Unlocking the mystery of health insurance premiums
May 27, 2025
We understand that rising health care costs can create difficulties for you. Expensive prescription drugs, increases in outpatient procedures, and high-cost hospital care are challenging patients, doctors, businesses, health plans, and the entire...
Affordability
Excellus BCBS inspires volunteerism among employees
May 23, 2025
Brent Bish, Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary for Actuarial Services at Excellus BCBS, volunteers for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in honor of his son, Graeme. “My family’s life changed when my son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at...
Working Here
Excellus BCBS Pharmacy Concierge eliminates $17 million in unnecessary spending
April 14, 2025
When Excellus BlueCross BlueShield launched its Pharmacy Concierge program, its priority was improving member care. Slowing growth in drug spending was an added benefit. Three years in, the health plan’s metrics show the Upstate, N.Y.-based health plan...
Company News
Health plans and New York delegation call on Congress to protect older adults in upstate New York
April 9, 2025
Several not-for-profit health plans are calling on Congress to protect older adults in upstate New York. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, CDPHP, and MVP Health Care have come together to urge elected officials to pass bipartisan legislation that will...
Company News
Sherry’s heartfelt journey with the American Heart Association
February 26, 2025
Join us in raising awareness about heart disease prevention and stroke awareness and discover how our employees are actively contributing to healthier communities. Walking the Path of Purpose For Sherry, participating in the American Heart Association...
Working Here
Listen to your heart: Dan’s story of survival
February 26, 2025
February is Heart Health Month, and we’re excited to shine a spotlight on our incredible employees making a difference in the fight against heart disease. In a special series, we’re sharing their inspiring personal stories. Join us in raising...
Your Health
Enhancing access to care
February 17, 2025
At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, we believe that being a local health insurance company gives us a unique opportunity to engage deeply with our communities. Our commitment to collaboration is not just about partnerships; it's about being a resource for...
Affordability
Commitment to quality of care
February 17, 2025
At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, we believe that being a local health insurance company gives us a unique opportunity to engage deeply with our communities. Our commitment to collaboration is not just about partnerships; it's about being a resource for...
Affordability
Collaboration that leads to quality care
February 17, 2025
At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, we believe that being a local health insurance company gives us a unique opportunity to engage deeply with our communities. Our commitment to collaboration is not just about partnerships; it's about being a resource for...
Affordability
Innovative programs for affordability and care
February 17, 2025
At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, we believe that being a local health insurance company gives us a unique opportunity to engage deeply with our communities. Our commitment to collaboration is not just about partnerships; it's about being a resource for...
Affordability
Forbes names Excellus BlueCross BlueShield #8 on list of best midsize employers in America
February 12, 2025
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) was ranked #8 on the Forbes list of America’s Best Midsize Employers 2025. The Health Plan ranked #1 among midsize employers in New York state and among the insurance industry nationwide. This is the third...
Company News
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Earns #1 in Medicare Advantage Satisfaction from J.D. Power
January 28, 2025
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been recognized by J.D. Power, earning #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Medicare Advantage Plans in New York, as well as Most Trusted and #1 Medicare Advantage Provider for Ease of Doing Business in New York. The...
Company News
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield announces 2024 Health Equity Innovation Award recipients
January 13, 2025
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is excited to announce the recipients of their Health Equity Innovation Awards, designed to support community programs and services that focus on combating racial and ethnic health disparities across upstate New York. Last...
Community Impact
Excellus BCBS and St. Joseph’s Health announce a contract agreement that keeps St. Joseph’s Health in the Excellus BCBS provider network
December 31, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and St. Joseph’s Health have reached a multi-year contract agreement effective Jan. 1, 2025, that will keep St. Joseph’s Health in the Excellus BCBS provider network. St. Joseph’s Health and Excellus BCBS are glad to reach...
Company News
Excellus BCBS and FamilyCare Medical Group announce a new contract agreement that keeps FamilyCare Medical Group in the Excellus BCBS provider network
November 21, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and FamilyCare Medical Group (FCMG) have announced a new contract agreement effective Jan. 1, 2025, that will keep FCMG in the Excellus BCBS provider network. Excellus BCBS members can continue to access FCMG providers as...
Company News
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and WellNow Urgent Care execute a provider contract agreement effective November 15, 2024
November 11, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) and WellNow Urgent Care (WellNow) have executed a new provider contract agreement. As of November 15, 2024, WellNow will rejoin the Excellus BCBS provider network. Members will have in-network access to...
Company News
Excellus BCBS expands CNY regional president’s role to include Southern Tier
November 7, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has announced the recent expansion of its Central New York Regional President Mark Muthumbi’s role and responsibilities, which will now include oversight of the Southern Tier region, specifically Broome, Chemung, Chenango,...
