Scale Back Program

The program seeks to prevent prediabetic Members from developing diabetes, through a combination of improvements in nutrition, exercise, and weight.

Scale Back uses the CDC diabetes prevention program (DPP) curriculum as a foundation and combines it with convenient, group video telemedicine technology, to deliver an enjoyable, effective weight loss program for participants.

Scale Back’s team of registered dietitians educate and facilitate twenty-six group discussions between 5-20 participants, whose common goal is to lose 5-10% of their starting weight by the end of twelve months. Classes cover a variety of health and wellness topics including meal planning, tips for eating away from home, and ways to increase daily physical activity. Each week, participants meet through group video chat, accessible by computer or mobile phone, and connect with the same registered dietitian and same group of participants, who are on similar weight loss journeys. With the support of the registered dietitian and fellow group members, participants make small, incremental changes in eating and physical activity that will help prevent type 2 diabetes and may improve their overall quality of life.

In between live group video chat sessions, participants can message their registered dietitian using the mobile application or computer. Participants will receive helpful feedback in the form of comments on meals and snacks. This frequent engagement with the registered dietitian and the group helps keep participants motivated as better habits are formed. For even more support, participants are provided a wireless scale, Fitbit Inspire™ activity tracker, and the Fruit Street mobile application which allows participants to take photos of their food and receive feedback from their coach.

Members must create/login to their Sharecare account and take the qualification survey. If Members qualify for the program (with a score of 5 or above), they will be prompted to complete the registration process.

Members who do not receive a score of 5 and they are overweight and/or obese can always participate in Lifestyle Management coaching to address their weight management concerns.

Risk Factors that generate a score are as follows:

• Age
• Gender
• Diagnosed with gestational diabetes
• Immediate Family Hx with diabetes
• Diagnosed with High Blood Pressure
• Not Physically Active
• BMI (Height/Weight Questions)
• In the last year, has a healthcare professional told you that you that you’re at risk for diabetes based on a blood test? (Scale Back additional Risk Question)
  
  

Members who are showing signs of prediabetes should be directed to create/login to their Sharecare account, click on the “Achieve” section>then “Programs”> then “Prevent Diabetes” to take the qualification survey. As stated above, if Members qualify for the program (with a score of 5 or above) they will be prompted to complete the registration process.

In the near future, Care Coordinators will be able to submit a Service Request (SR) through the hub.

After the Member takes the qualifying assessment and it states that their risk is high for prediabetes, they should:

• Click the 'Get Started' button.
• The Member must complete the registration page and the set up process before getting back to the homepage.
• Once the Member is taken to the homepage, they are able to view their coach, see upcoming appointments, and message their coach or upload a food photo, etc.

The Scale Back program is a year long program with 26 sessions. Once a Member completes all sessions, they have completed the program. In addition, the Member has completed the Scale Back Program when:

• The Member voluntarily or involuntarily terminates from the Program, or
• The Member is no longer covered by CareFirst.