Investing in Healthy Communities
Efforts that support this commitment
Major Community Investments
Major community investments include a $2.5M gift to Wichita State University for the Biomedical Campus and nursing scholarships, and a $2M gift to the Hutchinson YMCA to expand access to health and wellness programs in both rural and urban communities throughout Kansas. These contributions will support solutions that address the growing health care needs in Kansas.
URAC Accreditation for Health Equity
BCBSKS became the first payer in the nation to earn this designation and only the second company in the nation. This milestone is huge and reflects our commitment to creating a more accessible, inclusive and equitable system that helps everyone reach their full health potential—valuing our members, their culture and their communities. The accreditation is active from 2025-2028.
Maternal Health Outcomes
We sponsored Baby Talk to help expecting parents prepare for healthy pregnancies and confident parenting. In 2025, 150 families statewide attended free classes covering prenatal care, infant safety and postpartum wellness. By expanding access to rural and underserved areas, we’re building stronger starts for Kansas families. For more details, see our article Healthy Beginnings Start Here.
20 Years of Community Support - BCBSKS Foundation
In July, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation celebrated 20 years of service. Learn how the Foundation has shaped communities through the years: Investing in Kansas: Celebrating 20 Years of the BCBSKS Foundation.
Trauma-Informed Training to High-Impact Groups
In connection with a national partnership between the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), BCBSKS worked with six clubs across Kansas to provide trauma-informed training. These clubs represented 25 club sites. These clubs include: Hutchinson, South Centra Kansas, Iowa Tribe of Kansas & Nebraska, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and USAG Fort Riley CYS Service.
The training they completed included:
- Resources to support clubs in scaling trauma-informed organizational practices, policies and care concepts into all levels of national programming and integrating this into overarching service delivery models with clubs.
- Self-guided digital trauma-informed trainings are available on BGCA’s online learning management system.
- In-person trainings through regional trauma-informed intensive training centers.
Fitness Courts Expansion
BCBSKS, Kansas Recreation & Park Association (KRPA) and the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) launched a statewide partnership in 2021 to expand free access to high quality workouts by bringing outdoor Fitness Courts® to communities across Kansas. This partnership was formed to fight obesity, improve quality of life and create equitable access to exercise for communities around the state.
Fitness Courts® make healthy living easier for thousands of residents. In 2025, new courts were launched in Garden City, Iola and Smith County, bringing the total number of BCBSKS Fitness Courts® to 15.
Other 2025 highlights
We put people first
We are a not-for-profit health plan that serves our members and our communities, not shareholders.