"Real Appeal" weight loss program from insurance? Any experience?

[Anonymous]

I've been getting a bunch of emails from my health insurance company (United Healthcare) about Real Appeal, which is apparently their "weight management" program. It claims to be free. All the stuff on its promotional pages and everything looks good, but it feels like there must be a catch. You do need to register/signup. I'm considering it - I'm carrying about 20 extra pounds from two pregnancies back to back and I'm struggling to get myself motivated to lose it, and I really don't have the money for Weight Watchers (which I've used successfully in the past).

Has anyone done this? I don't trust insurance companies, so I'm quite skeptical, but I could use the help. This isn't like a "if you don't lose it, we'll jack up your rates" thing is it? I get insurance through my job, if that matters.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I just read their privacy policy and I don't see anything that jumps out at me. They may use my information to:

"Connect you with and provide you with information about Rally or Rally Partners’ services, providers of services, rewards, resources or programs to which you may have access, including coaching, disease management, or other health-related services or wellness programs;"

That sounds like upselling - I'm fine with that, easy enough to just say no.

[Anonymous]

My insurance company offers one of these too, and after reading the terrible reviews I passed. If you join I wouldn’t expect much in terms of quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My insurance company offers one of these too, and after reading the terrible reviews I passed. If you join I wouldn’t expect much in terms of quality.

+1. It wasn't Real Appeal but I did join one (Omada) through my insurer. They sent me a scale and had programmed online coaching. It was useless but no repercussions with my insurance when I dropped out after a couple months (I actually gained weight trying to follow it, ha!)