1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:02,720 Imagine this. You're at the Swiss Hotel in 2 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:06,399 Chicago surrounded by top executives from leading insurance 3 00:00:06,399 --> 00:00:08,099 companies and health systems. 4 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:12,160 Welcome to Becker's Fall Pair Issues Roundtable, November 5 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:13,859 4th through 6, 2024. 6 00:00:14,625 --> 00:00:17,345 Picture the excitement as you gather business cards 7 00:00:17,345 --> 00:00:20,005 from over 500 executive level attendees, 8 00:00:20,545 --> 00:00:22,164 building invaluable connections. 9 00:00:22,704 --> 00:00:25,345 Feel the energy as you participate in over 10 00:00:25,345 --> 00:00:29,285 26 educational sessions led by 90 elite speakers. 11 00:00:29,769 --> 00:00:32,969 Envision yourself engaging in lively discussions about new 12 00:00:32,969 --> 00:00:36,409 health plans, hospital at home models, behavioral health, 13 00:00:36,409 --> 00:00:37,549 and price transparency. 14 00:00:38,170 --> 00:00:41,690 Now imagine being inspired by keynotes from boxing 15 00:00:41,690 --> 00:00:45,045 legend, Sugar Ray Leonard, and 4 time NBA 16 00:00:45,184 --> 00:00:47,744 All Star, Chris Webber. Their stories will leave 17 00:00:47,744 --> 00:00:50,004 you motivated and ready to innovate. 18 00:00:50,384 --> 00:00:53,024 Don't miss out on this unique opportunity. Get 19 00:00:53,024 --> 00:00:55,204 registered today. Visit beckershospital 20 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:57,059 Hello, everyone. 21 00:00:57,439 --> 00:00:58,293 This is Jacob Emerson with the Becker's Pay 22 00:00:58,293 --> 00:00:59,699 Your Issues podcast. 23 00:01:11,055 --> 00:01:12,894 Thrilled today to be joined by a special 24 00:01:12,894 --> 00:01:13,394 guest, 25 00:01:13,694 --> 00:01:16,674 Blue Shield of California's Promise Health Plan CEO, 26 00:01:16,734 --> 00:01:19,295 Kristin Cerf. Kristin, thank you so much for 27 00:01:19,295 --> 00:01:20,734 taking the time to be with us on 28 00:01:20,734 --> 00:01:21,715 the podcast today. 29 00:01:22,174 --> 00:01:23,694 Hello. Thank you so much for having me, 30 00:01:23,694 --> 00:01:25,875 Jacob. I'm excited. This will be fun. 31 00:01:26,189 --> 00:01:28,349 Likewise, Kristen. And before we dive into everything 32 00:01:28,349 --> 00:01:29,950 we wanna talk with you about and everything 33 00:01:29,950 --> 00:01:31,869 that's going on at Blue Shield, can you 34 00:01:31,869 --> 00:01:33,709 tell us a little bit more about yourself 35 00:01:33,709 --> 00:01:36,129 in terms of your health care career background 36 00:01:36,189 --> 00:01:38,030 and what it is that you're doing today 37 00:01:38,030 --> 00:01:39,329 at Blue Shield of California? 38 00:01:40,334 --> 00:01:43,375 Alright. So I am currently president and CEO 39 00:01:43,375 --> 00:01:46,194 of Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. 40 00:01:46,655 --> 00:01:48,734 Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is 41 00:01:48,734 --> 00:01:51,295 a nonprofit health plan that is fully owned 42 00:01:51,295 --> 00:01:52,755 by Blue Shield of California, 43 00:01:53,135 --> 00:01:55,620 also a nonprofit mission oriented health plan here 44 00:01:55,620 --> 00:01:56,439 in California. 45 00:01:57,380 --> 00:01:59,060 And I've been in this role for about 46 00:01:59,060 --> 00:02:00,739 5 years now, and I've had a little 47 00:02:00,739 --> 00:02:01,719 bit of a nontraditional 48 00:02:02,579 --> 00:02:05,799 journey because before I moved into this position, 49 00:02:05,939 --> 00:02:07,939 I was in the legal department. I was 50 00:02:07,939 --> 00:02:10,520 the chief legal officer for Promise Health Plan. 51 00:02:11,034 --> 00:02:13,275 I've had a long legal career, I guess. 