Blues contribution to free clinics makes health care accessible to the uninsured and underinsured.
DETROIT -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is awarding free clinics throughout the state a total of $1 million in grants that will provide health services to individuals and families without Michigan health insurance. With the Michigan unemployment rate currently at 15.3 percent more Michigan residents than ever are going without health insurance.
"In these difficult times, free clinics are putting health care in reach for people who need it," said Lynda Rossi, Blues vice president for Social Mission and Public Affairs. "Free clinics are a place for uninsured people to turn to for quality health care. Uninsured residents who get care in free clinics often otherwise would delay seeing a physician because of the cost. Delay
often leads to more expensive care in emergency rooms and even hospital stays."
The Blues have contributed $5 million to free clinics since 2005. This year's grant program aims to help clinics provide important services like primary care and behavioral health care, case management, dental services, specialty and diagnostic care, and prescription drugs.
"Most of our patients are dealing with one or more long-term diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma," said Dave Law, executive director of the Joy-Southfield Health and Education Center in Detroit. "We also supplement our primary care with preventive health education and disease management strategies."
About 2.5 million Michigan residents under 65 years old went without health insurance at some time between 2007 and 2008. Many of these individuals, along with the underinsured, are able to seek medical care from these clinics instead of making a trip to the emergency room or forgoing care. Access to free clinics also helps curb the rising cost of health care. In 2008, Michigan free clinics were able to provide an estimated 122,000 patient visits combined. Most other residents over 65 are covered under Michigan medicaid or Michigan medicare.
"With this grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan we will be able to expand our scope and quality of services while using health information technology to efficiently measure health outcomes. As a result, we will be able to deliver high-quality, low-cost health care to our patients at no cost to them," said Law.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has a unique mission that is different from other health insurance companies. The company is committed to focusing on reducing health care costs and improving quality, increasing access to health care coverage and services, and improving the health status of Michigan's residents, particularly children.
BCBS of Michigan is also concerned with senior services, including:
Assisted Living in Dearborn
Retirement Facilities in Dearborn
Senior Living in Wayne County
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, provides and administers health benefits to 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to members of Michigan-headquartered groups who reside outside the state.
DETROIT -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is awarding free clinics throughout the state a total of $1 million in grants that will provide health services to individuals and families without Michigan health insurance. With the Michigan unemployment rate currently at 15.3 percent more Michigan residents than ever are going without health insurance.
"In these difficult times, free clinics are putting health care in reach for people who need it," said Lynda Rossi, Blues vice president for Social Mission and Public Affairs. "Free clinics are a place for uninsured people to turn to for quality health care. Uninsured residents who get care in free clinics often otherwise would delay seeing a physician because of the cost. Delay
often leads to more expensive care in emergency rooms and even hospital stays."
The Blues have contributed $5 million to free clinics since 2005. This year's grant program aims to help clinics provide important services like primary care and behavioral health care, case management, dental services, specialty and diagnostic care, and prescription drugs.
"Most of our patients are dealing with one or more long-term diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma," said Dave Law, executive director of the Joy-Southfield Health and Education Center in Detroit. "We also supplement our primary care with preventive health education and disease management strategies."
About 2.5 million Michigan residents under 65 years old went without health insurance at some time between 2007 and 2008. Many of these individuals, along with the underinsured, are able to seek medical care from these clinics instead of making a trip to the emergency room or forgoing care. Access to free clinics also helps curb the rising cost of health care. In 2008, Michigan free clinics were able to provide an estimated 122,000 patient visits combined. Most other residents over 65 are covered under Michigan medicaid or Michigan medicare.
"With this grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan we will be able to expand our scope and quality of services while using health information technology to efficiently measure health outcomes. As a result, we will be able to deliver high-quality, low-cost health care to our patients at no cost to them," said Law.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has a unique mission that is different from other health insurance companies. The company is committed to focusing on reducing health care costs and improving quality, increasing access to health care coverage and services, and improving the health status of Michigan's residents, particularly children.
BCBS of Michigan is also concerned with senior services, including:
Assisted Living in Dearborn
Retirement Facilities in Dearborn
Senior Living in Wayne County
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, provides and administers health benefits to 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to members of Michigan-headquartered groups who reside outside the state.
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