Latest news with #PaulPenzone
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
AZ Blue in Action Invests $200,000 to Support Students Across Northern Arizona
PHOENIX, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- More students in Northern Arizona will have a chance to learn, grow, and plan for the future thanks to $200,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue). Funding is one of the ways AZ Blue in Action brings health to all Arizonans. AZ Blue gave two donations in May of $100,000 to help students at every step – from middle school summer camps to college nursing programs. Why it matters: This newest funding addresses one of the region's most urgent needs: a shortage of healthcare workers and limited access to training opportunities. About 65% of primary care service areas in the state are labeled as medically underserved, including Northern Arizona. Both programs aim to prepare more nurses to serve in rural areas. The two programs that received support: Coconino Community College (CCC) received funds from AZ Blue's Medicaid Plan, Health Choice Arizona, to support the CCC STEAM Middle School Summer Camps. More than 400 middle school students across the county will attend these camps at no cost to families. These camps will explore science, coding, theater, and more. "Strong communities start with strong chances – and that's what we are here to help build," said Dr. Heather Carter, Medicaid Segment General Manager and Health Choice Arizona CEO. Northern Arizona University (NAU) received funding from the AZ Blue Foundation. The support will help launch a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing format called the Global BSN. This format expands access to a nursing degree for students across the state, especially those in small towns and rural areas. The format enables many of these students to stay and work in their hometowns. More than 30 students are expected to enroll in Fall 2025 to become registered nurses. The funding will also help students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. It provides scholarships for 10 students to complete their education. Since 2020, AZ Blue Health Choice has worked with the NARBHA Institute to invest more than $3.4 million in Coconino County alone – helping meet needs related to food, housing, jobs, health services, and education. "AZ Blue in Action is about helping Arizonans get the care and support they need – and that starts by investing in the people who will one day provide it," said Paul Penzone, Chief Community Relations Officer for AZ Blue. To learn more about this work, visit AZ Blue in Action. ABOUT BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA Blue Cross ® Blue Shield ® of Arizona (AZ Blue) is committed to helping Arizonans get healthier faster and stay healthier longer. With a mission to inspire health and make it easy, AZ Blue offers health insurance and related services to more than 2 million customers. AZ Blue, a non-profit company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The company and its subsidiaries employ more than 3,200 people in its Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson offices. To learn more, visit or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Over $17 million in medical debt wiped out for Arizonans
Thousands benefit from AZ Blue Foundation's work with Undue Medical Debt PHOENIX, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Every month across Arizona, thousands of people face a tough choice: Pay their medical bills or use that money to buy groceries or other essentials needed to get by. Now, more than 12,000 people have less to worry about – thanks to the AZ Blue Foundation. In the last two years, the Foundation has donated to Undue Medical Debt, which helped erase over $17 million in medical debt in Arizona. The AZ Blue Foundation plans to make another donation later this year to expand its impact in 2025. This is part of AZ Blue's continued effort to make healthcare easier and support health equity for all Arizonans. "Provider bills can be a heavy burden," said Paul Penzone, Chief Community Relations Officer at AZ Blue. "Our gift helped ease some of that strain so people can focus on their health." How AZ Blue made an impact Each year, millions of Americans—more than 460,000 people across the state—find themselves needing unexpected surgeries or other critical care. When the bills for these treatments arrive, people often feel they have nowhere to turn. In fact, they are three times more likely to struggle with depression or anxiety, the non-profit's research shows. Here's how the program worked to help those who need it most: Who provided the support? The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement (AZ Blue Foundation) in partnership with Undue Medical Debt Debt Wiped Out: The program wiped out medical debt across the state: Yavapai County: all available debt for purchase in 2024 Maricopa County: $7.6 million Pima County: $2.2 million All 15 counties across Arizona benefited Who qualified? Families who earn 4X or below the poverty level. Those with medical debt equal to 5% or more of their annual income. On average, more than $1,600 in medical debt was forgiven per person in 2024. Learn more here about this effort. ABOUT BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA Blue Cross ® Blue Shield ® of Arizona (AZ Blue) is committed to helping Arizonans get healthier faster and stay healthier longer. With a mission to inspire health and make it easy, AZ Blue offers health insurance and related services to more than 2 million customers. AZ Blue, a non-profit company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The company and its subsidiaries employ more than 3,200 people in its Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson offices. To learn more, visit or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. ABOUT THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY & HEALTH ADVANCEMENT The Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement invests in the health of Arizona by tackling mental health, substance use disorder, chronic health conditions, and health equity. A 501(c)(3) private, non-operating foundation, the Foundation works in service of the public good through grant funding for programs and applied research that align with its focus areas. The Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
