Media

Articles

Published December 13, 2018
couple on computer
Article August 25, 2022

Tax credit extension protects affordable coverage for millions of Americans

On August 16, President Joe Biden signed a $750 billion healthcare, tax and climate bill into law. The legislation, referred to as the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, will extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits to help millions of Americans pay for health care. Those tax credits were set to expire at the end of the year, a scenario that would have raised costs and reduced coverage for millions of Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Share
Read
Aspen
Article July 7, 2022

After Aspen: Driving Health Equity Action

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is addressing some of most pressing health care issues in America and continued to advance and elevate health equity conversations among key stakeholders via a variety of hosted sessions at Aspen Ideas: Health in Aspen, Colorado (June 2022).
Share
Read
woman looking at phone
Article July 5, 2022

Consumers save money with cost transparency tools

Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are committed to providing cost transparency tools designed to make it easier for patients to compare prices, estimate potential costs of procedures and/ or medication while ultimately saving money. These digital solutions support affordability and make health care less complicated for individuals and families. Here are some examples:
Share
Read
man standing by tractor
Article May 17, 2022

Bridging the rural mental health gap

Mental health is a foundational part of overall wellness - one that informs our sleep, immune system, relationships, physical health, ability to work and overall quality of life. Yet more than 70% of all U.S. counties have a shortage of mental health workers.
Share
Read
medical professional on computer
Article April 25, 2022

How data drives health equity solutions

Advancements in health equity don't just happen within the health care industry. Researchers have pointed out that equity solutions are multi-dimensional. That's why Florida Blue is leveraging its leadership to bring together multiple community stakeholders that can address broader inequity issues while also developing solutions that standardize data collection and analysis to identify and drive solutions.
Share
Read
woman on computer with credit card
Article February 10, 2022

No more surprise bills: new protections for patients

A new law called the No Surprises Act went into effect on January 1st, 2022. It protects patients from receiving surprise medical bills. Blue Cross and Blue Shield health plans stand behind these bipartisan-backed protections. Here’s what you need to know.
Share
Read
doctor and patient
Article January 4, 2022

Advancing health equity starts with data

Every American deserves accessible, affordable and equitable health care. But this is not the reality for many people – especially people of color. Yet the root causes of these disparities – from bias and lack of access to social drivers of health – are difficult to measure. Robust and actionable data is needed to better serve all communities.
Share
Read
Person bailing hay
Article November 2, 2021

Providing better health care for rural America

I recently spoke at the One Country Rural Progress Summit to discuss the state of rural health care in America. Among the lineup of speakers was my former boss, Dr. John Kitzhaber. As the longest-serving governor of Oregon with experience as a rural ER doctor, John was keenly focused on helping rural Oregonians. I was lucky enough to serve under him as the director of the Oregon Business Development Department.
Share
Read
Person holding tablet
Article September 3, 2021

Q&A: To manage or prevent chronic disease, connect the data dots

More than half of all U.S. adults have at least one chronic disease. We have a growing number of ways to prevent or manage these diseases. But there’s room for improvement. More coordinated care, driven by data sharing and sophisticated technology like artificial intelligence, could help more people get and stay healthy.
Share
Read
Medical tablet
Article August 16, 2021

4 Ways We Are Democratizing Health Data

A patient leaves yet another doctor's office, arms full. They carry cases heavy with binders: eight years of medical records that have traveled with them across the country, growing heavier with each appointment.
Share
Read
people
Article August 13, 2021

How data and artificial intelligence can make healthcare more proactive

Your personal doctor keeps an electronic medical record. The lab where you have your blood work done keeps an electronic record of your results. Your current health insurer has your latest claims data; your previous health insurer has another set. If you go to the emergency room, the hospital maintains data about that visit. What if someone put together all the pieces?
Share
Read
Person handing BCBS insurance card to staff
Article July 30, 2021

Interoperability 101

Not sure exactly what healthcare interoperability is? Start here. What’s interoperability? Interoperability is the ability...
Share
Read
woman holding baby
Article June 4, 2021

Podcast: Baltimore cut infant mortality and helped moms thrive, too.

In 10 years, Baltimore cut its infant mortality by nearly 30%. It's an incredible success story. But there's more work to do as the initiative B'more for Healthy Babies enters its second decade. Substantial racial disparities persist between Black and white infant and maternal health. In this episode, we visit the communities hardest hit by those disparities and learn how this massive, grassroots effort is turning the tide.
Share
Read
Dr John Meigs
Article June 3, 2021

Rural hospitals are in crisis. How did this Alabama hospital beat the odds?

Bibb Medical Center in rural Bibb County, Alabama, has figured out a way not only to keep its emergency room open, but to transform itself into a thriving healthcare system. Their success comes at a time when rural hospitals are closing or in trouble across the country. Bibb may be a blueprint for other rural hospitals that could play an even bigger role in keeping their communities healthy. In this episode of the Health of America podcast, learn how Bibb Medical Center is beating the odds.
Share
Read
Pregnant couple with hands on woman's belly
Article May 14, 2021

Webinar: Confronting Racial Disparities in Maternal Health

The National Association of Black Journalists webinar on May 19, BCBSA will preview The Health of America Report® on "Racial Disparities in Maternal Health" and host a discussion with health equity leaders on the current state of racial disparities in healthcare.
Share
Read
person looking at their smart phone
Article March 29, 2021

