A program to help manage type 2 diabetes
Up to 12-months support
You'll learn strategies to help manage your type 2 diabetes through diet and becoming more physically active.
Manage weight loss
A dietitian will support your weight loss goals with a low-calorie diet and a weight management plan.
Meal planning
Meal plan guidance and recipes will help you make positive lifestyle changes to improve your health.
How the program works
This program runs for up to 12 months and includes consultations with a dietitian and meal plans to help you achieve and maintain a healthier weight.
Research shows that following a tailored weight loss program and exercising more can help manage type 2 diabetes,
sometimes to the point of remission.1, 2, 3
For people living with type 2 diabetes, losing even a small amount of body weight may decrease your symptoms and help to manage your blood sugar levels.
The infographic below shows one example of what your journey could involve and the support you could receive along the way. Your program journey may be different depending on your needs.
Why the Medibank Type 2 Diabetes Program?
No enrolment fee
There is no enrolment fee to participate if you are an eligible member. Your GP or specialist may charge consultation fees if they don’t bulk bill.
No waiting periods
You don’t need to have served your Medibank hospital cover waiting periods to participate. Check your cover’s eligibility below.
Participate from anywhere
The program is completely online, so you can join from anywhere in Australia.
Research-based
The program was originally developed with support from leading researchers from The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, and Austin Health, and continues to be updated to better meet our members needs.
Hear from a program participant
Michael shares his experience~ with the Medibank Type 2 Diabetes Program. Find out how a tailored meal plan and working with a dietitian helped him make small changes to manage his condition.
~This is one example of what the program journey could look like. Your program journey may be different depending on your needs.
Check your eligibility
If you answer yes to the following questions you may be eligible to participate in the Medibank Type 2 Diabetes Program.
Are you a Medibank member with resident hospital cover that includes diabetes management?
Are you 18 years or older?
Have you been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?
Are you above a healthy weight (is your BMI 25 or greater)?
Can you access a phone and the internet?
Can you speak and read English?
Please note: Our team will assess your clinical suitability during the screening process. Clinical approval from your GP will be required if you have liver disease, renal impairment, have type 2 diabetes managed by medication other than metformin or if clinically indicated during the screening call.
Further reading to help manage type 2 diabetes
Information for how to reduce the impact of type 2 diabetes on your life
Diabetes explained
Understand more about Australia’s fastest growing chronic condition.4
How your health cover can help
Top tips for using your health insurance to manage type 2 diabetes.
Managing your type 2 diabetes
Making small lifestyle changes may mean positive differences for your health.
Things you should know
While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).
^ Available, where clinically appropriate, to Medibank members aged 18 and over with hospital cover that includes diabetes management who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, are above a healthy weight (BMI 25 or more), can speak and read English and can access a telephone and internet.
This program is being delivered by Amplar Health. Amplar Health is a business of Medibank Health Solutions Pty Limited (ABN 99 078 934 791), a member of the Medibank group of companies.
References
1 Lean, Michael EJ et al. 5-year follow-up of the randomised Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) of continued support for weight loss maintenance in the UK: an extension study. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Volume 12, Issue 4, 233 – 246. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(23)00385-6/fulltext
2 Astbury, N.M., Edwards, R.M., Ghebretinsea, F. et al. Extended follow-up of a short total diet replacement programme: results of the Doctor Referral of Overweight People to Low Energy total diet replacement Treatment (DROPLET) randomised controlled trial at 3 years. Int J Obes 45, 2432–2438 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-021-00915-1
3 U.S. Afsheen Syeda, Daniel Battillo, Aayush Visaria, & Steven K. Malin. (2023). The importance of exercise for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes The importance of exercise for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. American Journal of Medicine Open, 9, 100031-.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajmo.2023.100031
4 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2024. Diabetes: Australian facts. Diabetes: Australian facts, All diabetes - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Acknowledgements
The resources used in this program have been adapted from Better Knee, Better Me, a program developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne.