Anthem Blue Cross Expands Access to Home Delivered Meal Program to Address the Needs of Medi-Cal Members

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross has expanded a recently launched home delivered meal program to address increased food insecurity and nutritional needs that are emerging amid the ongoing pandemic.

Last December, Anthem Blue Cross partnered with Mom’s Meals and Project Open Hand to launch a medically tailored meal program for its Medi-Cal members in the Central Valley, Los Angeles and the Bay Area who face chronic disease and complex health challenges. During the first five months of the program, more than 37,000 custom-tailored meals were delivered to Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal members – food-as-medicine to improve their health.

Because COVID-19 has increased referrals, Anthem Blue Cross has responded by expanding the program to make home delivered meals available to Anthem Medi-Cal members across the state and ensure that eligible members receive at least one ready-to-eat meal a day, seven days a week.

“Anthem Blue Cross is increasing access to resources and delivering added supports to our Medi-Cal members with the greatest needs,” said Dr. Barsam Kasravi, President, Anthem Blue Cross. “We are proud to step up to act in support of our members and plan to continue adapting to meet the evolving needs of this crisis.”

Anthem Blue Cross works with health care providers, clinics, case managers, community health workers and internal staff to identify members with qualifying needs and enroll them in one of its available home delivered meal programs. Those who have been recently hospitalized and need help while recovering, or individuals trying to control chronic conditions and lacking the nutritional resources needed to succeed are the most likely candidates for Anthem’s home delivered meal programs.

Members with questions about this benefit or other COVID relief resources should speak to their healthcare providers, contact their case managers or call the customer service number on their Anthem ID card.

ABOUT ANTHEM BLUE CROSS

Anthem Blue Cross has been serving the health insurance needs of California residents since 1937. Anthem Blue Cross, together with its branded affiliates, provides health care services to more than 8.2 million health plan members in California, including a broad network of more than 65,000 providers. Offering a full continuum of product and coverage options, Anthem Blue Cross provides customers with unparalleled choice and flexibility in meeting their health plan needs. These options are continually fine-tuned to enhance and ensure access to affordable, quality health care. Anthem, with its strong track record for innovation, focuses on progressive products and services designed to improve the health status of all Californians. Unique offerings available in the individual, small group, large group, senior and Medi-Cal markets include a full range of integrated medical and specialty products. Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. To learn more, visit www.anthem.com/ca. Also, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/anthemBC_News or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossMediCal.