Latest news with #Highmark
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Light up the night: when, where you can watch Erie's annual fireworks show
The vibrant eruption of color and thundering sound returns to the the skies over Presque Isle Bay on July Joe Schember announced on June 5 that the city's annual Lights Over Lake Erie fireworks display returns to Dobbins Landing one day before the July 4 holiday. The fireworks show, presented once again by Pyrotecnico Fireworks of New Castle, will begin at 10 p.m. 'We are grateful that we can continue this tradition,' Schember said, noting that the event is co-sponsored by Highmark and the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority. The event is funded in part by a $15,000 events grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.'We know how much these fireworks mean to the community,' said Julie Slomski, the Port Authority's executive director. As is the case annually, residents and visitors can view the fireworks from various vantage points along Erie's waterfront, including the east and west bayfront bluffs and Bayview Park near East Second and Cherry streets; Presque Isle State Park; from a boat in Presque Isle Bay, or from almost anywhere that provides a view of the Bicentennial Tower. Gabi Watson, the city's events manager, said Dobbins Landing and the lower State Street area will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event. The Erie Parking Authority will provide free parking at select downtown parking garages for those attending the fireworks. That includes the garages near West Seventh/West Eighth and Peach streets and East Eighth and French streets. The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority will run free shuttle buses to/from downtown areas near those garages, Watson said. More information is available at Citizens can also check the city's Facebook page for updates. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie fireworks: City releases 2025 schedule of events
Business Journals
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield expands virtual care to include pelvic health, joint pain
Highmark is continuing its efforts to increase access to health care by offering new ways for members to receive care virtually. The most recent addition is Virtual Pelvic Health, Bloom by Sword, a program designed to address pelvic health dysfunction, such as bladder issues, chronic pelvic pain and other symptoms. Highmark introduced it in July 2024 and has since seen more than 10,000 members enroll. 'Virtual care is an important part of Highmark's overall Living Health strategy,' said Mari Vandenburgh, vice president of health programs and solutions. 'Highmark believes it's our responsibility to make it easier for members to access the care they need when they need it,' Vandenburgh said. 'As an integrated health system, we are in a unique position to break down barriers to care by offering ease of access and use through our virtual solutions that can complement the care members are receiving in person with their provider of choice.' A new approach The Virtual Pelvic Health program is Highmark's second with Sword Health Inc., a New York-based AI health company that specializes in digital health solutions. It is part of Highmark's benefits and available to eligible health plan members at no additional out-of- pocket cost. Participants simply enroll in the program through the My Highmark app or member portal. Once enrolled, participants are matched with a pelvic health clinician and receive an FDA-listed insertable device and access to a mobile app. A personalized set of pelvic floor exercises are recommended, and the sensor and app work together to monitor the force, endurance and accuracy of the pelvic floor muscles during the exercises. 'That real-time feedback helps participants maximize their results,' Vandenburgh said. 'The Virtual Pelvic Health program provides convenient, on-demand access to pelvic floor care that is focused on both strengthening and relaxation,' she said. 'The combination of the sensor and the feedback that a user receives in the app really helps to monitor progress in their program. The app also provides educational resources to individuals that help to support behavior change and habit formation in the population of individuals that could benefit from pelvic floor support.' Participants have reported significant improvements in their quality of life, including a reduction in symptoms they previously experienced. Additionally, the program has helped alleviate the stigma often associated with pelvic floor conditions, improving mental health. Virtual joint health The Virtual Pelvic Health program follows Highmark's introduction of Virtual Joint Health, Thrive by Sword to self-funded plans in 2022. In that program, a licensed physical therapist assigns a series of exercises for people looking to alleviate musculoskeletal pain based on their specific goals. Participants then receive a tablet they can use at home as they complete the exercises. The tablet is equipped with advanced motion sensing technology to provide real-time feedback and ensure people use proper form. It also shares data with their physical care specialist to monitor progress and, if necessary, adjust their recommended exercise plan to better accommodate their needs. 'It really enables members to address their joint health needs at the time that's most convenient for them,' Vandenburgh said. 'They can do the exercises in the comfort of their own home, and it reduces the barriers of time and access to care if there are delays in getting appointments.' In 2024, the insurer expanded it to fully insured plans. So far, more than 36,000 Highmark members have enrolled in the program. The feedback has been positive, Vandenburgh said, with 88% of participants describing it as easy to use and 72% completing the program. Health outcomes also have been strong, with 69% of participants reporting a significant improvement in their joint pain and 35% reduction in the intent to pursue surgery to address their pain. 'Another positive outcome that users report is that 26% say they saw an improvement in their work and productivity impairment,' she said. 'We're also monitoring the behavioral health impacts of joint health and increasing screenings for depression and anxiety.' Expanded reach Highmark's virtual care offerings include a virtual triage tool, virtual primary care, a virtual urgent care clinic and virtual specialty care clinics for behavioral health, women's health and dermatology, as well as a digital diabetes management solution. Offering on-demand, virtual care helps people get the care they need to improve their health while lowering costs, Vandenburgh said. The Virtual Joint Health program, for example, has reduced costs by $112 per member per month in comparison to a control group. That savings can then be reinvested back into delivering a remarkable health experience, so it's easier for members to engage and manage their health. 'Virtual Joint Health and Virtual Pelvic Health deliver a win-win combination by boosting employer productivity and lowering cost, while simultaneously enabling employees convenient access to care and improved quality of life,' she said. 'We see continued growth in engagement and enrollment in our digital solutions and programs year over year.' To learn more visit Lauren Lawley Head is a freelance writer.