52 00:02:13,435 --> 00:02:15,354 At this point, it's over 15 years. I 53 00:02:15,354 --> 00:02:16,574 started with the California 54 00:02:16,875 --> 00:02:19,754 Department of Managed Health Care that regulates managed 55 00:02:19,754 --> 00:02:20,974 care plans in California. 56 00:02:21,514 --> 00:02:24,090 I spent time as outside counsel at Lock 57 00:02:24,090 --> 00:02:26,569 Lord. It's an AM fifty law firm, and 58 00:02:26,569 --> 00:02:30,330 it specialized at the time in deep, payer 59 00:02:30,330 --> 00:02:33,069 issues and did everything from value based contracting 60 00:02:33,289 --> 00:02:36,194 to, you know, disputes to learning how to 61 00:02:36,194 --> 00:02:39,634 implement operational changes, mergers and acquisitions, all kinds 62 00:02:39,634 --> 00:02:41,555 of fun stuff. And I was also at 63 00:02:41,555 --> 00:02:43,314 another health plan and worked deeply in their 64 00:02:43,314 --> 00:02:45,235 Medicaid business for 6 or 7 years as 65 00:02:45,235 --> 00:02:47,250 well prior to coming to Blue Shield. So 66 00:02:47,250 --> 00:02:48,770 it's been a really fun, a little bit 67 00:02:48,770 --> 00:02:50,449 of a different journey, but I think that 68 00:02:50,449 --> 00:02:52,629 lenses are always fun to play with. So, 69 00:02:53,009 --> 00:02:55,349 it's definitely contributed a lot to my career. 70 00:02:56,289 --> 00:02:58,050 Fantastic. Well, I appreciate you taking us through 71 00:02:58,050 --> 00:03:00,210 that, Kristen. And the first thing I wanted 72 00:03:00,210 --> 00:03:02,210 to talk with you about is something that 73 00:03:02,210 --> 00:03:04,034 happened just a few weeks ago, and it 74 00:03:04,034 --> 00:03:06,775 really affected all health plans throughout the country. 75 00:03:07,314 --> 00:03:10,275 But the National Committee For Quality Assurance awarded 76 00:03:10,275 --> 00:03:13,314 a 4 star rating to Blue Shield's Promise 77 00:03:13,314 --> 00:03:15,479 health plan. Really, only a handful of, 78 00:03:16,039 --> 00:03:18,439 health plans around the country achieved 4 stars, 79 00:03:18,439 --> 00:03:20,120 and that number gets even smaller as you 80 00:03:20,120 --> 00:03:22,459 know when we're talking about the Medicaid space. 81 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:24,039 So talk to us a little bit about 82 00:03:24,039 --> 00:03:26,120 this rating. What goes into something like that, 83 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:28,199 and what does it mean specifically for Blue 84 00:03:28,199 --> 00:03:29,099 Shield of California? 85 00:03:30,534 --> 00:03:32,614 You know, this rating is a really special 86 00:03:32,614 --> 00:03:35,014 rating because it's all about preventative care, and 87 00:03:35,014 --> 00:03:36,694 it's about whether or not we've been able 88 00:03:36,694 --> 00:03:39,014 to get our members access to and receive 89 00:03:39,014 --> 00:03:41,669 the preventative care services that we need. So 90 00:03:41,669 --> 00:03:43,189 I like to think of this as, like, 91 00:03:43,189 --> 00:03:47,449 blood pressure screening, cervical cancer screenings, childhood immunizations, 92 00:03:47,909 --> 00:03:49,049 adolescent immunizations, 93 00:03:50,389 --> 00:03:53,349 prenatal and postpartum care. Right? So this is 94 00:03:53,349 --> 00:03:55,430 really critical stuff, and so this is not 95 00:03:55,430 --> 00:03:57,134 only a win for us at Promise. It's 96 00:03:57,134 --> 00:03:58,735 a win for all of our members, our 97 00:03:58,735 --> 00:03:59,235 580,000 98 00:04:00,174 --> 00:04:02,655 Medicaid members in Los Angeles and San Diego 99 00:04:02,655 --> 00:04:03,155 County. 100 00:04:03,614 --> 00:04:05,614 And it's really deeply personal for me and 101 00:04:05,614 --> 00:04:07,634 the team. As I mentioned, we're a nonprofit 102 00:04:07,935 --> 00:04:08,435 organization. 103 00:04:09,419 --> 00:04:11,580 Our mission is to ensure that our members 104 00:04:11,580 --> 00:04:13,900 have access to high quality health care that's 105 00:04:13,900 --> 00:04:15,520 worthy of our family and friends. 