More payers are combining customer service and community support in one place, opening centers in the communities they serve.
Here are seven payers who have opened community centers this year.
CarePlus, a Humana subsidiary offering Medicare Advantage plans, opened a 5,000-square-foot community center in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 17. The space will offer health education to the public and will host drives for food and other necessities. The space also has plan representatives on site.
Healthfirst, a New-York-City-based payer, opened a community center in Newburgh, N.Y., on Nov. 15. The 3,000 square foot facility will host seminars for members and training for physicians. According to a news release, the office is staffed with plan representatives who speak English, Spanish and Creole.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield opened a new resource center in Johnson City, N.Y., in October. The center provides a place for customers who prefer in-person support to ask questions about Medicare Advantage and other plans.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield opened a 5,500-square-foot retail and community center in October at its Baltimore headquarters as part of a potential statewide expansion. The space consists of an area to sell health plans, care navigation support services and a community center.
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and L.A Care Health Plan opened a new community center in Inglewood, Calif., to offer free health resources and classes. The 9,000-square-foot facility, which opened Sept. 8, features a full-size kitchen, activity rooms and office space, and offers fitness and cooking classes.
Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus opened a new community center in the Flushing neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens Sept. 9 to help combat health disparities and increase access to resources in underserved communities. The center includes a range of information and resources around healthcare access, social and financial support and new technology.
Sentara Health Plans opened community care centers in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina this summer with the aim of improving care for the uninsured and Medicaid recipients in under-resourced communities.