Premera Blue Cross

We're happy to note that we've reached an agreement with Alaska Regional Hospital and they will stay in-network for Premera members. Thanks to all of our members for their patience during this process. While they can be frustrating, contract negotiations like these help us maintain affordable, sustainable access to care for everyone we serve. For more information, please visit our blog: https://lnkd.in/ej-9PgwE

We look forward to the updates from this road trip every year. Thanks for highlighting some of Washingtons many thriving manufacturers and the roles they play in our economy and community!

Last week’s YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish Inspire Luncheon was a powerful reminder that healthcare is only part of what shapes health and well-being. Every day, people face barriers to achieving their best health—including unstable housing, unreliable transportation, unsafe environments, and limited access to nutritious food. These factors all matter, but health plans cannot address them alone. We need to listen to and engage with organizations that understand our communities in ways we may not, then find meaningful ways to support and strengthen their efforts. As keynote speaker and former world boxing champion Laila Ali said, “Together we are powerful.” Better health depends on what we build together, not on our own.

Celebrating Disability Pride at the Woodland Park Zoo was among our favorite employee volunteer experiences this summer. Thanks to all the members of the Premera team who staffed the event and helped make a great day at the zoo for everyone who attended!

Nearly a billion dollars in added healthcare costs over two years. No evidence of changes in care or better results for patients. Anyone concerned about the rising cost of healthcare for American families should read the new report from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which suggests new AI tools employed in many hospitals may be needlessly increasing prices for all of us.

This summer, Premera employees came together to donate supplies and support the grand opening of the YWCA's New Start Center in Edmonds, which provides emergency bridge housing to people experiencing homelessness. These 45 units of housing help people gain stability in their time of need, while the on-site staff helps residents access resources such as case management, behavioral health support, employment assistance, and connections to permanent housing.

"One of the most important ways you can invest in yourself is by prioritizing your health." Emily Dirkes, clinic manager for Kinwell's Pasco location, delivered this always timely reminder in her words to the annual Tri-cities Women in Business conference yesterday. If you're not facing a pressing or obvious health issue, it can be easy to miss that annual exam when you've got a busy life to live. But regular primary care is an investment in yourself that can head off serious health problems and help you live your healthiest life. Thanks to the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce for hosting and to all the inspiring attendees at yesterday's event!

One great thing about being Washington's hometown health plan is that so many members of our team live in the communities we serve. That means we get to serve those communities not just as a health plan, but as neighbors and volunteers. As supporters of local schools and nonprofits. It's always impressive and inspiring to see how many of our colleagues make the time to make a difference, and we're excited to share a few snapshots of the places and ways they've showed up in just the last few months.

What if the future of rural healthcare isn't just about rebuilding the system we have- but reimagining how care can be delivered? How do we ensure sustainability of the critical role that delivery systems play in rural areas? I had the privilege of joining a panel yesterday on " Catalyst for change: Rural ingenuity to transform health" The conversation brought together amazing thought leaders from rural hospitals, physician groups, the Washington state HCA, rural collaborative and health plans. Despite our different roles, there was a common them: rural communities need us to forge more creative collaborations and rethink models of care that serve communities in a sustainable manner. For healthplans, that means thinking beyond our traditional role as a payer. We can help by: - Seeding and scaling best practices that address local needs. - Reimagining access, including offering virtual and other alternate pathways - Supporting rural workforce development - Using our longitudinal data to identify "healthcare hot spots" and opportunities for earlier interventions and care coordination. - Bringing in resources like case management and community resource navigation closer to primary care teams. I was proud to share how Premera Blue Cross has helped support access and workforce development in rural communities through its grant making and collaborative approach. Premera supported the training of workforce in primary care in rural communities in collaboration with Univ of Washington. The training led to 80 DNP students and nearly 30 ARNPs graduating with training in primary care in rural areas. Many staying on at the clinic they trained in or moving to another rural community. Premera also funded $8 Million in grants to support adoption of "Collaborative care" model in rural primary care practices to build BH access. The challenge is bigger than any one organization can solve. But when rural communities, providers, CBOs, government and payers bring their different assets to the table, we can begin to reimagine care around the community- not around the boundaries of an organization. Grateful for this panel and all my panelists Priya A. Helweg Tianna Fallgatter Emily Transue for such thoughtful conversation- and for the opportunity to learn from the ingenuity already happening across Washington's rural communities. I will close with a quote from one of my co panelists: " Rural healthcare is resilient, creative and adaptable".

What makes Bonney Lake High School Special Education teacher Lacey Bailey an All-Star Educator? Some nominators told us it was the way she supports students and their families as they transition out of high school, helping them connect with resources and programs in their communities. Others cited her dedication to creating an inclusive environment for students with disabilities, exemplified in her work as Special Olympics coordinator for the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District and coach for Bonney Lake High School’s Special Olympics teams. One nominator summed it up nicely, saying that Bailey is an All-Star because she “inspires colleagues, students, and families through her kindness, positivity, and commitment to helping others succeed.” Thanks to Lacey and all our All-Star Educators for going above and beyond for Washington students!