In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Highmark Health Plan has taken multiple measures to keep employees and communities safe. Through coverage expansions, increased access to care, virtual support and continually providing resources to members, Highmark persists to be there for all in these trying times.
A new initiative recently started by Highmark, the Pen Pal Program, collaborates with several senior high-rises in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The program brings together Highmark employee volunteers and their children, to write letters back and forth with residents of the high-rises to help them feel more connected when family members are not allowed to visit due to social distancing and stay at home orders.
In addition to this program, Highmark has been sending pertinent virus information to senior residents and providing different ways to stay healthy and access care through telemedicine to all Medicare members via mail, text messaging and social media. If Highmark volunteers are not engaging with residents through the Pen Pal Program, you can find them making routine phone calls to Medicare members to help ensure they are doing ‘OK’ and have someone to talk to on a daily or weekly basis.
Highmark also created a website — www.highmarkanswers.com — to answer questions about issues surrounding COVID-19 and provide information on how the health insurance company can help those in need.
Information provided Ellwood City Ledger.