Matthew Collins, M.D., M.B.A. is BCBSRI’s executive vice president and chief medical officer, with comprehensive oversight for our medical management, care management, utilization management, and behavioral health management areas. Matt’s goals are ensuring our members get the right care at the right time in the right setting, while leading our efforts to control the increase of total medical expenses. He also brings a unique perspective to his role with a background as a family physician.
September marks the 30th anniversary of Healthy Aging Month. It’s a time to focus our attention on the positive aspects of growing older and the importance of taking personal responsibility for our health as we do. What does healthy aging mean? And what does life expectancy look like today? There are several factors we look at when we talk about healthy aging – physical activity and nutrition of course are at the top of the list, but social activity/networks and mental health are important factors as well.
Fact is, longevity is tied to a combination of all of the factors that are part of overall good health and well-being. Life expectancy in the U.S. was on a positive trend over the last several decades, improving steadily from 73.7 years in 1980 to 78.8 years in 2019* overall. (It varies by race, ethnicity, and gender, as well as geography – in Rhode Island it was 78.2 years, the fourth highest in New England.) In 2020 however, that number dipped to 77 years, a result of deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting health impacts, as well as the sharp rise in drug overdoses. That was the first drop in some time and a marked change from pre-pandemic stability.
As we continue to “come out" of the pandemic – a relative term for sure – it’s more important than ever that we look for ways to help reverse that trend and age in a healthy way. At BCBSRI, one way we’re promoting this is through our Medicare Advantage plan benefits. This month, we’ll be out in the market with details on our 2023 Medicare Advantage plans, which more than ever will feature benefits that will help our members get and stay healthy.
These days, as a health insurer, it’s about more than just providing medical and dental coverage – a health plan should be more reflective of its members’ lifestyles and needs and help them live their healthiest lives. And our plans do that, with benefits like free exercise classes at our Your Blue Stores, and a national gym benefit called Silver & Fit® that gives Medicare members access to a $0 gym membership at more than 16,500 fitness centers across the country, including more than 50 nearby.
Recognizing that many seniors who are active would rather exercise at home, we’re also going to offer members a $0 home fitness kit, with many options to choose from including Pilates, strength, swim, and yoga, as well as access to thousands of digital workout videos. And to help members meet their fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle goals, we’ll offer enhanced healthy aging coaching sessions with trained coaches by phone or video.
For those who may need a little assistance with the basics, we will once again offer in-home support for everyday household chores, $0 rides to and from doctors’ appointments and other places in the community, and $0 meal deliveries after a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF) stay. Look for much more to come very soon as we approach the Medicare Advantage Annual Election Period.
In addition to Healthy Aging Month, in September we observe National Suicide Prevention Month, National Recovery Month, and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. As always, thank you for your partnership and all you do to help our members stay safe and healthy.
*Fuente: Centros para el Control y la Prevención de las Enfermedades