Safe Zone designation identifies sites that provide affirming, inclusive care to LGBTQ community

PROVIDENCE, RI – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has certified a new wave of BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone providers across the state representing several specialties. This new group – including primary care, behavioral health, child and family services and, for the first time, elder care facilities - joins more than a dozen other providers statewide designated as BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone certified providers.

“In this robust new group of Safe Zone providers, it is of particular significance that we have identified Safe Zones for elder care for the first time," said Guillaume Bagal, diversity and inclusion lead at BCBSRI. “Despite creating families of choice and other support networks, many LGBT older people still experience high rates of social isolation. They are twice as likely to be single and to live alone, and three to four times as likely to be childless."

BCBSRI’s LGBTQ Safe Zone certification identifies those providing safe, affirming and inclusive care to the LGBTQ community. BCBSRI introduced the program in 2016.

The newly designated BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zones include:

• PVD Psychological Associates - Providence                                                                                                                              A private psychology practice whose mission is to provide the greater Rhode Island area with exceptional therapy and to offer cutting edge and research-supported treatment by a team of highly trained therapists. PVD Psychological Associates serves adults, college students and adolescents, and they are an affirming practice that is well-versed in serving LGBTQ identified individuals and their families.
• Tri-County Community Action Agency - Johnston                                                                                                                   A non-profit agency that provides a highly diverse and comprehensive range of services for LGBTQ patients to feel safe, welcome and cared for. Tri-County’s health centers have already been designated as Safe Zones, and now the Community Action Agency hopes to improve access to preventative medical, behavioral and dental services for LGBQT patients.
• St. Mary’s Home for Children – North Providence                                                                                                                                      An organization with the mission of creating an environment of healing and hope for children and their families. Recently, St. Mary’s has been working toward assessing the needs of its diverse population of clients, and has implemented a standard of care with a focus on its LGBTQ youth.
• Lifespan Physician Group Lifestyle Medicine Center (LPG) - Providence                                                                                    The center provides evidence-based practice in assisting individuals and families to adopt and sustain behaviors that can improve their health and quality of life. LPG offers both individual and group lifestyle medicine services and its methods focus on four main areas: physical activity, nutrition, substance use and stress management. LPG understands that there are patients who may be reluctant to reveal their sexual orientation or identity to their care team and is working to provide a welcoming healthcare setting.
• Aldersbridge Communities – East Providence, Providence and Woonsocket                                                                        Elder care communities that provide assisted living, independent living, long-term care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation for older persons to live in comfort, with dignity and purpose. Aldersbridge feels that for a person to be most comfortable in their new home or workplace they must be accepted and respected in all ways. If a senior resident chooses to come out, or learns that a family member or friend is LGBTQ, Aldersbridge wants to assure them they are in a comfortable, supportive, and healthy environment.

Certification requirements for BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone providers include staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ patients, protection for patients and staff from discrimination based on gender identity or expression, gender neutral bathrooms, inclusive forms and procedures, and a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ community. Since 2016, BCBSRI has certified more than a dozen providers in Rhode Island to help ensure the LGBTQ community can find the care they need. View the full list of providers at bcbsri.com/safezones.

“The Safe Zone certification signals to the LGBTQ community that they will receive culturally competent and inclusive care," said Bagal. “It is our hope that the Safe Zone Program will help to provide LGBTQ patients with the valuable healthcare experience any patient deserves." 

The LGBTQ community’s gap in proper and equal health care has been well-documented, particularly in Lambda Legal’s report “When Health Care Isn’t Caring." Among the report’s statistics are:

• Almost 56 percent of lesbian, gay or bisexual respondents had experienced some form of healthcare discrimination, including (but not limited to):
  • being refused needed care;
  • being blamed for their healthcare status;
  • healthcare professionals using harsh or abusive language; or
  • healthcare professionals being physically rough or abusive.
• Seventy percent of transgender and nonconforming respondents had one or more of the experiences described above.

To learn more about BCBSRI’s LGBTQ Safe Zone program or if you are a provider or practice looking to become certified as a BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone, visit bcbsri.com/safezones.