19 DEC 2023 · In this episode of the Community Check In, Dr. Mark Brown, Senior Medical Director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, explores unconscious bias in healthcare. Dr. Brown sheds light on the roots of bias, its impact on patient care and practical steps for both individuals and institutions to address and mitigate its effects. He discusses how to recognize and challenge biases in healthcare interactions, and how Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is actively working to combat unconscious bias through employee resources, diversity training and initiatives prioritizing member experiences.

11 DEC 2023 · We’re in the midst of the holiday season and while it’s often a joyful time filled with family moments, it can also be quite stressful for folks for a variety of reasons. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Hopkins, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, about how we can manage the stress that comes this time of year.

4 DEC 2023 · In this episode of The Community Check-In, Eugene Rozenblyum, Senior Director of Trade Relations and Enterprise Drug Solutions at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, explores the world of biosimilars—a category of drugs that has emerged in the last decade, offering potentially lower-cost alternatives to biologics. He addresses common questions about biosimilars, including their availability globally, the involvement of major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Amgen and the existence of patient assistance programs to alleviate cost concerns.

4 DEC 2023 · In part 1 of this two-part series on loneliness, Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield explores the concept of loneliness and its impact on an individuals' overall wellness. He discusses the factors that disrupt social connections and addresses how to prevent its negative impacts on health and wellbeing

21 NOV 2023 · In this episode of the Community Check-In, Christy Simoncelli, Director of Health Equity at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, delves into the crucial topic of health equity, exploring its meaning and emphasizing why it should matter to everyone. Christy passionately discusses the systemic, socioeconomic, demographic and geographic barriers that hinder communities from achieving optimal health, along with actionable steps to address these inequities.

13 NOV 2023 · What is prediabetes, how is it treated and how can it be prevented? In this episode of the Community Check-In, Lorna Fitzpatrick, vice president of medical affairs for safety net programs and senior medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield answers these important questions about this common but preventable disease. Prediabetes is extremely common, in fact, one third of adults are prediabetic and most don’t even know it. Lorna speaks out about prediabetes in the hopes of helping community members avoid this serious health issue.

10 NOV 2023 · In this episode of The Community Check-In, Nicole Dawley, Senior Director of Pharmacy Strategy and Policy at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, explores the complex world of weight management drugs. Nicole provides valuable insights into the background of the obesity epidemic, the science behind these medications and the importance of integrating them into a comprehensive weight management program.

31 OCT 2023 · In this episode of The Community Check-In, we're joined by Elisa Brescia, Regional Medicare Consultant for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, who is simplifying the complexities of Medicare. Medicare can often appear confusing with its multitude of plans, enrollment rules and eligibility criteria. Elisa takes us through the essential aspects of Medicare, including who is eligible, when and how to enroll and the significance of the Annual Election Period (AEP). Whether you're approaching age 65 or looking to make informed changes to your Medicare coverage, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand and navigate the world of Medicare.

23 OCT 2023 · In this episode of The Community Check-In, Renee Sabin-Haggerty, Clinical Pharmacist and Director of Medicare Part D Strategy & Operations at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield gives valuable tips on how people with Medicare can save money on their prescription medications and stay healthy. Renee discusses the ways to cut prescription costs, government programs that can help, recent law changes and tips for managing diabetes. This episode is full of helpful advice to help Medicare members make smart decisions about their health and finances as they get older.

16 OCT 2023 · In this episode of the Community Check-In, BJ Adigun, director of safety net community partnerships and engagement at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, sheds light on the various avenues to obtain health insurance, from individual and family plans to options for businesses, all while emphasizing the importance of preventive care. BJ breaks down eligibility criteria for different plans, including Medicaid, Essential Plans and Child Health Plus, and also discusses the reintroduction of annual recertification for certain plans. Whether you're an individual, a family or a business owner, this episode provides valuable insights into finding the right health insurance coverage to meet your specific needs.