Banner|Aetna Marks 3 Years of Type 2 Diabetes Reversal through Virta Health, Thousands See Results
Banner|Aetna Marks 3 Years of Type 2 Diabetes Reversal through Virta Health, Thousands See Results
New data shows continued clinically significant outcomes, including improvements across blood sugar, medication reduction and weight loss
Phoenix, AZ (July 31, 2025): Banner|Aetna, a joint venture health plan owned by Banner Health and Aetna, a CVS Health company, celebrates three years of investing in members by offering an evidence-based diabetes reversal initiative.
In 2022, the insurer was an early adopter of Virta Health for diabetes reversal – the process of reducing blood glucose levels to below the threshold used to diagnose diabetes. [1] Since then, the program enrollment has grown 290% and thousands of members have achieved sustainable health transformations while reducing their need for expensive weight loss medications, like Wegovy and Ozempic. [2] The flexible app-based program uses a virtual model to address the root cause of metabolic disease through individualized nutrition plans that fit members’ unique lifestyles, cultural background, dietary preferences, and budget. Thanks to the personalized approach and one-on-one expert support, participants are experiencing significant and lasting outcomes.
Recent data shows that Banner|Aetna members saw meaningful metabolic health improvements after 365 days of program enrollment, including the following.
- Blood sugar reduction: On average, members saw a 0.97% reduction in A1C blood sugar levels. [3] Every one-point decrease in A1C reduces the risk of long-term diabetes complications by up to 40%.
- Prescription reduction: Members eliminated 57% of diabetes medications (excluding metformin), including a 66% reduction in insulin dosages. Of those on insulin, 44% eliminated it completely. [4]
- Clinically significant weight loss: 61% of members experienced clinically significant weight loss (5% or more); on average, members lost 8% of their body weight. [5] Clinically significant weight loss can lead to better sleep, reduced inflammation, improved blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease and positive impacts on arthritis and fatty liver disease.
In addition to the diabetes reversal program demonstrating outstanding clinical results, Banner|Aetna’s omnichannel outreach approach achieves 3x higher member engagement compared to industry averages. [6] Through deep integration with Banner Health—one of Banner|Aetna’s parent companies and Arizona's largest healthcare delivery system—the insurer leverages the Banner Health clinical and care management teams to refer eligible members into a diabetes management program.
“The U.S. is facing a metabolic disease crisis. One in 10 people lives with diabetes, and most have type 2. One in three has prediabetes,” explains Ed Clarke, MD, Banner|Aetna Medical Director and VP, CMO Banner Plans & Networks. “These conditions take a toll on the physical, emotional and financial health of millions of people in Arizona. That’s why Banner|Aetna collaborated with Virta to offer members a holistic, non-pharmacological approach that puts disease reversal within reach. The feedback from members who have completed the program shows its dramatic impact on their lives. Not only do they gain a better understanding of disease management, but more importantly how they can take control health of their health.”
The results speak for themselves as members are achieving notable clinical outcomes helping them reclaim their lives, while also having a positive effect that ripples out to their families and the broader community.
For Banner|Aetna member Shelby*, learning to use food as medicine has led to “amazing” changes in her life, including increased energy, better sleep, and weight loss. “I have learned how my body reacts to a wide array of foods and what I can eat to help it flourish,” she explains. “I am very thankful for the support my coach provides every step of the way, and her encouragement that I am worth the hard work.”
Banner|Aetna currently offers type 2 diabetes reversal to eligible members of fully insured and Administrative Services Only groups. Additionally, Banner|Aetna self-funded employer groups can access Virta’s prediabetes and obesity reversal offerings, which use the same innovative care model.
About Banner|Aetna
Banner|Aetna is a health insurance company focusing on bettering member outcomes at a lower cost, all while improving the overall member experience for employers and consumers in Arizona. The collaboration combines Banner Health’s quality, local providers and delivery systems with Aetna’s health-plan experience, care management and health information technology. Banner|Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company and Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc. For more information about Banner|Aetna, visit www.banneraetna.com.
About Banner Health
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had more than 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 88 million plan members, and a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than 800,000 patients per year. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.
Media Contact:
Sarah McLeod
Activate Health
smcleod@activatehealth.com
Virta Health
press@virtahealth.com
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[1] Riddle MC, Cefalu WT, Evans PH et al. Consensus Report: Definition and Interpretation of Remission in Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 1 October 2021; 44 (10): 2438–2444. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci21-0034.
[2] Virta Health & Banner|Aetna Clinical Outcomes. March 31, 2025.
[3] Virta Health & Banner|Aetna Clinical Outcomes. February 27, 2025.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Engagement data reported by Virta Health. January 2023-May 2025.
* The member’s uncompensated testimonial reflects the enrollee’s experience with Virta Health.
Banner | Aetna
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Sarah McLeod Director of Client Relations
- July 31, 2025
- (602) 659-9008
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