Blue Shield California offering pathway to GEDs

Photo: Boy_Anupon/Getty Images

In a partnership with GED Testing Service, which administers the official GED test, Blue Shield of California Promise Health plan is offering to pay for Medicaid enrollees who wish to become high school graduates through the General Education Diploma, a measure of high school equivalency.

Blue Shield Promise is the first California health plan to collaborate with GED Testing Service to offer the GEDWorks program to its Medi-Cal members, the health plan said.

Beginning this month, Blue Shield Promise members can register online for access to GED study materials in English and Spanish, and get online support  with one-to-one tutoring, practice tests and personal advisors who serve as coaches and motivators.

The program also offers assistance with career and college planning. Most participants complete the course in four months.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

Jennifer Schirmer, vice president of Blue Shield Promise, called lack of education a barrier for people trying to achieve physical, mental and economic wellbeing.

"Removing that barrier can change lives," she said. "Education not only opens the door to employment opportunities, it gives people the tools to better understand how to be an active partner in their health."

GEDWorks is a resource for employers, health plans and nonprofit organizations to sponsor their employees or members to earn their GED credential. Since 1942, the GED program has opened doors to better jobs and college programs for more than 21 million graduates, said Blue Shield California.

"Earning a GED credential can change a learner's life trajectory, helping them develop their skills and confidence," said Vicki Greene, president of GED Testing Service and senior vice president of Pearson's Workforce Skills Division for the Americas. "Our GEDWorks program is designed to meet the unique needs of working adults who aspire to earn their GED credentials, and our results show that these participants are 39% more likely to earn their diplomas than students who study on their own."

To participate in the GEDWorks program, Blue Shield Promise members must be 18 years or older, must not have a high school diploma or equivalent, and must not be enrolled in high school. According to Greene, the average age of GEDWorks participants is 24 years old, though the program is open to all members who meet the required criteria.

THE LARGER TREND

Blue Shield of California rolled out a new pharmacy care model in 2023, teaming with a number of organizations on an initiative designed to lower prescription medication costs to the tune of about $500 million annually once the multiyear strategy is fully implemented.

The Pharmacy Care Reimagined initiative, as it's been called, "will help provide its members with convenient, transparent access to medications while lowering costs," according to Blue Shield.

Also last year, the nonprofit health plan strengthened its relationship with maternal healthcare technology company Mahmee, working to provide a test program for members to receive access to holistic maternal health services. Eligible Blue Shield members have access to a support team including doulas, nurses, lactation consultants, mental health coaches, nutritionists and care coordinators who are available all days of the week.

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.