Company News
Excellus BCBS Circle of Excellence Awards honor practices for innovative, high-quality patient care
November 7, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield honored Bassett Healthcare Network’s New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) with a Circle of Excellence Award for their high-quality and innovative health care delivery and patient care. NYCAMH...
Company News
Don’t fall for health care related schemes
November 6, 2024
Scammers may try to trick you to share your private information. At this time of year when many people are re-enrolling in health care coverage, we see that scammers increase their activity, so Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has several tips to help you...
Your Health
Excellus BCBS earns accreditation from NCQA
November 2, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield once again earned accreditation across all of its health insurance products from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for 2024, earning four out of five stars. NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to...
Company News
Get ready for peak flu season: Get your flu vaccination
November 1, 2024
By Lorna Fitzpatrick, MD, vice president of medical affairs and senior medical director, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield It’s easy to take a casual approach to flu season when the weather is still nice. Fall in Western New York is a great time of year,...
Your Health
Medicare recognizes Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for quality
October 10, 2024
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its 2025 quality ratings, and again this year recognized Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for its Medicare Advantage plans. This is the 12th consecutive year the health plan has ranked above...
Company News
Excellus BCBS cuts ribbon at new Resource Center of the Mohawk Valley
October 4, 2024
Flanked by members of the community, staff and members of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, Tony Vitagliano, senior vice president provider network engagement & Utica regional president for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield cut the ribbon at the...
Company News
One call helped Frank lower his drug costs
September 9, 2024
For Medicare member Frank Pecora, making a call to Customer Care at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield meant finding medications he could afford. The 75-year-old is one of thousands of members who call the number on the back of their member card and benefit...
Affordability
In-network vs. out-of-network care
September 6, 2024
When you go to a healthcare provider that is "out-of-network," it means they don’t accept your insurance. This usually means you'll have to pay more for the same services compared to using an "in-network" provider, who does accept your insurance. ...
Affordability
Excellus BCBS and WellBe Senior Medical collaborate to bring in-home care to those in need
September 6, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is teaming up with WellBe Senior Medical, an independent company, to help some of our Medicare Advantage members. This program will bring care right to the homes of members who need it the most. These members often have...
Affordability
I joined a meeting and found my new best friend
September 5, 2024
“It has been common for me in other workplaces to be the only brown person or Indian person,” notes Archana (Archie) Nair, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield internal communications associate. Archie grew up in India and moved to the United States in...
Working Here
Excellus BCBS recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers 2024
August 21, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a local non-profit Health Plan, is proud to announce its recognition by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for New York State in 2024. "This recognition holds special meaning because being a local health...
Company News
Health care providers give Excellus BCBS high scores in latest satisfaction survey
August 15, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has announced the results of their 2023 Provider Satisfaction Survey, receiving a 78 percent overall provider satisfaction score. The survey, conducted last fall, was expanded to include all behavioral health providers,...
Company News
New partnership helps those with chronic kidney disease
August 14, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield members with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be eligible for a new program, REACH Kidney Care*, that helps improve care and quality of life while delaying the need for more costly interventions such as...
Affordability
Excellus BCBS appoints Susie Hume, Senior VP Corporate Development & Strategy, Chief Risk Officer
August 5, 2024
Susie Hume has been appointed senior vice president corporate development and strategy, chief risk officer at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Hume most recently served as vice president of Human Resources Strategic Business Partnerships where she...
Company News
Excellus BCBS recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Women 2024
July 23, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is proud to announce its recognition by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Women 2024. This award highlights the organization’s ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where women can...
Company News
Excellus BCBS named to Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion
July 16, 2024
For the fourth consecutive year, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield was named to the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion. Excellus BCBS received a top score of 100% on the 2024 Disability Equality Index®, a national benchmarking survey by...
Company News
Be safe outdoors: what you need to know about Lyme disease
July 10, 2024
Summer is a time to work in the garden, visit the dog park, or hit the bike path. It is also a time to be aware of tick-borne illnesses including Lyme disease, and ways to avoid them. Infected ticks can be found across the Northeast, including in...
Your Health
Bonavita, Dowd join Excellus BCBS CNY Regional Advisory Board
June 26, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has named Dr. Louis Bonavita, Jr., and Elin R. Dowd to its Central New York Regional Advisory Board. “As a local health plan, our mission is to help people in our communities live healthier and more secure lives through...
Company News
Excellus BCBS supports access to primary care in Oswego County
June 26, 2024
When two organizations share the same vision for “keeping people healthy” remarkable things can happen through collaboration. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently awarded Oswego Health with Health and Wellness Award funding to support Primary Care at...
