Latest news with #BlueCrossofIdaho
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Talkspace, Blue Cross Idaho partner to improve behavioural health access
Talkspace has announced a new partnership with Blue Cross of Idaho, aiming to enhance behavioural health access across the region. The collaboration integrates Talkspace's virtual mental health services into Blue Cross Idaho's network, providing members with asynchronous message-based therapy and live video sessions from licensed clinicians. Talkspace chief growth officer Erin Boyd said: 'Partnering with Blue Cross of Idaho allows Talkspace to continue our important mission of expanding access to high-quality, convenient mental health care. 'This collaboration will make therapy and psychiatric support affordable for individuals and families across the nation, empowering them to prioritise their mental well-being on their own terms.' Blue Cross of Idaho became part of TalkSpace's expanding list of health plans, and benefits clients such as Carelon, Aetna, Cigna, Optum, and select Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. With this new partnership, Talkspace now extends its coverage to approximately 200 million people in the US, including those with Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Licensed therapists of Talkspace, available in all 50 states, provide members the choice between asynchronous therapy options and live video sessions. This flexibility allows users to customise their care and overcome barriers to treatment, thereby increasing engagement. Blue Cross of Idaho Healthcare Operations vice-president Dawn Atkin said: 'Blue Cross of Idaho members deserve access to mental healthcare that fits into their lives. 'That's why we're proud to partner with Talkspace to significantly enhance mental health services for all of our members, providing a direct line to an experienced, licensed professional anytime and anywhere they need support.' Members of Blue Cross of Idaho, encompassing couples and teens aged 13 and above, can sign up for therapy and psychiatric medication support (for those 18 and above) through the Talkspace website. "Talkspace, Blue Cross Idaho partner to improve behavioural health access" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Business Wire
05-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Blue Cross of Idaho Partners with Greater Good Health to Enable Value-Based Care Delivery for Members
MERIDIAN, Idaho & EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue Cross of Idaho and Greater Good Health announced a strategic partnership that will improve access to high-quality, value-based care for Blue Cross of Idaho's Medicare Advantage members. Granite Financial Holdings, LLC, the investment affiliate of Blue Cross of Idaho, is investing in Greater Good Health to fund the development of senior-focused primary care clinics and other clinical services to drive improved health outcomes for Blue Cross of Idaho's Medicare Advantage members. 'We are proud to partner with Blue Cross to offer seniors the high-quality, value-based care they deserve.' Sylvia Hastanan, Founder and CEO of Greater Good Health 'Blue Cross of Idaho is driven to find the right care at the right time for our members, especially for seniors on our Medicare Advantage plans,' said Drew Hobby, Chief Strategy Officer for Blue Cross of Idaho. 'Greater Good Health has a strong emphasis on tailoring a healthcare experience to the unique needs of seniors, such as unhurried appointments, convenience and a whole-person approach to care. These factors, combined with their collaboration with provider groups, have delivered strong health-outcomes and high patient satisfaction scores. We're excited about our new partnership for our members in Bonneville and Jefferson counties.' Greater Good Health delivers clinical programs designed to advance value-based care, enhance the capacity of healthcare organizations to serve vulnerable populations, and expand patient access to care. Central to all of Greater Good Health clinical programs is a committment to improving clinical outcomes and delivering an exceptional patient experience. 'Nationwide shortages of primary care physicians have created significant barriers to accessing care, a challenge that is even more pronounced in regions like Idaho, where seniors may wait months for a primary care appointment,' said Sylvia Hastanan, founder and CEO of Greater Good Health. 'We are proud to partner with Blue Cross to offer seniors the high-quality, value-based care they deserve.' Greater Good Health and Blue Cross of Idaho are planning to have their first senior-focused primary care clinic open in Idaho Falls, Idaho later this year with additional future locations to be determined. About Greater Good Health Greater Good Health is a healthcare organization enabling and expanding access to value-based care. Through an innovative Nurse Practitioner-centric model, Greater Good Health partners with health plans to build primary care practices in underserved communities, and partners with risk-bearing organizations to deploy private-labeled clinical programs that enable the shift to value-based, outcomes-focused care. Greater Good Health's proven care model and clinical programs benefit patients, providers, and payers alike, improving outcomes, reducing costs, and delivering a best-in-class patient experience. About Granite Financial Holdings Granite Financial Holdings, LLC is the investment affiliate of Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc. and a subsidiary of Gemstone Holdings, Inc. an Idaho-based, non-profit mutual insurance holding company dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve by working to improve access to care, lower the cost of care and by offering innovative solutions to help individuals live healthier lives. About Blue Cross of Idaho Blue Cross of Idaho is the State of Idaho's oldest and largest health insurer, and the only Idaho-based insurer serving the entire state. Blue Cross of Idaho has a broad portfolio of health plans for employers of all sizes, as well as individual and Medicare plans offering innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of Idahoans and Idaho-based employers. Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc. is an affiliate of Granite Financial Holdings, LLC and a subsidiary of Gemstone Holdings, Inc.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Blue Cross of Idaho, Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition partner up for Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
In 2018, Idaho providers prescribed opioids to 61 out of every 100 persons, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. (Getty Images) In the relentless grip of the opioid epidemic, a surge of tragedies has changed our communities, destroyed families and taken lives. Since 2000, the United States has seen a dramatic rise in drug overdose-related deaths, including prescription opioids. According to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug-involved overdoses have doubled since 2015, with approximately 107,000 people dying from a drug-involved overdose. Need to get rid of old prescriptions? East Idaho drop off sites open April 26. Opioid-related deaths aren't just in the streets of Stockton or the alleyways of Portland, but rather, opioid death touches the lives of everyone in our community. These numbers are rising as the opioid epidemic continues to affect communities across the country — and Idaho is not immune. According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, in 2022, there were 270 opioid-related deaths across the state and 755 emergency room visits relating to an opioid overdose emergency. Opioids are often referred to as narcotics and are medications that doctors prescribe to alleviate pain. There are many types of prescribed opioids, such as codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone and morphine. They are used by people of all ages and walks of life for those suffering from ailments, recovering from an injury or surgery, and needing relief from pain. As we have seen the opioid epidemic sweep across the country, we know opioids can be highly addictive and highly devastating. When opioids are used to manage pain for long periods, the risk of addiction rises. A prolonged period of taking opioids puts a person at risk of relying on the drug for survival. This problem is more common than it seems, with opioid overdoses taking the lives of 90 people by accident daily, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Idaho's youth is no exception to this epidemic. According to the Idaho Healthy Youth Survey, most Idaho students do not misuse prescription drugs. However, of those that do, 72.8% of them said they misuse pain relievers, 30.7% misuse depressants and 30.7% misuse stimulants. Additionally, students who misuse prescription drugs say they do so within their own homes. Blue Cross of Idaho and the Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition are proud to partner for the sixth time to host Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Since 2018, our annual partnership has safely disposed of approximately 1.9 tons of unwanted medication. On April 27, 2024, bring all your old, expired, and unwanted medications to Blue Cross of Idaho's headquarters in Meridian to safely dispose of these substances. Our event is an opportunity to clean out that medicine cabinet and see what is expired and should be disposed of before possibly getting into the wrong hands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted that take-back programs are the best way to dispose of unused or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines safely. Opioid addiction and abuse know no bounds to who it affects; addiction does not discriminate, affecting all ages and backgrounds. It is a disease that affects families, friends, neighbors, and people we love, and maybe has affected us personally. Join us in making a positive and long-lasting effect on our community and potentially saving a life by turning in your household prescription medications. Our take-back site is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 and in Blue Cross of Idaho's parking lot. We hope to see you there. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
