HERKIMER, NY – Herkimer County HealthNet has received a grant in the amount of $5,000 from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in their effort to increase access to healthcare through providing transportation resources in the northern and southern sectors of Herkimer County. In recent years, Herkimer County HealthNet has identified access to healthcare as a barrier to better health.
“Through various needs assessments that we’ve conducted over the last 10 years, the need for transportation to medical appointments and specialized care has grown and continues to grow,” says Elyse Enea, Executive Director of Herkimer County HealthNet. “We have a relationship with transportation providers such as Community Transportation Services in Old Forge and the Catholic Charities RIDE Program in the Mohawk Valley.”
Through a competitive application process, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Community Health Awards help fund programs that improve the health or health care of a specific population, programs that aim to improve the health status of the community, closes the gaps in health disparities, reduces the incidence of specific diseases, promotes health education and assists our communities in dealing with COVID.
“The company’s Community Health Awards demonstrate a corporate commitment to support local organizations that share our mission as a nonprofit health plan,” said Eve Van de Wal, Utica Regional President of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “These awards complement our existing grants and sponsorships with agencies that work to enhance quality of life, including health status, in upstate New York.”
Herkimer County HealthNet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals living in Herkimer County. For more information, call Herkimer County HealthNet at 315-867-1552.
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Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 1.5 million upstate New York members. The company’s mission is to help people live healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality, affordable health care. Its products and services include cost-saving prescription drug discounts, wellness tracking tools and access to telemedicine. With more than 3,500 employees, the company is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce to foster innovation and better serve its members. It also encourages employees to engage in their communities by providing paid volunteer time off as one of many benefits. To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com.