Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas gives $30,000 to fund launch of physical activity prescription program

LAWRENCE, Kansas (Feb. 23, 2024) – Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, an initiative of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), presented a check to LiveWell Douglas County to implement Move More Douglas County, a physical activity prescription program, for local residents.

This new program aims to increase access to physical activity opportunities for patients by providing financial reimbursement for those activities. Health care providers at LMH Health and Heartland Community Health Center will provide the physical activity prescriptions to patients who are newly diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes. Patients can then redeem their prescription at the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department to use on a variety of aquatics and fitness classes.

“Being active has so many great health benefits, everything from sleeping better and feeling happier to managing blood sugar and blood pressure,” said Allison Koonce, LMH Health Community Outreach and Engagement Supervisor. “The Move More Douglas County program will help support the integration of physical activity into patient care plans.”

Local partnerships with BCBSKS, LiveWell Douglas County, LMH Health, Heartland and the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department will ensure this program continues for years to come.

“Reducing barriers and increasing access to physical activity not only impacts individual health but improves the health of our community,” said Ginny Barnard, LiveWell Douglas County Executive Director. “LiveWell Douglas County is excited to work with our partners to find creative solutions to address health inequities.”

Pathways to a Healthy Kansas is a community grant initiative launched by BCBSKS in 2016. It partners with community coalitions like LiveWell Douglas County to improve active living, healthy eating and commercial tobacco prevention across the state.

“The work being done through Pathways represents our sustained commitment to Kansas communities, and our belief that healthier communities benefit us all,” said Virginia Barnes, BCBSKS Director of Blue Health Initiatives. “Our friends at LiveWell Douglas County are doing great work to ensure local residents have opportunities to make healthy choices to improve their well-being.”

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas

For more than 80 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has built a reputation of trust with its members and contracting providers by providing outstanding customer service while quickly and accurately processing claims; fairly administering benefit plans and contracts; offering programs, services and tools to help members improve or maintain their health; and operating under the highest ethical standards while being good stewards of premium dollars. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and is the state’s largest insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information, visit bcbsks.com.