BOSTON– Blue Circle Health, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), has expanded its free virtual program to five additional states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kentucky. With this expansion, the organization now operates in 16 states nationwide.
Supported by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Blue Circle Health provides comprehensive, no-cost care for adults with T1D, coordinating with their existing healthcare providers and connecting them with additional specialists as needed.
“Blue Circle Health was founded to bridge the gap between the care people with type 1 diabetes need and what is available through the traditional health system,” said Leonard D’Avolio, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Blue Circle Health. “As a program, Blue Circle Health can improve the health of many and serve as proof that better outcomes at lower cost is possible.”
The organization offers a six-month personalized care plan that includes endocrinology care, diabetes education, behavioral health services, insurance navigation, peer and community support, and financial assistance for medications and supplies. This approach provides enough time to address immediate challenges while helping participants build long-term confidence and self-management skills.
“Helmsley is an early believer in Blue Circle because managing T1D is hard and our current healthcare system makes it even more difficult,” said David Panzirer, Trustee at the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “We want a better future.”
“At its foundation, the program is rooted in diabetes self-management education and support,” added D’Avolio. “We’ve added additional services based on patient needs such as insurance navigation, counseling, peer support, and financial assistance.”
Dr. Monica Gomberg, Endocrinologist and Vice President of Clinical Care, noted that Blue Circle’s whole-person care model is designed to go beyond what a single physician can offer in a traditional setting. Free from fee-for-service constraints, the program focuses entirely on improving outcomes and quality of life for people with T1D.
Preliminary data from Blue Circle Health show significant reductions in diabetes distress among participants after just six months. “I don’t know where I would be right now if I didn’t find Blue Circle Health,” said Michele, a participant living with T1D for 40 years. “They picked me up when I was at one of my lowest points. If Blue Circle Health can get out there and show people that this is the right way—it’s the right thing to do.”
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that prevents the body from producing insulin, affecting about 64,000 new individuals annually in the U.S. Access to specialized care remains limited, with 70 percent of U.S. counties lacking an endocrinologist. High medication costs and restrictive insurance coverage continue to create barriers to care, highlighting the need for scalable, virtual solutions like Blue Circle Health.
As part of its broader outreach, Blue Circle Health is also launching a new podcast titled “Around the Circle: Living Well with T1D,” hosted by Scott Johnson. The series features expert guests and community members discussing topics such as insurance, emotional wellness, and holiday management. The podcast is available on all major streaming platforms.
