Spring is often seen as a season of renewal, a natural moment to reset routines, refresh goals and take proactive steps toward better health. For Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) nurse care manager Molle Barker, spring is also the perfect time to remind members that preventive care is one of the most powerful tools they have for staying healthy.
Barker brings over 20 years of nursing experience to her role, including time in critical care and five years in management. After decades at the bedside, she felt called to support patients in a new way.
“Beyond bedside care, I knew I had more to offer if I could just find the time and space to do it,” said Barker. “When I saw this position at BCBSNE, I knew it would allow me to share my knowledge of medical conditions in a way that truly supports people.”
Barker now helps BCBSNE members navigate the health care system, understand their benefits and stay on track with preventive care. For Barker, prevention is not just a recommendation—it is the foundation of long‑term health.
“Annual wellness visits and routine screenings like eye exams, colonoscopies and mammograms are essential because they catch issues early,” she said. “They save members from hospital stays and the strain of managing multiple medications. The sooner you catch a health problem, the easier and less expensive it usually is to treat, leading to better outcomes and lower costs.”
As members look ahead to spring, Barker encourages them to start with the basics and make sure their most important preventive visit is on the calendar.
“The number one thing is your annual wellness visit,” she said. “Get in there, meet with your primary care provider and let them review your medications and overall health as you head into the new season.”
While spring is the perfect moment to get appointments scheduled and preventive care underway, Barker says the real value comes from staying engaged and supported throughout the year.
“At the start of the year, people are really gung‑ho about their care,” Barker said. “The challenge is helping them keep that momentum going, and my job is to support them through consistent follow-ups.”
It’s that steady partnership that helps members build healthier habits that last well beyond the spring season.
Learn more about preventive care at NebraskaBlue.com/Member-Services/Getting-Care/Preventive-Care. View this webpage for additional information on the nurse-supported care programs available to BCBSNE members.
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