Community health connector to administer Diabetes Prevention Program for L.A. Care members
Phoenix, AZ — Solera Health, the leading integrated community network, will join forces with L.A. Care Health Plan, the largest publicly-operated plan in the country, to administer a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for low-income residents in Los Angeles County. The partnership with Solera will enable L.A. Care's adult members who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to access the DPP through one of Solera's many DPP providers within the county.
"Almost half of the adults in Los Angeles County have prediabetes and the Diabetes Prevention Program reduces the progression to diabetes by over 50%," said Sandeep Wadhwa, M.D., Chief Health Officer at Solera Health and former Medicaid director for Colorado. "Although the rate of prediabetes is even higher in low income populations and adults of color, we are confident that Solera's proven community and digital solutions tailored to meet the needs of L.A. Care's diverse population will contribute to slowing and reversing the diabetes epidemic.''
Medi-Cal, the name for California's Medicaid program covering more than 13 million residents, is adding the Diabetes Prevention Program as a newly covered preventive service for adults with prediabetes on January 1, 2019. The DPP's goal is to reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes through a series of group classes led by a trained lifestyle coach with a standardized curriculum, or by a digital program that delivers the same curriculum. The program aims to improve nutrition and increase physical activity with the goal of losing five percent body weight.
As a physician trained in Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine, I'm a firm believer in prevention. Solera's expertise can help us put this into practice with our members at risk for diabetes. L.A. Care is looking forward to working together toward the common goal of improving the health of our members.
--Richard Seidman, M.D. M.P.H.
Chief Medical Officer, L.A. Care
Solera Health connects payers, beneficiaries, and providers with a diverse ecosystem of proven, non-medical behavior change programs delivered by community partners and digital solutions. Solera's integrated network allows health plans to increase member access, choice and participation, while lowering preventable costs of diabetes by matching eligible individuals with the DPP provider that best meets each members' unique needs and preferences.
For more information about Solera Health, visit their website or call 1-800-858-1714.