BCBS Payers Support Preventative Care, Access to Vaccinations

Blue Cross and Blue Shield is calling on payers to bolster vaccination rates by expanding access to care, connecting with members through digital platforms, hosting free flu vaccine clinics, and utilizing data to target support for at-risk communities

The effort comes in response to a drastic decrease in the number of vaccinations this year, compared with 2019 data.

To expand access to care, BCBS continues to expand access to preventative care through the Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) mobile health program, which provides childhood immunizations, influenza vaccinations, and health literacy education in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

In 2019, HCSC expanded its mobile health program to reach more than 150,000 people by purchasing additional flu vaccines, hiring additional staff, and supporting new partnerships with local health departments and community organizations.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is also offering residents transportation to flu shot clinics through Bluebikes, a public bikeshare program in Boston and surrounding communities.  During National Influenza Vaccination Week, the health plan is covering free bike rides across Metro Boston on Bluebikes.

Interested riders can use the national vaccine finder tool to find a clinic. The health plan also provides information on the importance of vaccines this season and the different ways to access it.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is expanding access to care through a series of grants distributed to 12 organizations with missions to promote vaccinations and immunizations in local communities.

The grants ranged from $20,000 and $50,000, as part of the BCBSIL Care Van® Immunization Initiative.

A recent report from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association estimated that children nationwide will have missed nearly 9 million polio, MMR, and DTaP vaccinations this year, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Immunizations are a building block for community health and providing people with easy, free access has been a priority for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois for decades,” said Harmony Harrington, vice president of community and government relations at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, in a statement

“During the COVID-19 pandemic we’ve seen the rate of immunizations decline, just at a time when it is more important than ever for people to keep themselves healthy,” she continued. “Through this effort, we’re looking to empower and extend the reach of others focused on the same goal: increasing access to immunizations to improve community health.”

All organizations chosen to receive a BCBSIL grant must have an existing program in place that provides immunizations to people with or without health insurance. The funds can be used to promote their immunization & vaccination services, purchase vaccines, or to hire additional staff.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Alabama is promoting access to preventative care this year by expanding the use of text messages to remind members to get vaccinated.. BCBS Alabama also mails postcards to member households and displays an alert banner on their website reminding members to get a flu vaccine as they log into the platform.

BCBS is also promoting vaccinations through free flu shot clinics and statewide education programs.

Further, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation (BCBST Foundation) launched a campaign to educate Tennesseans about the safety and efficacy of the flu shot, including a TV and radio PSA featuring the foundation’s chief medical officer, as well as social media ads.

To help remove access barriers, the foundation also funded a series of drive-through flu shot clinics, while providing support for clinics hosted by churches and pharmacies.

Lastly, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) is developing a database called The Health Equity Dashboard that will provide data and insight into the needs within at-risk communities. Blue KC executives say the dashboard will identify non-medical factors that negatively impact health outcomes in vulnerable communities.