Highmark Health’s online social care networks, Highmark Community Support Platform and AHN Community Support, recorded their 100,000th search query this past week, proving their continued use as valuable reference tools for the urgent needs of community members across Highmark’s footprint. In Delaware, staff members working with Delaware Medicaid members are referred to the Highmark Health Options Community Support, which also utilizes the Aunt Bertha directory. Read more:

Additionally, I am pleased to share the following press release announcing the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s Community Investment report: .  

Highmark Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Release 2020-2021 Community Investment Report: Leading Through a Public Health Crisis Highlighting COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts, Commitment To Local Communities
Highmark Inc. companies committed $2 million throughout its service areas

Highmark Inc. and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), recently released their 2020-2021 Community Investment Report: Leading Through a Public Health Crisis, highlighting the “all-in” approach from the 35 Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies to support response and recovery efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic-a historic, unprecedented public health crisis-including a collective investment of more than $11.5 billion.

Highmark companies committed $2 million in funding throughout its footprint with emphasis on food insecurity, human services, emergency supports, immediate relief efforts, as well as safety net providers.

“The pandemic affected all of us in many ways, so it was important to Highmark that we follow the lead of our communities and community-based organizations in identifying the greatest needs and most vulnerable populations,” said Kenya Boswell, Highmark’s senior vice president of community affairs. “We’re all in this together and Highmark is committed to ensuring all of our friends, families and neighbors in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York and Delaware, are safe and healthy.”

In Delaware, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware contributed more than $200,000 to collaborative statewide COVID relief efforts. In light of the growing needs within the community, they also announced a special grant cycle focused on social determinants of health at the end of 2020. Originally committing to a $1 million investment, the company’s donor-advised fund BluePrints for the Community ultimately gave nearly $2 million to 17 nonprofit organizations.

“We’re grateful for the strong partnerships we have with our business and nonprofit colleagues throughout the state. Everyone has truly played a role in caring for all Delawareans,” said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.

Driven by deep-rooted connections to the communities they serve, BCBS companies took immediate, wide-ranging action during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing premium relief, distributing millions of PPE supplies, ensuring access to COVID-19 testing and rapidly increasing telehealth.

A key component of BCBSA’s long-term strategy to drive health equity is the belief that every American deserves a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. To reach vulnerable, underserved populations and accelerate vaccinations, BCBS companies established and supported mass vaccination efforts, funded rides to vaccination sites, identified homebound individuals to ensure access to care and joined forces with AHIP to help vaccinate more than 2 million seniors in America's most at-risk, vulnerable and underserved communities through the Vaccine Community Connectors program. To address vaccine hesitancy, they partnered with Feeding America and its network of food bank to provide trusted information about vaccinations.

In total, BCBS companies collectively contributed more than $315 million to community-based nonprofits to address social issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we continue to confront this unprecedented public health crisis and battle COVID-19 variants, Highmark Inc. and BCBSA remain committed to advancing affordable and accessible healthcare using our unique resources-our people, data, and community roots-to create a long-lasting, equitable health care system that works better for everyone.
To learn more about how BCBS companies are improving the health and wellness of members and their communities, view the report at .  

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Community and event sponsorship requests MUST be made at . Interested in applying for a health-focused grant? Please visit highmark.com/blueprints for details. To learn more about how Highmark is helping its members and communities through COVID-19, visit faqs.discoverhighmark.com   and our Newsroom .