BlueChoice HealthPlan

Sept. 10, 2009

Media Contact: Elizabeth Hammond, 803-264-4626

 

 

 

“Babies in low-income households often spend an entire day in a single diaper, which is a health hazard,” said BlueChoice HealthPlan President Mary Mazzola Spivey. “This is a serious community need that we encourage the community to support.”

 

At monthly costs of more than $100 per bottom, keeping a baby in dry, clean disposable diapers is costly. Infrequent diaper changing increases the risk of health problems. In addition, if a family has a child in day care, they are required to provide disposal diapers.

 

Also joining the collection effort are churches, businesses and other local organizations. The campaign is expected to continue over the next several months. Upcoming collection events scheduled are the following:

12 Sept                Southern Harvest Music Festival                                              Batesburg-Leesville

17-20 Sept           Greek Festival 2009                                                                 Columbia

19 Sept                Women at Heart forum                                                            Columbia

19 Sept                Lexington Fun Fest                                                                  Lexington

19 Sept                Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day                                      Greenville

20 Sept                Harvest Hope Food Bank’s “Thanksgiving in September”        Columbia

28 Sept – 4 Oct    Orangeburg County Fair                                                         Orangeburg

 

Churches, civic groups and businesses that want to participate by holding their own diaper drives may call 803-382-5036, e-mail DiaperChange@bluechoicesc.com or go to www.SCDiaperChange.com. Individuals who want to drop off donations may go to My Gym Children’s Fitness Centers at the Village at Sandhills in northeast Columbia and Village Square in Lexington, S.C. These will be given to Harvest Hope Food Bank, serving central South Carolina, and the Lowcountry Food Bank in the Charleston area as well as other local food banks for distribution.

 

Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BlueChoice HealthPlan has an A+ rating from A.M. Best and an Excellent accreditation status, the highest level awarded, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

 

BlueChoice HealthPlan offers four categories of group health plans, as well as individual plans for children and young adults, and a South Carolina Medicaid product. Medicaid members enjoy their normal Medicaid coverage, plus they can visit the doctor’s office as often as needed with no copayments, can save money with discounts on health programs such as weight management, can receive discounts on fitness center memberships, and can buy allergy products, vitamins and more at discount savings. Members with some chronic diseases get extra help through BlueChoice HealthPlan’s Healthy Habits program. To inquire about membership, call 800-574-8864.