News Releases

Excellus BCBS Earns 85 percent in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-24 Corporate Equality Index

November 30, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has received a score of 85 percent out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices...

Corporate

Seasonal Depression and the Holiday Blues

November 13, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Some people love the cold weather months. For others, this time of year leaves them feeling sad, depressed or even lonely. Geoffrey Hopkins, MD, senior medical director of behavioral health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, answers some questions about...

Corporate

Learn your risk for taking a fall

November 10, 2023 | Rochester, NY

A simple test can help identify individuals at risk for a fall. It’s called the Timed Up and Go test, or TUG test, and anyone can do it at home. “Falls are not a normal part of aging and can be prevented,” says Excellus BlueCross BlueShield...

Corporate

The right meds at the best value

November 7, 2023 | ROCHESTER, NY

An Excellus BlueCross BlueShield program is focusing on medication safety while saving millions of dollars in prescription drug costs. The program, Pharmacy Concierge, is available to most midsize and large employers through the health plan. ...

Corporate

More Than 60 Summer 2024 Internship Positions Will Be Available at Excellus BCBS

November 7, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Now through late November, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is posting more than 60 internship opportunities for Summer 2024 for college students at its locations in upstate New York. Summer internship positions currently available include jobs in...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS Awards Hospitals $28 Million for Quality Improvements

October 31, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Thirty-one upstate New York hospitals and health centers earned a combined $28 million in quality improvement payments from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield last year as part of the nonprofit health insurer’s Hospital Performance Incentive Program. Since...

Corporate

Don’t Fall for Health Care Related Schemes

October 30, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Scammers may try to trick you out of 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...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS announces 2023 Health Equity Innovation Award recipients

October 25, 2023 | Rochester

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield announced today the recipients of its 2023 Health Equity Innovation Awards. The awards represent more than $520,000 in financial support for community programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities across the...

Corporate

Vaccines for COVID-19, Flu, and RSV are available

What to know to be protected this fall and winter

October 20, 2023 | Rochester, NY

This fall, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all Americans consult with their health care provider about receiving vaccines for COVID-19 and seasonal influenza (flu). In addition, an RSV vaccine may be recommended by...

Corporate

Join the movement - Help grow the blood stem cell donor registry

Seventy percent of African Americans who need a blood or bone marrow donor won’t find a match

October 17, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Each year in the U.S., more than 18,000 people are diagnosed with life-threatening blood cancers or other blood disorders that could be cured or treated with a blood stem cell transplant, according to Be The Match/the National Marrow Donor Program. For...

Corporate

Medicare Recognizes Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for Quality

October 13, 2023 | Rochester

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its 2024 quality ratings, and again this year recognized Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for its Medicare Advantage plans. This is the eleventh consecutive year the health plan has ranked...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS names Kim McKinsey-Mabry, EdD, as Rochester region Community Investments and Partnerships Manager

October 9, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently named Kim McKinsey-Mabry, EdD, as community investments and partnerships manager for the company's Rochester region. Her responsibilities in this role include overseeing strategic investments with the goal of...

Rochester

Excellus BCBS appoints Simone E. Edwards, DrPH, MPH as VP Health Equity and Community Investments

October 2, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield announces the appointment of Simone E. Edwards, DrPH, MPH as vice president health equity and community investments, reinforcing the health plan’s unwavering commitment to a more equitable and inclusive health care...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS recognized by Forbes as one of New York state’s best employers

September 26, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Jim Reed Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been recognized by Forbes as one of the best employers in New York state. Forbes ranked Excellus BCBS 14th overall in New York in its 2023 list of America’s Best Employers By Stateopens new tab to different...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS Medicaid HMO among the nation’s best-rated

September 21, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is one of just 13 health plans nationwide to earn 4.5 stars (out of a possible five) and accreditation for its Medicaid HMO from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS members have new options to a top-selling drug

September 6, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield members living with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and plaque psoriasis, and who use HUMIRA® to address pain and inflammation, now have additional treatment options covered by the...

