Currently all groups who have their health insurance through SWWC have access to the Omada program*. This program is available for those members who choose to participate and are at risk for Type 2 Diabetes or Heart disease. 

Omada is a digital lifestyle change program to help our members with everyday mindfulness around eating, activity, sleep, and/or stress with the help of a professional health coach, interactive program, wireless smart scale, weekly online lessons, and small group participants.  A report in August showed that members enrolled in this program through the Minnesota Healthcare Consortium have lost a total of 13,535 pounds. Congratulations and Good Job to those who participated!

It never failed, when we would go to meetings describing the Omada program, we always had someone come up to us and say that they had just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. With the current Omada program, if you already have Type 2 Diabetes or Heart Disease, you would not be eligible to participate. We heard your concerns and took them back to the state level and our partners. 

SO ... Omada Type 2 program was developed and will be rolling out on January 1, 2020 (for CCOGA groups) and July 1, 2020 (for school groups).* This program will help improve blood glucose control, avoid dangerous glucose values, encourage lifestyle change to lose weight, support adherence to diabetes and lipid medications, and promote regular checkups. A glucometer and test strips will also be provided with this program. 

*Please note: The Omada programs are not available to those in the WesternMN network.

In July 2019, the IRS expanded coverage without a deductible for some chronic conditions. Diabetes was one of the chronic conditions on that list. Starting January 1, 2020, the Minnesota Healthcare Consortium, which SWWC is a member of, has decided to follow Blue Cross Blue Shields decision to cover eligible formulary insulin claims at 100%, not subject to deductibles, coinsurance, and/or copays. This is for BOTH the CCOGA groups AND the school groups!