Community Impact
New York state rates of birth complications after patients leave the hospital higher than the national average
June 26, 2024
The country’s maternal health crisis goes far beyond the delivery room. New data shows that dangerous, unexpected birth complications often emerge weeks after the patient and baby have left the hospital, with Black patients experiencing these...
Company News
Excellus BCBS supports Oswego County Early Childhood Initiative, commits funding to establish diaper bank
June 26, 2024
To fight the increasing trend of diaper need among lower-income families in Oswego County, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently provided funding in support of the establishment of a diaper bank at the Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance...
Community Impact
Upstate NY health plans support legislation to defend Medicare Advantage plans for seniors
June 25, 2024
Upstate New York health plans are showing their support for recently introduced bipartisan legislation to protect benefits and access to care for hundreds of thousands of people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in upstate New York. ...
Company News
Excellus BCBS appoints Tony Vitagliano as Regional President in the Utica market
June 20, 2024
Antonio (Tony) Vitagliano has been appointed as the regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Utica Market. Excellus BCBS is the largest nonprofit health insurer in upstate New York. With this promotion, Vitagliano will be expanding...
Company News
Statins: A powerful ally for people living with diabetes
June 4, 2024
If you are living with diabetes, you may already know you are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who have diabetes are...
Your Health
The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, CDPHP announce planned affiliation
May 22, 2024
Two of New York’s leading not-for-profit health care companies are teaming up to improve the quality, experience, and affordability of care for residents across the state. CDPHP® and The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, the parent company of...
Company News
How local nonprofits are addressing health disparities
May 14, 2024
The work of six local nonprofit organizations over the past six months to address health disparities has so far reached thousands of individuals in the Finger Lakes Region. These on-going efforts, supported through Health Equity Innovation Award...
Community Impact
Skipping your meds is costly, possibly deadly
By Mona Chitre, Pharm.D. | May 13, 2024
Medication adherence is the fancy term for taking medications as directed. You might assume that patients always adhere to the instructions they’re given when it comes to their meds, but that’s not the case. According to the CDC, 20% to 30% of...
Your Health
Osteoporosis: Make no bones about it, you may be at risk
April 30, 2024
Osteoporosis affects every gender, race, and ethnicity. If you are 65 years or older and you broke a bone that wasn’t the result of a fall, car accident, or other obvious trauma, there’s a good chance it was related to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis...
Your Health
‘Working here had a hand in saving my life,’ says Excellus BCBS employee
April 30, 2024
Since the age of 12, type 1 diabetes has been a part of Tayla Riccio’s life, often altering the course of her day and shaping her choices. “I have a rarer form of type 1,” explains Tayla, a customer care advocate at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “My...
Working Here
Excellus BCBS recognized by Forbes as one of the nation’s best employers for diversity
April 24, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been recognized by Forbes as one of the best employers in the United States for diversity. The health plan was honored among 500 organizations, with 1,000 or more employees, on the list of Forbes Best...
Company News
Mohawk Valley Prenatal & Maternal Support named recipient of Excellus BCBS Health Equity Innovation Award
$30,000 in funding awarded to support doula program | April 4, 2024
Mohawk Valley Prenatal & Maternal Support (MVPMS) has received a $30,000 Health Equity Innovation Award (HEIA) from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield to support their Sister Circle: Black Birth & Breastfeeding Initiative (SC3BI) program. The awards...
Community Impact
Excellus BCBS and WellBe Senior Medical collaborate to bring in-home care to those in need
March 20, 2024
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has announced a new multi-year collaboration with WellBe Senior Medical, an independent company that will bring care directly to the homes of some of their most vulnerable Medicare Advantage members. Members who are...
Affordability
The pursuit of a decade-long dream
March 8, 2024
“I always wanted to go back to college,” recalls Alex Levi, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield vice president of Customer Care. Alex has seen his share of success, working for several years in the telecommunications industry before joining Excellus...
Working Here
Empowering Excellence: Leadership development success
March 5, 2024
“In our organization, professional development and community engagement are highly valued, and employees have opportunities to expand their knowledge, enhance their leadership and networking skills, and actively contribute to the community.” states...
Working Here
Avoid the silent killer
February 1, 2024
More than 120 million Americans have high blood pressure according to the CDC and 11 million of them don’t know it. If left untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. February is...
Your Health
Overuse of antibiotics has deadly results
January 7, 2024
Antibiotics are powerful tools used to treat patients with life-threatening infections, cancer, organ transplants, severe burns, and trauma, but they are being overprescribed and not being taken as directed, which is causing them to be less...
Your Health
