What is Vida Health?

Vida is a virtual health program that offers personalized weight loss, pre-diabetes and hypertension programs and live, one-on-one support from an expert care team — all through an easy-to-use mobile app and website. Note, employers will select which of the programs noted are available.

When you sign up with Vida, you’ll share your health goals and preferences. Vida will use that information to tailor a program to your needs, and you’ll pick a coach to support you along the way. Your program will include helpful resources like videos, lessons, recipes, and more, plus easy progress tracking. You’ll also be able to connect your fitness trackers or health devices (see most common list in “3rd-Party Devices and Apps” below).

Who is eligible for Vida?

This program is available to individuals 18 and older who have coverage through certain Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey plans. To find out if you are eligible, click here.

What kind of health coaching can I receive through Vida?

At Vida, we handpick the best coaches and health experts from across the country. 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
• Support for health conditions
• Tackling pre-diabetes or other risk factors so they don’t lead to chronic disease
• Medication prescribing and lab orders

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 disease, manage a chronic condition, or meet another health goal, we have expert coaches available to help.

What are Vida’s weight loss programs like?

The Vida weight loss program focuses on behavior change​​. You will have your own dedicated health coach working with you to personalize eating and exercise plans that are a good fit for you and your goals. In this program, in addition to weekly coaching sessions, you will have the option to in-app message your coach and group chat with other people committed to losing weight. If you are at a higher weight and would benefit from additional clinical oversight, you will be assigned a registered dietitian to focus on medical nutrition therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Your care team may also include a Vida medical provider. 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.

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

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

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 Medical Prescribing Service?

Vida’s weight-loss programs focus first on behavior change. The Vida Medical Prescribing Service is available to eligible members in medical weight loss programs who would benefit from the addition of working with a Vida medical provider.

How do I find out if I’m eligible for the prescribing program?

Your eligibility is based on your reported medical conditions, medication history, and past lab tests. If you meet clinical requirements for our prescribing program, you’ll receive an in-app eligibility form that will be reviewed by our medical team. If you are currently taking medication for weight loss, you will start working with a Vida medical provider.

How does my Vida medical provider work with my regular doctor?

Your medical weight loss treatment with a Vida medical provider is in addition to the care you already receive from your current doctor or primary care provider.

Your Vida medical provider focuses on obesity treatment. Your primary care provider is responsible for all other aspects of your healthcare. This includes services such as in-office visits, preventive mammograms and prostate exams, vaccinations, follow-ups after emergency care and planned surgeries, and care for conditions other than obesity/overweight. Your Vida medical provider can share your medical records with your primary care provider if you provide approval.

Your Vida medical provider is a licensed doctor or nurse-practitioner who can write lab orders that are used in obesity treatment, review the results, and prescribe weight loss medicines to directly treat obesity. These providers can also prescribe basic blood pressure and cholesterol drugs. They follow your health plan’s drug coverage formulary. They’re not in charge of all your medical care.

If you are being evaluated for or are preparing for bariatric surgery, Vida will work with your surgical team to ensure that needed weight loss medicines are prescribed.

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. The Vida medical provider will ask you which pharmacy you prefer.

How often will I meet with my Vida medical provider?

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

Can I communicate with my Vida medical provider outside of a scheduled appointment?

Yes! You’ll be able to send messages to your Vida medical provider 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 the cost of my prescription be covered by my Horizon plan?

For some members, using a Vida medical provider is part of how their Horizon plan supports weight‑loss medications. When a Vida medical provider prescribes this medication, it may be covered under your plan. You may have a co‑pay or cost share, depending on how your benefits are set up.

If your medication was prescribed by a provider outside of Vida, it may not be eligible for coverage through your Horizon plan.

If you are living with diabetes and were prescribed a weight‑loss medication, you may want to speak with your provider about whether there are diabetes‑specific treatment options that could be covered under your plan without needing a prescription from a Vida provider.

If you have questions about how Horizon supports weight-loss medications through Vida, we’re here to help guide you.

Why does my weight-loss medicine need to be prescribed by Vida to be covered by my Horizon health plan?

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.

What happens if my pharmacy is unable to process or refill my prescription?

Please contact your Vida medical provider through the chat screen in the app. If you need further assistance, you can also contact support@vida.com or call 833-732-2242.

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. If you wish to have your information deleted, please contact support@vida.com.

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?

Digital scales and blood pressure cuffs may be available for free after your first care team appointment if you meet Vida clinical criteria. The device order form will be found in the Vida app for those eligible.

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 or by calling 833-732-2242.

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 or call Vida support at 833-732-2242.

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

Your family members (including spouses and dependents ages 18+) who are enrolled in the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey health plan are eligible to use Vida’s services at no charge through your employer benefits. To enroll, spouses and dependents should use their name, email, and date of birth. If they need additional help, they can reach out to us directly at support@vida.com or by calling 833-732-2242.