Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Concordia Dental join forces to improve lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, in collaboration with United Concordia Dental, recently presented Allied Services Integrated Health System with a donation of $15,000. The contribution brings Allied Services closer to its goal of raising $500,000 through its annual fundraising campaign, WNEP’s Team Allied Services.

Earlier this year, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Concordia Dental announced that they would join together as major sponsors of WNEP’s Team Allied Services. The campaign centers on a team of 50 volunteers who are raising awareness and funds for Allied Services.

On Nov. 4, those volunteers will participate in the TCS New York City Marathon. Funds raised through the charity campaign will enable Allied Services to invest in advanced rehab technology and services to support the rehabilitation and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities, life-changing injuries and illnesses in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.

“We’re proud to support WNEP’s Team Allied Services and Allied Services,” said Quinn Dufurrena, D.D.S., J.D, Chief Dental Officer, United Concordia Dental.“This organization has touched the lives of countless people in our community. We know how important the care and opportunities provided by Allied Services are to individuals and families who need them.”

A portion of the funds raised in 2018 has been earmarked for investment in the Indego, an exoskeleton that will give staff at Allied Services new tools and opportunities in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury or stroke. The device will be the first of its kind in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. To learn more about the campaign, its major sponsors or its runners, call 570.348.1407 or visit alliedservices.org/teamallied

About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

Highmark Inc., doing business as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, serves approximately 2.5 million members through the company’s health care benefits business and hundreds of thousands of additional individuals through the BlueCard® program. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is the market leader in commercial market share, and through its affiliated Blue companies, has strong Medicare Advantage market share as well. Through its affiliated Blue companies, Highmark is the largest and highest-rated Medicare Advantage program in Pennsylvania, and all Medicare Advantage plans have received a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services STARS quality rating of 4+ out of 5.0 STARS. In western Pennsylvania, its unaided brand awareness, brand preference and overall brand rating are significantly higher than its closest competitor.Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield employs more than 4,100 people in western, north central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

About United Concordia Dental

United Concordia Dental is a leading national dental solutions company focused on delivering high-quality, cost-effective dental care. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., the company has approximately 8.6 million members, one of the nation’s largest dentist networks, an AM Best A (Excellent) rating and is licensed in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. United Concordia is committed to delivering the best customer service possible, as evidenced by the design, implementation and administration of our research-backed wellness programs. For more information about United Concordia, visit www.UnitedConcordia.com.

Photo ID: left to right, Quinn Dufurrena, D.D.S., J.D, Chief Dental Officer, United Concordia Dental; Ryan Leckey, Reporter/Producer, WNEP TV; Katie Kemmerer, Senior Community Affairs Analyst, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Jim Brogna, VP of Corporate Advancement & Communications, Allied Services Integrated Health System.