At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, our priority remains what matters most: standing with our members and communities — especially during the unprecedented global pandemic.

We established the Community Collaborative Grant Fund to deploy funds across Texas to help our communities stay strong during the COVID-19 crisis.

Another $550,000 in grants supported more than 80 community partners and nonprofits adddressing food insecurity, emergency shelter, community and domestic violence, child abuse prevention, access to care and other needs worsened by the pandemic.

The Caring Foundation of Texas, sponsored by BCBSTX, shifted course to meet needs during the pandemic with its Care Van® program, which traditionally partners with local health agencies, schools and community organizations to offer vaccinations, dental screenings and other preventive services. For instance, the Care Van in El Paso averaged 90 miles a day, visiting parks, shopping centers and other popular gathering spots to educate the public about social distancing, wearing face coverings and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Our employees also gave their own time and skills to support neighbors during this unprecedented time. BCBSTX established a program allowing employed clinicians to take time off and volunteer to care for COVID-19 patients, paying for up to 80 hours of that time. Dr. Alex Lesko, a BCBSTX medical director, used the program to volunteer early in the pandemic at a hospital in New York City. 

BCBSTX also lifted cost-sharing for telemedicine visits for medically necessary and behavioral health care to ease care access during the pandemic.

Every year, BCBSTX supports communities throughout the state through grants and partnerships. 

In 2020, the dual challenges of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and the social justice unrest in the United States reinforced our focus on health equity and addressing social determinants of health. In 2020, nearly $1.8 million was awarded in grants to 28 community-based organizations serving all regions of the state.

BCBSTX is also committed to standing with neighbors impacted by natural disasters. Two hurricanes made landfall in Texas in 2020. BCBSTX donated $150,000 to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Southwest Texas Foodbank to help the nearly 500,000 residents displaced by Hurricane Laura. And when Hurricane Hanna hit, BCBSTX gave $100,000 to food banks in the affected area.

Our initiatives to improve care access sand affordability contribute directly to our mission to do everything in our power to stand with our members and communities in sickness and in health.

BCBSTX collaborated with Sanitas USA to open 10 advanced primary care medical centers in the Dallas and Houston areas. The medical centers expand access to affordable health care options for BCBSTX members and their families, offering same-day appointments with a primary care provider, telehealth appointments, longer hours and staff who speak English and Spanish. BCBSTX members can also expect one-on-one assistance at the clinic to help choose their health plan and face-to-face customer service.

In another effort to improve access to care, BCBSTX gave $3.5 million to the University of Houston College of Medicine to provide scholarships to at least 35 medical students, and another $1.5 million to create a pipeline program to attract students from diverse backgrounds with an interest in primary care.

BCBSTX is committed to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we know the positive impact a diverse workforce can have on our customers, our communities and our company. 

Leadership commitment
Our approach to diversity and inclusion engages leaders to ensure there is alignment at an executive level. The Executive D&I Council, made up of nine senior leaders from across the business, meets quarterly to promote a shared commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.