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Health Education Resources

Want to know how we protect your privacy? Wondering what your rights and your responsibilities are as a Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York member? You'll find the answers you need to these questions, as well as a variety of others, below.

Compliance and Quality Information

Find a variety of information about different quality health programs, case management programs, health promotion programs, and more. 

Cultural and Language Resources

Cultural Considerations
When working with your healthcare provider, be sure to discuss your cultural or spiritual needs so they can be incorporated into your treatment plan.

Health Literacy
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nine out of 10 adults struggle to understand and use health information when it is unfamiliar, complex or filled with medical terms. Because of this misunderstanding, there is a higher chance of not following the doctor’s orders, leading to complications, unnecessary tests or procedures and higher healthcare costs.

What can you do to make sure you understand your healthcare provider?

Ask your healthcare provider these simple questions:

  1. What is my main problem?
  2. What do I need to do?
  3. Why is it important for me to do this?

After your doctor has answered your questions, summarize what you heard the doctor say. This will allow them to clarify or confirm that you understood the information correctly.

Language Assistance Services
We provide free translation services in over 170 languages to members whose primary language is not English. We also provide free aids and services, including qualified sign language interpreters, to people with special needs. If you need these services or to learn more, please call the customer service number on the back of your member ID card (TTY 711).

We also offer translated health information on a variety of topics for members engaged in our health management program. To learn more, please call 1-877-878-8785, option 2.

Grievance Procedure Info (Looking Out for You)

Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York has implemented a formal process for reviewing grievances and appeals from our members. This process offers a uniform approach, along with equal treatment of all grievances and appeals.

Speak Up for Yourself

The Joint Commission's award-winning patient safety program is educational and informative. The topics included are:

  • Preventing errors in your care
  • Avoiding mistakes in your surgery
  • Information for living organ donors
  • Five things you can do to prevent infection
  • Avoiding mistakes with your medicine
  • What you should know about research studies
  • Planning your follow-up care
  • Preventing medical test mistakes
  • Knowing your rights
  • Understanding your doctors and other caregivers

More information on the Joint Commission's Speak Up program is available online at jointcommission.org. You can also call 1-877-878-8785 (toll free) and leave a message detailing your request, and a copy of your request will be sent to you.

Learn more