Virtual Lifestyle Management™ enrolls 1,500th GEHA member in 2013

LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- So far in 2013, 1,500 members of the Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) health plan have enrolled in the weight management intervention, Virtual Lifestyle Management™ (VLM) offered by DPS Health.  VLM is a year-long, internet-based program that helps overweight individuals with or at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions associated with being overweight become more active, eat better, lose weight and live healthier lives.

Since partnering with DPS Health in 2010, GEHA has offered VLM to members who need to lose 30 pounds or more to improve their health.  To date, members have combined to lose more than 8,500 pounds; this success has led GEHA to offer the program to thousands more members in 2013 with the goal of bringing the total weight lost to 50,000 pounds by the end of the year.  

"We were looking for a low-touch yet robust, self-driven program to support our members with elevated BMIs and diabetes or heart disease," said Kathy Ross, GEHA Director of Care Management.  "It has been gratifying to see members use this on-line program to change their lifestyle and lower their health risks,"

Virtual Lifestyle Management (VLM) is an online program based on the landmark Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a weight management approach developed by the University of Pittsburgh faculty under a federal research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Through web-based technology, VLM delivers DPP research-proven lifestyle intervention, aiming to enhance the efficiency and success of weight management programs. To create VLM, the University of Pittsburgh and DPS Health worked to improve patient engagement through web-based learning, tracking, and motivation.

"My life is better now than it has ever been," remarked VLM user Gordy (age 63) from Texas, who has lost 71 pounds since beginning the program with GEHA. "With VLM, I found success when I couldn't find it anywhere else before."

Ross added that the "self-paced, online VLM program is very user-friendly.  We see that VLM is effective across different patient populations, including members over 65.  We are excited to expand the VLM offering to our members, and see great benefit and great potential."

To support another year of expansion, DPS Health recently hired additional coaches to support GEHA members.  DPS Health coaching services is an expanding group of health care professionals with diverse backgrounds in nursing, nutrition, physical activity promotion, psychology, and life coaching, and extensive experience providing in-person weight management support.  All DPS Health coaches are trained and experienced at coaching using VLM.

"My coach, Susan, is incredible," said Ray (age 44) from Nebraska, who has lost 20 pounds since beginning VLM. "She is more of a life coach for me, and has helped me deal with issues that have affected my whole life, not just my weight. She feels like a friend - I even invited her to my wedding!" 

"Seeing the impact VLM has had on GEHA members who have used the program for the past few years is inspiring, and we're excited that GEHA is committed to helping thousands more," said Neal Kaufman, M.D., M.P.H., founder and CMO of DPS Health. "GEHA saw the potential of an online approach like VLM years ago and has worked tirelessly as a dedicated partner to improve all aspects of the program, especially in terms of member recruitment.  Together we will provide GEHA members the opportunity to better manage their weight and improve their long-term health."

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About GEHA
As the second-largest national health plan for civilian federal employees and retirees, GEHA provides health and dental plans to more than one million individuals worldwide. GEHA was one of the first insurance carriers eligible to provide coverage to federal employees under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Act (FEHB) of 1959. The FEHB Program contracts with several hundred health insurance plans to provide coverage for over eight million federal enrollees and dependents, including retirees.  For more information, visit www.geha.com.

About DPS Health   
Founded in 2004, DPS Health enhances the capacity of organizations to improve the health of their members, employees and/or patients through research-proven, web and mobile self-management support interventions. 

DPS Health will conduct demonstrations of its new version of VLM at the upcoming American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Institute, June 12-14 in Las Vegas (booth #362).

Media Contact:
Marianne Fulgenzi
KNB Communications
[email protected]
203-504-8230 ext. 102

SOURCE DPS Health