Whole Person Care
Anthem believes in a whole person approach that considers not just traditional physical factors, but behavioral and social factors, too [taken from EH website]. Across every department, our employees go above and beyond to truly understand members’ needs, preferences and goals so that we can provide real solutions. We take a comprehensive care approach that is more than just traditional health care. We holistically address members’ psychosocial needs and goals for housing, education/employment, transportation and meaningful participation in the community so that they can live their best lives.
Meeting Each Member’s Unique Needs
Through the Anthem family of plans, we invest the time, resources and tools to serve over ten million members in state-sponsored programs across the country. Addressing members’ needs and preferences is at the heart of what we do every day. We combine our team’s knowledge, experience and passion to learn about our members’ unique challenges and priorities, and create tailored solutions.
Our specialized programs and systems address the needs of all members, including children, youth and young adults in foster care; those who have needs related to mental health and substance use disorders; and individuals who need long-term services and supports.
Our work begins in the community. Across every state we serve and all of our programs, we partner with local community organizations to help members make healthy decisions and connect them to the resources they need.
Anthem In Action: Taking Whole Person Care To New Heights
Kinzo, a Korean War veteran and Anthem member, seemed pretty satisfied with his life. He loved to talk about his military service as a paratrooper, had a loving family and wonderful memories of his late wife. Despite a few health challenges, overall, he was content.
When Kinzo’s Anthem Nurse Case Manager Mitzi conducted his health assessment after a brief hospital stay, part of that assessment is a discussion about the member’s goals. Kinzo had no real requests for Mitzi related to his doctors or even his medication. The one thing he really wanted to experience was a ride in a small engine plane.
Mitzi wondered how she could make this one goal a reality for Kinzo. Through her network of Anthem associates, and help from Southeastrans, a transportation vendor, the ride was arranged and the former paratrooper was ready to take flight once again with his granddaughters looking on.
Anthem in Action - Kinzo
Taking whole person care to new heights
Connecting Members to Preventive Care
Wellness, early detection and prevention are all critical components of Anthem’s effective health care delivery system. We offer an array of programs, resources and services to help our members and their families eat right, stay active, quit tobacco use and visit their doctor regularly. We proactively create solutions to meet members where they are by providing members access to preventive health care services in their community through schools, community centers, clinics, faith-based programs and mobile clinics.
Helping Members and Families Make Healthy Choices
Above all, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the health and well-being of our members. Anthem reinvests in communities to reduce gaps in care and services, address chronic health conditions and promote wellness through our local delivery model. We give members and their families the tools, knowledge and self-care techniques to help them achieve lifelong health. We collaborate with members, their families and their providers to develop an integrated plan of care that serves as a roadmap to improving health, wellness and quality of life.
Anthem In Action: Finding Solutions For The Best Care
When 26-year-old Racquel, an Anthem member, could not walk up the stairs without oxygen, she realized what seemed like something minor had become debilitating. Dr. J. Shaun Smith, Racquel’s pulmonologist, diagnosed her with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) caused by blood clots in her lungs. She was in advanced heart failure and near death.
Racquel’s best chance for survival was a complex surgery to remove the clots which don’t respond to medication. “We had to take a look and see if there were any providers that could possibly do this in Kentucky, so we did some research,” said Vicki Meska, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Director of Health Care Services. That research led to the University of California San Diego Medical Center where a procedure to treat CTEPH was developed. After a call from Dr. Smith, the surgeon in California cleared his schedule to see her. “He felt like sending her to San Diego would give her the best outcome,” said Kathy Clements, Racquel’s Anthem Case Manager.