AHIP, BCBSA Announce Initiative to Vaccinate Seniors in Underserved Communities
- March 05, 2021
America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) unveiled March 3 a new pilot initiative aimed at enabling the vaccination of 2 million seniors in underserved communities.
Under the Vaccine Community Connectors pilot initiative, health insurance providers will use existing data and expertise to identify seniors who are vulnerable to COVID-19 and live in arears where vaccination rates are most inequitable; work with community partners to educate seniors on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines; and help coordinate the vaccination process, including transportation to appointments, according to a joint AHIP and BCBSA statement.
“Vaccines save lives, and health insurance providers have been working hard to break down barriers that stand between Americans and COVID-19 vaccines,” said Matt Eyles, AHIP President and CEO. “We will continue to work on that commitment with all levels of government and every organization that shares our goal until we defeat the COVID-19 crisis together.”
“The most vulnerable people in our country have suffered disproportionately from the COVID-19 crisis and we are determined to end this inequity,” said Kim Keck, BCBSA President and CEO. “Through this initiative, we are committing our unique resources—our people, our data, and our enduring community ties—to quickly and equitably bring life-saving vaccines to those who need them most.”