Partnerships and Collaboration
Blue Shield of California’s Community Health Advocates (CHA) Program was created to support whole person-health needs by helping individuals of all socio-economic statuses navigate and access community resources, social services, and medical systems. The Health Reimagined initiative embeds Community Health Advocates within physical health practices to increase access to social services and community resources, improve health outcomes, reduce medical costs, and improve overall patient experience. Interviews and focus groups were held and found value in adding CHA’s to the care team. During the pandemic, CHAs have been important. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have made the need for holistic, community-integrated care even more urgent.