Complete Care

We’re supporting people’s complete health and well-being through a 360 approach to treat the whole person—physically, mentally and emotionally.

Making a Difference in 2022

In 2022, CareFirst contributed $24 million to support 358 nonprofit organizations and 400,000 individuals throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

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In the Spotlight: Kimberly Harris

Kim Harris WBJ Award

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) proudly serves as a partner and advocate for communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. We invest in solutions that can have a meaningful impact on the social drivers of health, or the social and environmental factors that impact overall health, to minimize health disparities, reduce healthcare costs and advance equity. We make these investments and partner with local organizations through the work of our Community Health and Social Impact team, in which Kimberly Harris serves as Director. CareFirst celebrates Kimberly as one of the Washington Business Journal’s 2024 Diversity in Business Award Honorees.

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CareFirst Recognized by Executive Alliance with Honor Roll Award for Women’s Representation

executive alliance

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is at the heart of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s (CareFirst) mission, goals and business decisions as one of the country’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations representing a large, diverse member population. As a core value, we promote a diverse workforce through various programs and seek out opportunities in our strategic planning to support DEI for women and employees from all backgrounds. CareFirst is proud to be a recipient of the 2024 Honor Roll Designation by Executive Alliance. Directly reflecting our company values, this award recognizes the representation of women at the highest levels in Maryland businesses and organizations.

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Breaking Down Barriers To Behavioral Health

Oleg Tarkovsky

As a not-for-profit healthcare organization serving Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) is committed to ensuring that healthcare is easy to afford and accessible to all. Our commitment extends beyond physical health to behavioral health—whole-person care. In an interview with WTOP News, Oleg Tarkovsky, the Director of Behavioral Health Services at CareFirst, explains that people with mental health or mental illness needs may run into roadblocks while seeking care.

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Transforming Healthcare and Wellness in the Workplace: Our Vision for a Healthier Future

Happy group of people at workplace

The connection between employee health and workplace productivity is more evident than ever, and it is crucial to recognize the significance of fostering a workplace culture that is inclusive of our health and prioritizes wellbeing on all fronts—physical, mental, behavioral, social, and financial.

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Combatting Diabetes: A Multifaceted Approach to Community Well-Being

diabetes

Diabetes is a pervasive health issue in the U.S., affecting nearly 1 in 10 Americans, with an additional 88 million adults at risk of developing the disease. The economic ramifications are staggering, contributing significantly to healthcare costs to the tune of $327 billion annually through both direct medical costs and the toll of reduced productivity. 

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Empowering Baltimore's Health and Wellness Through CareFirst's Engagement Center

Shar Ferrell

Welcome to the CareFirst Engagement Center (CEC), where health isn't just a card in your pocket but a partner in your life. It's where you can access the tools and resources you need, regardless of your insurance status. This groundbreaking initiative is a testament to CareFirst's commitment to improving the lives of its members and the broader community. 

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Heart Disease Doesn't Stand Still. Neither Should We.

Doctor checking patient heart

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups. One person dies every 33 seconds in the U.S. from heart disease. In 2021, that accounted for 1 of every 5 deaths. Including healthcare services, medicines, and lost productivity, heart disease costs the U.S. nearly $240 billion annually. Its toll—both in terms of personal and financial costs—is truly staggering.

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Speak Up: CareFirst's 2023 Annual Report Reflects Company's Commitment to Ethical Behavior, Compliance, Transparency

Speak up

In 2022, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) remained the largest not-for-profit healthcare insurer in the mid-Atlantic region, employing nearly 5,800 full-time individuals and serving 3.6 million members in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

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Innovative Care for Members: Healthworx and 1501 Health Companies

Patient Using Smartphone

Through Healthworx and 1501 Health, we collaborate with organizations and entrepreneurs to address challenges in the healthcare industry or create new solutions to provide high-quality care. These organizations also explore innovative opportunities to bring solutions to CareFirst members to address their unique, diverse challenges.

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CareFirst’s 5th Annual Week of Equity & Action Cultivates Thriving Communities

Mans wearing Difference Maker T-Shit

As the mid-Atlantic region’s largest not-for-profit health plan and a leading employer in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, CareFirst’s Week of Equity & Action is core to the organization’s mission to provide affordable, accessible and equitable healthcare for all. By dedicating time and resources to listening to one another and learning about different lived experiences, CareFirst and its employees can better act to meet the needs of the people and communities we serve.

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New, Free Resource Helps Members Manage Their Medications

Elderly patient video call by digital tablet to doctor for inquire about which bottle of medication pills

Through a new partnership with Baltimore-based company Scene Health, CareFirst Community Health Plan of Maryland members now have access to Spotlight, a digital medication support program that helps members with medication adherence. Scene Health is a Healthworx portfolio company and shares CareFirst’s vision of patient-centered care while encouraging individuals to take an active role in their health.

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Mountain Laurel Medical Center Enhances Dental Care for Rural Communities with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Grant 

Dental care

As one of six federally qualified health care centers chosen for the grant, Mountain Laurel is leveraging their community health workers and reformulating the way they connect underserved or at-risk patients to dental care with the additional funding from CareFirst.

