Payer Eyes Health Equity With COVID-19 Vaccine Access Network

In efforts to achieve health equity, Blue Shield of California has enhanced its provider network to expand COVID-19 vaccine access in underserved communities.

California’s enhanced provider network now includes over 1,200 vaccination sites across California, represented by a variety of healthcare providers such as community clinics, multi-county entities, hospital systems, medical groups, pharmacies, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and more.

In conjunction with federally operated vaccination mega sites, Blue Shield’s expanded network will help California achieve the goal of creating capacity to administer over 4 million vaccinations per week come April.

"Our goal is to save lives by helping to provide all Californians equitable access to the vaccines, especially in those communities hardest hit by the pandemic," said Paul Markovich, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California.

"We are working diligently with local, county and state officials, healthcare providers, and other important stakeholders to build a high-performing network that's only constrained by the supply we receive. Together, we can defeat this pandemic, reopen our economy, and more quickly return to normalcy,” Markovich continued.

The payer is working closely with each county across the state, consulting with public health leaders and state officials to build a vaccine network that meets the state’s goal of providing access to the vaccine in an equitable and efficient manner.

Blue Shield of California’s enhanced network includes contracts from all multi-county entities. FQHCs in Wave 1 counties have also signed the third-party administrator network contract, helping to provide care to underserved individuals.

Approximately 30 million Americans receive care from FQHCs, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration’s website. Twenty percent of those individuals are uninsured, and over 1.4 million experience homelessness. FQHCS have played a key role in care access for low-income and homeless individuals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing chronic disease management support and other vital services.

By ensuring these facilities are part of the enhanced network of vaccination sites across the state, Blue Shield of California is promoting access to the vaccine among underserved populations in order to prevent the exacerbation of health disparities.

The payer is also working towards health equity through the creation of at-home vaccination options to provide vaccine access to home-bound Californians and residents with disabilities.

Furthermore, Blue Shield of California is collaborating with counties across the state to finalize health equity agreements that engage with community-based organizations.

"We are pleased with the tremendous progress Blue Shield has made in building capacity to deliver vaccinations to Californians quickly, safely and equitably," California Government Operations Agency Secretary Yolanda Richardson said in a press release.

"Due to the good work of the Blue Shield and state teams, as well as local public health leadership across the state, I believe California will be ready to administer the increasing supplies of COVID-19 vaccine we expect to receive from the federal government in the weeks ahead," Richardson continued.

In addition to forming an enhanced provider network to aid in COVID-19 vaccination efforts, Blue Shield of California is pursuing health equity through support for the California Access to Housing and Services fund which addresses the state’s homelessness crisis.

“Our commitment to healthy families and healthy communities is at the core of our mission to transform our healthcare system into one that is worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable,” Markovich emphasized. “We look forward to working with the governor to improve the quality of life for Californians and encourage others in the private sector to step up.”

Governor Newsom praised the payer’s leadership and swiftness in providing vital funding for homeless people across the state.

“Just days after I announced the creation of the California Access to Housing and Services fund, Blue Shield responded immediately by investing $20 million to help individuals experiencing homelessness across California gain access to housing and health services,” Newsom highlighted. “I hope that Blue Shield’s generosity and compassion will serve as a model for others to follow.”