The Rhode to Health: A Podcast from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and mental health is the topic we’ll be discussing today. We’ll be talking about the behavioral health landscape in Rhode Island, learning what we all can do to combat stigma against mental illness, meet with behavioral health professionals and the pediatricians they partner with to help meet kids behavioral health needs, and visit an organization helping teen...

We're back with a bonus episode showcasing some simple ways to live a little greener. Last time you heard from us in our Rhode to Green Episode, we spoke to some brilliant folks who have made environmental responsibility part of their everyday life. We asked them to share their favorite green life hacks and they did not disappoint. Give back with a snack can be found here: http://givebackwith...

We’re talking about how the environment affects your health this earth day. We’ll be visiting Southside Community Land Trust's City Farm, where guests Jazandra Barros and Jake Stanton are transforming city blocks into farm space.  We’re joined by Emily Koo, director of sustainability for the City of Providence, on how climate changes affect vulnerable populations. We talk to Milena Pagan of L...

Each year since 2001, the BlueAngel of the Year Award has honored BCBSRI employees who make a difference by serving the local community through their passionate participation in the BlueAngel Community Investment Program. Nominations are submitted by BCBSRI employees to honor a peer who has gone above and beyond. This year, that person is Sarah Murray, an executive assistant in BCBSRI's custo...

BCBSRI has entered Rhode Island’s dual eligible market for this fall’s annual enrollment period. What does that mean? Dual eligible means those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. There are approximately 37,000 Rhode Island residents who are eligible for what’s called a dual special needs plan or D-SNP. This is a special Medicare Advantage plan that provides health benefits for this group,...

This is the fifth in our series highlighting BCBSRI’s employee business resource groups, or EBRGs. Our employee led groups at Blue Cross are doing great work that impacts how our company operates and the connections we have with our members and the Rhode Island community. In this episode we will talk with Michael Fernandes and Priscilla Santos from our Military Services EBRG about strengths and ch...

BCBSRI executive vice president and chief medical officer Matt Collins, M.D., M.B.A., joins us for another round of Ask the Doc Q&A around COVID-19. This time we discuss the Delta variant, as a powerful strain of COVID-19 raises more questions around masking, breakthrough cases in vaccinated people, and possible side effects of the vaccine. Resources mentioned in this episode:health.ri.govcdc....

It’s the 10th annual Blue across Rhode Island! Before we hit the road for BCBSRI’s signature statewide day of service to partner with nonprofits all across RI, let's take a few minutes to chat with Martha Wofford, BCBSRI’s president & CEO, as she experiences her first Blue across Rhode Island event, and Bob Defelice, director of IT, architecture and design at BCBSRI, who will share his ex...

The Hispanic community is the largest minority group in Rhode Island. Let's understand more about how things like health literacy and even cultural dietary differences can impact health disparities experienced by this community. This is the fourth in our series highlighting BCBSRI’s employee business resource groups, or EBRGs. Our employee led groups at Blue Cross are doing great work that im...

Meet Lori Lowinger and her son Nicholas Lowinger from Gotta Have Sole, a Rhode Island nonprofit organization that has participated in 9 of the past 10 Blue across Rhode Island statewide day of service events. In this episode we’ll learn more about the mission of Gotta Have Sole, and about BCBSRI’s plans for the 10th anniversary signature event this September 24th from Carolyn Belisle, BCBSRI’s man...

Did you know BCBSRI has an entire team of nurses on staff to help you work on specific health goals? Our Care Management team has long worked with members to improve their health, and now they have launched a free, secure virtual platform to meet face to face with members in the convenience of their home, or preferred location. Rhonda Somyk, RN, manager of the BCBSRI care management team joins us...

The CDC's research shows that home modifications and repairs may prevent up to 50% of all home accidents among aging adults, including falls in older homes. Habitat for Humanity of Rhode Island-Greater Providence (HabitatPVD) recently received a $610,000 grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to support HabitatPVD's new Aging in Place home modification and improvement pr...

