Payment rates for common outpatient services differ widely based on the setting where the procedure is performed — whether in a hospital outpatient department, an ambulatory surgery center, or in a physician’s office.
Despite a shortage of mental health providers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are prioritizing growing their mental health provider networks. Since 2019, the number of providers has climbed by 55%. Primary care providers are playing a strong role, too.
Despite a shortage of mental health providers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are prioritizing growing their mental health provider networks. Since 2019, the number of providers has climbed by 55%. Primary care providers are playing a strong role, too.
BCBSA is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to combat the youth mental health crisis in the United States through trauma-informed approaches to behavioral health care.
BCBSA is dedicated to improving equity and affordability in health care—the two most important challenges Americans face when it comes to their health.
As part of an on-going commitment to address the mental health of young people, BCBSA has released updated statistics highlighting trends and disparities on youth mental health.
BCBSA is addressing some of most pressing health care issues in America and continues to advance and elevate health equity conversations among key stakeholders through a variety of hosted sessions at Aspen Ideas: Health in Aspen, Colorado.
Nearly every state in the U.S. faces a high or severe shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists. Filling these gaps in the nation’s mental health care workforce could take years.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the need for high-quality, affordable health care across the country. Millions of Americans were left without coverage due to job loss while health systems faced unprecedented demand for care. All of this brought the need for equitable, affordable, accessible health care into sharp focus.
The statistics are staggering. But we're tackling the crisis by improving access to treatment, integrating mental and physical health care and empowering those closest to kids to help.
Over the last decade, drug spending in the U.S. increased 60% — preventing nearly 1 in 3 Americans from taking their prescriptions as recommended. New research shows that private insurance is protecting Americans from these price hikes.
As health care becomes less affordable for American families, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are working with policymakers to advance commonsense solutions that will improve care and lower costs.
As rising costs put more Americans at risk of not being able to afford their health care, BCBSA has put forth a comprehensive proposal to policymakers to drive legislative change.
Synergie Medication Collective is a new medication contracting organization founded by a group of Blue Cross and Blue Shield affiliated companies to serve both Blues and select independent health plans. Synergie is focused on improving affordability and access to costly medical benefit drugs.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are committed to improving maternal health care by strengthening measurements and performance standards at hundreds of Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) for Maternity Care programs in 2023.
Nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, a popular program that provides affordable, coordinated, patient-centered care and offers additional benefits that address social needs, such as meal support and transportation.
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.
The patient-centered medical home concept continues to expand across the country as providers demonstrate that improving quality of care can simultaneously drive overall costs down for patients.
Several risk factors are powerful predictors of a potential suicide attempt. Chaudhary and a team at Anthem launched a mental health wellness program that harnesses the power of data to quantify that risk and alert Anthem’s clinical team to reach out to at-risk members.
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).
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:
A new study shows the No Surprises Act, a federal law which took effect in January 2022, has already helped patients avoid millions of potentially surprise medical bills.
Nearly 150 million Americans live in a federally designated mental health practitioner shortage area. The shortage is especially acute for adolescents. But there’s growing evidence more of them need care now more than ever.
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.
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.
BCBS Kansas is working to improve access to mental health care through a statewide awareness campaign, as well as an initiative to make sure the patient is matched with the appropriate provider.
For over a decade, covering Americans with health insurance has been the priority of many policymakers. Today, more than 91% have some form of health insurance. The challenge now is making that coverage affordable by addressing the underlying costs of health care. Lower health care costs lead to lower health insurance costs.
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.
Health care providers may be missing opportunities to screen Black and Hispanic patients for depression and other conditions. These culturally sensitive tools can help people take the first steps, anonymously.
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.
Artificial intelligence is getting better at making predictions that can help keep patients out of the hospital. The results are healthier patients and significant savings.
Achieving health equity means everyone feels heard and respected in health care settings. Blue Shield of California is amplifying one of the most powerful voices, tennis star Venus Williams, to inspire women to advocate for themselves.
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.
Florida Blue (BCBS Florida) is tackling a crisis in addiction and drug overdose deaths with strategic partnerships that call for greater access, transparency and accountability among addiction treatment providers.
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.
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.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are leading the way toward a future where doctors, hospitals, health insurers and patients have the data they need to help make the best decision for their health.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Arkansas BCBS) is looking to build on its successful Vaccinate the Natural State initiative and community relationships to address on-going barriers to health commonly known as social determinants of health.
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.
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.
There are several places you can go for medical care: a doctor’s office, an urgent care center, a retail health clinic or the emergency room. BCBS members can can visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Finder to find in-network providers. This includes doctors, dentists, hospitals, urgent care centers, and more.
