RIC Event: Promising Practices for Promoting Equitable and Culturally Competent Vaccinations for Dually Eligible Beneficiaries Webinar

Event Start Date: September 15, 2022 - 3:00 PM EDT
Event End Date: September 15, 2022 - 4:30 PM EDT

Video Recording:

https://youtu.be/A1AviZElXLE

Podcast:

This webinar is also available as a podcast on SoundCloud and iTunes.

Description:

Historically marginalized groups – including individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid – continue to be disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 public health emergency.1,2 Projections state that the United States could see 100 million COVID-19 infections and a potentially significant wave of deaths this fall and winter, driven by new omicron subvariants.3 In addition, getting a flu vaccine will be critical during the cold weather seasons because flu viruses and COVID-19 will likely be spreading concurrently. Historically marginalized groups are at higher risk for developing severe complications from the flu as well as from COVID-19.4 Flu vaccination helps prevent or reduce the severity of flu illness and a reduction of outpatient illnesses, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions could alleviate the stress on the U.S. health care system caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Strategies to reduce the persistent health disparities that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency include:

  • Ensuring access to COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, particularly for homebound individuals
  • Addressing vaccine hesitancy in a culturally appropriate manner
  • Expanding access to health care
  • Engaging dually eligible people in their health care decisions
  • Addressing social determinants of health
  • Developing culturally appropriate and equitable care models

Health plans serving dually eligible beneficiaries can play a key role in facilitating access to and educating members on the importance of influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters.

This webinar builds upon the April 1, 2021 webinar, Strategies for Health Plans to Support Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Vulnerable Populations and the November 2, 2021 webinar, Leveraging Partnerships to Promote Flu Vaccinations Among Dually Eligible Beneficiaries During COVID-19 by considering lessons learned about the impacts of COVID-19 on advancing health equity, cultural awareness, and eliminating health disparities for dually eligible beneficiaries. A group of subject matter experts and health plan representatives share successful strategies and promising practices for promoting equitable and culturally competent COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations to dually eligible beneficiaries. The event concludes with a panel discussion facilitated by staff from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health.

By the end of this webinar, attendees should be able to:

  • Develop community partnerships to raise awareness and promote equitable access to influenza vaccines, COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, boosters, and care.
  • Discuss culturally appropriate outreach to address vaccine hesitancy.
  • Identify effective communication mechanisms to reach high risk populations.

Featured Speakers:

  • Darci Graves, CMS Office of Minority Health
  • Alexandra Bryden, CMS Office of Minority Health
  • Dr. Sheree H. Keitt, Program Director for the Vaccine Equity and Access Program, Community Catalyst
  • Rod Teamer, Director of Diversity Programs & Business Development, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
  • Eric Yarnell, Vice President Pharmacy, Highmark Wholecare
  • Dr. Peter Watson, Vice President for Clinical Operations and Strategy, Health Alliance Plan

Intended Audience:

This webinar is intended for a wide range of stakeholders, including health plan administrators, clinical leadership, care coordinators, and case managers at health plans (including Medicare-Medicaid Plans , Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, and managed Long-Term Services & Supports plans), as well as providers and other health care and community-based organizations who are interested in strategies related to the communication and delivery of COVID-19 and flu vaccinations to dually eligible beneficiaries.


Attachments:

Webinar Slides

Webinar Transcript

Tip Sheet: Promising Practices for Health Plans Promoting Flu Vaccinations for Dually Eligible Beneficiaries During COVID-19


1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). COVID-19: People with Disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-disabilities.html.  

2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Health Equity Considerations and Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/race-ethnicity.html.

3The Washington Post (May 6, 2022). Coronavirus wave this fall could infect 100 million, administration warns. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/05/06/fall-winter-coronavirus-wave/.

4Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (October 7, 2021). Flu Vaccination Coverage, United States, 2020–21 Influenza Season. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-2021estimates.htm.