Corporate

Nonprofits Can Now Apply for Excellus BCBS Health Equity Innovation Award Funding

August 14, 2023 | Corporate

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is once again inviting nonprofit organizations to apply for 2023 Health Equity Innovation Award (HEIA) funding. The awards help fund health and wellness programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities in upstate...

Corporate

Preventing readmissions after a hospital stay

August 9, 2023 | Rochester, NY

About one in ten patients discharged from the hospital are readmitted within 30 days, according to the most recent dataopens new tab to different site available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.* “For planned hospital admissions,...

Corporate

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield funding supports overdose awareness and families facing substance use disorder in Central New York

July 25, 2023 | Syracuse, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently awarded grant funding to two Central New York organizations dedicated to assisting our local communities in the fight against overdose deaths and to healing family relationships wounded by the scourge of substance...

CNY Southern Tier

Excellus BCBS Selects Four New Regional Advisory Board Members

July 20, 2023 | Utica, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has named Lisa Betrus, Justin Hummel, Kelly Walters, and Dr. Mario Victoria to its regional advisory board. "As a local health plan our mission is to help people in our communities live healthier and more secure lives...

Utica

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Vice-President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Receives Leadership Award

July 13, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Sady Alvarado-Fischer, Vice-President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, has been selected as a “Healthcare Diversity Leader” by the National Diversity Council. Sady will be formally recognized for her leadership...

Corporate

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield named to the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion^®

July 11, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is pleased to be named to the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield received a top score of 100 percent on the 2023 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a national benchmarking survey by...

Corporate

Prepare your child for peak asthma season

June 30, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Dr. Lisa Harris If you have a child with asthma, now is the time to revisit their asthma action plan so you are prepared for the annual increase in asthma attacks that occurs each year as kids return to the classroom. A dramatic rise in the number of...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS announces new CNY Regional Advisory Board members

June 16, 2023 | Syracuse, NY

Michael C. Backus Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has named Michael C. Backus, Derrick L. Murry, MPH, and Robert Weisenthal, MD, to its Central New York Regional Advisory Board. “As a local health plan, our mission is to help people in our communities...

Central New York

Ask the Expert: Q&A with BJ Adigun of Excellus BCBS

June 9, 2023 | Rochester

How a recent change may impact upstate New Yorkers with Medicaid, Essential Plan or Child Health Plus BJ Adigun If you or a family member are one of the more than 1.3 million* upstate New Yorkers with Medicaid, Essential Plan or Child Health Plus, you...

Corporate

Know the signs of heat exhaustion

June 5, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Lorna Fitzpatrick, M.D. We’ve already had some sizzling days, and there will be many more this summer. Not everyone responds to the heat in the same way, and for some people, a stretch of high temperatures can be deadly. Heat-related illness, known...

Corporate

Marketing menthol cigarettes to Black youth – An unfortunate success

May 24, 2023 | Syracuse, NY

More than 70% of Black young people ages 12 to 17 who smoke use menthol cigarettes. Of Black smokers ages 18 to 24, 93% started with menthol cigarettes. In 2019, approximately 85% of non-Hispanic Black or African American adults who smoked used menthol...

Utica

Marketing menthol cigarettes to Black youth – An unfortunate success

May 24, 2023 | Syracuse, NY

More than 70% of Black young people ages 12 to 17 who smoke use menthol cigarettes. Of Black smokers ages 18 to 24, 93% started with menthol cigarettes. In 2019, approximately 85% of non-Hispanic Black or African American adults who smoked used menthol...

Central New York

Don’t accept falling as part of aging

May 22, 2023 | Rochester, NY

More than 1 in 4 older adults (28%) in the U.S. report falling each year, according to an Excellus BlueCross BlueShield review of the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That translates to about 36...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS recognized by the American Heart Association for commitments to workforce wellbeing

May 18, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Awarded silver level recognition for the Association’s 2022 Workforce Well-being Scorecard™ The American Heart Association has awarded Excellus BlueCross BlueShield national silver level recognition for its commitments to employee health and wellbeing...