Let's talk about Juneteenth! This is the third in our series highlighting BCBSRI’s employee business resource groups, or EBRGs. Our employee led groups at Blue Cross are doing great work that impacts how our company operates and the connections we have with our members and the Rhode Island community. In this episode we talk with Aneesah Cameron and Chante Foster from the Black Council @ Blue...

Many of us are now vaccinated or in the process of getting vaccinated for COVID-19, but we still have SO. MANY. QUESTIONS. So, BCBSRI's own Dr. Matthew Collins, M.D., M.B.A., executive vice president and chief medical officer, is back for another round of Ask the Doc where we discuss questions like, "what happens if I miss my second dose?", "is the vaccine safe for kids?",...

This is the second in our series highlighting BCBSRI’s employee business resource groups, or EBRGs. Our employee led groups at Blue Cross are doing great work that impacts how our company operates and the connections we have with our members and the Rhode Island community. In this episode we will talk with Katie Taylor from Disability Inclusion Network and Rosaly Cuevas from our behavioral health...

Advance directives, palliative care, hospice care – what do these terms mean to you? Do they feel like uncomfortable topics? Do you know what your loved ones want if the day comes that they receive a difficult diagnosis and might need a care plan? Does what you would want match what provides the best quality of life for your loved one? Many of us have never considered these questions in advance of...

After a national search, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island recently announced the appointment of Martha L. Wofford as the eighth president and CEO in the 82-year-old company's history. She graciously agreed to sit down with us for a Q&A as she begins her tenure at BCBSRI. Join us as we learn more about her background, her leadership style, what drives her and more! Links mentio...

This is the first in our series highlighting BCBSRI’s employee business resource groups, or EBRGs. Our employee led groups at Blue Cross are doing great work that impacts how our company operates and the connections we have with our members and the Rhode Island community. In this episode we talk with Jason Furlan and Mason Im from BluepRIde and highlight a really great campaign they’ve launched ar...

On the heels of BCBSRI's 7th consecutive score of 100 on the annual Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Jenny Bautista, BCBSRI’s new diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) manager, joins us to talk about the various dimensions of diversity, what DEI looks like across our company, goals for the future, and how to be more inclusive both at home and at work. For more information about...

We finally have a COVID-19 vaccine starting to roll out to the public - rejoice! But, as with all unfamiliar things, this comes along with a lot of questions from people. When and where can I get the vaccine? Do I have to pay for it? Can I catch COVID-19 from the vaccine? Do I still have to wear a mask if I'm vaccinated? BCBSRI's own Dr. Matthew Collins, M.D., M.B.A., executive vice pres...

The use of peer support has proven to be incredibly successful in helping people in their recovery journey from substance use disorders. But what about Rhode Islanders aged 65+? It’s not a group often associated with substance use disorders, but BCBSRI is now expanding peer recovery coverage to Medicare members, and with good reason. Lisa Conlan Lewis, executive director of the Parent Support Netw...

Are you tired of listening to the armchair "experts" on your Facebook newsfeed? Let's ask a real, live doctor all your burning questions about COVID-19! BCBSRI's own senior clinical consultant, Gus Manocchia, M.D., answers questions like, "Am I safe going to the doctor’s office or should I continue to wait? If I've had COVID-19 am I immune? What about the flu shot?&qu...

With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing has illustrated important gaps in care, and the solutions developed in response to the pandemic can extend beyond the current public health crisis to improve geriatric care in the decades to come. Featuring BCBSRI’s own chief medical officer, Dr. Matt Collins, joined by special guest Dr. Anthony Zizza, senior medical officer and geriatri...

With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Rhode Islanders have been safely isolating at home. But what does this mean for the Rhode Island nonprofit organizations providing critical support to Rhode Islanders in need? Join guests Meghan Grady, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island and Carolyn Belisle, managing director of corporate social responsibility at BCBSRI, as they dis...

The senior population is especially vulnerable to COVID-19, but isolating at home can lead to some unfortunate side effects. What are the negative impacts of social isolation on older Rhode Islanders, and what tips and resources are available for seniors and their caregivers as they continue to weather the pandemic? Special guest Rekha Rao, MD, VP medical director, Northeast Region, Beacon Health...