Blue Cross

SHATTERPROOF AND ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD FOUNDATION PARTNER TO REDUCE HEALTHCARE STIGMA AROUND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, mai 1, 2024
Mortality, Patient, Learning, Risk, Suds, SASI, Elevance Health, Health care, Medicaid, Partnership, Substance use disorder, Research, Curriculum, Mental health, Blue Cross, Conditional sentence, Organization, Disease, Nursing

INDIANAPOLIS, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex and often stigmatized health condition that affects countless individuals, families and communities. Stigma toward people with a SUD extends beyond individual and interpersonal levels. The Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index (SASI) found that healthcare professionals hold similar stigmatizing beliefs toward someone with a SUD. Specifically, 65% of healthcare professionals falsely believe that a SUD isn't a chronic disease.

Key Points: 
  • The Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index (SASI) found that healthcare professionals hold similar stigmatizing beliefs toward someone with a SUD.
  • To address addiction stigma among healthcare professionals, Shatterproof, a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction health crisis, is teaming up with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to bring additional learning to the healthcare community, reduce stigma of individuals with SUDs and improve quality of care.
  • In partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, Shatterproof will better the lives of people in recovery, people who use drugs, and people seeking treatment for substance use disorders."
  • The funding for the partnership is through the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation .

Health Equity Cannot Be Achieved Without Data Equity

Retrieved on: 
Lundi, avril 29, 2024
Mortality, Congress, Language, Health equity, Blue Shield, Blue Cross (animal charity), Risk, Management, Childbirth, Gender identity, SOGI, REL, LGBTQ, FAAFP, Poverty, Blue Cross, Data collection, Face, Quality of life, Organization, American Heart Association, Disease, Nursing

CHICAGO, April 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To reduce inequities in the U.S. health system, the Data Equity Coalition is calling for standardized data collection methods around race, ethnicity, language (REL), sexual orientation, gender identity (SOGI) and disability status through a new series of issue briefs.

Key Points: 
  • "Data standardization is crucial to advancing health equity and creating a better system of health—one centered on trust," said Blue Cross Blue Shield Association President and CEO, Kim Keck.
  • Data disaggregation allows us to detect differences, if they exist, between and within populations, and to design policies and programs that can help eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity."
  • More equitable data is key to addressing the health care system's persistent inequities—especially as it relates to mental health care access for members of underserved communities."
  • "The National LGBTQ Task Force urges the expansion and improvement of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics data collection to improve health equity.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Announces Chris Boles as Vice President of Medicare, Melissa Flicek as Chief Information Officer

Retrieved on: 
Mardi, avril 23, 2024
PacifiCare Health Systems, Quaternary, Blue Shield, United, Target, Elevance Health, Blue, E-commerce, Medtronic, Engineering, HMO, Medicare Advantage, Blue Cross, Optum, Medicare, Target Corporation, Marketing, Management

Chris Boles has joined the organization as vice president of Medicare and Individual segments, while Melissa Flicek will serve as chief information officer.

Key Points: 
  • Chris Boles has joined the organization as vice president of Medicare and Individual segments, while Melissa Flicek will serve as chief information officer.
  • “Chris Boles and Melissa Flicek both bring impressive experience and proven results from their respective fields,” said Dana Erickson, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
  • Boles has held multiple leadership roles at Elevance Health, including vice president of Group Retiree Solutions and regional vice president of Medicare Blue Alliances.
  • Melissa Flicek – Vice President, Chief Information Officer
    Flicek has more than 20 years of experience in leading technology development and business transformation strategies.

Poll: More Than Half of Black Birthers in Minnesota Feel Racial Bias and Lack of Access Leads to Greater Health Risks and Maternal Mortality

Retrieved on: 
Jeudi, avril 11, 2024
Health, Environment, Special, Health equity, Blue Shield, Blue Cross, Pregnancy, Housing, Nursing

More than half of Black Minnesota birthers feel that discrimination based on their race/ethnicity negatively impacts their health, according to a recent survey commissioned by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota .

