Virta Health announced that it has raised $93 million in Series C funding to continue its work helping people reverse their type 2 diabetes. With these funds, Virta will invest in growth and research. 

After being diagnosed with prediabetes, co-founder of real estate marketplace Trulia Sami Inkinen co-founded Virta in 2014 with the goal of “reversing type 2 diabetes in 100 million people by 2025.” Virta also aims to, and has successfully achieved, getting many type 2 patients off of their medications.   

What does Virta do?

Virta Health offers a virtual health guide, which helps you to reach nutritional ketosis. Ketosis is a state in which your body burns fat for energy instead of sugar from carbs. This state has been proven to lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation. 

Your personal health team tailors your health plan to your biomarker (blood glucose and ketone levels). The Virta support system includes web-based health tracking, a personal health coach, telemedicine appointments with a physician, and in-app recipes, videos, and guides, plus all the supplies you will need to track your health. The plan focuses on a ketogenic diet of whole foods, high fat proteins in moderate portions, and low carbs. 

In addition to your personal healthcare team, you have access to a community where you can share ideas with others on the plan. On the plan, a patient does not have to restrict calories or fast.

Is there insurance coverage for Virta?

Virta has recently teamed up with Blue Shield of California to make its services available to its 3.7 million members, and is teaming up with other insurers as well. Patients who have used Virta claim that it has truly changed their lives. Visit www.virtahealth.com/apply to start Virta; a doctor referral is not required. Virta services start at $249 per month. For low-income patients, there is a patient assistance program available that offers a 60 percent discount.