Excellus BCBS Community Check-In

In this episode, Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, senior medical director, behavioral health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield discusses the mental health impact the pandemic has had on our children – and how we can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, Registered Dietitian and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Wellbeing Engagement Consultant, Pat Salzer, talks to us about practical ways to stay healthy during the holiday season and beyond to help us feel our best. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Healthy aging is a goal everyone aspires to. In this episode, Renee Sabin-Haggerty, Director of Medicare Part D Strategy & Operations at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield discusses the tips to help Medicare members simplify as well as economize on their prescription medications. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we think of health insurance, we often get overwhelmed by choices and costs. In this episode of the Community Check-In, Todd Muscatello, SVP of Segment Strategy and Performance at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, talks about all the ways you can get health insurance, how to find the right plan for you, and even how to get more from your plan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Erin Conway, Medical Director with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield talks to us about breast cancer awareness and screening. Did you know, a mammogram can detect breast cancer at its earliest stages when treatment is most successful, but unfortunately not all women are being screened. Dr. Conway and Joe discuss why this may be and how we can change it. See omnystudio.com/listener...

In this episode, Joe and Dr. Stephen Cohen, Chief Medical Officer for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, tackle a topic that’s a question for a lot of people – one they may not think of as being part of their health routine – and that’s “why should I have health insurance?” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medicare can seem confusing. It often features a variety of plans, coverage choices, premium levels and enrollment rules. In this episode, we have Tameria Terrell, regional medicare advisor for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield on to walk us through the ins and outs of Medicare, including who is eligible, what plans are out there, and most importantly, what benefits Excellus BlueCross BlueShield offer...

When we think about taking care of our health, we often think about working out, eating healthy and avoiding germs. But, taking medications as prescribed is also a key ingredient in our overall health management. In this episode, Mona Chitre, Chief Pharmacy Officer and Vice President of Integrated Clinical Strategy for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield talks about the importance of sticking with your...

As kids head back to school, Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, senior medical director, behavioral health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield discusses the mental health impact the pandemic has had on our children – and how we can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Gina Cuyler, vice president of health equity and community investments at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield here talks to us about menthol-flavored tobacco products and how they're proven to be more addictive and harder to quit. Yet tobacco companies continue to use this popular flavor to attract and recruit new smokers, making this a serious health issue for our communities. See omnystudio.com/li...

In this episode, Pat Salzer, registered dietitian and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield wellbeing engagement consultant talks to us about the concept of mindful eating and how incorporating this practice into our lives can lead to improved health and wellbeing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Change can bring on stress. Unrecognized, stress can cause burnout. Two-thirds of workers surveyed by Indeed said the pandemic has worsened employee burnout. Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, designs and supports internal employee wellness programs there. This podcast will help you learn about the causes of burnout and how to avoid...

In this episode, Dr. Angel Kerney, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield talks to us about the importance of getting screened for cancer and how early detection makes it one of the most successfully treatable cancers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last few years have left a lot of people hurting. Many of us have endured stress, anxiety, social isolation, economic uncertainty and more during COVID-19. This has all taken a toll on our mental health. In this episode of the Community Check-In, Dr. Geoffrey Hopkins, senior medical director, behavioral health at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, has an honest conversation about this and discusse...

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...

It is never too early to arrange the medical and dental visits your children will need over the summer break from school. In this episode of the Community Check-In, Dr. Lorna Fitzpatrick, vice president of medical affairs for safety net programs and senior medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield discusses how to navigate what annual visits are essential for children and when these should...

In this episode of the Community Check-In, Sady Fischer, director 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 commitments t...

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...

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 vice president of clinical strategy and innovation 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...

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...

Have you ever heard of the term “exercise snacking”? In this episode of the Community Check-In, Pat Salzer, wellbeing engagement consultant at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield talks about this fascinating concept that is meant to keep ourselves happy and healthy. Pat also touches upon some simple tips to filling our plates with healthy food and avoiding unhealthy temptations while keeping costs down....

Medicare can be confusing. Sometimes, it’s hard to navigate who is eligible for Medicare and what plans are even out there. In this episode of the Community Check-In, Elisa Brescia, Medicare sales consultant at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield takes us through the ins and outs of Medicare. Elisa breaks down the process and reassures those of us who may be overwhelmed that we have choices, we have res...