CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

We are proud to present our 2023 With Care campaign featuring our members and the individuals that make it happen, our Difference Makers. Their dedication and passion for our mission drives our efforts to meet our members where they are, when and how they need it. As a local company, it’s essential we support local businesses and approach each project with a diverse, equitable lens. For our campaign, it was important to us to use a local agency partner, with a talented female lead producer and staff, to bring this campaign to life. Watch the campaign here. With Care,

For the second day of the 2024 Week of Equity & Action, our #DifferenceMakers had a slate of educational courses to choose from. Topics ranged from first generation perspectives to navigating neurodiversity. We also invited Health in Her HUE, a digital platform dedicated to connecting Black women and women of color to culturally sensitive healthcare providers, to join our day of learning. Health in Her HUE founder and CEO, Ashlee Wisdom led a discussion touching on important topics such as using technology to promote equitable outcomes. On Thursday, the learning continues as Difference Makers will have even more courses to choose from like veterans at work and mental health in the workplace. #CareFirstCares

Yesterday we kicked off our 2024 Week of Equity & Action with a panel discussion titled “Social Drivers and Their Impact on Equity,” which investigated the everyday realities that prevent many people from doing more than just getting by. We emerged with a better idea of what factors determine who gets opportunities and who doesn’t, as well as what each one of us can do to promote equality in the world around us. This is just the start of an entire week’s worth of programming dedicated to the theme of: “Together we learn. Together we grow. Together we thrive.” This week our #DifferenceMakers will participate in keynote presentations, small group discussions and volunteer opportunities designed to help them better understand and support a culture of inclusion, equity and belonging. We’re looking forward another outstanding Week of Equity & Action! #CareFirstCares

We're proud to announce CareFirst was awarded the NCQA Health Equity Accreditation. Our commitment to advancing health equity starts with our mission and is present in our business decisions and everyday actions. While this accreditation is a significant recognition, we know there is much work to be done to advance health equity and reduce health disparities for our most vulnerable populations. The NCQA Health Equity Accreditation would not have been possible without the tireless work of our dedicated #DifferenceMakers—thank you! To learn more about the recognition, visit: http://spr.ly/6043ird5H #CareFirstCares

In celebration of #NationalInternDay on July 25, we invited interns from CareFirst and the Washington Nationals to volunteer at the Giving Garden at Nationals Park. While giving back to their community, they learned about the social drivers of health impacting many District communities. As #DifferenceMakers, we empower our interns to learn about and engage with our community to truly live out our mission of advancing equitable, affordable and accessible healthcare for all. Interested in interning with CareFirst? Visit our career site: carefirst.com/careers #CareFirstCares

We’re proud to announce the latest round of community grant funding to address the diabetes epidemic. As part of our mission to reduce health disparities and social drivers of health, the “Place-Based Diabetes Grant Initiative” will empower local organizations to make a meaningful impact on diabetes care across the region in three proposed interventions: - Nutritional Security for Diet-Related Chronic Conditions - Food Is Medicine - Community Food Literacy and Nutrition Education This grant round is designed to foster organizations’ innovative approaches, strengthen their capacity and improve health outcomes for their clientele. Deadline to apply is July 19. To learn more about the grant round and eligibility, visit: http://spr.ly/604694p6K #CareFirstCares

Innovation in healthcare is crucial to improved health outcomes for communities. Our innovation and investment arm Healthworx just announced the reimagined accelerator for healthcare startups.     The Healthworx Accelerator, formerly known as 1501 Health, will support startups as they break into the healthcare industry. Startups who complete the program will be better prepared to execute their ideas for communities throughout the country. Their services will provide innovative solutions for communities to access care and help meet evolving the needs of patients.    We’re looking forward to celebrating the next cohort! Applications open next month.

At CareFirst, our interns are a vital part of our organization. They tackle projects alongside our seasoned #DifferenceMakers and learn valuable skills through mentorship! Discover more about CareFirst internships at http://spr.ly/60439qQe1. #CareFirstCares

Last month, we joined with DC Bike Ride, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) for the Graduation on Wheels event where over 200 second-grade DCPS students received a free bike, helmet and fun customizations. Continuing their experiential learning, students engaged in bike safety education and tested their new wheels and skills in the traffic garden. We’re proud to be a longtime supporter of DC Bike Ride and encourage these students to engage in healthy, safe and fun activities. Watch the Graduation on Wheels recap here: http://spr.ly/60429oFcg #DCBikeRide #CareFirstCares

As we prepare for our upcoming Week of Equity & Action, we proudly welcomed two special presentations to help our #DifferenceMakers prepare. Boston-based leadership coach and facilitator Jeff Rogers led an interactive Zoom session on the history and lasting impact of Juneteenth entitled “Two Steps Forward.” Jeff told the story of this newly recognized national holiday—also called America’s second Independence Day—and the heartache, struggle and triumph that led to its place on the calendar. And LGBTQ+ advocate Mikelina Belaineh presented to our Difference Makers about “Gender Identity and Inclusivity 101,” an investigation of the complex landscape of gender frameworks and definitions. In addition to exploring how history has shaped our understanding of sex and gender, Mikelina discussed the importance of understanding gender identity and ways to create an inclusive culture both at work and in the community at large. It’s all part of CareFirst’s efforts to help us understand each other—and those we serve—better and with care. #CareFirstCares