Optimal Health Outcomes

As a health insurer, we recognize the importance of closing gaps in preventive care to help people achieve their best health.

This extends beyond our members and into our communities with programs and investments focusing on immunizations, diabetes care, cardiovascular care, early detection cancer screenings, behavioral health, and maternal and infant health.

BCBSMT administers the Caring Foundation of Montana as an in-kind donation to ensure all Montanans have access to preventive health care services, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.

The Caring Foundation’s Care Van^® mobile health program — which marked its 10^th anniversary in 2024 — works with public health departments, schools and others to bring immunizations and other preventive services to communities across the state. In 2024, the program held more than 180 events, reaching more than 5,000 Montanans.

BCBSMT is the presenting sponsor of the Governor’s Cup, which celebrated its 50^th year in 2024 and raised more than $127,000 to support the Caring Foundation’s work.  

Locally Defined Health Solutions

Organizations embedded in our communities are often best able to meet the unique health and human service needs of the people who live there. 

In Montana, the suicide rate has been among highest in the U.S. for many years, and it has been the second-leading cause of death among children and young people.

That’s why we awarded one of our 2024 Blue Impact grants to Realize Hope, which is breaking down the stigma around mental health and suicide with a performance that combines original music and a message of hope and human connection.

And we continued our multiyear investment in efforts to train Montana pediatric and primary care providers to screen patients for mental health needs and connect them to vital services.  

Economic Opportunity and Stability

Access to jobs. Opportunities to grow. A stable income. Meeting these essential needs provides a foundation for health and well-being.

With the Blue Impact major grant program, we’re helping community organizations provide the stability and opportunities that allow people to thrive.

One is the Mountain Shadow Association, which is building up the Little Chickadee Learning Lodge as a preschool, daycare center and safe space for Lodge Grass children on the Crow Reservation. The lodge links youth to tribal elder role models and provides support groups and education for grandparents and other caregivers.

In northeastern Montana, Two Rivers Economic Growth is using a Blue Impact grant to provide skills training and improve job readiness. “Most of our residents are senior citizens, so how do we keep the workforce vital?” said Executive Director Shyanne Wallace. “That will continue to be our focus.”

Nutrition

With grants, community outreach, volunteer events and other avenues, we’re collaborating with community-based partners to reduce hunger and improve access to nutritional food.

Blue Impact grants in 2024 are expanding access to nutritious food in ways that meet the needs of their local communities.

Farm Connect Montana is using a grant to expand its Double SNAP Dollars Program, giving more Montanans with SNAP benefits a 1:1 match of up to $30 per day to spend at participating farmers markets, farm stands and grocery stores. The program has served nearly 12,000 Montanans, and nearly everyone involved says they eat more fruits and vegetables due to dollar matching, according to a Farm Connect survey.

Another Blue Impact grant has continued our investment in the Montana Food Bank Network's efforts to provide nutritious food to partner organizations and schools statewide.

Neighborhood and Built Environment

We’re investing in efforts to connect people to affordable healthy housing, transportation and physical activity.

The Blue Impact major grant program is funding community-based efforts to strengthen neighborhood assets, including Butte Rescue Mission, which is increasing its capacity to offer year-round accommodations to the region’s growing homeless population.

The mission provides food, clothes and shelter to hundreds of people and families, as well as education and counseling to unhoused people struggling with poor health, financial issues, domestic violence or substance misuse.

A construction project partly funded by a Blue Impact grant will help create space to provide year-round accommodations to the region’s increasing homeless population.