Listen as Kristin Gasteazoro, Senior Vice President of Sales and Account Management, Insights & Empowerment, and Reagan Greene, Vice President of Marketing and Experience at Blue Cross Blue Shield Idaho, discuss the power of innovation to improve member engagement.
The gap between having health insurance and actually using healthcare services remains a significant challenge. In this Future Healthcare Today podcast, host Lucas Hunsicker talks with Reagan and Kristin as they shed light on this issue, particularly focusing on the underutilization of healthcare programs by insured Americans. This phenomenon is not just a statistic; it’s a complex problem influenced by various social determinants of health, including food security and transportation.
The podcast also brings to the forefront the unique challenges faced by rural communities. These areas are often impacted by a shortage of primary care physicians, which significantly hampers access to necessary medical care. To bridge this gap, innovative solutions such as member activation solutions or mobile healthcare units are being deployed to provide essential services to these underserved populations.
Moreover, the discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the social determinants of health. These factors play a crucial role in shaping health outcomes and access to healthcare services. For instance, a lack of reliable transportation can prevent individuals from making it to their medical appointments, while food insecurity can exacerbate chronic health conditions.
Kristin and Reagan discuss these issues and encourage a more integrated approach to healthcare. One that includes better alignment of healthcare communications with member preferences, such as an omnichannel and digital-forward approach, to enhance engagement and ensure that more people can benefit from the healthcare services available to them.
This perspective underscores the need for continued innovation and adaptation in the healthcare sector. By addressing the root causes of healthcare underutilization and improving access in rural areas, we can move closer to a healthcare system that serves all members of the community effectively.
Check out part 2 of their conversation to learn more about how innovation and communication is vital to helping make that happen.