106 00:04:15,819 --> 00:04:18,860 And we really view ensuring that members have 107 00:04:18,860 --> 00:04:21,420 access to these preventative care services as core 108 00:04:21,420 --> 00:04:23,495 to that mission. And I think in Medicaid, 109 00:04:23,495 --> 00:04:25,334 it's a little bit tricky. Right? Because you're 110 00:04:25,334 --> 00:04:28,055 talking about a low income population. It's a 111 00:04:28,055 --> 00:04:28,555 significant 112 00:04:28,935 --> 00:04:30,935 population as well. You've got about a third 113 00:04:30,935 --> 00:04:31,834 of all Californians 114 00:04:32,134 --> 00:04:33,435 on the Medicaid program 115 00:04:33,894 --> 00:04:35,514 and about half of the children. 116 00:04:35,930 --> 00:04:37,610 And for folks that are listening from other 117 00:04:37,610 --> 00:04:40,730 states, California has combined the Children's Health Insurance 118 00:04:40,730 --> 00:04:42,810 Program with the Medicaid program. So I just 119 00:04:42,810 --> 00:04:43,949 talk about them together. 120 00:04:44,330 --> 00:04:46,009 But it is a very large swath. And 121 00:04:46,009 --> 00:04:47,529 when you think about that and you think 122 00:04:47,529 --> 00:04:49,735 about the challenges that folks living in those 123 00:04:49,735 --> 00:04:50,235 communities 124 00:04:50,694 --> 00:04:53,175 may have, the lack of resources and access 125 00:04:53,175 --> 00:04:54,615 to care that they may have, I I'd 126 00:04:54,615 --> 00:04:56,774 say this is a pretty significant accomplishment and 127 00:04:56,774 --> 00:04:58,555 one that we're very excited about. 128 00:04:59,254 --> 00:04:59,754 Absolutely. 129 00:05:00,055 --> 00:05:02,235 And, you know, that number you mentioned, 580,000 130 00:05:03,014 --> 00:05:05,709 members across the state of California, that rating 131 00:05:05,709 --> 00:05:07,889 means that all of those people are receiving 132 00:05:07,949 --> 00:05:10,110 high quality health care as deemed by the 133 00:05:10,110 --> 00:05:10,610 NCQA. 134 00:05:11,389 --> 00:05:14,029 So, Kristen, what specific innovations took place within 135 00:05:14,029 --> 00:05:16,050 the company, let's say over the last year, 136 00:05:16,269 --> 00:05:18,449 to help achieve this high rating? 137 00:05:19,495 --> 00:05:21,414 You know, it's so funny because we're living 138 00:05:21,414 --> 00:05:23,254 in this age of technology, and I'd say 139 00:05:23,254 --> 00:05:25,095 core and center to all of this is 140 00:05:25,095 --> 00:05:27,495 data. Right? And access to is real time 141 00:05:27,495 --> 00:05:30,055 data as is possible, and that requires really 142 00:05:30,055 --> 00:05:31,834 deep partnership with our providers 143 00:05:32,290 --> 00:05:33,730 to make sure that we know what's going 144 00:05:33,730 --> 00:05:36,149 on and that we have that collaborative relationship. 145 00:05:36,770 --> 00:05:38,930 But the real secret sauce here and where 146 00:05:38,930 --> 00:05:40,610 the rubber meets the road is how do 147 00:05:40,610 --> 00:05:41,350 you influence 148 00:05:41,730 --> 00:05:43,350 someone to come to the table. 149 00:05:43,730 --> 00:05:45,810 Right? How do you influence someone to go 150 00:05:45,810 --> 00:05:47,935 see a doctor? How do you influence a 151 00:05:47,935 --> 00:05:49,774 mom to take time out of her day 152 00:05:49,774 --> 00:05:52,115 who has a job, children, other issues, 153 00:05:52,654 --> 00:05:54,495 and go get a mammogram, which may feel 154 00:05:54,495 --> 00:05:56,654 like something that's a little bit, like, not 155 00:05:56,654 --> 00:05:59,375 as necessary because you feel fine. Right? Life 156 00:05:59,375 --> 00:06:01,589 is going along. You're feeling great. Why do 157 00:06:01,589 --> 00:06:03,750 I need that cervical cancer screening? Why do 158 00:06:03,750 --> 00:06:05,669 I need that mammogram screening? Or, you know, 159 00:06:05,669 --> 00:06:07,189 for men as well, why do I need 160 00:06:07,189 --> 00:06:09,370 that blood pressure or that diabetes screening? 