Level2 value-based care solution helps improve type 2 diabetes care

For people living with diabetes, the disease may impact many facets of their life. This can include managing what they eat, finding time to stay active and continually tracking glucose levels — whether at home or work.

More than 38 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and about 90% to 95% of them have type 2 diabetes, a form of the disease that may be influenced by lifestyle factors like physical inactivity and obesity.

One-in-four health care dollars in the United States is spent on diabetes care. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetes amounts to a national epidemic that costs roughly $413 billion annually — including more than $106 billion in lost productivity.

Additionally, diabetes is associated with increased risk of health conditions and complications like heart disease, amputations, dementia and vision loss, according to the ADA. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness in working age adults.

Diabetes can be a costly challenge, especially for employers looking to best support their employees living with the disease. The right solutions may help employees improve the most common form of the disease, type 2 diabetes, and even work towards remission, while helping reduce the total cost of care.

Level2®, a value-based care solution that combines wearable technology with customized clinical support, aims to help improve the health of people living with type 2 diabetes.

Grounded in metabolic and behavioral science, Level2 equips eligible participants with continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and personalized support from a care team to help encourage healthier lifestyle decisions, like food choices, exercise and sleep patterns.

Level2 aims to help reduce eligible employers’ overall cost of care by improving health outcomes and avoiding costly complications.

In a study recently showcased at the 2024 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, 73% of UnitedHealthcare members enrolled in Level2 with a starting hemoglobin A1C above 7.0 had a clinically meaningful improvement in this measurement. Among members included in the study, the average reduction in A1C was 1.39 percentage points after one year and 1.36 at two years, demonstrating that Level2 may lead to sustained, lower glucose levels among participants.¹

For eligible employers with self-funded health plans, Level2 may not only help eligible employees better manage and potentially even improve their type 2 diabetes, but also aims to ensure employers realize value from their paid program fees.

Through the Level2 Assured Value Program, eligible employers with more than 125 covered employees with type 2 diabetes will have 100% of program fees reconciled against actual medical and pharmacy claims savings. If actual value generated is less than paid program fees, Level2 gives back the difference to eligible employers.

Level2 aims to center the care experience around eligible members with type 2 diabetes, while offering employers a tool that can help bend the cost curve of treating these employees.  

Here’s how the program assures eligible employers realize value:

• For eligible employers with more than 125 covered employees with type 2 diabetes, 100% of fees are reconciled against the actual medical and pharmacy claims savings generated by improved diabetes care for employees.
• If the value generated is less than the eligible employer’s paid program fees, Level2 returns the difference to the employer.
• Eligible employers can add the Level2 Assured Value Program to most UnitedHealthcare administered plans.

“The leading technology and specialized clinical support that Level2 offers is truly a win-win for both the health of our employees with type 2 diabetes and the potential long-term cost savings of our organization,” said Loren Kennedy, senior vice president, World Travel Holdings.

For eligible employees, Level2 Specialty Care provides personalized steps with the potential to lower their glucose levels – including dietary suggestions and simplified activities that can help reduce blood sugars to a sustainable, healthy range.

Eligible employees have access to a care team of doctors, nurses, coaches and registered dietitians who work with them one-on-one to support their journey with evidence-based care and feedback.

While GLP-1 drugs are currently a trending topic among diabetes solutions, pairing FDA approved GLP-1 drugs with a solution like Level2 may be a win-win strategy for employers and employees. Self-insured employers may see more optimized value from the combination of these medications when used in tandem with a solution like the Level2 program.

“Level2 is one way we are working to reduce the impact of type 2 diabetes by helping people work to improve their condition while offering employers incentives to adopt evidence-based solutions,” said Dr. Rhonda L. Randall, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare’s commercial business. “Level2’s combination of data, technology and personal support can help members achieve better health and support employers seeking to address potentially one of their biggest drivers of medical costs.”

Active members give Level2 a Net Promoter Score® – a key measure of consumer satisfaction – of 82, significantly higher than industry benchmarks.

Eligible employers with UnitedHealthcare self-funded plans nationwide have the ability to add the Level2 Assured Value Program, which aims to give employers a financial solution that assures the employers realize value from their program fees.

To learn more, visit mylevel2.com.