Independent Health announces first 13 recipients of its “Nominate Your Favorite Charity” program

Independent Health to award 65 charities a total of $42,000 during Medicare Open Enrollment

BUFFALO, N.Y., October 25, 2021 – Independent Health announced the first 13 recipients of its “Nominate Your Favorite Charity” program, with each non-profit awardee granted $650. The program received more than 1,000 nominations throughout its first two weeks. Randomly selected recipients ranged from large, well-known charities to small non-profit organizations and included:

  • FeedMore WNY
  • Parish Neighbors, St. Bernadette Church
  • WNY Veterans Housing Coalition
  • Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • SPCA Serving Erie County
  • Jude Center
  • Catholic Charities
  • Niagara Hospice
  • 10th Chance Animal Rescue
  • Buffalo City Mission
  • Ten Lives Club
  • Journey’s End
  • The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation

Throughout the Medicare annual enrollment season, which concludes Dec. 7, Independent Health continues to invite anyone to nominate their favorite local charity for a chance to receive a donation. Every two weeks, Independent Health will randomly select 13 local non-profit organizations to receive $650 each. This amounts to $42,000 for 65 organizations serving Western New York (#650for65charities).

“Throughout the fall season, as thousands of Western New Yorkers evaluate their Medicare options for 2022, we chose to offer this program to invest in our community and support the local organizations our members, and non-members, value most,” said Cathy Aquino, director of government sales, Independent Health.

Anyone can nominate a charity of their choice. You do not need to be an Independent Health member or Medicare-eligible to submit a nomination, nor is there an obligation to enroll with Independent Health. Entries are limited to one nomination per person and the non-profit organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and operate within the eight counties of Western New York. The selected charities will be individually notified if they’ve received an award. A full list of recipients will be posted on independenthealth.com/charity every two weeks.

Individuals who are interested in nominating a charity may do so by:

Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the nomination period

About Independent Health:

Independent Health, a not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Buffalo, New York, serves nearly 330,000 members and provides innovative health care products and benefits designed to engage consumers in their health and well-being.   Established in 1980, our comprehensive portfolio of progressive products includes HMO, POS, PPO and EPO products, Medicare and Medicaid plans, individual and small group Exchange products, consumer-directed plans, and health savings accounts, plus coverage for self-funded employers.  Our subsidiaries and affiliate companies include pharmacy benefit management, specialty pharmacy and the Independent Health Foundation.

The company has been recognized nationally for its award-winning customer service, dedication to quality health care and unmatched relationships with physicians and providers.  To learn more, go to www.independenthealth.com.