Are you looking for a structured weight loss program that combines digital tools, personalized care, and lifestyle support? The Ochsner Weight Loss Program might be the right choice for you. This article provides a detailed overview of the program, its eligibility criteria, components, and how to get started.
Introduction to Ochsner Digital Medicine
Ochsner Digital Medicine empowers individuals to manage their weight, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes from the comfort of their homes. The program leverages digital devices, personalized care plans from licensed clinicians, and lifestyle support from professional health coaches to help participants track progress, stay motivated, and improve their overall health. It serves members, health plans, and employers nationally, operating in all 50 states.
Is Digital Medicine Right for You?
Digital Medicine works with you to customize your experience so it's the most effective for you. Digital Medicine is one program that helps you manage multiple chronic conditions as applicable to you.
Eligibility Criteria
To determine if you are eligible for the Ochsner Weight Loss Program, consider the following requirements:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Technology: You need to own a compatible smartphone or tablet.
- Medical Conditions: For weight management care, you must have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25. Members interested in weight-loss medication must have a BMI of 30 or greater or a BMI of 27 with at least one weight-related medical condition, or already be on GLP-1 medication for weight loss. A virtual visit with a Digital Medicine provider will be required to confirm eligibility.
- Insurance: You must be an active member under a Digital Medicine covered employer benefit or health insurance plan.
- Other Diagnoses: You need to have a diagnosis of high blood pressure and/or Type 2 diabetes.
- Clinical Restrictions: Note that clinical restrictions may apply.
To check your eligibility, you can start the sign-up process on the Ochsner website.
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Cost and Coverage
Ochsner Digital Medicine is a covered service under many employer benefits and health insurance plans. The cost may be subject to applicable patient responsibility amounts. To find out more details about your coverage, visit the sign-up site. For additional information, you can call the Ochsner team at 866-273-0548.
Program Components
The Ochsner Weight Loss Program integrates several key components to support participants in their weight loss journey:
Digital Devices
Participants use digital devices to monitor their health metrics. These devices connect to a smartphone app, making it easy to submit readings to the care team.
Personalized Care Plans
Each participant receives a personalized care plan developed by licensed clinicians. These plans are tailored to individual needs and goals, ensuring a targeted approach to weight management.
Health Coaching
Professional health coaches provide lifestyle support, helping participants build healthy habits. These coaches are trained in various allied health fields, including nutrition, public health, social work, health education, or kinesiology. They offer specialized skills to help you make healthy changes.
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Regular Monitoring
The Digital Medicine clinical team regularly reviews participants' readings to ensure they are on the best medication and to provide support.
Medication Management
Your clinician can adjust your medications as needed to optimize your health outcomes.
Communication with Care Team
The care team monitors all readings submitted as part of the program and communicates with participants via phone and through MyOchsner messages.
How to Get Started
- Enrollment: Begin the enrollment process on the Ochsner website.
- Device Delivery: Ochsner will ship your device to your home and send you the tracking number via MyOchsner. Alternatively, you can pick up your device at one of their O Bar locations.
- App Download and First Reading: Download the Digital Medicine app and submit your first reading to enroll in the program.
Program Details and Expectations
Reading Frequency
- Initial Phase: Take readings as often as possible to help the care team build a baseline to customize your care.
- Maintenance Phase: Once you’ve established your baseline, take one blood pressure reading per week if receiving high blood pressure care. If you are receiving Type 2 diabetes care, you and your clinician will work together to determine a blood sugar testing schedule that works for you. If enrolled in weight management care, send your weight on a weekly basis.
The Care Team
Each patient in Digital Medicine is matched with a dedicated clinician and team of health coaches. Clinicians are certified Physician Assistants (PA) or Clinical Pharmacists (Pharm-D).
Support for the "Tech-Savvy"
The program is designed to be user-friendly, even for those who are not very "tech-savvy." The smartphone app makes it easy to connect your digital device and submit readings to your care team. If you have any issues, a dedicated support team is available to help you every step of the way. You’ll also have access to live chat support, technical support appointments, how-to videos, and setup guides.
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Ochsner's Bariatric Surgery Program
For individuals considering surgical weight loss options, Ochsner offers a comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Program.
Multidisciplinary Team
The surgical weight loss program involves a multidisciplinary team, including specially trained psychologists, dietitians, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, and a nurse coordinator. The team consults and evaluates each patient individually prior to surgery.
Accreditation
The Bariatric Surgery Program at Ochsner Medical Center on Jefferson Highway has received accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program and is a comprehensive center.
Procedures Offered
- Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass): A surgeon creates a stomach pouch that causes the food to go straight from the pouch to the small intestine.
- Sleeve Gastrectomy: Also known as a gastric sleeve, this involves the removal of most of the stomach, leaving only a narrow portion of the upper section of the stomach.
Steps to Get Started (Walmart Employees)
If you are a Walmart employee, follow these steps to access the Centers of Excellence program:
- Contact Your Health Care Advisor: Call the number on your plan ID card to discuss the program. Fill out the Walmart employees complete weight loss application form.
- Concierge Coordinator: Once Ochsner receives your referral from Contigo Health, their concierge coordinator will reach out to you to share information about the program, answer questions, and have you complete the required paperwork.
- Nurse Navigator: The nurse navigator will work with you and your doctor at home to coordinate all preoperative requirements before you travel to New Orleans. Ochsner will require a copy of your medical records, so fill out the medical authorization form (available in English and Spanish) to expedite the process.
- ECEN Benefits: Depending on the medical care you will receive, your lodging and travel may be fully covered. Contact Contigo Health to discuss and arrange your ECEN benefits once you have scheduled your care at Ochsner.
- Patient Coordinator: Once your medical care is scheduled, the patient coordinator will help coordinate your stay and care in New Orleans. Upon arrival, you will meet with your care team for a comprehensive evaluation, which may include lab work, a surgical consultation, and appointments with the behavioral health team and a nutritionist if you are undergoing bariatric surgery.
- Follow-Up Care: Your care team at Ochsner will oversee your care until you are ready to be discharged from the hospital. After your release, the team will coordinate follow-up care with your doctor at home and follow up with phone calls to monitor your progression.
Testimonials and Impact
Many members and physicians have shared positive testimonials about the Ochsner Digital Medicine program, highlighting its impact on health outcomes. The program is designed to help populations manage weight, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.
Ochsner in the News
Ochsner has been featured in various news outlets for its innovative approach to healthcare:
- CNBC: Ochsner’s O Bar modeled itself after the Apple Store, and lets pregnant mothers use gadgets to monitor their health at home.
- Newsweek: The benefits of using technology to closely monitor blood pressure.
- Health Data Management: How Ochsner uses tablets and portals to improve patient engagement.
- Washington Post: These Ochsner physicians can monitor your blood pressure - and you don’t even have to leave your living room.
- USA Today: I tried Apple's improved Health app.