CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield's Commitment to Health Care Remains Strong
$9.15 Million in Programmatic and Charitable Funding in 2006
January 23, 2007
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Contact:
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Heather Rudo
1.800.914.NEWS (6397) |
OWINGS MILLS, MD – In January 2005, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) launched its three-year CareFirst Commitment initiative, seeking to make health care coverage more affordable by stabilizing premiums for members and introducing programs designed to offer more accessible, better quality health care to the communities it serves.
During 2006, CareFirst dedicated more than $9.15 million to programs, partnerships and charitable gifts designed to make the region a healthier place to live. CareFirst Commitment follows three tenets: Ensuring health care affordability and improving access by reducing costs;Raising the bar by improving patient quality and standards of care for CareFirst members and non-members alike; and Closing gaps in health care delivery, by addressing health disparities in the diverse communities CareFirst serves.
"We have accomplished so much since the start of CareFirst Commitment two years ago," said CareFirst Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Office Gregory A. Devou. "We set out to make a difference in the health care provided in our communities, especially to those who are underserved. In partnership with organizations and institutions throughout the region we have launched programs that are helping residents throughout the region lead healthier lives."
CareFirst chose programs to support throughout its service areas that would address not only the issues of affordability and quality but would impact as many people as possible. For example, CareFirst Commitment contributed to Hair, Heart and Health, a unique program designed to bring heart disease awareness to African Americans in area beauty salons and barbershops. Specially trained barbers and hair stylists administer blood pressure readings, and depending on the results, can offer clients information and referrals to physicians for follow-up care.
On the patient safety front, CareFirst Commitment supports the national "100,000 Lives and Beyond" campaign, which seeks to improve life-saving measures in hospital intensive care units and operating rooms in the region. Safety measures include consistent hand washing and elevating a patient's head to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.
CareFirst recently expanded its commitment to the program by committing $500,000 to an expanded program, in partnership with the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, that has set a goal of reducing 5 million preventable deaths in hospitals over two years. The insurer also contributes to "Bridges to Excellence," a pay-for-performance program that focuses on physician practice processes in order to improve the quality of care a patient receives. By making such changes as upgrading technology in the practices and better tracking patients with chronic illnesses, the physicians can improve patient outcomes and ultimately reduce future health care costs. In 2006 alone, CareFirst paid nearly $1.3 million in bonuses to physicians.
Also in 2006, CareFirst contributed $150,000 over three years to Georgetown University Hospital's "Kids Mobile Medical Clinic" (KMMC), which delivers health care to District of Columbia children who lack access to essential pediatric care. KMMC regularly visits six federally designated areas where there are few health professionals. The clinic offers services including well and sick visits, immunizations, hearing and vision screenings, and medical management for chronic illnesses.
In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to more than 3 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.
