Excellus BCBS Community Check-In

In this episode of the Community Check In, Dr. Mark Brown, Senior Medical Director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, explores unconscious bias in healthcare. Dr. Brown sheds light on the roots of bias, its impact on patient care and practical steps for both individuals and institutions to address and mitigate its effects. He discusses how to recognize and challenge biases in healthcare interaction...

We’re in the midst of the holiday season and while it’s often a joyful time filled with family moments, it can also be quite stressful for folks for a variety of reasons. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Hopkins, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, about how we can manage the stress that comes this time of year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

In this episode of The Community Check-In, Eugene Rozenblyum, Senior Director of Trade Relations and Enterprise Drug Solutions at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, explores the world of biosimilars—a category of drugs that has emerged in the last decade, offering potentially lower-cost alternatives to biologics. He addresses common questions about biosimilars, including their availability globally, t...

In part 1 of this two-part series on loneliness, Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield explores the concept of loneliness and its impact on an individuals' overall wellness. He discusses the factors that disrupt social connections and addresses how to prevent its negative impacts on health and wellbeing See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

In this episode of the Community Check-In, Christy Simoncelli, Director of Health Equity at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, delves into the crucial topic of health equity, exploring its meaning and emphasizing why it should matter to everyone. Christy passionately discusses the systemic, socioeconomic, demographic and geographic barriers that hinder communities from achieving optimal health, along...

What is prediabetes, how is it treated and how can it be prevented? In this episode of the Community Check-In, Lorna Fitzpatrick, vice president of medical affairs for safety net programs and senior medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield answers these important questions about this common but preventable disease. Prediabetes is extremely common, in fact, one third of adults are prediabe...

In this episode of The Community Check-In, Nicole Dawley, Senior Director of Pharmacy Strategy and Policy at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, explores the complex world of weight management drugs. Nicole provides valuable insights into the background of the obesity epidemic, the science behind these medications and the importance of integrating them into a comprehensive weight management program. Se...

In this episode of The Community Check-In, we're joined by Elisa Brescia, Regional Medicare Consultant for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, who is simplifying the complexities of Medicare. Medicare can often appear confusing with its multitude of plans, enrollment rules and eligibility criteria. Elisa takes us through the essential aspects of Medicare, including who is eligible, when and how to enro...

In this episode of The Community Check-In, Renee Sabin-Haggerty, Clinical Pharmacist and Director of Medicare Part D Strategy & Operations at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield gives valuable tips on how people with Medicare can save money on their prescription medications and stay healthy. Renee discusses the ways to cut prescription costs, government programs that can help, recent law changes and...

In this episode of the Community Check-In, BJ Adigun, director of safety net community partnerships and engagement at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, sheds light on the various avenues to obtain health insurance, from individual and family plans to options for businesses, all while emphasizing the importance of preventive care. BJ breaks down eligibility criteria for different plans, including Medi...

Have you ever heard of the term “exercise snacking”? In this episode of the Community Check-In, Janette Westman, wellbeing engagement consultant at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield talks about this simple concept that is meant to keep ourselves happy and healthy. Janette also touches upon some simple tips to filling our plates with healthy food and avoiding unhealthy temptations. It’s time for all of...

In this episode of Community Check-In, Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, addresses the profound impact of the past few years on individuals' mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic brought forth stress, anxiety, social isolation, economic uncertainty and more, leaving many people struggling. Dr. Hopkins engages in a candid conversatio...

In this episode of Community Check-In, Dr. Steven Cohen, Chief Medical Officer for Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, discusses the importance of health insurance and how it contributes to overall health and well-being. The episode explores how health insurance not only protects individuals and families from high healthcare costs, but also plays a crucial role in promoting better health outcomes and...

In this episode of the Community Check-In, Dr. Lisa Harris, senior vice president and corporate medical director for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield sheds light on the controversy surrounding menthol flavored cigarettes and their potential ban. Dr. Harris also offers actionable steps for parents, teachers, health professionals and health insurers to contribute to the fight against menthol cigarette...

In this episode of the Community Check-In, host Joe Lomonaco welcomes Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins, senior medical director of behavioral health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, to discuss the issue of employee burnout. Remote work has brought about significant shifts in work environments, schedules, and routines, leading to increased stress levels and burnout. Dr. Hopkins provides insights on the signs a...

In this episode of the Community Check-In, Dr. Mark Brown, family physician and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, discusses the importance of addressing men's health. He encourages hesitant individuals to consider the benefits of early intervention and shares personal experiences that emphasize the importance of proactive healthcare. Host Joe and Dr. Brown also delve into the role...

In this episode of the Community Check-In, Dr. Lorna Fitzpatrick, vice president of medical affairs for safety net programs at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield joins us to discuss the significance of summer well-child visits. From infancy to young adulthood, these visits play a crucial role in monitoring your child's growth, development, and overall well-being. Dr. Fitzpatrick highlights the importan...

In this episode of the Community Check-In, Dr. Angel Kerney, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield dives into the significance of preventive screenings, focusing on cervical cancer. By emphasizing the benefits of early detection and treatment, Dr. Kerney provides valuable insights and encourages individuals to prioritize their heal...

In part 2 of this two-part series on loneliness, we return to the discussion with Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, to explore the impact of loneliness on specific populations, such as seniors and teens. He shares steps individuals can take to avoid the long term effects of experiencing loneliness and how parents and caregivers can...

In part 1 of this two-part series on loneliness, Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield explores the concept of loneliness and its impact on an individuals' overall wellness. He discusses the factors that disrupt social connections and addresses how to prevent its negative impacts on health and wellbeing See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Medication adherence refers to taking prescription medicine correctly as prescribed. In this episode of the Community Check-In, Dr. Mona Chitre, chief pharmacy officer and president of pharmacy solutions at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield discusses the importance of medication adherence as well as how to save money on prescription medications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent...

Some people may think colon cancer is mainly a man's disease, but the truth is, almost as many women as men are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Dr. Lorna Fitzpatrick, vice president of medical affairs for safety net programs and senior medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield joins us for this episode of the Community Check-In to talk about the shocking reality of colorectal cancer and...

Have you ever heard of the term “exercise snacking”? In this episode of the Community Check-In, Janette Westman, wellbeing engagement consultant at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield talks about this fascinating concept that is meant to keep ourselves happy and healthy. Janette also touches upon some simple tips to filling our plates with healthy food and avoiding unhealthy temptations. It’s time for a...

Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. It affects every single woman, regardless of race or ethnicity. Yet there are higher childbirth complications rates for Black and Hispanic women regardless of age - why is that? Dr. Gina Cuyler, vice president of health equity and community investments at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield discusses th...

In this episode of the Community Check-In, Sady Fischer, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield discusses the importance of DEI commitments, especially in the workplace. Sady lays out how locally, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is working to create more inclusive, equitable environments year-round. Companies across the nation have shared their own commitm...