WIDER CIRCLE EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH CAREFIRST BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN MARYLAND

Statewide Expansions of Connect for Life and Launch of New Maternal Health Program Aim to Strengthen Community Support and Improve Health Outcomes

Redwood City, Calif. [June 17, 2025] – Wider Circle, a national leader in community-based health solutions, today announced the statewide expansion of its partnership with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan Maryland (CareFirst CHPMD), a Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) that provides health coverage for Medicaid recipients in Maryland through the Maryland HealthChoice Program. 

Building on a rollout that exceeded performance targets and doubled enrollment in its Connect for Life^® program, Wider Circle will now expand the program to all CareFirst CHPMD Medicaid members. At the same time, Wider Circle is launching a dedicated Maternal Health program to improve pre- and postnatal outcomes to provide support for expectant and new mothers and their babies. This expanded collaboration brings Wider Circle’s proven model to more Maryland communities, combining trusted, face-to-face connections with scalable digital tools to improve health outcomes. 

The launch of Wider Circle’s Maternal Health program comes at a critical time in Maryland, where Medicaid covers nearly 40% of all births, yet many expectant and new mothers in underserved communities struggle to access consistent, coordinated care. This highlights the need for solutions that go beyond coverage alone. Wider Circle addresses these gaps by building peer-led networks that foster trust, connect members to critical resources, and keep them engaged in care during pregnancy and beyond. Rooted in the belief that health improves through human connection, Wider Circle strengthens community support through a blend of in-person gatherings and digital tools. The model strengthens individual outcomes and aligns with a broader shift among state Medicaid agencies to integrate social support into clinical care and advance health equity.

“We are proud to expand this partnership and bring our trusted model to bear on one of the most critical health equity challenges facing Medicaid programs today: maternal health,” said Darin Buxbaum, CEO of Wider Circle. “By building strong community networks and placing peer connections at the center of engagement, we can support moms on Medicaid in navigating care, overcoming barriers, and improving outcomes – not just for them, but for the next generation. That means healthier births, stronger postpartum engagement, and early support for critical milestones like well-child visits and childhood vaccinations.”

The Maternal Health Program directly supports Maryland’s Medicaid priorities, offering:

• Emotional and social support throughout pregnancy and the first year postpartum
• Assistance navigating Medicaid-covered services, including prenatal and behavioral health
• Connections to non-medical supports such as nutrition, transportation, and housing stability
• Reinforcement of health literacy and self-efficacy through culturally relevant peer relationships

“Improving maternal health means more than offering additional services—it means making care feel connected and providing those services at the time they are most meaningful to our members,” said Sheila Yahyazadeh, Chief External Operations Officer at CareFirst CHPMD. “Through our partnership with Wider Circle, we’re strengthening families during one of the most important times in their lives and helping them stay engaged in their care in ways that feel personal and lasting.”

Maryland’s statewide Medicaid program supports the health of pregnant people and new moms. The goal is to make care easier to access, improve support before and after birth, offer more community resources, use data more effectively, and build a healthcare workforce that reflects the people it serves. Wider Circle supports this effort by bringing people together in their communities and helping Medicaid plans to improve results for moms and babies. 

This expansion builds on Wider Circle’s national growth as more healthcare partners recognize the impact of community-based care. Over the past decade, the company has expanded to 14 states, building trusted local networks that keep Medicare and Medicaid members connected, informed, and engaged in their health. Recent expansions in Arizona, Maryland, West Virginia, and North Carolina reflect increasing demand for solutions that go beyond clinical care to address social and emotional needs at scale.

About Wider Circle

Wider Circle works with health plans and providers nationally to deliver unique community care programs that connect neighbors for better health. Centered on trusted relationships, Wider Circle connects health plan members with like-minded neighbors to inform, support and motivate one another, empowering them to be more proactive about their health. Wider Circle’s trusted delivery network has been proven to drive resilience, improve member experience and engagement, and reduce inappropriate utilization and has been published in peer-reviewed literature. Today, Wider Circle offers its unique neighborhood care programs to tens of thousands of communities nationwide. To learn more, visit widercircle.com.    For more information, visit www.widercircle.com.