The Briefing: news and content to help employers stay ahead
In rapidly changing social times, staying relevant and competitive is a challenge. We've curated the latest news to help you.
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Member Experience — Article
The importance of pharmacists and automation in lowering drug costs
Blue Shield’s Vice President of Pharmacy Services Alison Lum writes about collaborating with pharmacists to drive down costs in an article co-authored for Fierce Healthcare
Healthly Dose — Podcast
EP33: A Dose of Virtual First Health Care
Kate Brown, the leader of Mercer’s Center for Health Innovation, delivers an outlook and overview of virtual first care, its growth, and the diverse array of telehealth and digital solutions entering the market.
Member Experience — Article
Help employees understand their coverage – during open enrollment and beyond
Increase employees’ understanding and usage of their health coverage with Blue Shield’s array of educational resources
Public Health — Article
Why domestic violence is a workplace issue—and how companies can help
Domestic violence crosses all demographics and directly impacts the workplace. Companies have the power to address issues of domestic violence and create a better, safer workplace.
Member Experience — Article
Value and Service for Small Businesses
See why more small businesses choose Blue Shield’s PPO for themselves and their employees.
COVID-19 — Article
The best time for a flu shot and COVID-19 booster is now
An annual flu shot is always a good idea. Staying current with your COVID-19 booster shots is also a great choice – especially when it’s at no cost.
Healthly Dose — Podcast
EP32: A Dose of Price Transparency and the Role of Pharmacists at the Point of Care
The cost of medications has skyrocketed and pharmacists are still filling prescriptions behind the counter instead of being used for their expertise to help patients at the point of care.
Member Experience — Article
Blue Shield CEO Paul Markovich shares perspective on improving digital healthcare experience
The COVID-19 pandemic forced rapid innovation in digital health—health care must leverage that momentum to create a better consumer experience, says Markovich.
Public Health — Article
Addressing monkeypox in the workplace
The monkeypox outbreak in the U.S. was declared a national public health emergency in early August, even as COVID-19 remained in the headlines. However, there are big differences between the diseases.
Mental Health — Article
Back-to-school mental health interviews with Dr. Nicole Stelter
Dr. Nicole Stelter, Director of Behavioral Health for Blue Shield of California, answers commonly asked questions about youth mental health.
Health Plans — Article
Increased offerings spotlight the need for benefit education and engagement
In the competition to gain and retain a talented workforce, companies are vying to offer employees and job candidates benefits covering an increasingly wide range of working arrangements, generational health needs, and expectations.
Health Plans — Video
Optimize your health plan with Blue Shield’s leading reporting tool
Our user-friendly reporting tool, Intelligent Health, provides a comprehensive view of your healthcare spend to help you identify cost-saving opportunities and make decisions based on data-driven results.
COVID-19 — Article
Better COVID-19 testing options for you and your employees
COVID-19 testing remains an integral tool in combatting the pandemic. Determining when it is safe for social activity, travel, and in-person work can be difficult for employers and individuals both.
Healthly Dose — Podcast
EP 31: A Dose of Prescription Drug Disruption
Gina Guinasso, president at CivicaScript, talks about the exorbitant costs in today’s prescription drugs and how her organization – together with the industry – is leveling the playing field by distributing generic drugs directly to pharmacies.
Member Experience — Article
Healthy Dose of Dialogue
Tune in to Healthy Dose of Dialogue, featuring conversations with the leading voices transforming health care.
Member Experience — Article
Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond
Mental Health Awareness Month is a perfect time for employers to promote resources for enhancing employee mental health.
Member Experience — Article
Blue Shield achieves 100% “onshoring” goal
In August of 2020, Blue Shield of California set a goal to bring every member call back to a support center in the United States (known as “onshoring”). Now, we are excited to announce we have achieved the 100% mark!
COVID-19 — Article
While supplies last: the shifting of COVID-19 costs and resources
A deal for $10 billion in additional funding to combat the COVID-19 pandemic was approved by Congress on April 4, 2022. Signaling a shift in the government’s approach to combating COVID-19 from preemptive to reactive.
Health Plans — Video
As our fastest growing HMO, Trio delivers affordability without compromising quality
Our fastest growing HMO delivers affordable care and puts its members in control of their health and well-being.
Health Plans — Video
Tandem PPO offers quality, convenience and affordability, making it the right choice for you and your employees
Our flagship PPO plan offers flexibility and choice, with the freedom of a comprehensive PPO, while still giving access to high performance providers, all with a lower premium.
Healthly Dose — Podcast
EP 30: A Dose of Digiceuticals and Mental Fitness
Sarah Hill, CEO at Healium, offers an inside look at the company’s virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) therapeutics for anxiety and stress.
Member Experience — Video
Concierge delivers a white glove employee experience
Concierge brings together a customer care team and clinical team to support members with a goal of resolving all issues in a single call.
Member Experience — Video
Connect provides a powerful member engagement experience
Higher engagement with lower costs is possible. Clients who choose our premium care management model, Connect, see 2x-3x more engagement than with other Blue Shield care models.
Healthly Dose — Podcast
EP 29: A Dose of Digital Innovation: Predictions for Health Care in 2022
Scott Becker and Ray Wang join host Lisa Davis, Blue Shield of California’s senior vice president and CIO, to talk about health tech innovations emerging from Silicon Valley, the new wave of personalized health care experiences improving quality of care, and how these innovations and experiences are often powered by AI and automation.
Healthly Dose — Podcast
EP 28: A Dose of Mental Health Trends and Digital Innovations
Dr. Dana Udall, chief clinical officer at Headspace Health, discusses mental health trends and the unprecedented adoption of digital solutions.
COVID-19 — Article
The growth and digital future of mental healthcare in the workplace
Even before the ongoing effects of COVID-19 thrust mental health into the national spotlight, virtual and digital mental health services were on the rise. The strain of shifting to remote work, at-home schooling, and social isolation exacerbated the need for – and the gaps in – mental health treatment in healthcare.
COVID-19 — Article
Supporting remote workers transitioning back to the office
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the mental health of the U.S workforce – including increased rates of burn out, symptoms of depression, and difficulty concentrating. Part of planning and supporting a transition back to the office is to prepare safety plans for both the physical and mental health of employees.