FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jay Pagni
mediainquiries@PaHealthWellness.com
PA Health & Wellness Supports Community Needs during COVID-19 Pandemic
Partnerships and programs address the social determinants of health in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania
CAMP HILL (May 5, 2020) – During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people across Pennsylvania are facing challenges that extend beyond medical care and include basic daily needs such as food and essential supplies. Centene, a leading multi-national healthcare company, has partnered with various organizations to support efforts that address these social determinants of health. PA Health & Wellness (PHW), as part of the Centene family, will be deploying these programs locally in Pennsylvania.
Social determinants of health are non-medical barriers to achieving quality health outcomes. They include socioeconomic and environment factors such as food accessibility, employment, education, and more. Research shows that medical care accounts for approximately 10 to 20 percent of health outcomes, while the other 80 to 90 percent is affected by the social determinants of health.
“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are far-reaching and have extended beyond medical care to affect people’s access to food, employment, household essentials and more,” said Justin Davis, CEO, and Plan President of PA Health & Wellness. “These social determinants of health have a significant impact on people’s overall wellbeing, especially among vulnerable populations. PA Health & Wellness wants to help ensure we’re supporting the additional needs of communities during this challenging time.”
Healthcare and Essential Supplies
PHW is proud to serve older Pennsylvanians and persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis. As part of that commitment PHW, in coordination with Centene, will be providing the Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living (PCIL), Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (P4A) and Philadelphia Corporation on Aging (PCA) with KN95 masks, and grant funding to obtain additional Personal Protective Equipment (masks, gowns and gloves) and for other supports across the state.
“The Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living, the statewide network for Centers for Independent Living in Pennsylvania, appreciates Centene’s/PHW’s partnership and support during the COVID-19 crisis,” stated Mike Grier, Executive Director of PCIL. “The generous donation will help CILs with urgently needed PPE for caregivers and persons with disabilities throughout Pennsylvania to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Centene/PHW’s leadership and generosity at this critical time will help our independent living network save lives and aid our state’s most vulnerable citizens receiving MLTSS services in Pennsylvania.”
P4A, Pennsylvania’s Association for Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), is coordinating the purchase and distribution of personal protective equipment including masks, gowns, sanitizer, and other items with its member agencies across the state. Twenty-five AAAs throughout the commonwealth will be using this equipment as they continue to support older Pennsylvanians. These local agencies provide vital services, programs and information including legal services, home-delivered meals, health promotion and disease prevention, transportation, public benefits counseling, senior centers and in-home services.
“P4A is grateful for this opportunity to provide Area Agencies on Aging with personal protection equipment as they continue to serve older Pennsylvanians during this crisis,” said Rebecca May-Cole, P4A’s Executive Director. “PA Health and Wellness’s generosity is allowing AAAs across the Commonwealth meet the needs of this very vulnerable population.”
In addition to providing protective equipment, PCA will be using the grant funding to augment the PCA Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians and used for food, utility assistance, fuel and other support services for those in need during the pandemic.
“While this pandemic has challenged many organizations to rethink how they deliver services, the partnership between PCA and PA Health and Wellness is a testament to how we can collaborate in new and innovative ways to deliver essential services to Philadelphia’s older adults.” said Najja Orr, PCA President & CEO. “PHW’s generous contributions, which includes much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE), will greatly aid PCA’s mission by providing access to food to our city’s older adults throughout this crisis.”
PA Health & Wellness has been supporting Pennsylvania residents since 2017 across its Community HealthChoices, Allwell from PA Health & Wellness and Ambetter plans. Its efforts to address the social determinants of health reinforce its long-standing commitment to supporting the whole health of the community, one person at a time.
Their efforts to address the social determinants of health reinforce their long-standing commitment to supporting the whole health of their communities, one person at a time.
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About PA Health & Wellness
PA Health & Wellness is a local health insurance provider that is committed to improving the health of the Pennsylvania residents, one person at a time, through access to healthcare coverage. Established to deliver quality healthcare in the state of Pennsylvania through local, regional and community-based resources, PA Health & Wellness is a Managed Care Organization and subsidiary of Centene Corporation (Centene). PA Health & Wellness exists to improve the health of its beneficiaries through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. For more information, visit PAHealthWellness.com for more information.
About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 100 company, is a leading multi-national healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality, and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace, the TRICARE program, and individuals in correctional facilities. The Company also serves several international markets, and contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide a variety of specialty services focused on treating the whole person. Centene focuses on long-term growth and the development of its people, systems and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities, and government partners.
Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene’s investor relations website, http://www.centene.com/investors.