Aetna has launched a special texting program to help members who have been diagnosed with diabetes more easily and successfully control their condition and avoid complications. Members who agree to participate in the program will receive educational text messages and reminders about diabetes screenings and tests, medications, tips on healthy eating and exercising and general health information.

“Managing a chronic condition like diabetes has to fit in and keep pace with today’s increasingly busy lifestyles,” said Kyra Bobinet, M.D., MPH, medical director of health and wellness innovation for Aetna. “Statistics show that two-thirds of Americans use text messaging on a daily basis. Texting reaches people in ways that are even more convenient and easy for them. Tools and information that can help members make better informed decisions about their health care will be delivered to their fingertips anywhere they go.”

The diabetes texting program is available initially to a limited number of members who have Aetna medical, pharmacy and disease management benefits. Members who sign-up will receive short text-based messages on their mobile devices over a three-month period. Members will be evaluated on how well they follow four best-practice measures of diabetes management:

• Receive regular A1C screenings which measures blood glucose levels
• Receive an annual LDL screening which shows the level of bad cholesterol and cardiovascular risk
• Follow instructions for taking medications
• Enroll in a disease management, nurse and health coaching program

Aetna has a variety of programs in place to help people with chronic conditions, like diabetes. Aetna’s full suite of health and wellness programs as well as mobile technologies that include iPhone, Android and Blackberry apps help members make immediate, informed health care decisions.  Aetna teamed up with Silverlink Communications to launch the diabetes texting program. Aetna’s Medicaid plan in Delaware (Delaware Physicians Care) pioneered the use of health-related texting, successfully using it since 2006.  Aetna Medicaid currently offers a texting program to diabetic members that provides health information and reminds members to have routine blood testing.