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New Tool Offers Connection To Free, Low-Cost Social Services

Findhelp logo

CareFirst is working with findhelp to connect members, employees, and residents in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and parts of Northern Virginia—regardless of whether they are a CareFirst member—to free or reduced-cost social and health services.

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Striving For Better Health Outcomes Through Public Health

Dr Lindsay image

Djinge Lindsay, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), spoke with WTOP News and discussed CareFirst’s public health infrastructure and efforts to address chronic illnesses and disparities in care through data and collaboration.

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Getting Real about REL data

Sharing certain information about yourself can help the healthcare industry to better understand and serve patients.

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Making a Promise of Prevention

doctor listening to patient heart

The following article summarizes a message from CareFirst’s Chief Medical Officer, asking individuals to make a "promise of prevention," to safeguard their health and wellness.

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Preventing, Managing Diabetes Through A Holistic Approach

Man Using glaucometer

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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Creating a Culture of Wellness

A conversation with Oleg Tarkovsky, Director of Behavioral Health Services at CareFirst, about creating a culture of wellness – at work and at home.

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What is Health Equity? Why Does it Matter?

multi-ethnic work group

Health equity means everyone has a fair and just chance to be as healthy as possible. For equity to exist, we must remove obstacles to health for all.

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What You Need to Know About Monkeypox

monkeypox symptoms chart

According to the CDC, monkeypox spreads through close contact, including skin-to-skin and respiratory secretions through face-to-face interaction. The virus can also spread by touching objects, like infected clothing or bed sheets. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself and others.

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Advancing Health Equity: Making Meaningful Change

dads and kids looking into bags

CareFirst is committed to supporting health equity efforts at a national and local level. How are we seeking to understand the challenges our communities face, and working together to make a meaningful difference? CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan Maryland (CareFirst CHPMD) CEO, Mike Rapach, shares some insight into our efforts to advance health equity in Maryland.

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Dental Care and Your Overall Health

dental office visit

Taking care of the mouth is about more than having a nice smile. Your mouth reflects the overall health of your body. It can show signs of infection or disease before you experience other symptoms.

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CareFirst Launches Blue High Performance NetworkSM Offering and Advances Value-based Care Partnerships

older man virtual doctor visit

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) champions the importance of transitioning to a value-based care system and is committed to bringing affordable, high-quality healthcare to all its members. That’s why we introduced the Blue High Performance NetworkSM (BlueHPNSM).

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Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccinations

girl with vaccine bandaid

Dr. Robert Sadowski, Pediatric Specialist and Medical Director for CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield (CareFirst), recently discussed frequently asked questions parents, guardians and caregivers may have about COVID-19 vaccines for young children.

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Data and Social Determinants in Support of Better Health Outcomes

pharmacist filling out a vaccine card

CareFirst's Vice President of Community Health and Social Impact Dr. Destiny-Simone Ramjohn and Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tich Changamire recently spoke with Health Leader's Media on the importance of addressing social determinants of health and how alternative data can be used to create solutions.

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How to Bolster Mental Health Defenses

teens helping community garden

Oleg Tarkovsky, Director of Behavioral Health Services, CareFirst, recently authored an article detailing the symptoms of depression and how to address changes in your mental health to bolster defenses.

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Depression vs. Languishing

sad man looking out window

Oleg Tarkovsky, Director of Behavioral Health Services, CareFirst, recently spoke with WBAL TV for National Depression Awareness month to discuss the difference between clinical depression and simply feeling down or languishing.

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The Surprising Reasons Behind Vaccine Hesitancy

pharmacist filling out a vaccine card

As COVID-19 continues making its presence known worldwide, politicians and public health officials are perplexed by the increased resistance to vaccine safety and efficacy. In searching for a reason to explain this resistance, psychology and, more specifically, cognitive biases research have a lot to offer.

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What will be the Pandemic's Mental Health Legacy?

CareFirst's Executive Vice President of Health Services, Stacia A. Cohen, R.N., MBA, joined the panel during MedCity INVEST to discuss mental healthcare disparities and the pandemic's broader effect on mental health.

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Meeting Member Needs Through Medicaid

grandfather playing with 2 kids

Vickie Cosby, Senior Vice President, Medicaid and Medicare Programs, CareFirst and Cindy Nanasi, VP, Segment Integration, CareFirst, recently spoke with Oliver Wyman Health about CareFirst’s entry into Medicaid.

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How Plans Are Supporting Providers on Their Value-Based Care Journey

group brainstorming

World Congress recently hosted a panel discussion highlighting the importance of applying a phased approach to meet providers where they are at to accelerate success in value-based care arrangements.

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Vaccines Are the Way to End This Pandemic

CareFirst’s Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Daniel Winn, recently shared important information with the Baltimore Sun on COVID-19 vaccines, myths tied to vaccines in general, accessibility and post-vaccination measures.

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Helping Members Manage Diabetes from the Comfort and Safety of Home

A new virtual program from CareFirst and leading diabetes management company, Onduo, ensures high-risk members get the care they need, especially during COVID.

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Removing Barriers to Diabetes Care

Most people who have prediabetes don’t even know they have it. The U.S. is experiencing a silent national epidemic.

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As Childhood Vaccinations Decline, Concern Grows

There has been a steep drop in the rate of pediatric vaccinations since the start of the pandemic. See how CareFirst is course-correcting this distressing development.

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