Working Together, Apart - Working Well from Anywhere

Throughout the pandemic, I have shared several updates regarding Highmark’s response to COVID-19, one in April 2020 and one in December 2020. This December 2021 update comes nearly two years after Delaware shut down for what we anticipated would be two weeks to flatten the curve of COVID-19. As the world around us continues to adapt, so does Highmark.

At Highmark Delaware, and across our enterprise, we have been working with our insured members, team members, providers and partners, to tackle the obstacles and embrace the opportunities that COVID-19 has presented. It continues to be our priority to ensure that our community is safe and that everyone has access to care.

Despite the challenges presented, Highmark Delaware has thrived and team members have gone above and beyond to deliver on our mission and vision. Of note, we launched Highmark Delaware’s first Medicare Advantage products for 2022 and are excited to offer multiple high-quality plans in the ACA marketplace. We also announced a first of its kind collaboration agreement with ChristianaCare to improve health outcomes throughout Delaware.

We are constantly evolving as a company and industry, and work closely with our local, state and federal government officials. We are appreciative of Governor Carney’s leadership, and for the support and guidance we receive from Insurance Commissioner Navarro and the Delaware Department of Insurance.

WORK FROM ANYWHERE

Our team members have proven, even during this challenging time, that they are committed to our mission and vision no matter where they are working. In October, we transitioned from working from home to Work from Anywhere, bringing together the best of our virtual and in-person experiences to create a flexible and effective new approach to our collective workplace. Highmark team members across the enterprise have exhibited our Core Behaviors in a variety of ways during this transition and we are proud to have such a resilient and adaptive workforce.

COVID COVERAGE

In early March 2020, Highmark made the decision to cover COVID-19 testing, both in-network and out-of-network, when ordered by a clinician. We then announced that members who require in-network, inpatient hospital care for COVID-19 will not incur any deductibles, co-insurance or co-pays. This coverage was extended through December 31, 2021, with normal cost-sharing approaches to resume in 2022.

TELEHEALTH & TECHNOLOGY

Telehealth continues to prove itself as an important care delivery channel, so Highmark expanded coverage and reimbursed network providers for various telehealth visits.

Highmark Health announced a strategic collaboration with Verily earlier this year, building on our partnership with Google Cloud to foster patient-empowerment and digital transformation. The Google Cloud’s sister company Verily will develop Highmark Health’s Living Health model, which is designed to deliver personalized healthcare to patients and allow clinicians to focus on the specific needs of each patient. Additionally, the model seeks to eliminate the fragmentation in healthcare and re-engineers the healthcare delivery model to provide seamless, simpler, and smarter customer experience.

COMMUNITY

In response to community needs, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware’s donor-advised fund, BluePrints for the Community, has committed more than $5 million in 2021, including a $1 million commitment to health workforce development with Delaware Technical Community College and emergency assistance for Hurricane Ida relief efforts. We are also pleased to share the release of a BluePrints Impact Report, highlighting its impact from 2008 to 2020. Additionally, we will have contributed approximately $500,000 in community-based sponsorships this year.

Highmark’s Walk for Healthy Communities was virtual again in 2021. The enterprise-wide effort raised more than $813,000 in 2021, with 32 Delaware nonprofits raising over $142,664. And our team members raised over $26,000 to support the United Way of Delaware during our annual corporate campaign.

EMPLOYER GROUP CUSTOMERS

When businesses were forced to close and/or implement challenging social distancing protocols, Highmark helped employers maintain their coverage for employees and their families to stay healthy and ensure access to care. We engaged with employer groups early on to make sure they were aware of assistance available through federal aid packages and continue to support our members as needed.

ONGOING EFFORTS

Our work related to substance and opioid use disorders, social determinants of health, and other community-driven projects continue to build on our investments in 2020. Again, I invite you to read my previous updates as mentioned before. Highmark will continue to evaluate the COVID-19 situation and meet the needs of our team members, customers, patients and community, in meaningful and sustainable ways. To learn more about Highmark’s response to COVID-19, visit faqs.discoverhighmark.com.?