Highmark Blue Shield named Corporate Citizen of the Year by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC

CAMP HILL, Pa. (Nov. 5, 2020) — Highmark Blue Shield has been named Corporate Citizen of the Year by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC in the 2020 Catalyst Awards. The annual awards program recognizes visionary, dynamic leaders and organizations creating change in the Harrisburg region. The health plan will be recognized during a virtual awards ceremony on December 9, 2020.

Highmark’s nomination showcased its proactive and innovative efforts in 2020 among the Covid-19 pandemic including coverage expansions, increased options to access care, support for its communities, providers and customers, and providing resources to access testing and information to ensure that its members, employees and communities can continue to prioritize wellness.

“Highmark Blue Shield has gone above and beyond to ensure our members and the community at large have uninterrupted support during a critical and unprecedented time,” shared Kathy McKenzie, Vice President of Community Affairs. “We are humbled and honored to receive this award as we strive to provide the best level of service possible to those who rely on us the most. While many things have been uncertain in 2020, we want Highmark to be a reliable provider as we continue to serve our members, support our employees, and give back to the community.”

In addition to waiving prior authorization requirements for Covid-19 diagnostic testing when recommended by a medical professional, Highmark also extended in-network Covid-19 treatment with no cost-sharing through December 31. To encourage health plan members to utilize telemedicine, Highmark waived cost-sharing for covered services as well.

A dedicated website, highmarkanswers.com, was developed to answer questions and provide insight to those seeking quick and easily accessible information. Highmark also produced a podcast titled “Confronting Covid-19” as another way to reach its members and the community at large to provide clinical and current information across its footprint.

Other initiatives Highmark has embarked upon during the pandemic to benefit its members and the community include: committing $2 million in grants to food insecurity, safety net providers, and Covid-19 relief organizations across its footprint; designing, manufacturing, and distributing over 1.3 million face masks to employer groups, high-risk and vulnerable Highmark members, and community organizations in need; donating PPE to school districts in the fall; actively supporting Covid-19 testing through mobile units in underserved communities and a state-wide mobile outreach tour; and extending its work-from-home protocol for employees through January 2021.