What is Vida Health?

Vida Health offers virtual support* and resources to help you lose weight, and/or to manage or prevent conditions like prediabetes, diabetes or hypertension.

When you sign up with Vida, you will have access to a care team to help you make realistic plans to meet your goals – and to stick with them. You will be able to schedule 1:1 virtual coaching sessions or contact members of your care team through chat in Vida’s app. Your coach and you will tailor a program, including eating and exercise plans, to help you meet your health goals – and then help you stick with your plan.

Your program will also include helpful resources like videos, lessons, recipes, and more, plus easy progress tracking. For seamless goal tracking, connect fitness trackers or health devices.

*The cost of Vida Health is covered by Johns Hopkins University.

Who is eligible for Vida through Johns Hopkins University?

Vida is available at no additional cost to Johns Hopkins University employees, spouses and dependents  (18+) who are enrolled in the Johns Hopkins University-sponsored medical plan. Participation is confidential and is not shared with your employer.

What kind of health coaching can I receive through Vida?

At Vida, we handpick the best coaches and health experts from across the country. Whether you’re just starting your health journey, training for your next marathon, or somewhere in between, our coaches and providers can help you reach your personal goals. Here are a few examples of things we can help with:

• Weight loss
• Nutrition, including support for specialized diets (gluten-free, paleo, vegan, keto, and more)
• Exercise and strength training
• Coping with stress
• Improving sleep
• Managing diabetes, blood pressure, or cholesterol
• Tackling pre-diabetes or other risk factors so they don’t lead to chronic disease
• Handling asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Medication prescribing and lab orders*

* Vida Prescribing Services are only available to certain members who, based on Vida’s clinical criteria, would benefit from the addition of working with a prescribing Vida provider.

Can I only participate if I have a chronic condition?

No. Whether you are looking to get (or stay) fit, lose weight, handle stress, prevent a disease like prediabetes, manage a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension, or meet another health goal, we have expert coaches available to help.

What weight loss programs are available through Vida?

Vida’s Medical Weight Loss program is for individuals who are overweight or clinically obese who may also have co-occurring conditions (like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, at risk for diabetes, etc.).  Members receive clinical oversight and support from registered dietitians, physicians, and/or nurse practitioners. Members in this program will receive a customized nutrition care plan, peer support groups, and connected devices to stay on track. The Medical Weight Loss program focuses first on behavior change. Over time, after active engagement, members can partake in thoughtful discussions and assessments for prescribing support.

Can I choose my coach?

Absolutely. After you download the Vida Health app, you’ll be prompted to create an account and choose your preferred program. Then we’ll ask you a few questions, including what kind of coaching style you’d like — a cheerleader type, drill sergeant, listener, or something else.

We’ll recommend some coaches that could be a good fit, and then the choice is up to you.

Can I change coaches if it doesn’t work out with my first coach? Absolutely. To request a change, go to the home screen in your Vida app, tap the gear icon in the upper right, then tap Request New Coach. You’ll complete a brief survey so we can match you with a new coach that’s the best fit for your style and goals.

What is the Vida Prescribing Service?

Vida Prescribing Services are available to certain enrolled members who, based on Vida’s clinical criteria, would benefit from the addition of working with a prescribing provider.

How do I find out if I’m eligible for Vida’s Prescribing Services?

Your eligibility is based on your reported medical conditions, medication history, and past lab tests. If you seem like a good fit for our prescribing program, you’ll receive an in-app eligibility form that will be reviewed by our medical team.

If I get a new medicine prescribed by Vida, how do I send my prescription to my pharmacy?

Prescriptions will be submitted electronically to a pharmacy of your choice. It can be a local pharmacy or a mail-order pharmacy. The Vida medical provider will ask you which pharmacy you prefer.

How often will I meet with my prescriber?

You’ll have an initial consultation with your prescriber to assess your medication needs and a follow-up visit to review progress. Additional visits beyond these two consultations will depend on your situation and can be scheduled as needed. You also have the option to message your prescriber on an unlimited basis.

Can I communicate with my prescriber outside of a scheduled appointment?

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

How do I schedule appointments?

You can schedule an appointment directly through the app from the Home screen.

Will insurance cover the cost of my prescription?

You’ll be able to provide your pharmacy insurance information directly to your pharmacy. Coverage of prescription costs will vary depending on your pharmacy benefits. If you have any questions about prescription costs, please contact your pharmacy insurance company or pharmacy for specific details about your pharmacy benefits and prescription.

What happens if my pharmacy is unable to process or refill my prescription? Please contact your Vida prescriber through the chat screen in the app. If you need further assistance, you can also contact support@vida.com.

What happens to the information I provide 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.

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, including:

• 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?

Devices such as a digital scale, glucometer (as well as test supplies), or blood pressure cuff may be available for FREE after your first session and if you meet Vida clinical criteria for a device. The device order form will be found in the Vida app for those eligible.

I have my own glucometer. Do I need to request a new one from Vida?

If you have your own glucometer, you can likely sync it with the Vida app if it has Bluetooth connectivity. If you’re not able to sync your device, you can also manually enter your data into the Vida app if you prefer to continue using that device.

I have a CGM (continuous glucose monitor). Can I sync data from my CGM to the Vida app? Yes, you can! Check with your coach to learn how to set up your CGM with the app.

I was asked for a credit card when signing up. Isn’t Vida provided to eligible Johns Hopkins University employees at no charge?

Vida is indeed available at no charge to eligible Johns Hopkins University employees. If you see a credit card request in error, email us at support@vida.com, and we can help you set it up.

I forgot my password. Can you help?

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

Didn’t receive an email? You can reach out to us directly 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 associated with my Vida account?

Please email us at support@vida.com to change your email address.

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

Your family members (including spouses/domestic partners and dependents ages 18+) are eligible to use Vida’s services at no charge through your employer benefits. To enroll, spouses/domestic and dependents should use their name, email, and date of birth. They should use the employee’s information if asked for an Employee ID.

If they need additional help, they can reach out to us directly at support@vida.com.