Ensuring equity in health care

At Independence Blue Cross (IBX), we’re committed to ensuring that everyone in the Philadelphia five-county region has access to the quality health care they need, no matter who they are or where they live.

We know that where people live, work, and receive care affects their health. That’s why we’re focused on removing barriers and closing gaps in care, so everyone has a fair opportunity to be healthy.

Driving change through collaboration

Health equity requires partnership. IBX works closely with regional health systems, community organizations, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to break down silos and deliver lasting solutions.

• Accelerate Health Equity (AHE) is a Philadelphia-based initiative aimed at eliminating disparities in healthcare and advancing health equity through a unified city-wide approach. IBX, health systems, community organizations, and other partners collaborate to reduce gaps in care and address factors that impact health outcomes across the region. The Coalition to Eliminate Race-Based Medicine is an initiative that extends the work of AHE.
• The Coalition to Eliminate Race Based Medicine brings together IBX and many regional health systems to improve clinical decision support tools that have historically adjusted outcomes based on race. Its work helps reduce delays and inequities in care. To date, all participating health systems have transitioned away from race adjustments in clinical decision support tools that help guide lung, kidney, OB-GYN, and pediatric care.

Embedding equity into everything we do

Health equity is a key part of what we do at IBX every day. IBX has earned Health Equity Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), recognizing our commitment to improving access and care for everyone. Here are a few ways we’re making a difference:

• Collecting information on race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, and sexual orientation to better understand gaps in care and improve services.
• Expanding language and cultural support, such as interpreters and translated materials.
• Convening IBX member meetings throughout the year to gather feedback on our health equity efforts.

Prioritizing the areas with the greatest gaps

IBX focuses on conditions that drive the largest disparities in life expectancy across the region. These focus areas include:

• Controlling high blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Maternal health

By combining data, community insights, and root cause analysis, we work to close gaps faster and deliver better outcomes for those most affected.

Advancing equity through measurable outcomes

We rely on data to shape and strengthen IBX's health equity strategy. Over the past three years, we’ve made progress in the following areas:

• Evaluated and monitored severe maternal health complications among Black and African American members.
• Increased members’ overall depression screening rates by 5.5%.
• Improved colorectal cancer screening rates by an average of 5% year over year, with strong progress among Hispanic/Latino and Asian populations.
• Removed race from five clinical tools used in maternity, kidney, lung, and pediatric care.
• Improved access to IV iron for pregnant members by updating medical policies and removing delays in care.

Moving forward

Our work to improve health equity continues. We’re focused on what’s next and using what we’ve learned to expand access to care and improve outcomes.