Collaboration News:
Horizon and Geneia: Simplifying value-based, patient-centric care
Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc. (@horizonbcbsnj), New Jersey’s largest health plan, and Geneia, a healthcare analytic solutions and services company that is simplifying the transition to value-based care, announce their partnership to advance population health is working. Horizon chose Geneia’s Theon® Platform for Population Analytics, which applies AI-driven data analytics to identify and stratify populations uncovering insights for patient-centered care, to achieve greater engagement and increase ROI by focusing on the right care for the right patients at the right time.
UnitedHealthcare Introduces Enhancements for Wearable Device Well-being Program, Including Access to Apple Fitness+ at No Additional Cost
UnitedHealthcare (@uhc) has introduced enhancements to one of its national well-being programs, providing certain members access for at least six months – at no additional cost – to Apple Fitness+ for studio-style workout classes, powered by Apple Watch. Apple Fitness+ brings studio-style workouts to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, intelligently incorporating workout metrics from Apple Watch for a personalized and immersive experience users can complete wherever and whenever it is convenient for them.
Centene Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire PANTHERx Rare Pharmacy (PANTHERx)
Centene Corporation (@Centene) announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PANTHERx, one of the largest and fastest-growing specialty pharmacies in the United States specializing in orphan drugs and rare diseases. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the end of 2020.
COVID-19 News:
athenahealth Announces EHR Platform Enhancements to Enable Immediate Administration of New COVID-19 Vaccines
athenahealth (@athenahealth), a provider of network-enabled software and services for medical groups and health systems nationwide, announced that it has rolled out enhancements to its athenaOne EHR to facilitate immediate administration of the COVID-19 vaccines as they become available to healthcare organizations across the country this month.
CVS Health selected by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, as part of a pilot, to administer recently authorized COVID-19 therapy to eligible patients in long-term care facilities and at home
CVS Health (@cvshealth) was selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of Operation Warp Speed, to pilot the administration of a limited supply of bamlanivimab, a monoclonal antibody therapy, with eligible COVID-19 patients at-risk of severe infection or complications resulting from the virus.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Statement on the Congressional End of the Year Package
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (@BCBSAssociation) Senior Vice President of the Office of Policy and Representation Justine Handelman issued a statement in response to Congress’ end of the year and COVID-19 relief legislative package.
Financial News:
UnitedHealth Group Announces Earnings Release Date
UnitedHealth Group (@UnitedHealthGrp) will release its fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, before the market opens, and will host a teleconference at 8:45 a.m. ET to discuss the results with analysts and investors.
Humana Announces New Primary Care Value-Based Model
Health and well-being company Humana Inc. (@Humana) announced an expansion of its value-based program portfolio with the forthcoming launch of the Primary Care First (PCF) model. It will expand the availability of coordinated primary care for members of certain Humana Medicare Advantage plans in the nation’s 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., and aims to improve care quality and health outcomes, lower the cost of care, and ease financial stress for primary care groups.
Cigna Foundation Furthers Efforts to Improve Health and Well-being of Children, Announces Availability of $5 Million in Grants
The Cigna Foundation (@cigna) announced the open call for applications for its Healthier Kids For Our Future® grant program, part of a five-year, $25 million global initiative focused on improving the health and well-being of children.
Oscar Announces Confidential Submission of Draft Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering
Oscar (@OscarHealth) announced that it has confidentially submitted a draft registration statement on Form S-1 to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to its proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The size and price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. The initial public offering is expected to commence after the completion of the SEC review process, subject to market and other conditions.
To Read:
Portion of US Consumers Likely to Switch Providers if COVID is Managed Poorly from Managed Healthcare Executive (@MHExecutive) – About 64% of U.S. patients are likely to switch to a new healthcare provider if their current provider doesn’t meet their expectations for managing COVID-19 concerns, according to a new report from Accenture.
AHIP Issues Statement on Continued Negotiations for COVID-19 Relief
Matt Eyles, president and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (@ahipcoverage) issued this statement as Congressional negotiators came to an agreement on a COVID-19 relief package:
Appointments:
Anthem, Inc. Names Dr. Shantanu Agrawal Chief Health Officer
Anthem, Inc. (@AnthemInc) announced Dr. Shantanu Agrawal has been named Chief Health Officer, effective January 25, 2020. Dr. Agrawal will oversee Anthem’s enterprise health strategy, to include medical policy and clinical quality, as well as the company’s industry-leading work to address the social drivers of health. He will also lead Anthem’s community health strategy and the Anthem Foundation. He will report directly to Gail K. Boudreaux, President and Chief Executive Officer, Anthem.
Medica Names David H. Ellenbogen Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Medica (@Medica4Me) announced the hire of David H. Ellenbogen as Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. His first day at Medica was Dec.14, 2020.