SecureBlue adds empowerment and support program for caregivers of seniors with dementia

Blue Plus plan for Minnesota Senior Health Options now includes access to innovative technology-based program from Ceresti

EAGAN, Minn. and CARLSBAD, Calif., April 6, 2020 —A technology-based education, coaching and support program for family caregivers of loved ones with dementia or other cognitive impairments has been added as a no-cost supplemental benefit to SecureBlueSM, Blue Plus’ senior health plan offering in Minnesota. 

The digital platform from Ceresti supports family caregivers of Blue Plus’ SecureBlue members with diminishing cognitive, memory and decision-making capabilities. Blue Plus is one of seven health plans that administer the State of Minnesota’s Senior Health Options (MSHO) program, which combines Medicare and Medical Assistance (state Medicaid) coverage. The Family Caregiver Empowerment Program from Ceresti is available to MSHO enrollees only through SecureBlue. 

Once a caregiver of a SecureBlue member is enrolled with Ceresti, they receive a tablet device that enables access to personalized educational and other content that address the unexpected challenges often faced by a spouse, child or other relative who has taken on increasing caregiving responsibilities. The program includes videos, tutorials, and access to support by remote Ceresti coaches. 

The addition of Ceresti as a supplemental benefit follows a six-month pilot with SecureBlue volunteers. The results demonstrated high user satisfaction rates, strong program engagement, and a reduction in caregivers’ reported feelings of loneliness and sense of burden.  Caregivers who participated in the pilot engaged with the Ceresti program for an average of 40 minutes per week and completed an average of three daily assessments per week.

“Being a caregiver can be a deeply rewarding experience, but one that comes with many emotional challenges and gaps in knowledge,” said Christine Reiten, vice president of Medicaid at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “When a caregiver receives the kind of support and education available through Ceresti, they feel less isolated and more confident on how to best meet the changing needs of their loved one.”  

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus is a national leader in the area of family caregiver empowerment,” said Dirk Soenksen, co-founder and CEO of Ceresti. “They have been a great partner in allowing us to demonstrate the benefits of our technology/coaching program and in establishing Ceresti’s innovative program as a supplemental benefit.”

Multiple independent studies show that empowered family caregivers achieve better patient outcomes, including adherence to care plans, reduced use of health care services, and improved quality of care measures.

In 2018, the parent company of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus made a capital investment in Ceresti to expand its reach of family caregiver empowerment solutions to payers and providers throughout the country. 

About Ceresti

Ceresti is a digital health company that achieves the Triple Aim (improved care, quality and costs) for seniors who struggle with self-management due to cognitive impairment or complex care needs. Our family caregiver empowerment program combines technology, content, remote coaching and predictive analytics to empower and support family caregivers with education, remote coaching, and support.  Our digital care management program is optimized to reduce potentially preventable hospitalizations. Learn more at ceresti.com. 

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. We are on a mission to inspire change, transform care and improve health for the people and communities we serve by reinventing both ourselves and the broader system. Our more than 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. As a proud nonprofit organization, we believe working to advance wellness for all Minnesotans is the greatest investment we can make. Our goal is nothing less than for everyone to be able to achieve their full health potential, regardless of race or other socially defined circumstances. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, which serves more than 107 million members across the U.S.

Blue Cross offers PPO, HMO-POS, and Cost plans with a Medicare contract, and an HMO-SNP plan with a Medicare contract and contract with the Minnesota Medical Assistance program. Enrollment in these Blue Cross plans depends on contract renewal.

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