Community Impact

On Tuesday, March 14th, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) hosted a timely thought leadership discussion on Behavioral Health. The event convened a group of Behavioral Health thought leaders and partners at Whitman-Walker Health's new event space, "The Corner," to discuss the connection between workforce development, economic opportunity, and access to behavioral healthcare for youth in historically low-income communities and communities of color.

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Kimberly Harris, Director of Community Health and Social Impact for the National Capital Area at CareFirst, spoke with WTOP News about CareFirst’s community efforts including partnerships and investments to better health outcomes in the mid-Atlantic region.

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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield recently had the opportunity to provide a written testimony in favor of more equitable and inclusive transit-oriented development in the state of Maryland. Tricia Swanson shared a testimony in support of House Bill 12 (HB 12), Equitable and Inclusive Transit-Oriented Development Enhancement Act, as it would establish a capital grant and revolving loan fund to promote equitable and inclusive development around State-designated Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) sites to bring more TODs benefits to communities around Maryland.

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Earlier this year, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) commissioned NORC at the University of Chicago—an independent, nonpartisan research organization—to perform a field survey.

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Kimberly Harris, Director of Community Health and Social Impact for the National Capital Area at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, moderated a panel with The Healthcare Financial Management Association where she and community partners discussed how economic inclusion impacts overall health.

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More people today are living with diabetes than ever before. CareFirst is advancing a multi-pronged approach to help drive down costs associated with diabetes care and promote preventative healthcare measures for individuals living with diabetes through advocacy and partnerships, community support, and complete care solutions.

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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) has partnered with the Washington Nationals to support Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR) through the Giving Garden, which puts approximately 12 tons of produce into the hands of residents in Wards 7 and 8 annually.

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In 2021, CareFirst invested $25.8 million through more than 350 unique, regional nonprofit partnerships to address social determinants of health and advance positive systemic and environmental change. Learn more about our funding priorities.

At CareFirst, we understand the value of good relationships between us, providers and our member populations. Our relationship with provider’s translates to a good member experience, and that’s why we’ve redesigned our On-Demand Provider Courses page on the Learning and Engagement Center, so providers can find training opportunities that pertain to their role and specialty.

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A. Tonya Odom, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, recently shared with AFRO American Newspapers the key differences between categorization and bias. She also discusses with the Baltimore Business Journal how companies are rethinking DEI to promote a healthy work culture.

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CareFirst Difference Makers and our Community Health and Social Impact team recently spent the day at the Safe Alternative Foundation for Education, Inc. (SAFE), one of the organizations that received funds during this round, where they learned about their programming and worked with kids on woodworking.

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Increasing access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for our members and those living in the communities we serve continues to be a top priority for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst). But we know medical care is estimated to only account for 10-20% of a person’s overall health, with social, economic and environmental factors accounting for the remaining 80-90%.

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The CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan of Maryland is providing six, $50,000 grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) throughout Maryland to increase community-based, patient-directed dental health care. The $300,000 in funding will support additional staff, preventative and routine oral treatments, patient engagement and community outreach, and a spectrum of dental services for under- and uninsured clients.

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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) recently announced a grant investment of up to $2.2 million to 16 small businesses and diverse nonprofits in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia collectively serving over 30,000 people. These grants will provide resources and guidance to new and existing nonprofits and small businesses to address obstacles that negatively impact company growth, scalability and long-term sustainability.

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As part of CareFirst's ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity in our service region, we created the Community Food Relief Program. We are proud to announce the program has surpassed 130,000 meals delivered to underserved populations experiencing food insecurity throughout the region.

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To improve the quality of care for historically excluded populations, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) has launched a Health Equity web page for healthcare delivery partners.

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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield recently announced grant recipients of $1.71 million to combat the diabetes epidemic. The investment was distributed to 27 organizations across Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, Washington, D.C. (Wards 7 and 8), Western Maryland, Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, Central Maryland and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

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At CareFirst, we are committed to addressing food insecurity in our service region, and healthcare workers are often overlooked in interventions. From Dec. 27- Dec. 31, 2021, CareFirst partnered with local catering companies to provide nearly 3,000 meals to 24 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long-term acute care facilities in our service area.

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Dr. Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, Vice President of Community Health & Social Impact for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield discusses work in support of our communities as health begins in our homes, schools, workplaces, and in our neighborhoods and communities.

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From October 18-22, 2021, CareFirst hosted its 2nd Annual Week of Equity & Action, which serves as an opportunity for our employees to listen, learn and act—giving employees the tools to cultivate empathy and understanding of each other in the workplace and the community.

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CareFirst was featured in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) annual Community Investment Report highlighting efforts aligned with investing $6.8 million since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

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As the new Delta variant spreads, it remains critically important for individuals to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. CareFirst’s Dr. Yvette Oquendo-Berruz explains how vaccines and physical activity can help individuals positively navigate the pandemic.

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CareFirst recently announced plans to commit an additional $2.2 million to total $8 million invested in COVID-19 relief to community organizations on the front lines of the pandemic.

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Brian Pieninck, President and Chief Executive Officer for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, recently authored a commentary piece on a new and better “normal,” posing the question of what new normal are we willing to accept?

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The Baltimore and Washington Business Journals recently partnered with CareFirst to host a virtual event discussing how the pandemic has forced employers to address new workforce and workplace realities.

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Angela Celestin, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer, CareFirst, recently shared insights with the Business Journals on the future of the workplace post-pandemic and strategies to keep employees energized whether at home, in the office or a hybrid of the two.

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Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, Vice President of Community Health and Social Impact for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, spoke with David Nevins at CityBizList on pandemic related philanthropic initiatives and CareFirst’s priorities post-pandemic.

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Angela Celestin, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, CareFirst, recently spoke with Managed Healthcare Executive magazine about her experience as a human resources executive.

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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield recently hosted a town hall discussion around “Access and Equity: The Keys to Reaching Immunity in Underserved Communities,” moderated by Dr. Destiny Simone-Ramjohn.

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In the following Q&A, CareFirst talks with Mary's Center about how COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted some of the District's most vulnerable residents and how funding from CareFirst will help D.C. communities break free from the unrelenting grip of the pandemic.

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Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, Vice President of Community Health and Social Impact, recently spoke to The AFRO about grants awarded to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in support of removing barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine to combat racial disparities in vaccine distribution and adoption.

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From the very start of the pandemic, CareFirst has been there for its members, employers, healthcare partners, employees and communities. See some of the ways we've offered support to those we serve thus far.

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CareFirst expands the impact of its Better Together COVID-19 vaccination adoption campaign during a virtual panel discussion, inviting fellow community leaders to take a pledge to educate and encourage their employees to get vaccinated when they’re able.

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See CareFirst’s new public health ad urging people to get vaccinated when they can. The TV spot, part of CareFirst’s new Better Together campaign to support the nation’s historic vaccine effort, recently aired in local markets.

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The following panel discussion features CareFirst executives highlighting leadership efforts throughout the pandemic while sharing tangible information to encourage businesses to define their way of assisting, advocating and educating alongside fellow Baltimore businesses.

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Online publisher Health Evolution sat down with industry leaders, including CareFirst’s President and CEO, Brian D. Pieninck, to talk about trends that will continue to shape healthcare.

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CareFirst President & CEO Brian D. Pieninck explains why now is the time to seize the opportunity to reimagine a new healthcare system—one rooted in value, not volume.

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