Corporate

Safe backyard grilling reduces injuries and protects property

May 15, 2023 | Rochester, NY

More than 19,000 people in the U.S. are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for injuries involving grills, according to data compiled by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and reviewed by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. About half...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS recognized by Forbes as one of the nation’s best employers for diversity

May 4, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been recognized by Forbes as one of the best employers in America for diversity. Excellus BCBS was one of 500 companies on the Forbes Best Employers for Diversity 2023 list. Excellus BCBS ranked 135th...

Corporate

Don’t accept osteoporosis as part of aging

May 2, 2023 | Rochester, NY

An estimated 10 million Americans aged 50 years and older have osteoporosis and 20% of them (2 million) are male, according to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Promotion. An additional 43 million people — including 16 million men — have low...

Corporate

Happy Spring: Now get outside and do your brain and body good

April 13, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Amanda Shanahan We made it: Spring is here! I welcome this change of seasons with open arms. There’s just something about spring: Seeing green return to the landscape and watching new life unfold always makes me feel rejuvenated. Even the...

Corporate

A Simple Act Can Save a Life Register to be an organ donor

March 31, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Approximately 10,000 New York state residents are waiting for transplants of organ, eye, and tissue donations that could save their life or make their quality of life better, according to a review of state data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. The...

Corporate

Be a savvy health care consumer

February 17, 2023 | Syracuse, NY

Syracuse, NY – Managing your health care, or the care of a loved one, can be overwhelming, especially if complex medical conditions are involved, or the list of providers and prescriptions is long. Here are easy ways to keep it all under control. Get...

Central New York

Be a savvy health care consumer

February 17, 2023 | Rochester, NY

ROCHESTER, NY – Managing your health care, or the care of a loved one, can be overwhelming, especially if complex medical conditions are involved, or the list of providers and prescriptions is long. Here are easy ways to keep it all under control. ...

Rochester

Forbes names Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as second-best midsize employer in America

February 15, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Rochester, NY – Excellus BlueCross BlueShield was ranked #2 on the Forbes 2023 list of America’s Best Midsize Employers. “We’re a top employer in America thanks to our employees, who take great pride in our culture of passionately serving our customers...

Corporate

Planning your wellness journey

January 23, 2023 | Rochester, NY

ROCHESTER, NY – The new year is a great time to focus on overall wellness and take steps to improve in all areas of life. “Each day presents a new opportunity to practice self-care,” says Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, senior medical director of behavioral...

Corporate

Heart attack or cardiac arrest? How to spot, and what to do

January 10, 2023 | Rochester, NY

You’ve heard the terms “heart attack” and “cardiac arrest,” but do you really know what they mean? Each describes a life-threatening cardiac event but understanding the difference could help you save someone’s life. Lorna Fitzpatrick “A...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS appoints three new senior leaders

January 5, 2023 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has appointed three new members to its senior leadership team. Mona Chitre, PharmD; Lisa Harris, M.D.; and Tony Vitagliano will take on new roles as part of the health plan’s Population Health Engagement leadership team...

Corporate

Why Am I Hearing So Much About RSV And What Can I Do To Keep Healthy This Winter?

From a surge in RSV cases to COVID and the flu, the news headlines can feel overwhelming. We sat down with Dr. Lisa Harris to get answers to some of your most asked questions.

December 19, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Q: Dr. Harris, we are hearing a lot in the news about respiratory syncytial virus – or RSV – and how cases are soaring. What is RSV and who should be worried about it? Dr. Lisa Y. Harris RSV is a respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like...

Corporate

Q&A on Medicare Basics with Ryan Dolan, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Consultant Manager

November 21, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Are you newly Medicare eligible (turning 65), planning to retire soon, or have had Medicare for years and wonder if you’re in the right plan? Regardless, Medicare can be confusing. Ryan Dolan, Medicare Consultant Manager at Excellus BlueCross...

Corporate

Awareness is important but mammograms can save lives

October 27, 2022 | Rochester, NY

In New York state, an estimated 82.2% of females received breast cancer screening within the past two years, meaning nearly 18% of individuals are not following breast cancer screening guidelines*, according to a review of state data by Excellus...

