RALEIGH, N.C. , Nov.
4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The NC Alliance of YMCAs and YMCA of the Triangle hosted a Health Innovations Roundtable today at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA, bringing together Dr. Mandy Cohen , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kody Kinsley , secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), and Suzanne McCormick, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA . North Carolina and national health partners joined for the discussion highlighting how the Y and its partners address health-related social needs to ensure access to services that can transform health outcomes.
Christy Colgan , Director, Strategy of Drivers of Health for Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina (BCBS NC), shared details of a four-year collaborative pilot between BCBS NC and the YMCA of the Triangle as part of the discussion. In the pilot funded by BCBS NC, patients were referred to the Y by a physician, typically as the result of a health diagnosis, such as pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, the risk of falls due to age or illness, or adult and child weight management. Referred patients benefitted from a Y Health membership with a bundle of three services—a YMCA membership, participation in an evidence-based health program and health coaching.
"The potential for medical expense net savings is being evaluated and the results will provide insight into the scalability of payor reimbursements of Y health programs and services," Colgan said. Amo.