March 10, 2026
Independence Blue Cross (IBX) has been recognized as a Pioneer Age‑Friendly Medicare Advantage Plan for its work with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and The John A. Hartford Foundation. Together with these organizations, IBX is supporting high‑quality, age‑friendly health care for older adults. The recognition aligns with the national Age‑Friendly Health Systems initiative.
“Age‑friendly health care focuses on helping older patients and their families feel cared for, respected, and supported,” said Dr. Luz Ramos, senior medical director at Independence Blue Cross. “It’s about treating the whole person and making health care easier and more compassionate for everyone involved.”
Age‑friendly health care is built around a simple framework called the 4Ms. This approach helps doctors and care teams better support older adults by focusing on what matters most to them. The 4Ms include:
• What Matters. Making sure a patient’s goals, values, and preferences guide decisions about their care.
• Mobility. Helping patients stay independent by improving balance and preventing falls, so they can keep doing the things they enjoy.
• Mentation (or Mind). Paying close attention to mental health, including memory and mood, to keep the mind as healthy as the body.
• Medication. Making sure medications are safe, effective, and appropriate. Regular reviews help prevent side effects and harmful interactions.
“Being recognized as a Pioneer Age‑Friendly Medicare Advantage Plan shows our commitment to providing age‑friendly care and working with national partners to shape the future of care for older adults,” said Dr. Ramos.
Learn more about the age-friendly health care revolution in Dr. Ramos’s IBX Insights blog.
