UPMC Health Plan Joins Vaccine Community Connectors Initiative

Pittsburgh (June 14, 2021) – Building on its efforts to promote vaccine equity to vulnerable communities and underserved populations, UPMC Health Plan today announced it has joined the Vaccine Community Connectors (VCC) Initiative. The initiative includes a partnership between America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the Association of Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) and other national health insurance providers and aims to vaccinate millions of people living in America’s most at-risk, vulnerable, and underserved communities.

The initiative initially focused on seniors and has since expanded to other vulnerable populations including Medicaid beneficiaries.

“UPMC Health Plan is pleased to join the VCC as an extension of our ongoing commitment to easing access for seniors and other vulnerable populations who may be struggling to obtain vaccines on their own, especially those in communities most impacted by COVID,” said Diane Holder, President and CEO, UPMC Health Plan and AHIP Board member. “In many cases, we know our members’ health-related needs better than anyone, so it’s important for us to join this broader effort to help vaccinate some of our most vulnerable members.”

UPMC Health Plan and other health insurance providers participating in the VCC are using enrollee data, analytics, and government capabilities – including the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) -- to help identify the top 25 percent most vulnerable communities. The SVI is a metric used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that considers 15 social determinants of health factors across socioeconomic status, household composition and disability, minority status and language, and housing type and transportation methods.

“Vaccines save lives, and working together, we are helping to remove any barriers that exist for people to get a COVID-19 vaccine,” said Matt Eyles, President and CEO, AHIP. “We are grateful to have UPMC Health Plan join us in this important initiative for equitable access to vaccines.”

Joining the VCC is the latest action UPMC Health Plan has taken to address vaccine equity. UPMC Health Plan has supported numerous clinics in predominantly Black and Latino communities in Pittsburgh through partnerships with local churches and other community organizations. These efforts are included in the more than 156,600 calls placed to UPMC Health Plan Member Service “concierges” on their vaccine helplines and the more than 111,000 proactive calls made to members to connect them with local vaccination appointments.

“We appreciate AHIP’s leadership in coordinating this practical, high-impact effort with the White House and other industry partners to address health inequities and expand vaccine access to those who need it most,” Holder said.

About UPMC Insurance Services

Serving 4 million members, UPMC Insurance Services is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer based in Pittsburgh, Pa. UPMC Insurance Services includes commercial products from UPMC Health Plan for groups as well as individuals. Commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners®. Government products include Medicare Advantage (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); Medical Assistance (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program (UPMC for Kids). Community Care Behavioral Health, one of the nation's largest nonprofit managed care behavioral health organizations, offers a full range of services to Commercial and Medical Assistance members. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.