News Releases

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

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 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

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...

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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

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...

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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

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield appoints Lisa White as Chief Administrative Officer

November 14, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Lisa White has been appointed as Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. White, in her new role, has also joined the company’s executive leadership team. Lisa White White started her career at the...

Corporate

Hospitalizations from flu are highest in over a decade

November 14, 2022 | Rochester, NY

The hospitalization rate from flu cases at this point in the year is higher than the rate observed at this same point during previous flu seasons going back to 2010-2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of late October,...

Corporate

Don’t Fall for Health Care Related Schemes

October 27, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Scammers may try to trick you out of your private information. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has several tips to help you avoid scammers and stay safe. “All of us should be vigilant year round, and even more so in the fall during open enrollment...

Corporate

More Than 60 Summer 2023 Internship Positions Will Be Available at Excellus BCBS

October 27, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Starting now through November 22, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is posting more than 60 internship opportunities for Summer 2023 for college students at its locations in upstate New York. Summer internship positions currently available include jobs in...

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 | Rochester, 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. ...

Corporate

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

October 4, 2022 | Utica, 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. ...

Utica

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

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

October 4, 2022 | Syracuse, 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. ...

Central New York

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

October 4, 2022 | Rochester, 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. Excellus BCBS also finished as the: Highest ranked company headquartered in the...

Rochester

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

Excellus BCBS names Dajia Richardson as Rochester region community investments and partnerships manager

July 19, 2022 | Rochester, NY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently named Dajia Richardson 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 improving...

Rochester

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,...

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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