United Health launches its own Level2 continuous glucose monitoring wearable system

UnitedHealth Group launched Level2 today, an innovative new digital therapy that combines wearable technology and customized personal support to help improve the health of people living with type 2 diabetes.

More than 34 million people live with Diabetes today in the United States. The new United Health app, Level2 allows participants to gain real-time insights about their condition and, for some, successfully reduce spikes in blood sugar levels or even achieve type 2 diabetes remission.

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United Health’s Level2 glucose monitoring explained

The Level2 platform offering will offer integrated tools, including a mobile continuous glucose monitor (CGM), activity tracker, app-based alerts and one-on-one clinical coaching to help encourage healthier lifestyle decisions, such as food choices, exercise and sleep patterns.

Level2 offering is not the first platform to hit the market when it comes to CGM for Diabetes2 patients. In fact, United Health had partnered with Dexcom earlier on a CGM offering. Dexcom happens to be one of the more popular choices (other similar offerings in FDA pipeline) for users today.

Following the 2018 CES show in Vegas, UNH had partnered up with Dexcom. 

The partnership allowed eligible UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan participants to use the Dexcom Mobile Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System to track their blood glucose levels 24/7.

United Health CGM Sensor

Growth of continuous glucose monitoring systems

Much like Dexcom CGM, Level2 uses mobile continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and shares that data with health professionals, including personal program coaches and physicians. This real-time data stream helps identify and coordinate care for patients with elevated blood glucose levels, allowing for earlier interventions.

It is not very clear how the Level2 wearable stacks up against the Dexcom’s unit since moving forward both the companies will be competing for the same users.

Although there have been some complaints from users around Dexcom’s subcutaneous sensors, the company is still the number 1 in this segment.

Unlike Eversense’s sensor insertion process that requires patient to go to a physician’s office for a procedure, most users using Dexcom are able to attach the sensor on their own.

The old Medtronic Guardian 3 also had a complicated tapping procedure.

So it will be interesting to see how the new Level 2 sensor stacks up since its more aligned along the lines of Dexcom; user can self-attach the sensor to his / her body.

Other players in this market include Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 2, Senseonice 180-day Eversense and Medtronic “Project Zeus”.

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Sudz Niel Kar
I am a technologist with years of experience with Apple and wearOS products, have a BS in Computer Science and an MBA specializing in emerging tech, and owned the popular site AppleToolBox. In my day job, I advise Fortune 500 companies with their digital transformation strategies and also consult with numerous digital health startups in an advisory capacity. I'm VERY interested in exploring the digital health and fitness-tech evolution and keeping a close eye on patents, FDA approvals, strategic partnerships, and developments happening in the wearables and digital health sector. When I'm not writing or presenting, I run with my Apple Watch Ultra or Samsung Galaxy Watch and closely monitor my HRV and other recovery metrics.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Hi, we are the creative agency of a leading Indian diabetes hospital chain. We are also interested in launching such continuous glucose monitoring devices in India via this hospital network.

    thanks & regards
    Sachin

  2. I recd. my supplies but there is no transmitter, Please include a list of what should be in my shipment.
    1. I will know everything is in the box
    2. Who ever is packing the supplies is also reviewing what is been shipped.

    • Hi Jane,

      Please contact United Health customer support regarding your missing supplies for your Level2 program management. Find that number on the back of your United Health Insurance card.

  3. Part of the actual prelaunch group, just another in a long line of “Band-aid” programs. Technology is terrible, always something wrong with the wearables along with both the Level2 and Dexcom Apps being extremely buggy with constant data fallout.

    Dexcom was a failing company that was propped up by United, and people will see how bad Dexcom is once they start into using the wearables and using the app.

    A1C is but a worthless tool to look at when it comes to long term sustainability. But it keeps people attached to the technology as a crutch which is what they want.

    And the “behavior modification” the powers that be want to implement are laughable, walking, and dietary restriction. The band-aid shotgun approaches “may” work in the short term but permanent HEALING of the body will never be achieved by band-aiding behaviors. And they still don’t want to get members off meds completely,

    Recomposition focus with an emphasis on BUILDING muscle through intensity-based strength training and balanced nutrition will actually heal the body permanently and may even cure many people with diabetes. Simple process.

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