Rochester

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield awards grants to address maternal health disparities

October 17, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield today announced the first round of recipients of Member and Community Health Improvement (MACHI) grants to improve maternal health and health equity in upstate New York. Eight nonprofit organizations in the health plan’s 39...

Corporate

Vets helping vets: A new Medicare plan targeting the needs of veterans

October 12, 2022 | Utica, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will offer a Medicare Advantage plan in 2023 targeting the needs of local veterans. Karen Bodley “We all know how important it is to honor the service of local veterans,” said Karen Bodley, vice president, Medicare at...

Utica

Vets helping vets: A new Medicare plan targeting the needs of veterans

October 12, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will offer a Medicare Advantage plan in 2023 targeting the needs of local veterans. Karen Bodley “We all know how important it is to honor the service of local veterans,” said Karen Bodley, vice president, Medicare at...

Rochester

Vets helping vets: A new Medicare plan targeting the needs of veterans

October 12, 2022 | Elmira, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will offer a Medicare Advantage plan in 2023 targeting the needs of local veterans. Karen Bodley “We all know how important it is to honor the service of local veterans,” said Karen Bodley, vice president,...

CNY Southern Tier

Vets helping vets: A new Medicare plan targeting the needs of veterans

October 12, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will offer a Medicare Advantage plan in 2023 targeting the needs of local veterans. Karen Bodley “We all know how important it is to honor the service of local veterans,” said Karen Bodley, vice president,...

Corporate

Vets helping vets: A new Medicare plan targeting the needs of veterans

October 12, 2022 | Syracuse, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will offer a Medicare Advantage plan in 2023 targeting the needs of local veterans. Karen Bodley “We all know how important it is to honor the service of local veterans,” said Karen Bodley, vice president, Medicare at...

Central New York

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield again receives high plan ratings from Medicare

October 7, 2022 | All Regions

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its 2023 quality ratings. Excellus BCBS again achieved some of the highest ratings in the state and the nation for quality performance in clinical care and outstanding service to its...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS recognized by Forbes as one of New York state’s best employers

October 4, 2022 | Elmira, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been recognized by Forbes as one of the best employers in New York state. In New York state, Excellus BCBS was ranked 19th overall. The Health Plan also finished as the highest ranked insurance company in the state. ...

CNY Southern Tier

Monkeypox Q&A

October 3, 2022 | Rochester, NY

With the United States experiencing an outbreak of the monkeypox virus, Kathleen Robischon, MD, answers some common questions about the disease. Dr. Robischon is a senior medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Please note:...

Corporate

Tips to deal with the high cost of prescription medications

September 27, 2022 | All Regions

Nearly one in five adults (18%) reported that they or a family member skipped prescribed medicine at least once in the prior 12 months to save money, according to a recent survey from Gallup and West Health. “Although higher costs may be causing...

Corporate

Tips to deal with the high cost of prescription medications

September 27, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Nearly one in five adults (18%) reported that they or a family member skipped prescribed medicine at least once in the prior 12 months to save money, according to a recent survey from Gallup and West Health. “Although higher costs may be causing many...

Rochester

Tips to deal with the high cost of prescription medications

September 27, 2022 | Syracuse, NY

Nearly one in five adults (18%) reported that they or a family member skipped prescribed medicine at least once in the prior 12 months to save money, according to a recent survey from Gallup and West Health. “Although higher costs may be causing many...

Central New York

Commit to Staying at Your Summer Weight

September 23, 2022 | Rochester, NY

It’s so much easier to maintain a healthy weight when the weather is warm because you’re out of the house and on the move. You’re cutting the lawn, playing golf, walking the dog each evening with the other pet parents on the block, and you’re sweating …...

Corporate

Breast cancer awareness is important, but mammograms can save lives

September 21, 2022 | Rochester, NY

In New York state, 83% of individuals who are recommended to have a mammogram are following the state’s screening guidelines, a percentage that’s been stable for two decades according to a review of state data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. That...

