Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

Headlines: story ideas

Few topics generate more interest than health and health care. What’s new in the field? Read our regular newsletter, “Headlines,” for the latest in health care news.

Health care is an extremely popular topic with consumers and business leaders. If you're looking for story ideas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) can help. Some story ideas and experts are listed below. For more information on any of these ideas contact Jean Miller at (651) 662-6479 or Jean_M_Miller@bluecrossmn.com.

House calls are back - Blue Cross offers live webcam visits with M.D.s

"People don't want to stop their lives to go visit the doctor. They want care that comes to them."

- MaryAnn Stump, Chief Innovation Officer

That is the new approach to health care for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota’s 10,000 employees and family members becoming the first Minnesotans – and the first people in the continental U.S. – to have access to Online Care AnywhereSM. Online Care Anywhere allows patients to access medical care from home or work simply by logging onto a computer or picking up the phone. Blue Cross is working with Fairview Health Services on this innovative care delivery option that aims to reduce costs while improving quality, access to care and patient experience. Interested in hearing more from a patient user? Just let us know.

Are willpower and dedication enough? Work environments hold major influence over food and exercise choices

"Unless we do a better job of addressing health in the workplace , we'll never solve the obesity epidemic."

- Dr. Marc Manley, Blue Cross Chief Prevention Officer

From the foods offered at company meetings to break time activity options, the workplace has a powerful influence on our health and the health-related choices we make every day. For success, people need to be supported in their environment, especially at work where we spend the majority of our day. In response to the need for improving employee health while at work and the need to slow down long-term health care costs, Blue Cross created Healthy Worksite Wellness Consulting for employers. According to Dr. Manley, "Worksite wellness is the most effective way for people to achieve lasting changes." Dr. Manley can address wellness in the workplace as well as offer tips for employees and employers.