Key Points: 
  • More than half of Black Minnesota birthers feel that discrimination based on their race/ethnicity negatively impacts their health, according to a recent survey commissioned by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota .
  • Respondents who have experienced pregnancy suggest the lack of safe, affordable housing conditions, limited access to quality healthcare services and healthy food options, and inadequate health insurance coverage negatively impact their health.
  • In recent years, 9.6% of Minnesota babies were born preterm and 7.2% were low birthweight .
  • The poll indicates a demand for collective efforts to address these issues that are crucial to the well-being of Minnesota’s Black birther community.

Collective Health Expands National Footprint into Texas with Grand Opening of Office in Plano

Retrieved on: 
Mardi, avril 23, 2024
Managed Care, Software, Networks, Professional Services, Pharmaceutical, Optical, Data Management, Technology, Health Insurance, Dental, Human Resources, Practice Management, Health, Collective, Blue Shield, Culture, Blue Cross, Commerce, Dallas Regional Chamber, Daikin, APEX, Growth, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Management

Collective Health, the leading employee health benefits platform with integrated member advocacy, clinical navigation, and an extensive partner ecosystem, today unveiled its newest office location in the Dallas suburb of Plano, Texas.

Key Points: 
  • Collective Health, the leading employee health benefits platform with integrated member advocacy, clinical navigation, and an extensive partner ecosystem, today unveiled its newest office location in the Dallas suburb of Plano, Texas.
  • “We are delighted to bring new opportunities, investment, and support to our growing client base in Texas,” said Ali Diab, CEO and co-founder of Collective Health.
  • Since its beginning in 2013, Collective Health has grown to service over 500,000 members and 70+ enterprise clients nationwide.
  • Collective Health looks to welcome over 50 new employees to its award-winning customer experience team in Plano by the end of the year.

PatientRightsAdvocate.org files Amicus Brief in U.S. Department of Labor Case Against Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Retrieved on: 
Vendredi, avril 26, 2024
ERISA, Hospital, Multimedia, Tax, District court, Patient, Blue Shield, Blue Cross, BCBS, Health insurance

According to the lawsuit , the Department of Labor alleges that Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Minnesota has wrongfully collected $66.8 Million in a "provider tax" to 370 self-funded employer health plans, which is usually paid by hospitals and clinics.

Key Points: 
  • According to the lawsuit , the Department of Labor alleges that Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Minnesota has wrongfully collected $66.8 Million in a "provider tax" to 370 self-funded employer health plans, which is usually paid by hospitals and clinics.
  • "PatientRightsAdvocate.org commends the Department of Labor for acting to protect patients and employers.
  • We are pleased to support DOL in helping explain to the court why Blue Cross acted unlawfully and in breach of its duties by secretly charging employer health plans for provider taxes.
  • The amicus brief was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

Plume Clinic Announces Contracts with Payers, Lab Partners to Broaden Access to Gender Affirming Care for Trans Community in Illinois

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, avril 17, 2024
Blue Shield, Acne, Cigna, Trans, Insurance, Depression, Birth, Environment, Plume, Smoking cessation, Patient, Blue Cross, Labcorp, Allergy, UnitedHealth Group, Anxiety, Nursing

"Plume is unique in that it is exclusively focused on serving the needs of the trans community.

Key Points: 
  • "Plume is unique in that it is exclusively focused on serving the needs of the trans community.
  • According to the Williams Institute1, an estimated 43,400 trans adults (18+) live in Illinois.
  • Approximately 87 percent of trans individuals are covered under a health benefit plan, according to the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey2.
  • Services offered through Plume includes access to gender affirming care, as well as treatment for common health issues such as anxiety, depression, allergies, contraception, acne, smoking cessation and more.

