February 05, 2020
Using food as medicine is an innovative
approach to achieving better health outcomes while significantly reducing costs
for California’s Medi-Cal program.
San Francisco (Feb. 5, 2020) – Anthem Blue Cross has partnered with a leading
Bay Area nutrition services provider, Project Open Hand, to launch a
four-county, one-year pilot project that provides medically tailored meal
interventions to Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal members who have chronic health
conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Through this program, Anthem will identify
members in San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties, who
struggle with chronic disease, and can benefit from food interventions that
combine medical nutrition therapy with medically appropriate home-delivered
meals. Project Open Hand will ensure Anthem members receive customized meals in
addition to specialized nutritional counseling provided by a registered
dietitian.
“Our partnership is going to redefine what’s
possible in improving the lives of those with chronic disease,” said Paul
Hepfer, CEO of Project Open Hand. “Having such a large and progressive health
partner like Anthem Blue Cross goes a long way in furthering the evidence that
food, when prepared with very specific menus and delivered in conjunction with
individualized nutrition education with registered dietitians, can greatly
improve health outcomes.”
Project Open Hand and its partners in the
California Food is Medicine Coalition, The Health Trust and Project Angel Food,
are leading this new pilot on behalf of Anthem Blue Cross. It has been modeled
after several similar peer-reviewed studies that have shown that medically
tailored meal interventions can significantly improve health outcomes and
reduce healthcare program costs.
“Anthem Blue Cross understands that addressing
social drivers, such as access to healthy food and nutrition programs, is the
key to improving health outcomes,” said Dr. Barsam Kasravi, President, Anthem
Blue Cross. “That is why we are committed to investing in new programs and
partnerships that expand access to both healthcare and the life essentials that
form the foundation of healthy living.”
Research and outcomes continue to demonstrate
that medical nutrition interventions improve health outcomes, decrease hospital
readmission rates and reduce Medi-Cal program costs. Anthem Blue Cross, its
affiliates and parent organization continue to observe data and case studies
that pinpoint nutrition as a leading driver of health; thus, Anthem Blue Cross
has launched several initiatives across California to link food, medicine and
other resources to help its members and entire communities to better manage
chronic conditions and lead healthier lives.
About Anthem Blue Cross
Anthem Blue Cross helps improve health care
access and quality for Californians by developing innovative care management
programs and services. Anthem Blue Cross’ top priority is the health and
well-being of our consumers and we are committed to providing members with
access to comprehensive health care. Through health education and community
outreach programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy
lifestyle. Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name for Blue Cross of California.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan, Inc. are
independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. ANTHEM is a registered
trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross name and symbol
are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. Blue Cross of California is
contracted with L.A. Care Health Plan to provide Medi-Cal Managed Care services
in Los Angeles County. To learn more, visit https://mss.anthem.com/ca. Also,
follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/anthemBC_News or on
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossMediCal.
About Project Open Hand
Founded in 1985 as a grassroots response to
the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, Project Open Hand is an innovative,
outcome-driven, client-centered partner in the public health and medical
arenas, preparing 2,500 medically tailored nutritious meals daily for clients
with chronic disease such as cancer, diabetes and HIV in San Francisco and
Oakland. A leader in the "Food is Medicine" movement, Project Open
Hand employs a staff of 120, relies on the support of nearly 125 volunteers
every day and is headquartered in San Francisco’s Tenderloin with a second
location in Oakland, CA. To learn more, visit www.openhand.org and www.calfimc.org.
Media Contact:
Michael Bowman
Michael.Bowman@anthem.com
Ph: (916) 584-6043
Michael Bowman
Michael.Bowman@anthem.com
Ph: (916) 584-6043
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