Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are working to improve the health of Millennials by investing in data and ideas that support long-term solutions for America's largest workforce.
Medical research trials often skew up to 80 - 90% white. But to learn more about personalizing healthcare for everyone, scientists need more data about what makes each of us unique.
When our personal health records are available to the people who care for us, care can be better and more cost-effective. One health insurer has taken major steps to make that data more accessible.
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.
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.
Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are finding ways to connect patients, caregivers and healthcare providers through the coronavirus pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic and financial pressures have exacerbated stress on caregivers. But entrepreneurs and health plans are stepping up to support this unseen workforce.
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.
In the midst of a pandemic and so many disruptions in Americans’ lives, it may be difficult to remember to get a flu shot. The pandemic may even cause concerns about whether to receive one at all.
Wellvolution combines attributes important to millennials, such as a focus on wellness, apps accessible any time, interactive programs and personalized coaching.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield discovered that only 18% of members diagnosed with OUD, likely a majority of them millennials, were receiving this holistic treatment. So they set out to double that number.
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.”
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?
In 2014, Rick Stubblefield felt like a healthy man and showed no signs of cancer. Despite his good health, Rick was over 50 which is why his wife Tami encouraged him to get his first colonoscopy.
New mothers are likelier to see a pediatrician more often in the first few months’ of their babies lives than they are to see an OBGYN or primary care doctors. It’s the perfect opportunity to screen for postpartum depression.
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies are bringing the best of at-home wellness to support members' physical and mental well-being from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies offer premium payment solutions and special enrollment periods to help members maintain insurance coverage during COVID-19 outbreak.
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies are supporting the doctors, nurses, hospitals, and others on the front line of coronavirus by making the administration of care easier and quicker.
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey quickly modified an existing app to help connect more members to telemedicine at a time when staying home is critical for reducing the spread of a deadly virus.
Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have been proactively contacting high-risk members in their case management program to ensure they have the care they need in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah.
For Blue Cross Blue Shield members abroad, a sophisticated infrastructure and wealth of international expertise from GeoBlue can help navigate the crisis.
Family caregivers may be the “unsung heroes” in healthcare. Learning more about who they are today and what they need is helping this health plan deliver solutions.
Caring for a sick child is hard enough. Juggling multiple appointments and handling complex insurance questions can make it even tougher. That’s where BCBS North Dakota member advocates can smooth the way.
In Blue Shield of California’s groundbreaking new model, a patient’s personal Health Advocate works side by side with doctors and nurses to address those determinants.
The Jackson, Miss.-based health plan has taken wellness to a new level by making leaders and employees accountable for exercising. Their customers have adopted the model, and the results are dramatic.
In this video, city of Philadelphia public health department staffer and millennial, Kate Fox, explains the role financial stability may have on millennial health.
Matt All recognizes many of the most meaningful moments in our lives happen within the healthcare system. He says his job is to make sure the health plan he leads delivers the best quality care for the best value, so that members can focus on what matters most in those moments.
Millennials, in particular, say they want healthcare that treats the whole person. Primary care doctors are finding success in new models to deliver that kind of care
New services provide real-time drug price information plus a patient’s benefit information to let doctors and patients explore quality, affordable alternatives – which might just lower their out-of-pocket costs.
An ER doctor teams up with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to reduce “adverse drug events” in older patients. The outcomes could lower costs and save lives.
BCBS Tennessee began its Healthy Maternity program to support prenatal care and better the chances of healthy birth. The program matches expectant mothers with prenatal nurses who provide support, guidance and resources.
Whether it’s a dedicated nurse, a team to coordinate care or a tech-driven personal support system, these new ways of delivering care are making the cancer experience a little less overwhelming.
BlueCross BlueShield of Puerto Rico has “graduated” hundreds from its diabetes education program for Medicare Advantage members. Cultural sensitivity and personal connections are driving success.
Children and youth with mental health challenges sometimes experience difficulty at school. The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health helps connect schools and families with behavioral health services.
It’s lightweight, portable, and sends images from a cell phone. The Butterfly iQ handheld ultrasound scanner could give millions around the world access to medical imaging for the first time.