161 00:06:10,069 --> 00:06:11,909 And and so it's hard because it's about 162 00:06:11,909 --> 00:06:14,229 influence. And so what we've done is we've 163 00:06:14,229 --> 00:06:16,550 taken our data. Right? We've continued to evolve 164 00:06:16,550 --> 00:06:18,595 and invest in getting as real time data 165 00:06:18,595 --> 00:06:20,595 as is humanly possible, and that is part 166 00:06:20,595 --> 00:06:21,875 of the work that we're doing at Blue 167 00:06:21,875 --> 00:06:23,555 Shield, and I'm sure you'll be hearing more 168 00:06:23,555 --> 00:06:24,294 about that, 169 00:06:24,754 --> 00:06:25,814 in the coming days, 170 00:06:26,354 --> 00:06:29,154 and working with our providers and our community 171 00:06:29,154 --> 00:06:31,954 based organization partners so that we can really 172 00:06:31,954 --> 00:06:33,870 get out there and build that trust with 173 00:06:33,870 --> 00:06:34,529 our members. 174 00:06:34,990 --> 00:06:37,730 I think that equity and understanding the communities 175 00:06:37,870 --> 00:06:40,990 that we serve, understanding barriers and access to 176 00:06:40,990 --> 00:06:43,230 care, understanding that there may be a need 177 00:06:43,230 --> 00:06:44,050 for alternative 178 00:06:44,750 --> 00:06:47,925 appointment hours, working with providers to ensure that 179 00:06:47,925 --> 00:06:50,485 they understand what's going on in their specific 180 00:06:50,485 --> 00:06:52,185 community, and also listening. 181 00:06:52,644 --> 00:06:55,384 Because so often, so many of our members, 182 00:06:55,524 --> 00:06:57,704 our providers, and our community based organizations 183 00:06:58,084 --> 00:07:00,719 actually tell us exactly what they need. And 184 00:07:00,719 --> 00:07:02,759 so when we understand what we need, we 185 00:07:02,759 --> 00:07:05,259 can actually tailor and build interventions 186 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,039 that are designed to address those needs. So 187 00:07:08,039 --> 00:07:10,439 that's really been the secret sauce, but, you 188 00:07:10,439 --> 00:07:12,599 know, it's not necessarily like a cut and 189 00:07:12,599 --> 00:07:14,759 paste or a one size fits all because 190 00:07:14,759 --> 00:07:17,665 every person is different. Every provider group is 191 00:07:17,665 --> 00:07:20,305 different. Every community that someone lives in is 192 00:07:20,305 --> 00:07:22,305 different. And so, you have to take those 193 00:07:22,305 --> 00:07:24,865 dynamics into account to truly move the needle 194 00:07:24,865 --> 00:07:27,504 and build those trusted relationships and get to 195 00:07:27,504 --> 00:07:30,399 a place where people understand the importance of 196 00:07:30,399 --> 00:07:32,560 taking the time to engage in these important 197 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:33,060 screenings. 198 00:07:33,599 --> 00:07:36,000 Sure. Absolutely. So a lot of data driven 199 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,079 processes here along with a lot of provider 200 00:07:38,079 --> 00:07:40,079 collaboration, it sounds like, that led to this 201 00:07:40,079 --> 00:07:40,740 high rating. 202 00:07:41,084 --> 00:07:43,404 And as you know, Kristen, there's a member 203 00:07:43,404 --> 00:07:45,245 survey that goes into this rating as well 204 00:07:45,245 --> 00:07:46,144 from the NCQA, 205 00:07:46,764 --> 00:07:49,404 that the that the organization administers itself. Blue 206 00:07:49,404 --> 00:07:51,564 Shield has no input in terms of how 207 00:07:51,805 --> 00:07:53,485 what kind of data comes back from your 208 00:07:53,485 --> 00:07:56,310 members. So were there other areas within the 209 00:07:56,310 --> 00:07:59,270 member experience that the company has placed emphasis 210 00:07:59,270 --> 00:08:01,029 on in the past couple of years that 211 00:08:01,029 --> 00:08:02,629 then led to where we are now with 212 00:08:02,629 --> 00:08:04,889 with that high rating for your Medicaid plan? 213 00:08:05,350 --> 00:08:06,949 Yeah. I'd say one of the things that 214 00:08:06,949 --> 00:08:09,555 we've invested in is actually a joint partnership 215 00:08:09,555 --> 00:08:11,634 with LA Care Health Plan down in Los 216 00:08:11,634 --> 00:08:12,694 Angeles. They're 217 00:08:13,154 --> 00:08:15,495 a local initiative health plan. We're a nonprofit. 