensive Support for Medicaid Members
Humana Healthy Horizons in Florida offers a range of health and wellness programs and resources specifically designed for Medicaid members. These programs aim to improve the quality of life for members and address their unique needs.
Key components of Humana Healthy Horizons include:
- Extra Benefits: Providing additional benefits like transportation to appointments and the Go365 for Humana Healthy Horizons rewards program to facilitate access to care and promote healthy behaviors.
- Child Wellness: Prioritizing children's health by providing access to necessary care and resources to support their well-being.
- Maternal Health: Offering the HumanaBeginnings program to provide pregnant women and new moms with care managers, rewards, and extra support.
- Behavioral Health: Ensuring access to behavioral health services without a referral, recognizing the importance of mental health.
- Complex Care Management: Providing specialized care management services for members with complex medical needs, involving a team of physicians, social workers, and community service partners.
- Domestic Violence Program: Offering support and resources for members experiencing domestic violence, including screenings and educational information.
- Fall Risk Prevention: Implementing a fall risk prevention process that includes screening, assessment, and care planning.
- Family Planning Services: Providing access to family planning services without requiring prior approval.
- Pregnancy Prevention Program: Referring members to community pregnancy prevention programs, regardless of age, gender, or pregnancy status.
- Prenatal/Postpartum Program: Providing access to care and support before, during, and after pregnancy, including learning materials and rewards for completing healthy activities.
- Tobacco and Vaping Cessation Coaching: Offering a program focused on tobacco and vaping cessation coaching for members aged 13 and older.
- Weight Management Program: Delivering weight management intervention for members aged 12 and older.
The Go365 for Humana Healthy Horizons program allows eligible members to earn rewards for completing healthy activities and redeem them for gift cards.
Additional Resources and Support
Humana provides a wide range of additional resources and support services to help members manage their health and well-being. These include:
Read also: Weight Loss Meds & BCBS
- Home Care Services: Offering in-person house calls and telehealth services for eligible Medicare Advantage plan members.
- Specialized Treatment and Care: Providing tools and support for members with special healthcare needs.
- GED Testing and Preparation: Offering GED test preparation assistance, including a bilingual advisor, access to guidance and study materials, and unlimited use of practice tests.
- Non-Medical Transportation: Providing up to 15 round trips (or 30 one-way trips) per year for non-medical transportation to locations such as social support groups, wellness classes, and food banks.
- Digital Blood Pressure Kit: Providing a digital blood pressure kit to members under care management once every 3 years.
- Smartphone Services: Providing eligible members with a free smartphone and monthly talk minutes and text through the Federal Lifeline program.
- Sports Physicals: Providing one sports physical per year for members aged 6-18.
- Waived Copays: Waiving copays for medical and behavioral health services for eligible members.
tags: #Humana #CenterWell #weight #loss #programs