How Blue Cross’ Social Mission Aims to Increase Access to Healthcare in Michigan
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist and project plan...
Key Takeaways
- Through our Strengthening the Safety Net program, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has invested $17.8 million over 21 years to support more than 50 free and charitable clinics that provide primary, dental, behavioral health and prescription assistance services to uninsured and underinsured residents.
- By expanding access to primary and preventive care, the program has helped more than 250,000 patients receive care, prevented more than 400,000 unnecessary emergency room visits and generated more than $200 million in healthcare savings across Michigan.
- Blue Cross publishes regional Help with Healthcare booklets that guide uninsured and underinsured residents to free and low-cost clinics, mental health providers, dental and vision services, government assistance programs and other community resources, helping patients navigate the healthcare system and find affordable care.
Access to affordable, high‑quality healthcare remains a challenge across the United States, and Michigan is no exception.
People who are uninsured and underinsured or those who don’t have access to primary care may turn to the emergency department (ED) for care. But an ED visit can be up to 10 times more expensive than a trip to urgent care or a primary care provider (PCP). As many as 40% of emergency department visits are medically non-urgent.
These unnecessary ED visits contribute to healthcare affordability and healthcare quality problems, which is why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has centered its social mission on increasing access to affordable healthcare, enhancing the quality-of-care patients receive and improving the health of Michigan’s residents and communities. Strengthening the safety net delivers primary, preventive and whole person care to the state’s most vulnerable residents, and this is just one way Blue Cross accomplishes this mission.
Blue Cross publishes a free health literacy resource designed to help uninsured and underinsured Michigan residents navigate how to find affordable medical care and community resources in an accessible and practical format. The Help with Healthcare booklet compiles resources organized by regions around the state, including:
- Lists of free and low‑cost clinics
- Dental and vision service options
- Mental health providers
- Government assistance programs
- Services tailored for older adults
A built‑in calendar also helps you organize your appointments, prescriptions and anything related to healthcare.
Blue Cross’s social mission demonstrates that a coordinated, community‑focused approach can make health care more accessible for everyone. By investing in safety net clinics, offering tools and resources to help navigate the healthcare landscape and emphasizing primary and preventive care, Blue Cross not only works to reduce unnecessary emergency visits but also foster healthier individuals, families and communities. As medical costs continue to rise, the organization’s commitment to strengthening the safety net offers a scalable model for other states seeking to close the gap between healthcare need and healthcare access.
The role of safety net clinics in Michigan
Free and charitable clinics serve a critical function in Michigan. They treat everyone regardless of ability to pay, offering medical, dental and behavioral health services directly or through referrals. Many also provide prescription assistance and help patients navigate insurance enrollment, bridging gaps that would otherwise leave individuals without care.
“Safety net clinics play an essential role in Michigan communities, often serving people when they have nowhere else to turn for care,” said Tiffany Albert, senior vice president of Community Relations and chief inclusion officer at Blue Cross. “By supporting these organizations, we’re helping more residents access the primary, preventive and whole‑person care they need to stay healthy, avoid preventable health complications and build stronger futures for themselves, their families and communities.”
For the past 21 years, Blue Cross has invested $17.8 million to support more than 50 free and charitable clinics across the state. The Strengthening the Safety Net program, which we launched to respond to rising medical costs, prioritizes access to primary care, prevention and coverage support. The results are measurable:
- More than 250,000 uninsured and under‑insured patients have received care
- Prevented more than 400,000 unnecessary emergency‑room visits
- Michigan’s healthcare system has saved more than $200 million
These organizations are key for the health of Michiganians’ physical and mental health.
Help with Healthcare booklets are available separately for four regions of the State. The Southeast Michigan edition is also available in Arabic, English and Spanish. For more information or to order free copies, go to bcbsm.com/helpwithhealthcare.
Photo credit: Getty Images
