On-site navigation services help obtain care, access health coverage and other benefits

Pittsburgh (March 27, 2023) – UPMC Health Plan's Medicaid managed care plan, UPMC for You today announced an innovative partnership with Fabric Health to provide on-site health supports and access to social services for individuals utilizing certain laundromats. The initiative will provide Wi-Fi access and will station Fabric Health staff in laundromats to help individuals navigate access to preventative and other health care coverage, apply for assistance programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, and connect with other support services. UPMC for You is part of a family of health insurance and benefits management products offered by UPMC Insurance Services Division.

"The partnership weaves UPMC's resources into the fabric of the community," says Allister Chang, co-founder of Fabric Health. "Together we are creating a front door for UPMC for You members to access many benefits."

The initiative will start in laundromats located in Edgewood, Mt. Washington, Shadyside, South Park Township, and West Mifflin. The partnership reflects UPMC for You's commitment to meeting members and others where they are to conveniently deliver access to care, coverage, and services in a coordinated, community-based manner. With over 32 million Americans utilizing a laundromat each week, these businesses provide opportunities to connect with individuals who may need support, according to Fabric Health.

"Healthy outcomes are primarily driven by issues other than access to health care itself. When families have proper nutrition and access to services to which they are entitled, such as SNAP and LIHEAP benefits, both their quality of life and health outcomes markedly improve," said John Lovelace, President, Government Programs, UPMC Health Plan. "We are fortunate to partner with BDT to connect our UPMC for You members with a host of valuable resources and services."

"UPMC for You wants to make accessing social supports and health care coverage for those in need as convenient and easy as possible—even if it means reaching out to one individual at a time," said John Lovelace, President, UPMC for You, and President, Government Programs. "We are excited to partner with Fabric Health in this community-based effort to help busy—and often overwhelmed—individuals access the health and other supports they and their loved ones need, perhaps even literally while they are waiting for their clothes to dry."

The initiative launches at a crucial time, given that continuous coverage requirements for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees that had been in place in response to COVID-19 will end on April 1, 2023, meaning that recipients covered by Medicaid and CHIP could be disenrolled from coverage if they do not complete a renewal timely. While renewals will be sent over a period of twelve months, UPMC for You is working closely with community partners, providers, and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to educate its members about the importance of completing renewals on time. Additionally, members who lose Medicaid eligibility will also receive education about how to apply for coverage from Pennie, Pennsylvania’s state-based health and dental insurance marketplace, or other coverage where appropriate. More information about the end of continuous coverage and Medicaid renewals can be found at dhs.pa.gov/phe.

"This partnership also provides an avenue to assist those who may lose Medicaid coverage with the end of the continuous coverage requirement, as the laundromat-based Fabric Health staff can even help those losing Medicaid find other coverage through CHIP or the Individual Marketplace and apply for other benefits," Lovelace said.

Since 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has required Medicaid Managed Care Organizations to work with community organizations to accelerate their role in delivering value-based health care. The partnership with Fabric Health is the latest innovative step taken by UPMC for You to work with local partners to serve members in the community.

"The partnership between UPMC for You and Fabric Health is an innovative and effective way to ease barriers to support and help people navigate and get connected to services. As we prepare for Medicaid renewals, creative partnerships to connect with and assist members will be important to keeping people connected to health care coverage." said Sally Kozak, Deputy Secretary, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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About UPMC Insurance Services

The UPMC Insurance Services Division serves more than 4 million members and is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The UPMC Insurance Services Division provides commercial products through UPMC Health Plan for both groups and individuals. Its commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners®. Government products include Medicare Advantage plans (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those who are eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); a Medical Assistance plan (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program plans (UPMC for Kids). Community Care Behavioral Health Organization—one of the nation's largest nonprofit managed care behavioral health organizations—is also part of the Insurance Services Division. Community Care offers a full range of services to commercial and Medical Assistance members. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.

About Fabric Health

Fabric Health is a Small Diverse Business (SDB) providing trusted, last-mile engagement in laundromats while families wait every week. For more information, visit fabrichealth.org.

UPMC for You Partners with Fabric Health to Offer Community-based Health Supports in Local Laundromats