Supporting Access to Care Through Western Maryland Innovative Readiness Training
As one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations with headquarters in Maryland, addressing barriers to good health for the people and communities in the state is a high priority for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst).
Healthcare disparities are especially important to address in our more rural communities in Western Maryland, as rural areas often face realities of geographic isolation and limited access to well-paying careers, transportation and healthcare professionals. Rural communities are more likely to experience chronic diseases and illness, higher mortality rates and lower life expectancies than suburban and even urban counterparts, according to the Rural Health Information Hub. That’s why CareFirst was proud to support the Mountain Maryland Medical Mission and Innovative Readiness Training Program (IRT) in Allegany County.
Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) is a Department of Defense (DoD) military training opportunity, exclusive to the United States and its territories that delivers joint training opportunities to increase deployment readiness. Simultaneously, IRT provides key services (healthcare, construction, transportation, and cybersecurity) with lasting benefits for our American communities.
The IRT program supported by Mountain Maryland Medical Mission brought no-cost services over the course of two-weeks to Western Maryland residents at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. Services provided include optometry and health exams, dental and veterinary care and public health education. Credentialed military healthcare providers delivered care, and no one was turned away.
This program last provided services to Maryland in 2014 and was an excellent opportunity to bring healthcare services to rural Marylanders. In 2014, 60–80 military medical professionals were hosted locally in Allegany County and provided free medical services to thousands of community members.
CareFirst Western Maryland Statistics
- 28,000 members across Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid and Federal Employee Program lines of business
- 7,127 registered providers
- 3,000 volunteered hours by CareFirst employees in 2023 with 29 Western Maryland community partners, including Meritus Medical Center, Mountain Laurel Medical Center, Associated Charities of Cumberland, Allegany County United Way, Inc., Evergreen Heritage Center Foundation and more
Top health risk factors for CareFirst members in Western Maryland:
- 50% at an increased risk of transportation barriers when accessing healthcare
- 29% live in a provider desert in Western Maryland
- 61% at increased risk of housing instability
CareFirst supported one whole day of the IRT program and brought 65 Difference Makers to provide logistical and administrative support to the healthcare professionals and military personnel providing care. CareFirst volunteers were at various stations throughout the program, including checking patients into the dental services or optometry, directing pet patients as they signed in for veterinary services and even supporting student physical and wellness education programs at the participating local high school.
On the CareFirst-supported volunteer day, the program:
- Saw and provided services to 228 patients
- Saved the community $195,479 in healthcare and veterinary costs
Over the course of the two weeks, the program:
- Provided over 8,800 medical services to more than 1,300 patients
- Treated 915 animals at the Fairgrounds and the Allegany County Animal Shelter
- Saved the community an estimated $1 million in healthcare and veterinary costs
CareFirst is proud to work alongside community leaders, nonprofits and the DoD to advance good health for the people and communities in Western Maryland. CareFirst thanks all participants who helped make the Mountain Maryland Medical Mission IRT program a success.
