Employee health is key for individual well-being and business success. Workers who are well are more productive and engaged at work. And focusing on improving health can have real cost savings. 

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina’s My Health Novel^℠ platform provides members with tools and support to fit their health needs. Since the program began in 2021, it has grown to include more options for members. 

“Health is not one-size-fits-all, so our health care solutions must be as unique as our members,” said Matt Shaffer, senior vice president of Major Group at BlueCross. “My Health Novel provides personalized solutions for each member that fits his or her lifestyle and health goals.”

Here’s how My Health Novel is improving member health. 

What is My Health Novel? 

It is a personalized health and wellness program that guides members to virtual tools and resources and providers and programs. It is designed to address conditions that can be challenging and costly. 

Members can pick a program that will work for them, get free tools, a personalized plan with the help of a health coach and tips. All the program benefits are included at no extra cost to the member. 

Members take a health quiz to find a program to fit their lifestyle and needs. They can retake the quiz at any time if their goals change or if they are ready for a new program.

The platform offers different chapters so that members can find support for various health needs. These include: 

• Weight management. 
• Behavioral health. 
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) health. 
• Women’s health. 
• Digestive health. 
• Tobacco cessation. 
• Diabetes. 
• Blood pressure. 

The chapters included in My Health Novel are high-cost, high-claims areas for our groups. But these are also areas that members say they want help with. 

Why is this helpful? 

Underlying health conditions drive health care costs higher. They pose long-term medical risks and can increase health care costs by thousands of dollars a year.  

Members save money when they take steps to reduce their risks. For employers, billing is claims-based. This means businesses only pay if people use the platform. 

For example, medical costs increase by about $8,010 during the first three years of a person’s diabetes diagnosis, while an employer’s cost per member may decrease by as much as 20 percent with a diabetes prevention program.

How easy is it to access? 

My Health Novel is built into our member portal, My Health Toolkit^®. This removes barriers for access. 

Who has access? 

Employers who are interested in offering this program to their employees should contact their BlueCross representative.

It is available to subscribers, spouses and covered dependents who are 18 or older. 

My Health Novel Chapters: 

Chapter 1: Weight management 

Health benefits of losing weight include greater physical mobility and lower risk for Type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, sleep apnea and depression. Even modest weight loss is helpful.

Weight management is the most popular chapter. About 19 percent of participants have lost 5 percent of their body weight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that losing 5 percent of body weight may lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose. 

Components may include an evidence-based weight loss program, small group sessions and a lifestyle coach to help people set goals and stay on track.

Chapter 2: Behavioral health

Addressing behavioral health issues can help people reduce anxiety and depression and possibly enhance their physical health.
Components may include help with goal setting, mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. 

About 35 percent of participants in the high-acuity solution reached clinically significant lower levels of stress, depression or anxiety. 

Chapter 3: Musculoskeletal (MSK) health

Chapter goals are to help people increase mobility, reduce pain and avoid surgery if possible.
MSK problems account for 1 in 4 workers’ compensation claims. Participants report experiencing lower levels of pain. 

Components may include advice on mobility exercises and virtual sessions with physical therapists.

Chapter 4: Women’s health

This helps with issues women face at different stages of life, such as pelvic pain, fertility, breastfeeding and menopause.

Components may include digital connections to coaching and clinics, physical therapy help, lactation consultants, and evidence-based support from health professionals.

As one of the newest chapters, the women’s health chapter has seen good success with 50 percent of members in the gynecological program reporting improvement in their symptoms. 

Chapter 5: Digestive health

Digestive health problems are common — and costly. Members get help for issues such as heartburn, inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease.

Components may include help with symptom tracking, diet changes and virtual visits with a care team.

Chapter 6: Tobacco cessation

Tobacco use is linked not only to deaths and respiratory problems, but also to huge costs and lost productivity.

Components include two proven, personalized program options and nicotine replacement in some cases.

Chapter 7: Diabetes

This chapter aims to improve glucose levels and other challenges for members with Type 2 diabetes.

Components may include a smart glucose monitor and other supplies, plus personal health coaching.

Chapter 8: Blood pressure

Managing or avoiding high blood pressure may reduce risks such as heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.

Components may include coaching, help tracking numbers and a free blood pressure monitor.