CITY OF BOSTON AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MASSACHUSETTS ANNOUNCE BLUEBIKES SUPPORT DURING 2024 MBTA CLOSURES

Retrieved on: 
Mercredi, avril 17, 2024
Green, City, JFK/UMass station, Green Line, Partnership, Transport, Park Street, Blue Line, Blue Cross, MBTA, Growth, Tunnel

BOSTON, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Boston and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts today unveiled plans to extend Bluebikes support during select, planned MBTA closures throughout 2024. This initiative provides riders free unlocks on Bluebikes, the regional public transportation system by bike, aiming to help people move around the region, and alleviate the impact of rapid transit disruptions. This builds on the successful Bluebikes support during the Green Line closure in February. Free Bluebikes unlocks, limited to five trips per user each shutdown, will begin with the Blue Line closure Wednesday, April 17 – Sunday, April 28, followed by the Red Line closure Wednesday, May 1 – Wednesday, May 8. This continued collaboration underscores the commitment of the state's largest health plan and the City to provide affordable and convenient mobility options to people getting around greater Boston.

Key Points: 
  • Greater Boston residents can take advantage of up to five free Bluebikes unlocks for upcoming Blue and Red Line closures, courtesy of public-private partnership
    BOSTON, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Boston and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts today unveiled plans to extend Bluebikes support during select, planned MBTA closures throughout 2024.
  • The details of Bluebikes support for future planned MBTA closures will be announced later in the year.
  • Blue Cross and the municipalities recently announced the renewal of Blue Cross' sponsorship through 2031.
  • For up-to-date Bluebikes MBTA closure support and additional Bluebikes information, please visit https://www.boston.gov/departments/boston-bikes/discounted-bluebikes#mbt... .

Brightside Health Raises Strategic Series C, Welcomes Trip Hofer to Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Mardi, mars 26, 2024
Mental Health, Health, Depression, S32, Growth, Entrepreneurship, Trip, General partnership, Patient, ACME, Publishing, News, Anxiety, DSM-IV codes, MD, Hofer, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Pharmaceutical industry

Telemental health company Brightside Health today announced a strategic Series C raise led by S32, as well as the appointment of industry titan Trip Hofer to the Board of Directors to advise on go-to-market strategy and execution.

Key Points: 
  • Telemental health company Brightside Health today announced a strategic Series C raise led by S32, as well as the appointment of industry titan Trip Hofer to the Board of Directors to advise on go-to-market strategy and execution.
  • “I’m honored to be joining Brightside Health’s Board of Directors as the company reaches this impressive milestone,” said Trip Hofer, Brightside Health board member and former CEO of Optum Behavioral Health Solutions.
  • In fact, Brightside Health recently announced an expansion with payer partners including CareOregon, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, and Centene.
  • “We’re thrilled to announce this raise and simultaneously welcome Trip, an incredible industry thought leader, to help propel Brightside Health into the next phase of our growth,” said Brad Kittredge, Co-Founder and CEO of Brightside Health.

Medicare Coverage Is Threatened for the 134,000 North Carolinians Likely to Get Skin Cancer this Year

Retrieved on: 
Mardi, avril 2, 2024
Dermatology, DART, Skin cancer, Federation, Diabetes, Patient, Research, Mohs surgery, Policy, Cancer, Insurance, Judgement, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Carcinoma, Radiation, Medicare, FDA, Pain, Hearing, Medical imaging

Palmetto GBA, a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, is authorized by the federal government to regulate Medicare in North Carolina and six other states.

Key Points: 
  • Palmetto GBA, a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, is authorized by the federal government to regulate Medicare in North Carolina and six other states.
  • Palmetto is moving quickly to cancel coverage, which has been in effect nearly 10 years.
  • Medicare and private insurers should provide coverage for Image-Guided SRT whenever it's deemed the most suitable therapy by patients and their healthcare providers.
  • Consumers who care about keeping their insurance coverage for the nonsurgical treatment should write to the panel by May 11, at [email protected] .