A small step toward more equitable care for all

Where you live, what you look like, or the language you speak shouldn’t affect your ability to be healthy. For too many Rhode Islanders, it does. Racial inequities, food or housing insecurity, and cultural or language challenges can all affect an individual’s health status. In some cases, it can even increase their likelihood of developing a serious or life-threatening illness.

We can do better.

At Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), we are committed to doing our part to help build a more equitable healthcare system for everyone. The first step is understanding where the current system works—and where parts of it fall short. That requires data.?

Soon, we will invite all BCBSRI members – including our associates – to tell us more about themselves, including their race, ethnicity, and gender identity. Their responses will provide a clearer picture of our membership and help to identify care gaps or unmet needs. Over time, this information will support development of new health and wellness programs and guide our ongoing work with community and provider partners to help reduce inequities in care.?

The member survey is brief. The questions will appear in myBCBSRI.com. Members can also share this information when speaking with customer service.

We know this information can be sensitive and we want every member to feel comfortable participating.

• Responses – or refusal to respond – will not affect a member’s coverage or premiums.
• All information will be protected as we protect other health information.
• BCBSRI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

We are grateful for every one of our members and deeply appreciate their support in this effort. Their participation will help improve access to care for themselves and their neighbors and bring us all one step closer to a more equitable and effective healthcare system for Rhode Island.

Learn more about BCBSRI’s healthy equity initiatives.