Based on data analysis from Blue Cross Blue Shield Axis®, researchers at Scripps Translational Science Institute (Scripps) found that prescription drug prices on the 49 top-selling brand name drugs have increased by a median of 76% from 2012 to 2017.
More doctors are writing prescriptions that encourage patients to eat healthier or exercise more. The Dot Rx program actually helps patients follow through.
Many employers offer wellness programs to address employees’ physical health. A growing number see an opportunity to address much more with a well-being program.
Watch how this Excellus BlueCross BlueShield employee leaves no stone unturned to find Medicaid members who may be struggling with major obstacles to good health.
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.
The CDC estimates that nearly 34,000 cancer deaths were attributable to HPV each year during 2011-2015. Of these, 31,200 might have been prevented by the HPV vaccine. New efforts to spread the prevention message are coming from health insurers.
Traditional Medicare plans cover traditional medical benefits. But what if having transportation to a doctor visit or increased access to healthy food is what’s really needed to get well?
City on a Hill clinic is seeing more millennial patients than ever. But for many, a visit for a sore throat is turning into a conversation about more serious health problems.
Some Medicare Advantage members need more than a doctor’s visit or a prescription to manage chronic diseases and stay healthy. They might need transportation, wellness activities or home care. A new model in Rhode Island aims to provide just that.
Women with dense breast tissue face a higher risk of breast cancer. But detecting that cancer may require additional screening. Can state laws requiring doctors recommend that additional screening make a difference?
Harvard Medical School published a new study using Blue Cross and Blue Shield Axis, the industry’s largest resource for healthcare claims, provider and cost data. The study found the monthly rate of first-time opioid prescriptions declined by 54%.
A strong relationship exists between a patient and their primary care physician, but one of the challenges that exist in this relationship is these doctors are unaware of treatments their patients may be getting outside of their office. But BCBS Alabama is working to solve this problem.
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.
When you call an ambulance, emergency medical crews must transport you to the hospital, unless you refuse. But what if they could treat your symptoms—like an asthma attack or high blood pressure – right in your home? It’s a simple idea, but a break with tradition in Pennsylvania.
Prescription drug costs are on the rise and patients are often shocked by the cost of their prescriptions. To help members shop for the most-effective and affordable medications, Regence BCBS offers members a new, easy-to-use service called MedSavvy.
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.
It wasn’t the life changing accident, but the cost of a medical device that almost left Caleb Wilson dependent on 24-hour care. So BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee connected him with a customer service representative who cut through the complexities to get Caleb what he needed.
Following President Trump’s announcement of a plan to eliminate the transmission of HIV in the United States by 2030, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association studied claims data from 88 million commercially insured members to understand the spread and impact of HIV 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.
Interoperability is patient information flowing freely and securely between patients, doctors, hospitals and health insurers. BCBS companies are working to build such a healthcare system for their members.
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.
In Michigan, overdose deaths from opioids hit a record high last year, moving a surgeon-led team at Michigan OPEN to convene hospitals, health insurers and surgeons to develop new guidelines to reduce unnecessary opioid prescribing and curb overdose deaths.
BCBS Mississippi trains hospital staff to catch complications before they turn deadly. Plus, primary care doctors and OBGYNs work together to head off problems earlier.
Blue Distinction® Specialty Care is a national designation program recognizing healthcare facilities that demonstrate expertise in delivering quality specialty care — safely, effectively and cost efficiently.
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.
Many rural communities in Alabama are seeing independent doctors leave for urban markets. Anticipating what this might mean for rural members, BCBS Alabama asked an important question and found an answer.
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.
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.
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.
Through innovative partnerships, BCBS companies are leveraging the latest in healthcare technology to reverse diabetes trends and to help people gain control over their diabetes and take back their lives.
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.
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.
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.
Richard Snyder, M.D., chief medical officer for Independence Blue Cross, says there’s no doubt insurers can play an integral role in addiction prevention and recovery.
When you’re feeling sick or are injured, there are several key places you can go for medical care: a doctor’s office, an urgent care center, a retail health clinic or the emergency room. Here’s a quick guide to help you know where to go, based on the urgency of your ailment and your budget.