Highmark has launched a pilot program with AllianceRx Walgreens Prime specialty pharmacy to reach out to its insurance members with multiple sclerosis to see what other types of services they may require.
It's the latest of the Pittsburgh-based insurer's efforts around what are called the social determinants of health, the factors that aren't related to medical care but can make up to 80% of a person's health. Highmark and AllianceRx Walgreens prime will screen and then work with members, using a specially designed tool, to see what else they could use.
"The outreach conducted through this pilot program is the first step to help ensure members who are already facing health challenges have the support and resources they need to overcome barriers in other aspects of their lives which impact their health," said Amy Shannon, director of health and wellbeing integration at Highmark. "By reducing or eliminating these barriers, people are free to be their best."
The outreach and pilot will go for a year.
"Understanding, identifying and addressing SDOH (Social Determinants of Health) factors that MS patients experience is a further commitment to improving their treatment journey and overall outcomes," said Highmark SVP of Social Determinants Nebeyou Abebe. Abebe newly joined Highmark Health in the role.
Depending on the outcome of the pilot, it could be rolled out to populations with other diseases.