Today, Quartz celebrated the positive results for members engaged in Quartz’s obesity and type 2 diabetes reversal treatments through Virta Health. One year after the organizations launched a partnership to offer Virta’s innovative solution for Type 2 diabetes and obesity for eligible Quartz members, participants are seeing lasting improvements in their weight, blood sugars, and quality of life. Members enrolled at least six months eliminated half of diabetes medications and a majority achieved clinically significant weight loss.
Quartz partnered with Virta in August of 2022 to launch a suite of services that foster cardiometabolic health. This partnership was one of several advancements in Quartz’s care model over the past year used to help members improve their health—according to their personalized goals—at all stages of life. Virta’s individualized, medically supervised approach has provided early success for thousands of enrolled Quartz members.
Members engaged in the program for six months have achieved significant clinical improvements including:
- Blood sugar reduction: Estimated hemoglobin A1c improved by 1.0% on average over 6 months. Every one-point decrease in A1c (a measure of blood sugar) reduces the risk of long-term diabetes complications—such as eye, kidney, and nerve disease—by up to 40%. Individuals with diabetes who engage in usual care can see a gradual increase of their A1c of 0.2% after 12 months.
- Medication Deprescription: Members eliminated nearly 50% of their diabetes medications. Of those on insulin, 58% have eliminated it completely. Other medications that are being actively deprescribed include: Sulfonylureas and SGLT-2’s (both: 80% deprescription), GLP-1’s (8% deprescription), and DPP-4’s (30% deprescription).
- Clinically significant weight loss: Members experienced 8.6% weight loss on average in 6 months.
Quartz members shared some personal examples of how their participation in Quartz’s obesity and type 2 diabetes reversal treatments through Virta is supporting their journeys to a life well-lived.
“I’ve tried a variety of programs to try to lose weight and get healthier, but nothing seemed to last — even if I made progress in the short-term, I’d eventually bounce back to unhealthy habits because I couldn’t maintain the changes. Virta is totally different — it’s not a diet, it’s a realistic lifestyle change and something I feel I can stick to long-term. In just six months, I’ve lost 90 pounds, lowered my blood sugar to below prediabetes levels, and reduced my medications. Plus, I’m feeling so much better. Bonus – I can enjoy participating in activities with the grandkids again!”
— Quartz Member, Lynn H.
“Before Virta, I was struggling with prediabetes, weight gain, and neuropathy — it was hard just to walk around and do my daily activities. Since starting Virta almost a year ago, I’ve lost 146 pounds, eliminated my prediabetes medication, and my blood sugar is below prediabetes levels for the first time in 20 years. My husband Mark and I walk 4-6 miles per day, and enjoy hiking, hunting, and fishing. I finally have my life back and I feel like I’m 30-something again! Mark and my daughter Ellie have also seen great success. Mark has lost over 100 pounds with lots of energy to keep up with our new active lifestyle. Ellie has lost over 25 pounds and is back running like she did in high school. Virta has changed our entire family’s lifestyle, health and activity level!”
– Quartz Member, Rachel G.
You can see more success stories from Quartz members and other participants enrolled in Virta at the Road to Reversal page.
The Virta treatments through Quartz provide care exclusively through a virtual care model that connects members with medical providers and health coaches. The app serves as a hub for communication, resources, and the daily monitoring of a member’s weight, blood sugar, and blood ketones. The Virta program is available for members and eligible dependents between the ages of 18 and 79 with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes who are enrolled in an eligible health plan product through Quartz Health Solutions. Virta is available at no additional cost for eligible Quartz members.
Visit VirtaHealth.com/join/quartz to learn more about Virta, eligibility requirements, and to enroll in a life-changing treatment.
About Quartz
Quartz Health Solutions, Inc. (Quartz) is jointly owned by Advocate Aurora Health, Gundersen Health System, UnityPoint Health, and UW Health. The company manages four provider-owned health insurance plans: Quartz Health Benefit Plans Corporation, Quartz Health Plan Corporation, Quartz Health Plan MN Corporation, and Quartz Health Insurance Corporation. As a third-party administrator, Quartz also services self-funded health plans. Through an extensive provider network, Quartz focuses on local, community-based health care and services for customers who live in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. Quartz Health Solutions, Inc., Quartz Health Benefit Plans Corporation, Quartz Health Plan Corporation, Quartz Health Plan MN Corporation, and Quartz Health Insurance Corporation are separate legal entities. For more information, visit QuartzBenefits.com.
About Virta
Virta Health helps people reverse type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions. Current approaches manage disease progression through increased medication use and infrequent doctor visits. Virta reverses type 2 diabetes through innovations in technology, nutrition science, and continuous remote care from physicians and behavioral experts. In clinical studies, 94% of patients reduce or eliminate insulin use, and weight-loss exceeds FDA benchmarks by nearly 150%. Virta works with the largest health plans, employers, and government organizations and puts 100% of its fees at risk based on clinical and financial outcomes. To learn more about how Virta is transforming lives by reversing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases, visit www.virtahealth.com or follow us on Twitter @virtahealth.
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Virta is available to Quartz members and eligible dependents between the ages of 18 and 79 who are enrolled in an eligible health plan through Quartz. Eligible Quartz health plans include most commercial fully insured, Medicaid, and Quartz Medicare Advantage (HMO) and Dual Eligible plans. This benefit is currently being offered to those with Type 2 diabetes and obesity (defined as having a BMI of 30 or greater). There are some medical conditions that would exclude members from the Virta treatment.
