Program Overview
The core ThriveAB offering is a 12-month, physician-led program that directly implements the DiRECT (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial) protocol. This program is fully funded through Alberta Health Services (AHS) billing codes, making it accessible to patients without out-of-pocket costs for the clinical care component.
The program targets T2D remission — defined as achieving a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level below 6.5% (<48 mmol/mol) after being off all antidiabetic medications for at least two months. The primary mechanism is rapid, significant weight loss through the Total Diet Replacement (TDR) protocol, followed by structured food reintroduction and long-term maintenance.
The Three-Phase Protocol
1 Intensive Remission (Weeks 1-12)
Objective: Rapid weight loss (>15 kg target) and metabolic remission through Total Diet Replacement.
- 825-853 kcal/day nutritionally complete formula diet (shakes and soups)
- Physician-supervised withdrawal of antidiabetic and antihypertensive medications
- Weekly then bi-weekly monitoring by Nurse/CDE
- ThrivePod group sessions for peer support and accountability
Team: Physician (Week 0 onboarding, complex oversight), RN/CDE (ongoing weekly/bi-weekly sessions)
2 Metabolic Stabilization & Food Reintroduction (Weeks 13-18)
Objective: Gradually reintroduce whole foods while maintaining weight loss.
- Dietitian-led cooking lessons and meal planning workshops
- Personalized macronutrient and caloric targets
- Strategies for navigating social eating situations
- Bi-weekly in-person group sessions
Team: Registered Dietitian (lead), RN/CDE (support)
3 Long-Term Maintenance & Optimization (Months 5-12)
Objective: Solidify new lifestyle habits and prevent weight regain.
- Monthly in-person group sessions
- Kinesiologist-led safe physical activity programming
- Holistic health focus: exercise, nutrition refinement, behavioral strategies
- 12-month graduation and transition to ThriveAB+ cooperative membership
Team: Kinesiologist (lead), RN/CDE, Registered Dietitian
AHS Billing Structure
The revenue model is based on a "stacked" approach, where a single patient journey generates multiple billable events across different AHS service categories. The Billing Codes sheet in the financial model is the source of truth for per-unit fees.
Comprehensive Consultation
Initial assessment. Requires referral. 18-month exclusion period.
per visit
Minor Care Plan Follow-up Visit
Standard routine follow-up for progress, vitals, medication adjustments.
per visit
Complex Modifier
First unit = 15 min, subsequent = 10 min. Max 10 units per visit.
per unit
Group Session
Per-patient billing with physician involvement. Cannot combine with same-encounter visit.
per patient
The physician compensation model is a "split" basis: physicians retain 75% of their gross billings, while the clinic retains 25% to cover all operational expenses (rent, utilities, marketing, technology, and allied health team salaries). The high revenue potential of the group visit model is what makes this 25% overhead viable and profitable.
Source: Alberta Health Schedule of Medical Benefits (SOMB). Final codes and rates require validation by billing expert.
With 4 physicians seeing 7.93 new patients per week each (412.5 per physician per year), the base model projects Year 1 revenue of $1,837,028 with net income of $67,202 and a year-end cash balance of $439,590 (after $627,612 startup costs from the initial $1M investment). The model assumes a conservative 7% annual patient churn rate.