It’s right there in our purpose – we won’t stop until health care is better for all. This drives us to continuously improve health care access in the communities we serve. Connecting North Carolinians with the care, tools and resources they need for good health is a major priority for Blue Cross NC.
In 2021, we finalized a health care equity roadmap for the next five years.
Serving Medicaid Members, Introducing Healthy Blue
On July 1, 2021, Blue Cross NC launched Healthy Blue, our plan for Medicaid members. Healthy Blue features an innovative, well-coordinated system of care that focuses on each member as a whole person, addressing both medical and non-medical drivers of health. more...
With Healthy Blue's focus on primary care, preventive care and integrated care management, we are increasing quality and access to care and services. We're also improving member experience and providing enhanced benefits that address food security, housing, transportation and other non-medical factors that can make a huge difference in a person's health outcomes. As of February 1, 2022, Healthy Blue's membership totaled 442,739 members,1 and 74% of them are under the age of 20.2 Through Healthy Blue, we are changing lives and providing our members opportunities to thrive. See the complete list of Healthy Blue services.
Support for Youth Currently or Formerly in Foster Care
Blue Cross NC is committed to being a change agent and advocate for stronger families and healthier communities, and we are focused on the needs of more than 31,000 children and youth and their families currently or formerly involved in the child welfare system. more...
We have formed a Foster Care Advisory Council to help transform the foster care system and offer youth currently or formerly in foster care the support they need for healthy lives.
Blue Cross NC is leveraging our wide network of services and resources for these children, youth and families. For instance, we invested $112,000 in Open Table's work to support youth aging out of foster care with the resources they need to thrive as adults, equipping them to overcome poverty, substance use disorders, behavioral health challenges and more. We collaborated with SaySo to launch a housing Flex Fund to help these young adults find stable places to live. And our investment in evidence-based models like Family Centered Treatment helps families through substance use, trauma and mental health disorders, improving access to this specialized care in Cumberland County.
In 2022, Blue Cross NC plans to respond to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services request for proposals to build a health plan available to children, youth and families served by the child welfare system. This new Children and Families Specialty Plan is scheduled to launch in December 2023.
Expanded Telehealth for Physical and Behavioral Health Care
We have made it possible for people to access care for physical and behavioral health care remotely when they cannot come to their provider's office. Many people needed to stay home due to COVID-19 and others who may be hesitant about these services find it easier to access them remotely. In collaboration with Teladoc®, we launched a new expanded partnership to rollout a comprehensive virtual care platform to select Blue Cross NC employers and members. Livongo Whole Person Solutions offers personalized health programs to help members manage their diabetes, blood pressure and weight, and empowers people with chronic conditions to live better and healthier lives. MyStrength® Complete is a virtual and telephonic mental health product featuring a comprehensive stepped care solution that addresses a range of mental health needs and diagnoses. We will continue to refine our programs to best serve members with a focus on improving health care outcomes, increasing access to health care and lowering costs.
New Health Plans
To empower more people to get the coverage they need at costs they can afford, we created more plan options and expanded the benefits and service areas of our existing plans. more...
In Charlotte and Winston-Salem, we expanded service with our low-cost Blue Home℠ with Novant Health product offering. We also expanded our Blue Home with UNC Health Alliance to Nash County and portions of the Rocky Mount area. These added products and service areas will provide greater access to new innovative low-cost health care for our customers. We will continue our focused commitment to deliver lower cost alternatives and expanded options by enhancing employer group offers through deeper discounts and innovative self-funded offerings.
We designed four new Silver plans and one new Bronze plan for our individual members. One of the new Bronze plans offers three no-cost sick visits with the member’s primary care provider (PCP).
Health Care Equity
In 2021, we finalized a health care equity roadmap for the next five years. By 2026, our goal is to:
- Collect self-reported Race/Ethnicity/Language (REL) and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data from over 50% of our membership. By collecting more data from our members, we can better understand and serve our communities.
- Improve health equity by reducing racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity (major health problems arising from or advanced by pregnancy) by 50%. We partnered with our Community Engagement team to invest $2M in seven organizations that are best positioned to improve maternal health outcomes in our communities.
- Improve Behavioral Health access in rural and historically underserved communities by 25%. Through our request for proposals process, we are evaluating organizations that can help us address our communities’ inequities in behavioral health care.
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