Business Journals
7 days ago
- Health
- Business Journals
Highmark Blue Shield expands virtual care to include pelvic health, joint pain
Highmark is continuing its efforts to increase access to health care by offering new ways for members to receive care virtually. The most recent addition is Virtual Pelvic Health, Bloom by Sword, a program designed to address pelvic health dysfunction, such as bladder issues, chronic pelvic pain and other symptoms. Highmark introduced it in July 2024 and has since seen more than 10,000 members enroll. 'Virtual care is an important part of Highmark's overall Living Health strategy,' said Mari Vandenburgh, vice president of health programs and solutions. 'Highmark believes it's our responsibility to make it easier for members to access the care they need when they need it,' Vandenburgh said. 'As an integrated health system, we are in a unique position to break down barriers to care by offering ease of access and use through our virtual solutions that can complement the care members are receiving in person with their provider of choice.' A new approach The Virtual Pelvic Health program is Highmark's second with Sword Health Inc., a New York-based AI health company that specializes in digital health solutions. It is part of Highmark's benefits and available to eligible health plan members at no additional out-of- pocket cost. Participants simply enroll in the program through the My Highmark app or member portal. Once enrolled, participants are matched with a pelvic health clinician and receive an FDA-listed insertable device and access to a mobile app. A personalized set of pelvic floor exercises are recommended, and the sensor and app work together to monitor the force, endurance and accuracy of the pelvic floor muscles during the exercises. 'That real-time feedback helps participants maximize their results,' Vandenburgh said. 'The Virtual Pelvic Health program provides convenient, on-demand access to pelvic floor care that is focused on both strengthening and relaxation,' she said. 'The combination of the sensor and the feedback that a user receives in the app really helps to monitor progress in their program. The app also provides educational resources to individuals that help to support behavior change and habit formation in the population of individuals that could benefit from pelvic floor support.' Participants have reported significant improvements in their quality of life, including a reduction in symptoms they previously experienced. Additionally, the program has helped alleviate the stigma often associated with pelvic floor conditions, improving mental health. Virtual joint health The Virtual Pelvic Health program follows Highmark's introduction of Virtual Joint Health, Thrive by Sword to self-funded plans in 2022. In that program, a licensed physical therapist assigns a series of exercises for people looking to alleviate musculoskeletal pain based on their specific goals. Participants then receive a tablet they can use at home as they complete the exercises. The tablet is equipped with advanced motion sensing technology to provide real-time feedback and ensure people use proper form. It also shares data with their physical care specialist to monitor progress and, if necessary, adjust their recommended exercise plan to better accommodate their needs. 'It really enables members to address their joint health needs at the time that's most convenient for them,' Vandenburgh said. 'They can do the exercises in the comfort of their own home, and it reduces the barriers of time and access to care if there are delays in getting appointments.' In 2024, the insurer expanded it to fully insured plans. So far, more than 36,000 Highmark members have enrolled in the program. The feedback has been positive, Vandenburgh said, with 88% of participants describing it as easy to use and 72% completing the program. Health outcomes also have been strong, with 69% of participants reporting a significant improvement in their joint pain and 35% reduction in the intent to pursue surgery to address their pain. 'Another positive outcome that users report is that 26% say they saw an improvement in their work and productivity impairment,' she said. 'We're also monitoring the behavioral health impacts of joint health and increasing screenings for depression and anxiety.' Expanded reach Highmark's virtual care offerings include a virtual triage tool, virtual primary care, a virtual urgent care clinic and virtual specialty care clinics for behavioral health, women's health and dermatology, as well as a digital diabetes management solution. Offering on-demand, virtual care helps people get the care they need to improve their health while lowering costs, Vandenburgh said. The Virtual Joint Health program, for example, has reduced costs by $112 per member per month in comparison to a control group. That savings can then be reinvested back into delivering a remarkable health experience, so it's easier for members to engage and manage their health. 'Virtual Joint Health and Virtual Pelvic Health deliver a win-win combination by boosting employer productivity and lowering cost, while simultaneously enabling employees convenient access to care and improved quality of life,' she said. 'We see continued growth in engagement and enrollment in our digital solutions and programs year over year.' To learn more visit Lauren Lawley Head is a freelance writer.
