Enhancing access to care

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 our members and ensuring they have access to quality, affordable healthcare.

We are proud to share how our collaborative efforts, innovative programs, and dedication to patient care are making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.

When providers and insurers collaborate to improve access to care, they can significantly impact their communities. "Just as coordination and collaboration have better ensured quality care for patients, they have also helped us to address health disparities," Massa states. "Part of being a good doctor means getting to know your patients; we recognize that our network of providers has strong relationships with the people they care for, and that trust leads to better outcomes and greater access."

A prime example in Central New York is Cayuga Health Partners (CHP), a proud partner of Excellus BCBS. This clinically integrated network of primary care and specialty physicians, in conjunction with Cayuga Health System, has established a closed-loop referral process that integrates social needs screening, connects patients directly to community resources, and provides direct feedback to providers.

"CHP sets the bar high for the work it has done to help underserved populations through healthcare and social services interventions," Massa adds. CHP CEO Rob Lawlis shares, "We are leading the region with our commitment to health equity and developing health equity capabilities." The program called "We Ask Because We Care" invites patients to answer optional questions about race, ethnicity, and gender identity, which helps identify groups that may not be receiving adequate care.