(KNSI) – The state of Minnesota is partnering with several health insurance providers to help get people vaccinated for COVID-19 who are in communities that have been the most impacted by the pandemic. The partnership aims to reach Minnesotans who live in high social vulnerability index communities to help them schedule appointments and get other help, like transportation to and from their vaccine clinic.
Socially vulnerable populations can include people with disabilities, people whose first language isn’t English and those without a car or other means of reliable transportation. They might face barriers that have kept them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine so far.
“Immunizing for impact requires us to measure our success not only by how fast we are able to get the most Minnesotans vaccinated but also by how we are reaching communities at highest risk for COVID-19 who have already been hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Dr. Nathan Chomilo, COVID-19 vaccine equity director for the Minnesota Department of Health and Medicaid medical director for the state Department of Human Services. “Our Minnesota health plans have found unique ways to support their members’ and communities’ health and this partnership will allow all of us to expand our resources, coordinate efforts to get more Minnesotans connected to lifesaving vaccines and continue to build a more just and community-driven approach to health.”
The Minnesota Department of Health says one of its partners, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, recently did a two-week test of the outreach program where it texted people reminders about COVID-19 vaccination opportunities. That led to an increase in walk-in vaccine appointments.
“Participating health plans will have the support of state agencies to reach out to members in BIPOC communities as well as those living in areas with higher SVI scores, which have been shown to be at increased risk for COVID-19 outbreaks,” the MDH says.
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