A new model for chronic disease care
In association with 
“When clinical outcomes improve, the patient can roll off medications, avoid complications, and have a true long-term solution to their condition.”
— Angie Kalousek Ebrahimi, senior director of Digital Care Programs, Blue Shield of California
Scaling lifestyle medicine through digital care
In this interview, Angie Kalousek Ebrahimi, senior director of Digital Care Programs at Blue Shield of California, explores how lifestyle medicine is being delivered at scale through digital innovation — and what it takes to translate evidence into real-world outcomes.
As health systems look to address the growing burden of type 2 diabetes, this conversation highlights a critical shift: moving beyond episodic care toward continuous, whole-person support that empowers patients to take control of their health.
At the core of Blue Shield of California’s approach is a focus on small, sustainable behavior change. Rather than overwhelming patients with drastic interventions, digital care programs are designed to support gradual progress — helping individuals build habits around nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and connectedness.
Crucially, these programs are paired with milestone-based, pay-for-performance models, aligning incentives with outcomes and ensuring that care delivery remains focused on measurable impact.
About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California’s Digital Care Programs provide lifestyle medicine–based support to help members prevent, treat and reverse chronic conditions like diabetes while improving health.
