Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Health companies team up for vaccinations
Independence Blue Cross, Rite-Aid working together to improve COVID-19 vaccine access for members
Independence Blue Cross and Rite-Aid are working together to get Independence members appointments.
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) and Rite-Aid have teamed up to help Independence members secure COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
The collaboration includes proactive outreach by Independence to vaccine-eligible members and one-on-one assistance setting up COVID-19 vaccine appointments at specific Rite Aid locations.
The effort, which began on a pilot basis in March in Philadelphia and Boothwyn, is now being expanded. Appointments are now being scheduled at Rite-Aid locations in Montgomery County. The program will continue to expand with appointments in Chester and Bucks County as vaccine supply permits, the release stated.
“We are excited to be able to help our members get these important appointments and are glad to be working with Rite Aid to make it possible,” Gregory E. Deavens, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross, said in a press release. “Vaccine eligibility has expanded but navigating the websites and other digital tools to make appointments is still hard for some people, depending on technology access and proficiency.”
The collaboration with Rite Aid initially targeted Medicare Advantage members who live in priority areas that Independence identified across the five counties it serves. Philadelphia and Delaware Counties were initially selected based on the number of vaccine-eligible members living in zip codes with low vaccination rates, social barriers including limited access to internet for scheduling and transportation, etc., and the availability of vaccines at Rite Aid stores in these locations.
“By prioritizing clinical risk factors in tandem with social barriers, we were able to ensure that communities facing the largest barriers are not left behind,” Deavens added. “To date, we have reached out to more than 20,000 members and have successfully scheduled over 2,000 vaccine appointments.”
Based on the success of the initial outreach, Independence has expanded this work beyond Medicare Advantage members to everyone eligible under state and city guidelines, in addition to expanding geography.
During the initial outreach, “Independence prioritized members for outreach based on their social determinant of health barriers and clinical risk factors including treatment history for cancer, chronic kidney disease, Down syndrome, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions,” the release stated. Independence made outreach calls to each of the members and helped them make appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine at specific Rite Aid locations near their residence.
Independence will assist members in scheduling appointments as opportunities become available based on vaccine supply. Members who are vaccine-eligible and want assistance making an appointment to get their COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to fill out Independence’s Vaccine Interest Form.
Independence will not accept requests for vaccine assistance by phone. As with any vaccine, Independence has no control over the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine supply is being controlled by the federal government, in collaboration with state and local governments.