This article is written by guest contributor Stacy Van Meter, vice president of talent acquisition, employer brand and people analytics at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

As noted last month by our chief financial officer, John Uribe, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an organization made up of more than 3,000 associates who, collectively, reflect and represent the many communities we serve.

That’s why it’s fitting—and exciting—for Blue Cross to be formally recognized as a Certified Age-Friendly Employer (CAFE) by the Age-Friendly Institute. The Age-Friendly Institute is the nation’s only certification program that, for nearly 20 years, has identified organizations committed to being the best places to work for employees aged 50 and above by committing to and fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.

As vice president of talent acquisition, I am incredibly proud that Blue Cross—deemed Minnesota’s number one health plan by members year over year— has earned this distinction. As The Age-Friendly Institute notes, companies that earn a CAFE designation maintain policies, practices and programs specifically designed to support individuals in the 50-plus age group. This could not be more true for Blue Cross, with one of our 13 Associate Resource Groups—which serve as popular areas of involvement and belonging for associates based on aspects of their lives, their identities, and what they care about—being specifically dedicated to associates ages 50 and up. Our history as an employer spans more than nine decades, and many of our associates have built lifelong careers proudly serving members. In fact, nearly 40 percent of our current workforce is in the 50-plus age bracket.

Blue Cross’ commitment to this subset of associates extends beyond those already employed. Incoming associates are also recognized for their invaluable knowledge, maturity, reliability, and productivity. To date this year, 25 percent of our new hires are over age 50. We’re resoundingly dedicated to providing meaningful employment, development opportunities, and competitive pay and benefits for these talented individuals.

The comprehensive evaluation for the CAFE distinction covered twelve categories of recognized best practices for age-friendly employers. According to the Age-Friendly Institute, Blue Cross met or exceeded qualifications because the organization chooses to value associates based on proficiency, qualifications and contribution – attracting talent by respecting and celebrating lived and professional experiences.

When members over 50 call our Service team, or are assigned a care manager, or receive a letter in the mail from Blue Cross, there is a good chance that the associate on the other end is a peer in terms of age, which I hope brings peace of mind in terms of reliability and respect.