Enhancing addiction treatment as opioid overdose deaths spike

At a time when COVID-19 was cutting lives short across the country, another pandemic was unfolding. Between July 2019 and July 2020, nearly 84,000 Americans died from accidental drug overdoses. That’s the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a single year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Compare it to the 12 month period ending in July 2019, when more than 68,000 Americans died.
Share
Read
Nurse giving care to an elderly patient
Article December 14, 2020

How High Performance Networks Will Change Healthcare

Payers, providers and patients all want the same thing: better health, improved access and greater affordability. It's our responsibility as an entire healthcare industry to think about the patient first and make their experience better.
Share
Read
Woman wearing a face mask
Article December 14, 2020

How the 2020 election will impact healthcare

As unexpected and unusual as 2020 has been, this year’s election was no exception. Yet amid the tumult, some things remained unchanged: healthcare once again continued to be a top priority for American voters.
Share
Read
Husband and wife exiting a rowboat
Article October 9, 2020

Caregivers need care, too

Maureen Sullivan, chief strategy and innovation officer for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, shares insights on the state of caregiving and its forward progress.
Share
Read
hand holding rainbow colored heart
Article September 29, 2020

Raising the standards for LGBTQ healthcare

LGBTQ patients may avoid going to the doctor because they don’t feel welcome. But Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is training doctors to transform their clinics into “safe zones.”
Share
Read
A group sitting in a circle talking
Article September 4, 2020

To prevent burnout, caregivers need care, too

Caregivers are often balancing so much they might not prioritize their own health. The question is: can a health insurance company offer the right kind of support without adding another item to a caregiver’s to-do list?
Share
Read
Senior citizen in a wheelchair being cared for in a hospital
Article May 7, 2019

How a small community hospital can keep a whole community healthy

Large hospital systems often have more resources to provide an extra level of care for patients but small community hospitals may sometimes have to do more with less. BCBS Massachusetts is working with South Shore Hospital to help the hospital provide quality, affordable care for the entire community.
Share
Read
concierge meeting patient
Article March 8, 2019

A nurse uses her experience to guide members through their own journeys

Intensive care unit nurse Mercedes Munoz endured three years of breast cancer treatment. After, she decided to leave a stressful work environment in the hospital to join a special concierge team for members with serious illness. Now, her experience helps her advocate for and empathize with cancer patients in a way few others can.
Share
Read
Article February 27, 2019

Helping a member navigate an overseas emergency

While traveling in Brazil, a car accident shattered her pelvis, broke her femur and left her near death. Local hospitals provided great care, but this Blue Shield of California member needed to get home. A health plan team didn’t rest until her flight landed.
Share
Read
Article February 14, 2019

HIMSS 2019: A Lookback

All the BCBS news from HIMSS19, the Health Information Management Systems Society Global Conference and Exhibition, in Orlando, Florida.
Share
Read
Article February 13, 2019

Providing support for federal workers across the country

Despite the promise of compromise following 35 days of the longest shutdown in government history, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies continue to provide financial aid to federal employees and their families who were hardest hit by the government shutdown.
Share
Read
Article February 7, 2019

Navigating your health

Many people new to our country are in need of becoming better health advocates for themselves and their families. Find out how Florida Blue is taking a grassroots approach toward enhancing health literacy.
Share
Read
Article January 22, 2019

The next level of value-based care

A majority of North Carolina’s largest health care systems have committed to sharing in cost savings – and losses if they fall short – for improving patient health in a broad new value-based care plan. BCBS North Carolina’s bold new strategy to take value-based care statewide.
Share
Read
Article December 12, 2018

The fight against hunger

The USDA estimates 40 million Americans are food insecure and Arkansas ranks second in the country for the number of people facing food insecurity. As part of its 70th anniversary celebration, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield committed to making food insecurity its number one priority.
Share
Read
Article December 6, 2018

Preventing blindness in diabetes patients

More than 100 million U.S. adults currently live with diabetes or prediabetes and one of the most common complications of diabetes is blindness. Learn how BCBS companies are removing barriers ensuring diabetic patients receive necessary eye exams.
Share
Read
Article December 3, 2018

Why flu shots matter

Over the last century, we’ve learned so much about preventing and controlling the spread of flu. But a public health challenge remains.
Share
Read
Article November 27, 2018

Healthy hometown

While staying true to its small town charm and rich history South Dakota's oldest city, Fort Pierre, has a strong desire to be a city continuously making subtle environmental changes ensuring residents and visitors have resources to stay active and healthy. 
Share
Read
Article November 14, 2018

Addressing drug pricing through innovation

Rising prescription drug costs are a heavy burden on members. In an effort to address, Blue Cross Blue Shield companies—including Premera Blue Cross and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield—are testing innovations, backed by data, to help ease this burden.
Share
Read
Article October 26, 2018

Health at home with community paramedicine

Communities across the nation are exploring ways to help residents get the care they need before calling an ambulance. Here’s how one community is addressing social determinants of health to help vulnerable patients get healthier.
Share
Read
Article October 26, 2018

Breaking the cycle of domestic violence

Domestic violence is a cyclical behavior affecting women, men and children across the country. To better understand this cycle of violence, Blue Shield of California Foundation commissioned a survey to help uncover the root causes and found an opportunity for greater impact.
Share
Read
Article March 1, 2016

Making the most of winter

It’s been an unusually warm winter in many parts of the country, but fewer daylight hours still have a way of making us feel lazy...
Share
Read