What is Vida Health?

Vida is a ​virtual health program that offers personalized weight-loss programs and live, one-on-one support from a health expert ​— all through an easy-to-use mobile app and website.

When you sign up with Vida, you will be able to meet with your care team member online in video sessions or chat with them in the app. You will also have access to helpful Vida resources like videos, lessons, recipes, and more, plus easy progress tracking. For seamless goal tracking, connect fitness trackers or health devices.

Who is eligible for Vida through BCBSIL? 

Vida is available to BCBSIL members at no additional cost.  If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out to BCBSIL at the number on your Member ID card.

What programs are available through Vida?

Based on your answers to the questions about your health history and goals, you will be placed in one of these weight-loss programs:

1. Preventive Weight Loss: This program focuses on behavior change​​. You will have your own dedicated health coach working with you to develop eating and exercise skills that are tailored to you and your goals. In addition to weekly coaching sessions, you will have the option to message your coach and group chat with other people committed to losing weight. You will also have the option to connect devices such as a smart scale to help you track your progress​. Members in this program lose an average of 5% or more of their body weight in 12 months.

2. Medical Weight Loss: This program is tailored for individuals at a higher weight who would benefit from additional clinical oversight and support. In addition to a registered dietitian, your care team may also include a Vida medical provider. The Medical Weight Loss program will help you lose weight through behavior change, including medical nutrition therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. If clinically appropriate for you, Vida medical providers are also able to assess for and prescribe weight-loss medicines, as well as help manage side effects.

​​​How do I get started?

1. Go to vida.com/BCBSIL or download the Vida app from your phone’s app store. Then create an account.
2. ​​​After you have created an account, you will answer a few questions about yourself and your weight-loss goals and then you will be matched to the Vida program that is right for you. 
3. Once you are matched to a Vida program, you will be able to choose a care team member who you will work with toward your weight-loss goals. This person may be a health coach or dietitian, based on your health needs. 
4. After you have selected your Vida provider, you will be shown the next available appointment times.* Choose the best one for you. If you have any trouble finding an appointment time that works, please email support@vida.com.

*If you have a prescription for weight-loss medicine, you may be asked to share additional information with Vida before scheduling an appointment with a Vida medical provider. We’ll let you know what these steps are in your Status list.

​​​How do I schedule an appointment with my care team?​​​ ​​ 

When you log into the app, you can schedule an appointment directly through the ​​Vida Home screen.​​ 

Can I change care team members if it doesn’t work out with my current one? 

To request a change, go to the Home screen in your Vida​ Health​ app, tap the gear icon in the upper right, then tap Request New Coach. You’ll fill out a brief survey so we can match you with a new coach that’s a good fit for your style and goals.

Do Vida medical providers prescribe weight-loss medicine?

Yes. Vida medical providers are able to prescribe weight-loss medicine if clinically appropriate. 

If you have been prescribed a weight-loss medicine in the last 12 months, you will be asked to provide some additional information before meeting with a Vida medical provider. 

This will include uploading relevant documents such as labs and medical records. For details on what you will be asked to share and how to upload it, please open the app and go to your Status list. 

If you have not been prescribed a weight-loss medicine in the last 12 months, you do not need to provide additional information to start a Vida weight-loss program.

How often will I meet with my Vida medical provider? 

You’ll have an initial consultation with your provider to assess your medicine needs and a follow-up visit to review progress. Additional visits can be scheduled as needed. You also have the option to message your provider within the Vida app at any time.

Can I reach my provider outside of a scheduled appointment? 

You’ll be able to send messages to your provider at any time. Response times from providers are within 1-2 business days, but often the same day.

Will my insurance cover my weight-loss medicine? ​​ 

For your insurance to cover your weight-loss medicine, it must be prescribed by a Vida medical provider. You may need to pay a co-pay or cost share, based on your insurance benefits. If you have any questions, please call the number on your health insurance card.

If this medicine has been prescribed by a provider outside of Vida, your insurance may not cover the medicine.

Why does my weight-loss medicine need to be prescribed by Vida to be covered by my insurance?

Weight-loss medicine is most effective when you also change the way you eat and exercise. Vida’s experts can help you change your eating and exercise habits so that your weight-loss will be healthy and long-term.

If Vida prescribes me medicine, how does my pharmacy get the prescription?

If a Vida medical provider prescribes medicines to support your weight-loss goals, prescriptions will be sent electronically to an in-network pharmacy of your choice. It can be a local pharmacy or a mail-order pharmacy. Your Vida medical provider will ask you for your pharmacy choice. 

What happens if my pharmacy is not able to process or refill my prescription? 

Please contact your ​Vida ​provider through the chat screen in the Vida app. If you need further help, you can also email vida@support.com. 

What happens to the information I give to Vida? 

All personal information you share through Vida’s app is confidential and securely stored in encrypted databases. Vida Health is fully HIPAA-compliant. If you wish to have your information deleted, please email privacy@vida.com. 

What type of information will BCBSIL receive? 

Vida and BCBSIL take your personal health information very seriously and it will only be accessible to your Vida Health team and select health apps you connect to Vida. Vida will NOT share your participation, results, or personally identifiable health information with BCBSIL. 

Can I connect other health and fitness devices or apps to my Vida account? 

You can. Connecting your fitness-tracking apps and devices to Vida is a great way to stay on track towards your health goals. We support integration with 100+ apps and devices, such as those most often used: 

• Fitbit 
• Garmin 
• iHealth 
• Jawbone 
• Runkeeper 
• Strava 
• Withings/Nokia Health 
• Apple Health (e.g. Loseit, MyFitnessPal) (iOS only) 

How do I connect another device or app to my Vida account? 

When you log into Vida for the first time, you’ll see a task on the Home screen that says Connect Devices & Apps. Tapping this will guide you through the device setup process. If you decide to add or change a connected device/app at a later time, follow these steps: 

1. Make sure the device/app you’d like to connect is set up and that data tracking is working correctly. 
2. Log into the Vida app. 
3. Go to the Home screen, tap the gear icon in the upper right, then tap Connect Devices & Apps. 
4. Select the device/app you’d like to connect and follow the on-screen instructions. 
5. Repeat these steps if you need to connect more devices or apps. 

Why isn’t my device or app syncing to Vida? 

First, please make sure your device is properly connected (see previous FAQ: “How do I connect another device or app to my Vida account?”). If you’ve checked this and are still having problems, please email us at support@vida.com. 

Can I order a device through Vida? 

Digital scales, blood glucose monitors and blood pressure cuffs may be available at no added cost to you after your first care team appointment if you meet Vida clinical criteria. If eligible, you can find the device order form in the Vida app.

I forgot my password. Can you help? 

Open the Vida app and tap Login. On the login screen, tap Forgot your password? and enter the email address tied to your account. We’ll send you an email with instructions on changing your password. 

Didn’t receive an email? You can email us at support@vida.com. 

How do I change my password?

To change your password, go to the Home screen in your Vida app, tap the gear icon in the upper right, then tap Change Password. From there, follow the on-screen instructions. 

How do I change the email address tied to my Vida account?

When you enroll in Vida, you will be able to choose the email address you use, whether work or personal. If you need to change this email address, please email us at support@vida.com.

My spouse/domestic partner or dependent is having trouble signing up. How do they sign up through my employer benefits? 

Vida is available to BCBSIL members at no additional cost.  If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out to BCBSIL at the number on your Member ID card. To enroll, spouses/domestic partners and dependents should use their legal name, email, and date of birth. 

If they need additional help, they can email us at support@vida.com.