AmeriHealth Caritas Recognized Again for Longstanding Commitment to Diverse Businesses

Health plan has strong vision for equity and inclusion to support associates, members, communities

AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other health care solutions for those most in need, was once again honored by the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (ESMDC) for the organization’s commitment to working with diverse businesses.

In December, EMSDC named AmeriHealth Caritas its National Corporation of the Year Award in recognition of the health plan’s efforts to create business opportunities for certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and for consistent commitment to the diverse suppliers in its supply chain.

The managed care organization previously won EMSDC’s Regional Corporation of the Year award in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The EMSDC certifies and connects minority-owned businesses (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American) throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware with member corporations.

AmeriHealth Caritas continues to demonstrate dedication to supplier diversity through the diversity, equity, and inclusion policies embedded in its organization, innovative thought leadership, and execution in engaging MBEs. In addition to helping suppliers become certified MBEs, the Medicaid managed care organization implemented a mentor-protégé program to help provide small, minority- and women-owned businesses with tools and training to aid growth. Its recent successes also include the launch of a self-employment series for entrepreneur startups.

In October, AmeriHealth Caritas joined Widener University’s Small Business Development Center (WDSBDC)  to establish the Self-Employment Exploration & Discovery Partnership Program (SEED) pilot program, an initiative designed to help local business owners and entrepreneurs expand or open businesses in Chester, Pa., an urban area a few miles southwest of Philadelphia. Nearly one-third of Chester residents live in poverty.

SEED is a formal, eight-week webinar series, which ended this month, provided participants the tools, methods, and strategies successful entrepreneurs utilize to start and propel their business to the next level. This initiative launched in 2021. Later this year, AmeriHealth Caritas plans to implement the program’s Community Entrepreneur Training and Development initiative in every state where it manages Medicaid.

AmeriHealth Caritas Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Karen Dale said economic stability is a social determinant that directly affects a person’s ability to achieve and maintain health and wellness, along with education, access to healthy food, and other factors.

“Our commitment to working with small and diverse businesses reinforces our mission to build healthy communities,” Dale said. “By investing in supplier diversity, we are advancing equitable solutions while contributing to the economic stability of the communities we serve.”