Fitbit, Blue Cross Blue Shield Launch Mobile Health Partnership
San Francisco-based fitness wearable maker Fitbit continues its push into the health plan market with a new digital health deal to incorporate its fitness tracker into health and wellness programs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association announced a partnership with Fitbit to include the company’s wearables and fitness trackers in its Blue365 health and wellness program for Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) members.
Through this program, more than 60 million BCBS members in 23 affiliated health plans to have access to a special offer on Fitbit activity trackers and smartwatches. The deal with BCBSA follows similar partnerships with Humana and UnitedHealthcare.
As part of a commitment to providing consumers with affordable health and wellness products, the Blue365 program also partners with employers to help build a culture of health in the workplace. Employers can either buy in bulk or subsidize a purchase of Fitbit devices for their employees.
“There is no question that increasing activity and moving more is a tremendous benefit that can improve health, and I'm excited Blue365 members will have even more incentives to get and remain healthy by exercising at a pace that's right for them,” Mark Talluto, vice president of strategy and analytics for Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), said in a statement. “This strategic partnership will bring personalized health and wellbeing to the next level, allowing members to put their health first.”
"Fitbit provides a powerful platform to engage consumers by offering data, insights and guidance to help them meet their health goals," Adam Pellegrini, general manager of Fitbit Health Solutions, said. "This partnership is an example of how Fitbit is expanding access to our devices and software so that we can help more people focus on their health and wellness and achieve better health outcomes."
Blue365 is available to members of the 23 participating BCBS companies, as well as the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Government-wide Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program® (FEP®).
