Charleston, W.Va. – Following a highly successful pilot phase demonstrating significant positive health outcomes, the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health today announced a $1 million commitment to expand its “Healthy Neighborhood” program. This transformational initiative, a collaborative effort with Vandalia Health Network, InComm Healthcare, directly addresses food insecurity across 45 counties in West Virginia.
The latest investment from Highmark West Virginia builds on “Healthy Neighborhood’s” successes in improving health outcomes among enrollees by providing them each a pre-funded InComm health benefits card that can be solely used to purchase healthy and nutritious food items at accessible grocery locations, including Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Kroger, and Walmart stores.
“Vandalia Health Network is honored and proud to continue the partnership with Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health to bring healthier food options and education to improve chronic disease to our patients throughout the state”, said Michelle Coon, President, Vandalia Health Network.
Over the three-year pilot phase, more than 2,000 individuals facing food insecurity gained access to a consistent stream of healthy and nutritious food options. The most frequently purchased items, including eggs, milk, bread, water, and proteins, strongly suggest a direct and positive impact on meeting fundamental nutritional requirements. With the expansion of Healthy Neighborhood, the participating individuals will have greater support allowing focus on chronic diseases of diabetes or hypertension.
“As a not-for-profit health plan, Highmark West Virginia has a long and proud history of investing in health and wellness initiatives that address barriers to health, just like ‘Healthy Neighborhoods,” said Jay Sheehy, president-elect, Highmark West Virginia and West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health. “By directly tackling food insecurity and increasing access to nutritious options, we’re building a foundation for lasting well-being for West Virginians.”
The “Healthy Neighborhood” Program provides eligible patients with a monthly stipend for healthy food. Individuals receive $75, with an additional $25 for each family member, up to a maximum of $175 per household. InComm Healthcare, a division of InComm Payments and a global leader in innovative payments technology, was a founding partner of this initiative and remains crucial in providing the program’s restricted-use benefits cards.
“Health plans need precise tools to ensure funds go to the households that need them most,” said Joe Donato, SVP and GM of InComm Healthcare. “We deliver that needed precision with payments technology that ensures funds are spent on nutritious foods. More importantly, thanks to the partnerships of the retailers in our OTC Network, we make it easy for families to purchase foods at locations convenient to their neighborhoods.”
In the U.S., social factors, often referred to as Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) – including where people live, their social support, access to healthcare, education, healthy food, and financial stability – can impact up to 80% of an individual’s health.
“At Highmark, we understand that true health extends far beyond clinical care – it’s deeply rooted in the fundamental aspects of daily life. Healthy Neighborhood’s integrated approach connects people with vital resources, fostering improved health and empowering them to take control of their well-being,” said Nebeyou Abebe, Senior Vice President, Social Health at Highmark Health. “Beyond making tangible health differences in the lives of individuals and families in the most rural areas of the state, this program illuminates the power of innovative, multifaceted partnerships.”
This significant investment follows an initial $1.5 million grant from the WV Charitable Fund and a $500,000 grant from the Highmark Foundation in 2023, further underscoring Highmark’s unwavering commitment to addressing food insecurity and improving health outcomes in West Virginia.
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About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia serves approximately 325,000 members through the company’s health care benefits business and hundreds of thousands of additional members through the BlueCard® program. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia holds the largest share of the commercial market, and more West Virginians carry a Blue Cross Blue Shield card than any other insurance carrier in the state. With offices in Parkersburg, Charleston and Wheeling, Highmark West Virginia employs more than 700 people and serves as a key economic driver in the state with its total economic impact reaching $262 million. Highmark West Virginia is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
About Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund
Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health is a restricted fund of the Highmark Foundation. The Charitable Fund for Health‘s mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in all 55 counties in West Virginia. The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health strives to support programs that impact multiple counties and work collaboratively to leverage additional funding to achieve replicable models. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org
About Highmark Foundation
The Highmark Foundation is a private, charitable organization of Highmark Inc. that supports initiatives and programs aimed at improving community health. The Foundation’s mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities served by Highmark Inc. The Foundation strives to support evidence-based programs that impact multiple counties and work collaboratively to leverage additional funding to achieve replicable models. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org.
About Vandalia Health Network
The Vandalia Health Network is a physician lead clinically integrated network (CIN) with a focus on quality and cost-effective health care. CINs provide, manage and coordinate care, including primary care, for a defined population focusing on patient engagement, evidence-based medicine, cost and delivery to patients. Placing the patient at the center of care, CINs strive to deliver the right care at the right time and by the right provider. The Vandalia Health Network was created by Charleston Area Medical Center and includes several hospitals, health systems, physician practices and community health centers across West Virginia.
About InComm Healthcare
InComm Healthcare is the leader in innovative payment platforms and restricted-spend capabilities, serving more than 1,200+ health and wellness plans and reaching 10 million cardholders. The proprietary OTC Network currently consists of more than 77,000 retailer locations. With both online and mail-order options, members experience the convenience they expect. InComm’s Dual Network Benefit Card™ is revolutionizing supplemental benefits and incentives by allowing the flexibility to combine multiple benefits all on one card, including OTC products, healthy foods, wellness incentives, produce/meal delivery, dental/vision/hearing, and more. Health plans can leverage the Dual Network Benefit Card to close care gaps and drive member engagement by utilizing wellness rewards for members. InComm Benefits, a new division serving the employer market, elevates employee benefits in the area of Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Savings Account (FSA) services. InComm Benefits’ unique HSA and FSA solutions simplify expense management and encourage user engagement to drive higher adoption rates and satisfaction. Learn more at www.incomm.com/healthcare.
Contact: Cathy McAlister, Executive Director
Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health
[email protected]
