SC Blues Health coach training program earns national accreditation

COLUMBIA, SC – The National Consortium for Credentialing Health and Wellness Coaches has accredited the programs used by BlueCross^®BlueShield^® of South Carolina and BlueChoice^® HealthPlan of South Carolina to train health coaches.

The companies have 40 health coaches who are nurses, registered dietitians, certified asthma educators, respiratory therapists, certified diabetes educators, health educators and social workers who guide, support and encourage members to better self-manage their conditions, reduce health risks and focus on prevention and optimal health.

They take a holistic approach to assist members with achieving their personal health goals. This may include making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eliminating stress or increasing physical activity, or learning to manage chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The program also provides coaching that focuses on mental health, which could include managing depression and other behavioral health concerns such as eating disorders or substance abuse.

“Our comprehensive approach allows health coaches to customize their interactions to impact long-term behavior change, promote better health outcomes, lower health care costs, decrease emergency room utilization and reduce readmission rates,” said BlueCross Vice President of Clinical Innovation and Chief Medical Officer Shawn Stinson, M.D. “Knowing that our program meets or exceeds national standards for well-trained, knowledgeable and skillful health coaches validates that we have the expertise to make a difference.”

More information on the nonprofit National Consortium for Credentialing Health and Wellness Coaches may be found at www.ncchwc.org.

About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Headquartered in Columbia, and operating in South Carolina for more than 65 years, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The only South Carolina-owned and operated health insurance carrier, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina comprises more than 20 companies involved in health insurance services, U.S. DoD health program and Medicare contracts, other insurance and employee benefits services and a philanthropic foundation that funds programs to improve health care and access to health care for South Carolinians.

About BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina

Also headquartered in Columbia, BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BlueChoice holds a “Commendable” accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its commercial business, as well as an NCQA “New Health Plan Accreditation” for its Medicaid business. BlueChoice offers four categories of group health plans, as well as individual plans for adults and families and a South Carolina Medicaid product.
 
Both companies hold an A+ rating from A.M. Best.

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