Aetna Celebrates Third Anniversary of Type 2 Diabetes Reversal in Partnership with Virta Health, Countless Success Stories Reported
In a significant stride towards managing metabolic diseases, Banner|Aetna, a joint venture health plan owned by Banner Health and Aetna, has introduced a diabetes reversal initiative in partnership with Virta Health. This innovative program, which employs a virtual model to address the root cause of metabolic diseases through individualized nutrition plans, has shown impressive clinical outcomes.
The program, currently available to eligible members of fully insured and Administrative Services Only groups, has yielded encouraging results. After 365 days of program enrollment, Banner|Aetna members saw a 0.97% reduction in A1C blood sugar levels. Moreover, thousands of members have achieved sustainable health transformations, with many eliminating 57% of diabetes medications (excluding metformin) and experiencing clinically significant weight loss, on average, 8% of their body weight.
The program has reduced the need for expensive weight loss medications like Wegovy and Ozempic. Notably, insulin dosages were reduced by 66%, and 44% of those who were on insulin discontinued it completely. The initiative has also resulted in improved sleep, reduced inflammation, lower blood pressure, reduced heart disease risk, and benefits for arthritis and fatty liver disease.
Banner|Aetna's success can be attributed to its high member engagement, about three times the industry average. This engagement is facilitated by integrated clinical and care management teams within Banner Health[2][3]. The program's holistic, non-pharmacological approach empowers members to take control of their health[2].
Banner Health, with locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming, offers a wide range of services, including a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioural health services, a research division, and a nursing registry. Banner Health operates Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world's leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center[1].
On the other hand, CVS Health serves more than 800,000 patients per year through its dedicated senior pharmacy care business. Their integrated model uses personalized, technology-driven services to connect people to simply better health. As of March 31, 2025, CVS Health has approximately 88 million plan members in its pharmacy benefits manager. They also have over 9,000 retail pharmacy locations and more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics[1]. CVS Health serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary, and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services.
In conclusion, the Banner|Aetna and Virta Health diabetes reversal program demonstrates robust and sustained positive clinical outcomes in metabolic health over 12 months[2][3]. The program's success underscores the potential of virtual, individualized care in managing metabolic diseases, offering a promising avenue for future healthcare innovations.
[1] Banner Health (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bannerhealth.com/ [2] Banner|Aetna (2022). Retrieved from https://www.banneraetna.com/ [3] Virta Health (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.virtahealth.com/
- The diabetes reversal initiative by Banner|Aetna, in partnership with Virta Health, focuses on managing metabolic diseases.
- This program employs individualized nutrition plans to address the root cause of these diseases through a virtual model.
- After 365 days of program enrollment, members saw a significant reduction in A1C blood sugar levels.
- Thousands of members have achieved sustainable health transformations, with many eliminating a large percentage of diabetes medications.
- The program has reduced the need for expensive weight loss medications like Wegovy and Ozempic.
- Insulin dosages were reduced by 66%, and 44% of those who were on insulin discontinued it completely.
- The program has resulted in improved sleep, reduced inflammation, lower blood pressure, and benefits for conditions like arthritis and fatty liver disease.
- Banner|Aetna's success can be attributed to its high member engagement, facilitated by integrated clinical and care management teams.
- Banner Health, a health insurance division of Banner|Aetna, offers a wide range of services in health and wellness, fitness and exercise, and nutrition.
- CVS Health serves millions of patients annually through personalized, technology-driven services, focusing on health, business, and lifestyle sectors.
- In the field of education and self-development, one can learn about these innovations in medical-conditions, chronic-diseases, and health-and-wellness through online resources.
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