Bupa – Your Healthy Weight Partners

Healthy Weight For Life and Bupa are partnering to help eligible members with knee and hip osteoarthritis to manage their conditions and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Bupa has partnered with Healthy Weight For Life (HWFL) to bring eligible members the HWFL Osteoarthritis program at no additional cost.

The Healthy Weight For Life Osteoarthritis program helps to reduce joint pain, improve mobility, and where appropriate, prepare for surgery, all in the comfort of your own home.

The program involves:

  • A structured eating and weight management plan to help reduce the weight on your joints.
  • Muscle strengthening exercises to help stabilise your joints, improve mobility and reduce pain.
  • Personal support and monitoring from the HWFL Care Support Team, our specialised team of allied health professionals.

Check your eligibility

Our quick eligibility checker can determine if you may be eligible for a fully-funded program. See below for full eligibility criteria for Bupa members. Check if you're eligible

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What is the HWFL Osteoarthritis program?

The internationally published1,2,3 in-home osteoarthritis management program is available at no cost to eligible Bupa members and includes over $1,000 worth of products, service and support.

The program has been expertly designed and developed to incorporate:

  1. Weight loss goal of 5%+

    Incorporating the Healthy Weight For Life portion planning and lifestyle modification system and phased use of KicStart VLCD meal replacements, we support you and work towards healthy, safe, sustainable weight reduction.

  2. Improve strength & mobility

    Targeted strength, balance and mobility exercises to help stabilise joints and improve mobility using the complete at home Strength, Mobility and Pain Management Kit.

  3. Gentle exercise plan

    We help you find the right gentle exercise routine that works for you. Light activity goes a long way to help reduce joint stiffness and improve physical function.

  4. Monitoring & support

    The HWFL Care Support Team provides support and guidance via phone, SMS, email, and via your private message board in the online Member Hub.

  5. Digital Member Hub

    You’ll have access to your own secure personal Member Hub web portal where you can track your progress, access key tools resources to help with you journey, and interact with your Care Support Team.

  6. Pain Management

    Resources to help you learn techniques and strategies to help manage pain associated with knee or hip osteoarthritis.

All the products and tools are delivered directly to you so the entire program can be done in the comfort of your own home.

How does the HWFL Osteoarthritis Program help me?

The program aims to improve your day-to-day living and associated quality of life by reducing knee and hip pain and stiffness and improving mobility. It can also improve your preparation for knee or hip replacement surgery where appropriate.

Hip and Knee Care Self-Assessment

This simple self-assessment tool will help you easily identify hip and knee care options supported by Bupa that may be available to you, including the Healthy Weight for Life Program.

Start the self-assessment here

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a fully-funded HWFL Osteoarthritis program supported by Bupa, you must:

  1. Current or historical diagnosis of knee or hip osteoarthritis.

  2. Body mass index (BMI) of 28+.

  3. Be 40 years old or over.

  4. Hold a Bupa Hospital policy that includes joint replacement.

  5. Have not previous participated in the HWFL Osteoarthritis program funded by Bupa.

  6. Have a referral from your GP, physiotherapist or surgeon confirming at least one of:

    • Knee or hip symptoms that have (or are likely to in the foreseeable future) necessitated referral to an orthopaedic surgeon for investigation or evaluation for a joint replacement procedure.

    • An existing knee or hip joint replacement that has developed symptoms that could benefit from weight loss, improved fitness and muscle strength.

    • A knee or hip joint replacement procedure is planned and weight loss, improved fitness and muscle strength prior to surgery is desirable.

Program eligibility criteria may change form time to time. Waiting periods may also apply.

Bupa Pulse Intervention

Already graduated but need a little more help?
The Bupa Pulse Intervention could help you get back on track.

Bupa members who have completed a HWFL Osteoarthritis program may be eligible for the Bupa Pulse program. The Bupa Pulse Intervention is designed to support continued long-term weight management or re-stimulate intensive weight loss for those who have started to see incremental weight gain return.

The Bupa Pulse program consists of:

  • A phone consultation with the Healthy Weight For Life team to re-set your goals and create a Personal Action Plan
  • Home delivered Booster Pack including your Personal Action Plan AND 50 sachets of KicStart VLCD meal replacements (your choice of flavours)
  • Ongoing access to your personal Digital Member Hub
  • Access to the HWFL Graduates Support Group on Facebook
  • Unlimited inbound phone support via the HWFL Care Support Team through the course of the intervention

Bupa Pulse Intervention eligibility

  • Bupa HWFL graduate – completed full 18 Week program including all documentation and reporting.
  • Graduated the HWFL program at least 12 months ago.
  • Must still have an eligible level of cover with Bupa.
  • Have not previously participated in the Bupa Pulse Intervention.

Register Here for the Bupa Pulse Intervention