ThedaCare Weight Wellness:
General Program and Weight Loss Medications FAQs
General Program FAQ
Losing weight and keeping it off can be challenging. What helps one person lose weight may not work for another.
ThedaCare's Weight Wellness Program combines several modalities for ongoing support in the weight loss journey:
- Nutrition Services
- Regular Health Coach Check-ins
- Care Management Oversight
- Online Wondr Weight Loss Program
- Lifestyle Intervention Programs
- Weight Loss Medications
- Weight Loss Surgery
ThedaCare Employees and Dependents on our HealthPartners plan are eligible for the program. Members must be 18 or older and meet the following BMI criteria:
- BMI of ≥30, OR
- BMI ≥27 with related medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes
Initially, the program will be offered to specific eligible members of ThedaCare's insurance plan. These specific members will receive a direct offer to join the program via MyThedaCare.
There will be open enrollment for all eligible members with ThedaCare HealthPartners by the end of March 2024.
At your initial appointment, you will meet a health coach who will be with you for every step of your weight loss journey. There is so much to consider when trying to lose weight. The health coach will share all the Weight Wellness Program options so you can decide on your next steps.
At the end of the appointment, you will receive a MyThedaCare message summarizing the next steps and recommendations based on your medical history. This is a virtual 45-minute appointment held in a group setting via Zoom. Click here for Zoom navigation instructions.
At this time, the Weight Wellness program is primarily virtual. The program is securing personalized space at our ThedaCare - Neenah hospital starting in Q2 2024. Virtual visits for health coaches, nutrition, and weight loss medication services will continue to be offered.
Weight Loss Medication FAQ
Working together with a certified obesity medicine physician is the best way to determine if weight loss medication is the best option for you. Medication is considered with a BMI of ≥ 30 or a BMI between 27 and 30 with related medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Click here to calculate your BMI.
You will discuss this with the program's certified obesity medicine physician. Some weight loss medications are only approved by the FDA for 3 months. However, like blood pressure and diabetes medications, others may be considered long-term if tolerated well with no side effects.
Medications can result in significant weight loss, but nutrition and lifestyle changes are needed for long-term results. The Weight Wellness Program will partner with you to adopt nutrition and lifestyle changes that increase the effectiveness of weight loss medication and minimize the risk of weight regain.
When medication is prescribed by the program's certified obesity medicine physician, the Weight Wellness team will manage insurance authorization to avoid delays in obtaining your medication and ensure that all requirements are met to receive lower out-of-pocket costs.
HealthPartners completes a prior authorization before filling weight loss medication prescriptions. This means some requirements need to be met for HealthPartners to cover the weight loss medication; these include the following:
- Age: 18 years or older
- BMI: ≥30 or ≥27 with related medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. Click here to calculate your BMI.
- Weight Loss Program: Enroll in the ThedaCare Weight Wellness Program
- 2-months participation in the online Wondr weight loss platform or proof of completion
- TCN Weight Wellness Nutrition Visit
- Pharmacy: Scripts must go through ThedaCare Neenah - Retail Pharmacy (home delivery is available)
Wondr is a FREE digital weight loss program that teaches you the science of how to eat your favorite foods while you lose weight, sleep better, stress less, and much more. You will learn simple behavioral skills clinically proven to improve your health and well-being. Click here to start the program today.
The ThedaCare HealthPartner's prior authorization only accepts completion of the Wondr program. If you completed the 12-month Wondr program, please log in for a copy of the completion certificate. Enrollment in the ThedaCare Weight Wellness program is still needed for medication coverage.
Virtual visits are offered for one-on-one and group nutrition counseling. However, the first nutrition visit must be in person at our ThedaCare Regional Medical Center - Neenah location.