We recently released our 2018 annual report and are excited to share how our initiatives worked to transform healthcare and support the Kansas City community. Here are six takeaways from the report:
1. The Launch of Spira Care
Last year, we created a new approach to primary care with Spira Care. The new model combines primary care with health insurance making the member experience more personal and affordable. Care Guides are now staffed at our care centers, helping members navigate their care experience. We are integrating behavioral health consultations into this unique primary care service offering to better treat the whole patient and hopefully improve the quality of life for our members.
2. From Department to Culture: The New Customer Experience Team
Our members are the most important part of the Blue KC team and we’ve made changes to our corporate culture to reflect that. To implement a more customer-first corporate culture, we formed a dedicated Customer Experience team, tasked with making customer satisfaction the job of every department.
3. Fighting Diabetes Together: The Launch of Diabetes Prevention Program
As Type 2 diabetes cases continue to be the top condition affecting benefit plan costs, the Blue KC team is stepping up for its members. In 2018, we launched a Diabetes Prevention Program, which is a new care benefit available to eligible Blue KC members at no cost. We connect members to a partner to track their health goals and help prevent the disease.
4. A Win for Tobacco Education, but the Mission Continues
Nearly 95 percent of tobacco smokers start before the age of 21. In 2015, Healthy KC, a regional health and wellness program organized by Blue KC and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, launched the Tobacco21 initiative with a goal to lobby five cities to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. By January 2018, more than 25 local municipalities passed ordinances raising the smoking age. Now, our mission continues toward curbing the use of tobacco alternatives like vaping devices and e-cigarettes.
5. Curing Hunger in Our Community
Last year, we focused on the vital need of food access in our community. We launched Well Stocked, a partnership with five local community organizations to improve access to nutritious food for Kansas Citians that need it most. We participated in several community events, including volunteering with After the Harvest where we gleaned 1,200 pounds of food that keeps nutritious fruits and vegetables from going to waste by donating them to local food banks.
6. Blue KC Gives Back
Our employees volunteered over 10,000 hours with more than 25 Kansas City organizations, proving our commitment to make our community a better place.
Blue KC has served this community proudly for more than 80 years and we’re here not just to help you live longer, but to help you live better. Whether it’s offering affordable care for college students, helping provide specialty care for the insured, or working to eliminate food insecurity in our region, Blue KC’s mission is to improve the health of our members today and forever. Read our 2018 annual report to learn even more about our work.