Meridian Supports Illinois Communities in Need During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CHICAGO, May 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people across Illinois are facing challenges that extend beyond medical care. These challenges include basic daily needs such as access to food and essential healthcare and educational supplies. Meridian, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading multi-national healthcare company, is deploying these programs across the state.

Social determinants of health are non-medical barriers to achieving quality health outcomes. They include socioeconomic and environmental factors such as food accessibility, employment, education and more. Research shows that medical care accounts for approximately 10 to 20% of health outcomes, while the other 80 to 90% is affected by social determinants of health.

"The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are far-reaching and have extended beyond medical care to affect access to food, education and other critical resources across our state," said Karen Brach, Meridian Plan President and CEO for Illinois. "These social determinants of health have a significant impact on overall wellbeing, especially among vulnerable populations, and Meridian wants to help ensure we're supporting the needs of our communities during this challenging time."

Hunger and Food Insecurity
The demand on food banks has significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, a national hunger relief nonprofit, estimates these organizations will need an additional $1.4 billion in funding during the next six months to provide food assistance to people facing hunger. In partnership with Feeding America, Centene and Meridian will coordinate a donation of 1 million meals a month for the next 12 months to feed those in Illinois and across the country.

Meridian also donated $80,000 to The Salvation Army, Northern Illinois Food Bank, and Greater Chicago Food Depository to support food-funding in local communities across the state.

"This donation is essential to The Salvation Army's mission to serve those most vulnerable during this dangerous time," said Major David Dalberg, director of The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services in the Chicagoland area. "Partners like Meridian help bring hope and help during very trying times, and for that, we are most grateful."

Healthcare and Educational Supplies
Meridian also purchased more than $96,000 worth of Walmart gift cards for use on essential healthcare and educational supplies. Each gift card holds a value of $35 and can be used to purchase essential items like diapers, over-the-counter medicines, cleaning supplies and books.

Meridian is partnering with the following local community-based organizations to distribute the gift cards:

• East Side Health District
• The Salvation Army
• Rural Health, Inc.
• Apostolic Church of God
• Phoenix Community Development Services
• Safer Foundation
• Housing Opportunity for Women (HOW)
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

Meridian is committed to supporting its members during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more, visit https://corp.mhplan.com/en/covid-19/.

About Meridian
Meridian in Illinois and WellCare of Illinois provide government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs primarily through Medicaid (MeridianHealth), Medicare Advantage (WellCare), Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MeridianComplete) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (WellCare) across the state. Meridian and WellCare are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation, a leading multi-national healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information about Meridian, please visit www.mhplan.com. For more information about WellCare, please visit www.wellcare.com/illinois.

SOURCE Meridian