How Your Health Plan Can Help You Along Your Nutrition Journey
Jake Newby
| 3 min read
Key Takeaways
- Many health insurance plans offer nutrition education, wellness tools and coaching programs that can help support healthier eating habits.
- Wellness resources can make healthy lifestyle changes feel more manageable by providing guidance, goal-setting tools and ongoing support.
- Nutrition-focused benefits may be especially valuable for members managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan members may have access to programs, discounts and digital resources that support long-term wellness.
Healthy eating can look different for everyone. For some people, it may mean adding more fruits and vegetables to meals. For others, it could mean learning how to manage portions or reduce their daily amount of sugar or sodium to manage a chronic condition.
While making these changes is a personal journey, your health plan may offer resources that provide a helping hand along the way.
Looking beyond your medical benefits for nutrition guidance
Health insurance plans can do more than help pay for doctor visits, prescriptions and other healthcare services – many health plans also offer enhanced benefits in the form of wellness programs, educational resources, discounts and other tools designed to help members build healthy habits.
Depending on the plan, these resources may include:
- Access to nutrition education
- Weight-management programs
- Health coaching
- Digital tools
- Discounts on healthy-living products and services
Some plans also offer incentives or rewards for completing certain health-related activities. For instance, you may be eligible to receive a gift card for completing your annual wellness exam. These programs are intended to encourage members to take steps that support their health and well-being and keep them healthy for the long run.
The specific programs and eligibility requirements vary based on your carrier and your plan. Members can check their plan’s website or member portal, review their benefits materials or call the number on their member ID card to learn what is available.
Learning to start with small, sustainable changes
A health plan’s wellness resources may provide information and support for setting realistic goals, tracking progress or learning more about nutrition. Some programs may also connect members with professionals who can provide guidance based on individual needs.
For people managing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, nutrition resources may be one part of a broader approach to managing their health and could unlock dietary changes that become lifestyle changes for those who may not have previously benefitted from nutrition education.
How Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan supports members with nutrition education, recipes, resources and more
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network (BCN) offer several resources that can support members as they work toward healthier habits. Here are a few worth exploring if you are a Blue Cross member:
Blue Cross Well-Being: Provides personalized tools, health assessments and self-guided “journeys” that include topics such as eating well, staying active and managing health. The program is available at no added cost with most eligible plans. Some specific benefits include coaching and support in quitting tobacco and connecting compatible fitness devices and apps to track your fitness progress.
Blue365: Members can find discounts through Blue365 on products and services related to healthy eating, including cooking classes, weight-management programs, home-delivered meals, organic groceries, fresh produce and more, depending on available offers.
Healthy Blue Living: Eligible BCN members with an HMO wellness plan can benefit from weight-management programs, tobacco coaching programs and more, all designed to help you save money, learn what steps you'll need to take and when, and receive the support you need.
Power Your Health: Power Your Health is anew content hub located on bcbsm.mibluedaily.com designed to make healthy eating easier to navigate. On the hub you’ll find recipes, expert advice, practical nutrition tips and real-life inspiration that can help turn healthy intentions into everyday habits. Whether you're looking for a new recipe, advice from an expert or simply a place to start, it’s a resource we hope you’ll come back to daily. Click here to learn more.
Because benefits and eligibility vary by plan, members should check their specific coverage to see which resources are available. If you’re a Blue Cross member, sign into your member portal to start exploring this vast array of resources today.
Photo credit: Getty Images