218 00:08:15,555 --> 00:08:16,995 We have a heck of a lot in 219 00:08:16,995 --> 00:08:17,495 common. 220 00:08:18,035 --> 00:08:19,175 We put a $149,000,000, 221 00:08:20,675 --> 00:08:21,175 collaboratively 222 00:08:21,555 --> 00:08:24,410 together into the pot to build 14 community 223 00:08:24,470 --> 00:08:25,290 resource centers. 224 00:08:25,750 --> 00:08:27,509 Right? And so this is also taking us 225 00:08:27,509 --> 00:08:29,029 back to the days of brick and mortar, 226 00:08:29,029 --> 00:08:31,129 but creating a place that is welcoming, 227 00:08:31,590 --> 00:08:33,990 and designed to meet community needs, the needs 228 00:08:33,990 --> 00:08:35,370 that I spoke about earlier. 229 00:08:35,845 --> 00:08:38,884 Also incredibly data driven intended to serve very 230 00:08:38,884 --> 00:08:41,365 high volume of both of our membership that 231 00:08:41,365 --> 00:08:43,764 live within 3 miles of each center across 232 00:08:43,764 --> 00:08:44,904 Los Angeles County 233 00:08:45,365 --> 00:08:47,384 and really designed to address 234 00:08:47,845 --> 00:08:50,424 lifestyle issues, right, that can contribute 235 00:08:50,899 --> 00:08:51,639 to health 236 00:08:52,100 --> 00:08:54,820 outcomes. So are you cooking and eating well? 237 00:08:54,820 --> 00:08:56,580 Do you have the skills and tools to 238 00:08:56,580 --> 00:08:58,740 understand how to do that? We offer family 239 00:08:58,740 --> 00:09:01,379 cooking classes. I think that's so great just 240 00:09:01,379 --> 00:09:03,105 to get even kids to the table and 241 00:09:03,105 --> 00:09:05,264 start folks early on what it means to 242 00:09:05,264 --> 00:09:08,565 to live a healthy lifestyle, exercise classes, financial 243 00:09:08,704 --> 00:09:10,324 classes so that people can understand 244 00:09:10,704 --> 00:09:12,945 how to build a credit score. Right? Things 245 00:09:12,945 --> 00:09:14,945 like that. And then as a lever point, 246 00:09:14,945 --> 00:09:16,879 we're able to use them as a place 247 00:09:16,879 --> 00:09:19,460 where we can bring in some screening services. 248 00:09:19,519 --> 00:09:22,320 So everyone's aware we have mammogram vans. Everybody 249 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:24,659 does. We have provider partners that do that. 250 00:09:25,039 --> 00:09:27,039 We're able to bring those vans to those 251 00:09:27,039 --> 00:09:29,279 sites based on what the community has told 252 00:09:29,279 --> 00:09:31,200 us or or times and needs that will 253 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:32,179 serve them best. 254 00:09:32,934 --> 00:09:34,615 Well, it's a fantastic example, and I I 255 00:09:34,615 --> 00:09:36,774 really appreciate you sharing that with us, Kristin, 256 00:09:36,774 --> 00:09:39,654 in terms of payers collaborating together for better 257 00:09:39,654 --> 00:09:40,475 health outcomes. 258 00:09:41,014 --> 00:09:43,975 In that vein, any other notable innovations or 259 00:09:43,975 --> 00:09:46,534 community outreach programs that the company wants to 260 00:09:46,534 --> 00:09:47,194 build upon 261 00:09:47,649 --> 00:09:49,669 from this past year or moving forward? 262 00:09:50,450 --> 00:09:52,129 Yeah. Well, before we hit that, if that's 263 00:09:52,129 --> 00:09:53,889 okay, I'd love to just discuss a few 264 00:09:53,889 --> 00:09:56,129 data points that I neglected to mention earlier. 