Latest news with #BlueCrossofIdaho
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Wire
Blue Cross of Idaho Partners with Greater Good Health to Enable Value-Based Care Delivery for Members
MERIDIAN, Idaho & EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue Cross of Idaho and Greater Good Health announced a strategic partnership that will improve access to high-quality, value-based care for Blue Cross of Idaho's Medicare Advantage members. Granite Financial Holdings, LLC, the investment affiliate of Blue Cross of Idaho, is investing in Greater Good Health to fund the development of senior-focused primary care clinics and other clinical services to drive improved health outcomes for Blue Cross of Idaho's Medicare Advantage members. 'We are proud to partner with Blue Cross to offer seniors the high-quality, value-based care they deserve.' Sylvia Hastanan, Founder and CEO of Greater Good Health 'Blue Cross of Idaho is driven to find the right care at the right time for our members, especially for seniors on our Medicare Advantage plans,' said Drew Hobby, Chief Strategy Officer for Blue Cross of Idaho. 'Greater Good Health has a strong emphasis on tailoring a healthcare experience to the unique needs of seniors, such as unhurried appointments, convenience and a whole-person approach to care. These factors, combined with their collaboration with provider groups, have delivered strong health-outcomes and high patient satisfaction scores. We're excited about our new partnership for our members in Bonneville and Jefferson counties.' Greater Good Health delivers clinical programs designed to advance value-based care, enhance the capacity of healthcare organizations to serve vulnerable populations, and expand patient access to care. Central to all of Greater Good Health clinical programs is a committment to improving clinical outcomes and delivering an exceptional patient experience. 'Nationwide shortages of primary care physicians have created significant barriers to accessing care, a challenge that is even more pronounced in regions like Idaho, where seniors may wait months for a primary care appointment,' said Sylvia Hastanan, founder and CEO of Greater Good Health. 'We are proud to partner with Blue Cross to offer seniors the high-quality, value-based care they deserve.' Greater Good Health and Blue Cross of Idaho are planning to have their first senior-focused primary care clinic open in Idaho Falls, Idaho later this year with additional future locations to be determined. About Greater Good Health Greater Good Health is a healthcare organization enabling and expanding access to value-based care. Through an innovative Nurse Practitioner-centric model, Greater Good Health partners with health plans to build primary care practices in underserved communities, and partners with risk-bearing organizations to deploy private-labeled clinical programs that enable the shift to value-based, outcomes-focused care. Greater Good Health's proven care model and clinical programs benefit patients, providers, and payers alike, improving outcomes, reducing costs, and delivering a best-in-class patient experience. About Granite Financial Holdings Granite Financial Holdings, LLC is the investment affiliate of Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc. and a subsidiary of Gemstone Holdings, Inc. an Idaho-based, non-profit mutual insurance holding company dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve by working to improve access to care, lower the cost of care and by offering innovative solutions to help individuals live healthier lives. About Blue Cross of Idaho Blue Cross of Idaho is the State of Idaho's oldest and largest health insurer, and the only Idaho-based insurer serving the entire state. Blue Cross of Idaho has a broad portfolio of health plans for employers of all sizes, as well as individual and Medicare plans offering innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of Idahoans and Idaho-based employers. Blue Cross of Idaho Health Service, Inc. is an affiliate of Granite Financial Holdings, LLC and a subsidiary of Gemstone Holdings, Inc.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Blue Cross of Idaho, Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition partner up for Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
In 2018, Idaho providers prescribed opioids to 61 out of every 100 persons, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. (Getty Images) In the relentless grip of the opioid epidemic, a surge of tragedies has changed our communities, destroyed families and taken lives. Since 2000, the United States has seen a dramatic rise in drug overdose-related deaths, including prescription opioids. According to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug-involved overdoses have doubled since 2015, with approximately 107,000 people dying from a drug-involved overdose. Need to get rid of old prescriptions? East Idaho drop off sites open April 26. Opioid-related deaths aren't just in the streets of Stockton or the alleyways of Portland, but rather, opioid death touches the lives of everyone in our community. These numbers are rising as the opioid epidemic continues to affect communities across the country — and Idaho is not immune. According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, in 2022, there were 270 opioid-related deaths across the state and 755 emergency room visits relating to an opioid overdose emergency. Opioids are often referred to as narcotics and are medications that doctors prescribe to alleviate pain. There are many types of prescribed opioids, such as codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone and morphine. They are used by people of all ages and walks of life for those suffering from ailments, recovering from an injury or surgery, and needing relief from pain. As we have seen the opioid epidemic sweep across the country, we know opioids can be highly addictive and highly devastating. When opioids are used to manage pain for long periods, the risk of addiction rises. A prolonged period of taking opioids puts a person at risk of relying on the drug for survival. This problem is more common than it seems, with opioid overdoses taking the lives of 90 people by accident daily, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Idaho's youth is no exception to this epidemic. According to the Idaho Healthy Youth Survey, most Idaho students do not misuse prescription drugs. However, of those that do, 72.8% of them said they misuse pain relievers, 30.7% misuse depressants and 30.7% misuse stimulants. Additionally, students who misuse prescription drugs say they do so within their own homes. Blue Cross of Idaho and the Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition are proud to partner for the sixth time to host Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Since 2018, our annual partnership has safely disposed of approximately 1.9 tons of unwanted medication. On April 27, 2024, bring all your old, expired, and unwanted medications to Blue Cross of Idaho's headquarters in Meridian to safely dispose of these substances. Our event is an opportunity to clean out that medicine cabinet and see what is expired and should be disposed of before possibly getting into the wrong hands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted that take-back programs are the best way to dispose of unused or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines safely. Opioid addiction and abuse know no bounds to who it affects; addiction does not discriminate, affecting all ages and backgrounds. It is a disease that affects families, friends, neighbors, and people we love, and maybe has affected us personally. Join us in making a positive and long-lasting effect on our community and potentially saving a life by turning in your household prescription medications. Our take-back site is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 and in Blue Cross of Idaho's parking lot. We hope to see you there. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