Business Journals
14-05-2025
- Health
- Business Journals
Highmark's expanded access to high-quality mental health care delivers results
A year after launching a mental and behavioral health platform, Highmark is reporting significant improvements in both access to care and member outcomes. Highmark introduced Mental Well-Being powered by Spring Health in January 2024, now enabling 2.5 million people ages six and up access to mental health care. The tool includes screenings for more than a dozen mental health conditions, the ability to quickly schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with a therapist or psychiatrist and a library of on-demand educational resources. The collaboration is part of Highmark's ongoing commitment to making mental and behavioral health an equal pillar to medical health, said Doug Henry, a clinical psychologist who serves as medical director for Highmark Health's enterprise behavioral health team. Today, Mental Well-Being is available to members across a wide range of Highmark plans, including commercial fully insured and self-funded, Affordable Care Act, Medicare Advantage and the Pennsylvania Children's Health Insurance Program. 'Mental health is a key part of whole-person health,' Henry said. 'You can never talk about someone's mental health separate from the context of their overall medical health.' Improving access, outcomes Just over a year into the collaboration, Spring Health has completed more than 100,000 appointments for Highmark members. The results were incredibly compelling, Henry shared, demonstrating the effectiveness of rapid access to high-quality, low-friction care. Highlights include: It takes less than two days on average for members to secure a psychiatric or psychotherapy appointment, compared to more than a month in much of the U.S. People are using mental health services more readily, with 80% of Mental Well-Being users engaging in mental health services for the first time in at least 18 months. On average, members with moderate to severe anxiety or depression are treated to remission in less than six sessions. 'Mental health treatment can be expensive, so you want to have efficacious care,' Henry said. 'You want to have someone go into treatment where there is a beginning, middle and an end, and then they're better. Mental Well-Being is delivering that for us.' The benefits extend beyond cost containment, he said. Employees who access timely and effective mental health care are more productive, more engaged and healthier overall. When untreated, mental health challenges can exacerbate physical health issues as well. 'Investing in high-quality, effective mental health services is one of the best ways — and one of the least expensive ways — to lower total cost of care for your employees while improving community health,' Henry said. How it works Finding the right therapist is a common challenge for those seeking mental health support. Spring Health uses an AI-driven algorithm to match people to providers who are most likely to meet their needs, considering a host of consumer preferences to ensure a good fit. 'Ninety-six percent of our members who get paired with a Spring Health clinician stay with that clinician for six months or longer or through the course of their treatment,' Henry said. 'That's very unusual in mental health. It's more typical that about 50% of the time the first therapist you meet is not a match.' In addition, Mental Well-Being goes beyond offering therapy and psychiatric appointments. It includes educational programs, self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy programs for issues such as stress, meditation programs and behavioral health coaching. It also offers medication management, 24/7 crisis support and higher levels of specialized care for substance use disorders, eating disorders and other complex challenges. Continued growth Highmark is continuing to invest in expanding mental health services through both the Mental Well-Being program and its network of 44,000 providers, Henry said. The company is closely studying the data to identify which interventions yield the best results and incorporating mental health as part of each person's overall care. 'We believe in delivering the right mental health care, at the right time, tailored to each individual's unique needs and circumstances,' he said. 'And Mental Well-Being is how we're scaling that personalized access to care for our members.'