265 00:09:56,129 --> 00:09:58,370 Yeah. So at our community resource centers, we're 266 00:09:58,370 --> 00:10:00,210 actually starting to see our data. We started 267 00:10:00,210 --> 00:10:02,524 this journey about 5 years ago. Sure you 268 00:10:02,524 --> 00:10:04,924 can imagine COVID had an impact, but most 269 00:10:04,924 --> 00:10:05,424 importantly, 270 00:10:06,045 --> 00:10:08,924 we're seeing that these centers are actually supporting 271 00:10:08,924 --> 00:10:11,085 the members. So if we all start at 272 00:10:11,085 --> 00:10:13,565 the top that social needs drive 80% of 273 00:10:13,565 --> 00:10:15,485 health care spending. Right? So we all know 274 00:10:15,485 --> 00:10:17,169 how expensive it is, and we all know 275 00:10:17,169 --> 00:10:18,470 that we need to address it. 276 00:10:19,009 --> 00:10:21,090 And then we bring in interventions like a 277 00:10:21,090 --> 00:10:23,169 resource center to support our members. 278 00:10:24,210 --> 00:10:25,830 We have seen a 36% 279 00:10:26,850 --> 00:10:29,225 decrease in in patient admissions, 280 00:10:29,684 --> 00:10:30,424 a 32% 281 00:10:31,125 --> 00:10:34,585 decrease in urgent care visits, and most excitingly 282 00:10:34,644 --> 00:10:37,205 when we're talking about quality and we're talking 283 00:10:37,205 --> 00:10:38,105 about interventions, 284 00:10:38,644 --> 00:10:39,945 we've seen a 21% 285 00:10:40,565 --> 00:10:42,964 increase in primary care visits from the members 286 00:10:42,964 --> 00:10:45,399 that access these sites. So this is really 287 00:10:45,399 --> 00:10:47,559 exciting stuff and something that I really want 288 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:49,340 to encourage people to think about. 289 00:10:49,879 --> 00:10:51,879 The stuff that you're gonna see as we 290 00:10:51,879 --> 00:10:54,360 head towards the future that's really exciting, I 291 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:56,705 think, for us and for everyone at Promise. 292 00:10:56,705 --> 00:10:59,365 You're gonna see deeper partnership. You're gonna see 293 00:10:59,585 --> 00:11:01,425 a focus on equity, which is part of 294 00:11:01,425 --> 00:11:03,105 the work that I think so many states, 295 00:11:03,105 --> 00:11:05,125 including California, are doing. 296 00:11:05,585 --> 00:11:07,185 Again, that is core to our mission, so 297 00:11:07,185 --> 00:11:08,945 we're very excited in that. I think that 298 00:11:08,945 --> 00:11:10,559 we're a little bit ahead of the curve 299 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:12,720 on that and truly understanding our members, the 300 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:14,740 populations that we serve, and tailoring, 301 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:17,299 to address their specific needs. 302 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:20,639 We've also launched an incredibly exciting program in 303 00:11:20,639 --> 00:11:24,000 partnership with GED Works to support our members 304 00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:25,365 and understanding that 305 00:11:25,684 --> 00:11:28,584 every single member, right, that may need access 306 00:11:28,644 --> 00:11:29,144 to, 307 00:11:29,524 --> 00:11:32,164 getting their high school diploma or GED, general 308 00:11:32,164 --> 00:11:33,705 education degree equivalent, 309 00:11:34,565 --> 00:11:36,404 can do that. And it's completely free to 310 00:11:36,404 --> 00:11:38,429 them because there has been a really deep 311 00:11:38,429 --> 00:11:40,689 correlation shown in studies between 312 00:11:41,149 --> 00:11:43,549 having that high school level education and their 313 00:11:43,549 --> 00:11:46,189 overall health and well-being outcomes. So, we're really 314 00:11:46,189 --> 00:11:48,110 excited to get some data on that as 315 00:11:48,110 --> 00:11:49,965 well and see where we we go. Our 316 00:11:50,125 --> 00:11:52,764 first group has already gone through GED Works, 317 00:11:52,764 --> 00:11:54,365 and they're in the middle of testing and 318 00:11:54,365 --> 00:11:55,665 getting those very exciting, 319 00:11:56,365 --> 00:11:56,865 degrees. 