Collaboration News:
Anthem, Inc. To Acquire myNEXUS, Home Health Benefits Manager
Anthem, Inc. (@AnthemInc) announced that the company has entered into an agreement to acquire myNEXUS, Inc. (“myNEXUS”), a comprehensive home-based nursing management company for payors. myNEXUS delivers integrated clinical support services for approximately 1.7 million Medicare Advantage members across 20 states.
Epic and Humana Deliver on Commitment to Enhance Connectivity and Collaboration Among Patients, Providers, and Health Plans
Humana Inc. (@Humana), a health and well-being company, and Epic, developer of a nationally used comprehensive health record, have completed the first stage of a joint effort to improve patient, provider, and health plan collaboration and reduce administrative burden in healthcare by securely exchanging information between providers and the health plan. In their first 18 months of working together, clinical data for more than a half million of Humana’s health members has been shared, and over 50,000 providers have utilized Humana’s Real-Time Benefits Check (RTBC) tool, IntelligentRx, which delivers real-time prescription benefit information in Epic’s platform.
Product News:
Cigna + Oscar Expands Small Businesses’ Access to Affordable Health Plans in California
Cigna (@Cigna), a global health service company, and Oscar Health, Inc. (@OscarHealth), the first health insurance company built on a full stack technology platform, announced that Cigna + Oscar small business health insurance will be available in the Bay Area, Central Coast, Greater Sacramento, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, North Bay, and San Diego regions.
Financial News:
Oscar Health, Inc. First Quarterly 2021 Earnings Conference Call
Oscar Health, Inc., the first health insurance company built around a full stack technology platform, will release its first quarter results after market on Thursday, May 13, 2021.
Genevive, Medica expand availability of innovative Medicare Advantage Institutional Needs Plan for residents of senior care facilities
Medica (@Medica4Me) and Genevive have expanded Medica Advantage Solution® PartnerCare (HMO I-SNP), an Institutional Special Needs plan, introduced last year. For 2021, the plan adds 10 additional care partners to its provider network and five additional counties to the service area. Altogether, eligible seniors living in 140 long-term care and assisted living communities can select this Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan health coverage option for 2021 coverage if they need or are expected to need the level of services provided in a long-term care facility for 90 days or longer.
To Read:
Fighting for Equity in Health Care by AHIP – Health equity is an environment in which “everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.” Health insurance providers are committed to achieving health equity, and believe that every American deserves access to affordable, high-quality care and health coverage, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
More than 500,000 people have signed up for Obamacare coverage during Biden’s special enrollment period from CNN – More than 528,000 Americans have signed up for Affordable Care Act coverage on the federal exchange in the first six weeks of the special enrollment period President Joe Biden opened for the uninsured.
COVID-19 News:
Cigna Launches COVID Vaccine Transportation For Its Medicare Advantage Customers
In an effort to help older Americans get access to the COVID-19 vaccine, Cigna is providing transportation to and from vaccine sites at no extra cost to customers in the majority of its Cigna Medicare Advantage plans1 across the country.
Anthem Offering Financial Incentives to Encourage All Associates to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination
Anthem, Inc. announced that it will provide an incentive to all associates who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. With vaccines now the focal point of combatting the pandemic, Anthem recognizes the critical role Anthem plays in ensuring safe and equitable access to the vaccines in our communities.
Reports:
InstaMed’s 11th Annual Report Finds Consumers Want Contactless Healthcare Experiences Beyond the Pandemic
InstaMed (@InstaMed), a J.P. Morgan company, released the Trends in Healthcare Payments Eleventh Annual Report – highlighting trends from the major industry stakeholders: consumers, providers and payers. The report explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated many trends that impact the consumer experience in healthcare, including the increased availability of contactless payment options and telehealth.
New Analysis Shows Benefits of Electronic Prior Authorization for Patients and Providers
Electronic prior authorization (ePA) can significantly reduce the time between a request for prior authorization and a decision and the time to a patient receiving care. These were two of the top findings from an initiative launched by America’s Health Insurance Plans (@ahipcoverage) to better understand the impact of ePA on the prior authorization process.
Appointments:
Brian Thompson Named Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare Unit
Brian Thompson has been named Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare, the health benefits business of UnitedHealth Group (@UnitedHealthGrp).
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Welcomes Policy Expert as New Vice President of Public Policy & Federal Affairs
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (@carefirst) has appointed David Schwartz as the new Vice President, Public Policy & Federal Affairs. Schwartz, who brings more than 20 years of healthcare policy and legal experience to his new role, will lead the development and execution of public policy engagement programs and congressional, regulatory and industry outreach.
Upcoming Events:
AHIP Institute and Expo 2021 (@ahipcoverage)
What: Institute and Expo Online
When: June 22 – 24, 2021
Where: Virtual
AHIP Institute and Expo 2021 – At Institute & Expo Online, you’ll engage with health care’s most compelling experts as they take on such topics as the ongoing COVID-19 response, health equity, improving quality and value, industry transformation, behavioral health, and much more.