Western Health Advantage

WHA's online wellness program keeps members’ health status at their fingertips. MyWHA Wellness helps members set realistic wellness goals while providing the tools they need to achieve those goals.

Once a member creates an online account, they can take a personal health assessment, which provides a wellness score along with a personalized report about medical and behavioral health risks. Members can:

• Set individual health goals
• Get personalized action plans
• Track their progress
• Access helpful health content
• Be part of a vibrant online community

With healthy recipes, videos, and informative articles, members will feel inspired to reach their health improvement goals.

Preventive guidelines are designed to help members make more informed decisions about their health. By following these guidelines and working with their doctor, members are taking important steps to safeguard their health. Guidelines include health screenings, tests, and other services that are available at no additional cost*. Starting at birth through adulthood WHA also includes accessible, up-to-date immunization schedules as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

*Note: Coverage for WHA services depends on eligibility at the time of service.

This program is designed to slow and prevent type 2 diabetes among CalPERS members who have prediabetes – a condition in which a person's blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not yet high enough for the individual to be considered diabetic.

Program benefits include:

• Improved nutrition
• Increased physical activity
• Motivation to sustain behavior changes
• Peer support
• Stress management

The program lasts one year, and consists of 16 sessions over the first six months and at least one session a month for the next six months. You can choose in-person, online, or a combination of both types of sessions. To participate in the program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 24 (22 if Asian)
• Have no previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Have received a blood test result in the prediabetes range in the past year, or have been previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes or high blood sugar when pregnant)

Through Virta Health, we offer members a telehealth program that helps lower blood sugar and A1C, reduce or eliminate medications, and lose weight. It includes a medical coaching team and all the supplies needed for this nutritional-based program offered at no-cost for Basic WHA plan members.

Through Optum Health, members have access to programs that help with chronic or high-risk health conditions such as asthma, coronary artery disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and maternity health at no cost.

Offering advanced tools to our Basic plan members to help manage high blood pressure, the Livongo program provides real-time readings, advice, and personal lifestyle coaching that helps manage your hypertension and risks.

Through the Maven Maternity program, members and their partners may access virtual care for pregnancy and postpartum support. Use Maven for 24/7 support from doctors, specialists, and coaches, along with trusted content tailored to your parenthood journey.

Managing pain just got a bit easier with Kaia Health, an innovative digital physical therapy program and app to help with back, neck and knee pain. Ideal for Basic plan members who can't always get to an in-person therapy session, mails computer-vision technology features automated exercise feedback for virtual therapy that's accessible anytime or anywhere.

Members have access to health education programs and classes sponsored by our network’s medical groups, even those not connected to their primary care physician’s medical group. You will find classes, programs, and support groups in these areas: diabetes, fitness, heart and vascular, lung health, nutrition, orthopedics, parenting, pregnancy and childbirth, and smoking cessation. Unless otherwise noted, most health programs or classes are free.

The decision to be active is a little easier through gym and fitness center discounts. Our partnership with Active&Fit Direct® allows members to access a wide range of fitness centers for a minimal monthly fee. Area partners include: California Family Fitness, and Active Wellness Centers in Petaluma, Napa, and Vacaville.

Visit myWHA for a list of fitness center partners and details on how to contact or visit these facilities.

ChooseHealthy® brings savings on health and wellness products and services. Members will find discounts from 10-50% on popular brands and services, including therapeutic massage services through a network of practitioners.

Members are invited to join us in creating a fit and healthy California by attending any of the classes offered in this community-based fitness program—at no cost to you. The program is open to everyone regardless of health plan affiliation. Choose from a variety of short, bite sized classes geared to help you move more, recharge, or learn something new along your wellness journey.

Classes are virtual and can be taken anywhere you have a computer or your favorite device. For more information and to register please go to communityFit.

The benefits of a nutritionally sound lifestyle are countless and include decreased risk for and treatment of infections and disease, improved emotional well-being, healthy weight management, and lengthened longevity. Using the WHA website, members can browse hundreds of healthy recipes from reputable non-profit health organizations such as the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Cancer Society. For more, visit recipes.

Members have 24/7 access to a nurse advice line staffed with California licensed registered nurses. Talk directly with a nurse by calling our dedicated phone number, or even chat online. Registered nurses are available to answer any of your health questions, including direct referrals to disease management nurses. Call (877) 793-3655 or visit Nurse Advice.

For our Medicare-eligible retirees, we have a fitness membership at no additional cost. It includes access to local/national club, choice of home fitness kits, access to digital workout gear, and more. Visit MyCareFitness for more. Members interested in any one of the programs can contact Optum directly at (877) 793-3655, contact WHA's member services, or complete an online disease management referral form.

Note: Check your plan documents for specific eligibility requirements for these wellness programs.