Wellinks and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware Reduce Access Barriers for Members with COPD by Offering Virtual Pulmonary Rehabilitation Care

Access high-quality COPD care in Delaware with Wellinks and Highmark BlueCross Blue Shield. Enjoy virtual services designed to enhance lung health and well-being.This Agreement Will Enable Members in Delaware to Receive Integrated Care for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 28, 2023 – Wellinks, a leading digital healthcare company offering virtual Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) services for health plans and value-based care providers, today announced an agreement with Highmark BlueCross Blue Shield Delaware to deliver high-quality COPD care to underserved populations in Delaware starting on July 1.

“Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware is deeply connected with the communities and members they serve. There’s a huge opportunity in Delaware and across the country to connect people living with COPD to high-quality, affordable, and convenient care,” said Geoff Matous, President of Wellinks. “We’re excited for the opportunity to serve Delawareans and collaborate with the many physicians and caregivers already dedicated to their health.”

In the United States, COPD is the third leading cause of death by chronic disease and the fifth most costly chronic disease, with an estimated $49 billion spent on COPD annually across the healthcare system. Although more than 16.4 million patients have been diagnosed, the systems of care for COPD patients are extremely fragmented and inaccessible for many individuals. The rurality of some areas of Delaware presents a unique opportunity for innovative approaches to close certain gaps in care.

With Wellinks, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware members will be able to access empowering and effective COPD care services from the comfort of their own homes. The Wellinks virtual-first approach to pulmonary rehabilitation provides members with exercises and education to improve their lung health and reduce shortness of breath. With personalized support from Wellinks coaches, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware members will identify and achieve goals that will help them better manage and live with COPD.

About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware

Highmark BlueCross Blue Shield Delaware serves approximately 500,000 members through the company’s health care benefits business. It is an influential company in the market generating an economic impact of $135 million and supporting more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state. Highmark Blue Cross BlueShield Delaware was named a Top Workplace in Delaware in 2022 and a Top Workplace USA in 2023. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmarkbcbsde.com.  

About Wellinks

Wellinks is on a mission to help those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) live fully and breathe freely. COPD is the third leading cause of death by chronic disease in the U.S. and the fifth most costly chronic disease. With its personalized, virtual-first COPD management system, Wellinks breaks down barriers for patients, providing the evidence-based care they need and deserve outside the four walls of the clinic. Wellinks supports patients through virtual pulmonary rehabilitation, health coaching, and monitoring through connected devices and an easy-to-use smartphone app. Based in New Haven,Connecticut, Wellinks is led by a team of experienced healthcare leaders, backed by top investment firms including Morningside, HighCape Capital, Connecticut Innovations, and Benslie. For more information, visit www.wellinks.com and follow on Twitter (@WellinksHealth) and LinkedIn.