Key Takeaways
- Blue Cross partners with a robust portfolio of solution providers that enable targeted support for our members facing complex or serious health conditions.
- Access to care plays a critical role in preventing more serious and costly health issues.
- Partnering with organizations that bring care directly to members makes it easier to manage health conditions and receive preventive care.
- Care coordination programs improve medication adherence, reduce hospital readmissions and help members avoid complications.
Health care is personal. Everyone is unique. Each of us needs different things from our health care system. At Blue Cross, we believe that everyone deserves access to the care they need to stay healthy — and to be able to afford it.
To help achieve this goal, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan provides quality health insurance coverage in every Michigan Zip code. We also invest in programs and partnerships that help our members access care, manage their health conditions and receive personalized support – because enabling people to live their healthiest lives is central to our mission.
When people receive the right care at the right time, they are more likely to avoid preventable and expensive complications, hospital stays and serious illness requiring complex care. Better health helps reduce the need for high-cost care. This, over time, helps lessen the upstream cost pressures that drive downstream health insurance premiums higher.
Supporting members with specialized care programs
Blue Cross partners with a robust portfolio of solution providers that enable targeted support for our members facing complex or serious health conditions.
Through Cancer Support Program by OncoHealth, members undergoing cancer treatment receive 24/7 access to oncology nurses, mental health professionals, nutrition guidance and peer support through the Iris platform. This support helps members manage symptoms, navigate treatment and avoid complications that can lead to hospitalizations. Detroit resident Lisa Whitmore Davis experienced this firsthand after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Hinge Health Virtual Muscle and Joint Health program helps members prevent, treat and recover from muscle and joint pain. A recent study showed Hinge Health members experience fewer musculoskeletal surgeries, a 58% average reduction in depression and anxiety and a 42% reduction in new opioid prescriptions. According to the same 2022 study. Hinge Health members experienced an average savings of $2,387.
Maven Family Building and Women’s Health program provides virtual care and support for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum care and menopause. Members have access to specialists, personalized care plans and ongoing guidance. Early and consistent support helps reduce complications and improves outcomes for both parents and babies.
Expanding access to care where members live
Access to care plays a critical role in preventing more serious and costly health issues. Blue Cross brings care directly to members, making it easier to manage health conditions and receive preventive care.
Vendors like HarmonyCares provides in-home medical care for eligible members, helping manage chronic conditions and supporting recovery. This approach improves access to care while helping prevent avoidable emergency room visits and hospital stays. Medicare Advantage (MA) member Ruth English benefited from this support after an injury made it difficult for her to travel to appointments.
Virtual Care by Teladoc Health allows Blue Cross and BCN members to receive virtual urgent care and behavioral health services, including on-demand access to board-certified Teladoc Health doctors via by video and voice or messaging through your phone, tablet, or computer. Virtual urgent care services include:
- diagnosing common and routine ailments or conditions
- recommending treatment
- directing member to contact his or her primary care physician
- recommending therapy
- prescribing medication based on clinical protocols and member’s clinical needs services
There are no appointments needed for general medical care through Teladoc Health. The average wait time for an appointment is 10 minutes or less and the cost is the same or less than an in-person appointment.
Coordinating care to improve health and reduce costs
Blue Cross Coordinated Care connects members with care managers who help coordinate appointments, manage medications and ensure care is aligned across providers. This support helps close gaps in care and makes it easier for members to manage complex health needs.
Care coordination programs improve medication adherence, reduce hospital readmissions and help members avoid complications. By helping members navigate the health care system and access the right care at the right time, coordinated care improves outcomes and supports affordability.
Learn more about how Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is advancing affordability solutions at mibluedaily.com/affordability.
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