Providing the roadmap to living a healthier life
Medical Weight Loss, a virtual care program, is available to UnitedHealth Group employees and their spouse or domestic partner who are enrolled in an eligible medical plan and have a BMI* of 27.5 or greater.
*Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is an estimated measurement of your overall body fat level based on your height and weight. BMI calculated results do not reflect body fat directly as some body types and activity levels can vary, but show general population categorizations based on CDC recommended formulas for underweight, normal, overweight or obese ranges. Click here to learn more or calculate your BMI. BMI program requirements may differ based on unique health considerations of certain ethnic backgrounds.
Here’s how it works
It all starts with your care team of specially trained health care professionals. They’ll work with you one-on-one to develop a care plan centered around your health and wellness needs.
There are four pillars that your care will be based around:
Identifying clinical care needs tailored to your metabolic health
- Comprehensive medical assessments
- Monitor labs and vitals
- Medication management
- Referrals to primary care and specialists as needed
Providing medical nutrition therapy and dietary recommendations personalized to you
- Food as medicine
- Mindful eating
- Meal prepping and planning
- Healthier grocery shopping
- Healthy eating anywhere
Establishing lasting habits for daily movement and physical activity
- Intro to physical activity
- Mobility
- Strength
- Endurance
- Incorporating more movement into your daily life
Incorporating realistic and lasting strategies to address any negative emotions you might be associating with your weight
- Self-worth
- Body acceptance
- Mind and body connection
- Stress and resiliency
- Mindfulness
- Handling sadness
- Dealing with regret
- Navigating change
Your journey
Prior to your first appointment, you will fill out an intake form and complete labs. This allows us to recommend the right medication and treatment plan for you. This information also helps us identify why you may have had a challenging time losing weight. It may also reveal certain weight-related conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and more that we can help manage with medical management and lifestyle changes.
Labs include:
- Vitamin B12
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Lipid profile
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Complete blood count
- TSH with reflex T4
Once you’ve completed your labs, the medical weight loss team will also get to know you as an individual, including your lifestyle, health and weight loss history, and more. The care team will take into account your medical, nutrition, movement and emotional health needs when working with you to develop a personalized care plan. At this time, medications may be prescribed to make it easier for you to be successful with your lifestyle changes. You’ll then meet with your care team regularly to help you stay on track and adjust your care plan as you progress through the program.
Your care team
- Medical provider: Either a Medical Doctor or Advanced Practice Clinician will guide your medical care, including medication management, monitoring your labs and communicating with your Primary Care Provider.
- Well-being coach: A Registered Dietitian who provides a holistic approach to nutrition, movement, and emotional health to help you become the best version of yourself.
- Case manager: A Registered Nurse to support your care plan throughout the program. They will provide resources and check-in with you regularly to ensure you have what you need to be successful.
- Care navigator: They are your go-to for any questions about the program. They will also work with you to coordinate care and manage referrals.
Eligibility and cost
Medical Weight Loss, a virtual care program, is available to UnitedHealth Group employees and spouse or domestic partner who are enrolled in an eligible medical plan, reside in an eligible state and are 18 years or older. Program eligibility factors such as BMI will be discussed with your Medical Weight Loss care team at or prior to your first appointment.
Eligible UnitedHealth Group medical plans include HSA Plans (Low Premium Plan and Low-Deductible Plan), Accountable Care Plan, Charter Copay Plan, M Health Fairview Primary Care Plan, WellMed 1st Tier Plan, Choice Transition, Hawaii PPO, and Surest Flex Copay. Medical Weight Loss is currently only available in select states. Check your eligibility here.
OptumCare eligible plans include HSA Plan, Accountable Care Plan, Doctors Plan, OptumCare NE Plan, OptumCare EPO Plan and Surest Flex Copay Plan.
Eligible Optum Select plans include Optum Select HSA Plan, Optum Select Copay Plan, and Optum Select Surest Plan.
Program costs may be subject to applicable coinsurance/copays, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. For details, see your plan’s Summary Plan Description (SPD) or contact the appropriate resource:
- If you’re eligible for UnitedHealth Group benefits or Surest Flex Copay Plan benefits, call Health Care Advisor at 800-357-1371
- If you’re eligible for OptumCare benefits, call Benefits Advocate at 844-585-1466 for UHC Plans or Surest at 855-472-7778 for the Surest Flex copay
- If you’re eligible for Optum Select benefits, call Benefits Advocate at 844-222-6320 for UHC Plans or Surest at 855-472-7778 for the Optum Select Surest Plan.