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July 14, 2020 Leadership In A Time of Crisis

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

 

Dear Friends,

Through these challenging times, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care remains committed to ensuring the health and well-being of our members, employees, and the communities we serve in Central Massachusetts and throughout the region.

The role Harvard Pilgrim plays in the health care system is more essential now than it has ever been. Thanks to our dedicated employees, who continue to work remotely, the pandemic has not impacted our ability to serve our members, customers, and business partners. Our members continue to receive the seamless service that we’ve been providing for over half a century.

When the pandemic began, Harvard Pilgrim took immediate action to remove potential barriers to our members’ access for treatment related to COVID-19. We waived member cost-sharing in the form of copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance for COVID-19 testing and treatment. We also enhanced accessibility to virtual health services such as telemedicine--making them available to members at no out-of-pocket cost. These policies remain in place today so that our members may focus on what matters most: their health and well-being.

The pandemic has significantly impacted the nonprofit organizations that care for the most vulnerable among us. To support our communities in need, the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation provided nearly $4 million in grants across the region to support food access and meal delivery, services for older adults, as well as social and community services. Organizations we’ve supported in the Central Mass. area include the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester, the YWCA of Central Mass., the Central Mass. Agency on Aging, the Community Harvest Project and the Regional Environmental Council.

In addition, Harvard Pilgrim is providing $3 million to support select community health centers in black and brown communities, as well as in areas that provide care for the most vulnerable populations, to enhance equity and equality in accessing health care, as well as addressing health disparities. This support will assist community health centers across the region.

Because of the pandemic, independent primary care practices are struggling financially as patient visits have significantly declined and many practices simply do not have the capital or reserve funds to fall back on that many large health care systems do. If these practices can’t survive, many patients would face greater limitations to access to care in the future. To support them, Harvard Pilgrim is providing these practices access to $3 million in financial assistance to lessen their financial burden and allow them to focus on patient care.

I would like to thank all our employees for their steadfast commitment to our members, providers, and communities during these trying times. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all the health care professionals who are working tirelessly on the frontlines — you are heroes to us all.

Please be well.

Sincerely,
Michael Carson
President and CEO
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

HarvardPilgrim.org

888-888-4742