Corporate

Breast cancer awareness is important, but mammograms can save lives

September 21, 2022 | Elmira, NY

In New York state, 83% of individuals who are recommended to have a mammogram are following the state’s screening guidelines, a percentage that’s been stable for two decades according to a review of state data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. That...

CNY Southern Tier

Breast cancer awareness is important, but mammograms can save lives

September 21, 2022 | Syracuse, NY

In New York state, 83% of individuals who are recommended to have a mammogram are following the state’s screening guidelines, a percentage that’s been stable for two decades according to a review of state data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. That...

Central New York

Breast cancer awareness is important, but mammograms can save lives

September 21, 2022 | Utica, NY

In New York state, 83% of individuals who are recommended to have a mammogram are following the state’s screening guidelines, a percentage that’s been stable for two decades according to a review of state data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. That...

Utica

NCQA Releases 2022 Health Plan Ratings

September 19, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has just received its 2022 ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The following ratings (based on a 5 Star rating system) reflect 2021 plan performance across all lines of business. 4.5...

Corporate

Community leaders join Excellus BCBS Governing Boards and Regional Advisory Boards

September 1, 2022 | Rochester, NY

ROCHESTER, NY – Two community leaders have joined the Regional Advisory and Governing Boards of Excellus Health Plan, Inc., and its parent and subsidiary companies. Seanelle Hawkins, Ed.D., President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester, has been...

Rochester

Community leaders join Excellus BCBS Governing Boards and Regional Advisory Boards

September 1, 2022 | Rochester, NY

ROCHESTER, NY – Two community leaders have joined the Regional Advisory and Governing Boards of Excellus Health Plan, Inc., and its parent and subsidiary companies. Seanelle Hawkins, Ed.D., President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester, has been...

Corporate

One third of adults are prediabetic and most don’t know it

August 22, 2022 | Rochester, NY

One in three adults in the U.S. – or about 88 million Americans – has prediabetes, yet more than 80 percent of them don’t know it, according to an Excellus BlueCross BlueShield review of current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS named to the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion^®

July 20, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is pleased to be named to the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion after receiving a top score of 100 percent on the 2022 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a national benchmarking survey by Disability:IN and the...

Corporate

Excellus BCBS announces new CNY Regional Advisory Board members

July 19, 2022 | Syracuse, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has named Jeremy Klemanski, John M. Marraffa, Jr., and William J. Simmons, Esq., 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...

Central New York

Uncomfortable topics: Promoting open dialogue between patient and provider

July 1, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield regularly conducts health outcome surveys of a random sampling of its Medicare members to learn about their relationship with their health care providers and the conversations they have (or don’t have) about topics...

Corporate

Cervical Cancer Screening Saves Lives

June 8, 2022 | Rochester, NY

In New York state, 20 percent of individuals who are eligible for cervical cancer screening are not following the screening guidelines, despite the evidence that screening saves lives. A review of data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield found that...

Corporate

Well-child visits over summer break: Book them now

May 4, 2022 | Rochester, NY

It’s not too early to arrange the medical and dental visits your kids will need over the summer break from school. With planning, you’ll be able to easily fit the well-child visits, camp physicals, and dental check-ups into your schedule of day trips,...

Corporate

Medication Adherence - Importance of taking medication as directed

April 21, 2022 | Rochester, NY

The World Health Organization says that getting more patients to take their medications as directed, known as medication adherence, may have a greater impact on the health of the population than any improvement in specific medical treatments. But,...

Corporate

Lives are saved through organ donation – register today

March 25, 2022 | Syracuse, NY

More than 8,500 New York state residents are waiting for an organ transplant that can save their life, according to a review of state data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Unfortunately, time will run out for around 500 of them, as that is the average...

CNY Southern Tier

Excellus BCBS Partnering with Civica to Increase Access to Affordable Insulin

Civica to manufacture and distribute three insulins for $30 or less per vial

March 3, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Today, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and other Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies joined Civica’s initiative to manufacture and distribute affordable insulins that, once approved, will be...

Corporate