320 00:11:57,325 --> 00:11:59,565 And then our second group is up and 321 00:11:59,565 --> 00:12:02,384 starting right now. So just really exciting, wonderful 322 00:12:02,445 --> 00:12:04,125 stuff to see and also just great to 323 00:12:04,125 --> 00:12:06,699 see how when you listen to the community, 324 00:12:06,699 --> 00:12:08,539 you understand the needs of the folks that 325 00:12:08,539 --> 00:12:10,379 are in that community and you bring to 326 00:12:10,379 --> 00:12:12,079 the table and offer things, 327 00:12:12,779 --> 00:12:14,539 people do take you up on it. And 328 00:12:14,539 --> 00:12:16,379 I think that that is the most meaningful 329 00:12:16,379 --> 00:12:18,159 part of all the work that we're doing. 330 00:12:18,865 --> 00:12:21,425 Absolutely. And clearly so much impactful work going 331 00:12:21,425 --> 00:12:23,985 on at Blue Shield. But before we go, 332 00:12:23,985 --> 00:12:26,384 Kristen, what else are we missing? Any final 333 00:12:26,384 --> 00:12:28,705 thoughts or final bits of advice you'd like 334 00:12:28,705 --> 00:12:29,985 to offer while you have the ears of 335 00:12:29,985 --> 00:12:31,665 a lot of health plan leaders all over 336 00:12:31,665 --> 00:12:32,325 the country? 337 00:12:33,470 --> 00:12:34,990 I am just gonna say, and I've been 338 00:12:34,990 --> 00:12:36,610 saying this for years, partnership, 339 00:12:36,990 --> 00:12:40,209 partnership, partnership. Whether it's partnership with your providers, 340 00:12:40,350 --> 00:12:41,889 your community based organizations, 341 00:12:42,669 --> 00:12:45,089 your members, or even other payers. 342 00:12:46,024 --> 00:12:48,665 These are tremendous challenges, right, that we're all 343 00:12:48,665 --> 00:12:50,125 facing. We all have 344 00:12:50,585 --> 00:12:51,085 extremely, 345 00:12:51,785 --> 00:12:54,425 you know, big audacious goals because they're the 346 00:12:54,425 --> 00:12:55,644 right things to do. 347 00:12:56,024 --> 00:12:58,345 And as we work together, I think that 348 00:12:58,345 --> 00:13:01,330 we're able to have significantly more impact. So, 349 00:13:01,330 --> 00:13:03,110 our future is so bright. 350 00:13:03,649 --> 00:13:06,230 We're seeing Medicaid programs not only in California 351 00:13:06,370 --> 00:13:08,769 through California Advancing and Innovating in Medi Cal 352 00:13:08,769 --> 00:13:09,750 but other states 353 00:13:10,129 --> 00:13:13,089 really headed around and focused on such key 354 00:13:13,089 --> 00:13:15,809 important components of people having the highest and 355 00:13:15,809 --> 00:13:16,629 best opportunity 356 00:13:17,144 --> 00:13:19,705 at an overall, like, great health outcome. Right? 357 00:13:19,705 --> 00:13:22,285 We're focused on equity. We're focused on population 358 00:13:22,425 --> 00:13:24,985 health. We're focused on whole person care. It 359 00:13:24,985 --> 00:13:27,565 doesn't get much better than that. Really understanding 360 00:13:27,945 --> 00:13:30,024 social needs and and delivering on those, I 361 00:13:30,024 --> 00:13:32,879 think, are the key to unlocking highest and 362 00:13:32,879 --> 00:13:36,000 best optimal health outcomes for everyone. So I 363 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:37,840 always say if it works in Medicaid, it's 364 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:39,460 gonna work everywhere else too. 365 00:13:39,919 --> 00:13:41,759 And it's working here, it's working now, and 366 00:13:41,759 --> 00:13:43,519 I'm really excited for what that means for 367 00:13:43,519 --> 00:13:44,179 the future. 368 00:13:44,995 --> 00:13:47,554 Wonderful. Well, Kristen, thank you so much for 369 00:13:47,554 --> 00:13:49,235 taking the time to sit down with us 370 00:13:49,235 --> 00:13:51,634 and for sharing your insights with our listeners. 371 00:13:51,634 --> 00:13:53,014 We truly appreciate it. 372 00:13:53,475 --> 00:13:54,375 Thank you, Jacob. 373 00:13:54,826 --> 00:13:56,906 If you'd like to listen to more podcasts 374 00:13:56,906 --> 00:13:59,166 from Becker's Health Care, you can visit beckershospitalreview.com.