AHIP, BCBSA Pilot Supports Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery

America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) have promised to use their data analytics, partnerships, and member engagement platforms and strategies to enable equitable COVID-19 vaccine delivery to the two million most vulnerable Americans.

The payers have called this endeavor the Vaccine Community Connectors pilot initiative. Although AHIP and BCBSA started this effort, they welcomed other payers to join the initiative.

The initiative aims to vaccinate the two million Americans ages 65 and older who are in communities that are at high risk of contracting coronavirus, particularly African American and Hispanic populations.

“The most vulnerable people in our country have suffered disproportionately from the COVID-19 crisis and we are determined to end this inequity,” said Kim Keck, president and chief executive officer BCBSA. “Through this initiative, we are committing our unique resources—our people, our data, and our enduring community ties—to quickly and equitably bring life-saving vaccines to those who need them most.”

The initiative will involve identifying at-risk seniors, particularly those that live in areas with the potential for healthcare inequities. Data analytics and resources such as the Social Vulnerability Index will be essential to singling out eligible individuals whose social factors may undermine their access to the coronavirus vaccine, the payers noted.

Payers will also leverage data to assess the best methods of outreach in specific populations, from deploying mobile clinics to offering language assistance to providing ride-share services.

AHIP and BCBSA payer members will partner with community-based organizations in order to spread awareness about the vaccine.

“Vaccines save lives, and health insurance providers have been working hard to break down barriers that stand between Americans and COVID-19 vaccines,” said Matt Eyles, president and chief executive officer of AHIP. “We will continue to work on that commitment with all levels of government and every organization that shares our goal until we defeat the COVID-19 crisis together.”

As seniors become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, the payers committed to informing their elderly members about when and where they can go to receive the shot, help set up an appointment, and offer resources to reduce social determinants of health barriers such as transportation challenges.

The initiative will require a concerted effort between payers, community-based organizations, government entities, and pharmacies.

“Improving health equity means setting important goals, removing barriers to better care, and meeting people where they are,” said Tonya Adams, national spokesperson for the Vaccine Community Connectors program and chief customer experience officer at Regence BlueCross BlueShield. 

“This is a seminal moment in America. We look forward to working with all partners across the public and private sectors to provide millions of seniors with an equal opportunity for protection from this virus.”

Prior to this commitment regarding active participation in the distribution process, AHIP and BCBSA were vocal about the need for more funding to combat inequities in the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine.

In December 2020, the payer organizations lobbied Congress for more COVID-19 relief funding to go towards ensuring equitable vaccination distribution and affordability.

Before any coronavirus vaccines had even been released and authorized for emergency use, AHIP and BCBSA warned Congress that it would need to take action to ensure affordable and equitable distribution. At the time, they specifically recommended channeling more funds towards Medicare Advantage members, who are considered high-risk.

The payers are also preparing for the new reality after the crisis ends. AHIP and BCBSA’s payer members have started sharing their strategies for coronavirus vaccine coverage when the public health emergency lifts. Multiple payers plan to cover the drug as a preventive care service and many have promised to do so at zero or low cost to their members.