Revenue Cycle and Payer News – May 11, 2022

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Posted By: Annmarie Budniak May 11, 2022

Collaboration News:

Independence Blue Cross works with AblePay to offer new financial support to members
Independence Blue Cross (@ibx) is now working with AblePay Health (AblePay), a company that helps people better understand and pay their out-of-pocket medical expenses. Through AblePay, Independence is offering payment discounts, flexible payment options, and personal support to its members. The model also gives participating hospitals and doctors in the Independence network increased assurance that they will receive payment for their patients’ bills from AblePay.

Company News:

UnitedHealthcare to Address Maternal Health Outcomes, Access to Care and Health Equity with Doula Program Expansion into Western North Carolina
UnitedHealthcare (@uhc), Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) and SistasCaring4Sistas (SC4S), announced the expansion of a community-based doula program into western North Carolina. The Doulas for Social Justice program, which was started by SistasCaring4Sistas to support primarily Black and low-income women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, will aim to improve maternal health outcomes among Black women and reduce racial and social disparities among mothers in the region by providing access to quality health care.

Independence Blue Cross is now reimbursing professional providers for long-acting reversible contraceptives supplied in the hospital after a patient gives birth
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) is now reimbursing professional providers for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) – such as intrauterine device (IUD) and the birth control implant – supplied in the hospital setting immediately following childbirth. Independence is one of the first commercial health insurers in the Philadelphia region to reimburse for LARCs supplied in this type of setting. The reimbursement affects patients that have commercial health plans with Independence.

CVS Health offering no-cost heart health screenings at MinuteClinic during National Women’s Health Week
To highlight the importance of women being proactive about their health, CVS Health announced it is once again offering no-cost heart health screenings during National Women’s Health Week, May 8 through May 14, at MinuteClinic locations to help women understand their risk for cardiovascular disease the number one killer of women.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies Call for Industry Adoption of National Data Collection Standards to Advance Health Equity
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (@BCBSAssociation) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies released a thought leadership paper calling on the health care system to develop and adopt national industry standards for health equity data collection to help meaningfully address health disparities and advance health equity.

Financial News:

Anthem, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Integra Managed Care
Anthem, Inc. (@AnthemInc) announced the completion of its acquisition of Integra Managed Care, a Managed Long-Term Care Plan in New York that helps adults with long term care needs and disabilities live safely and independently in their own home.

CVS Health reports strong first quarter results
CVS Health Corporation (@cvshealth) announced operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

UnitedHealth Group Reports First Quarter 2022 Results
Strong and well-balanced growth continued across UnitedHealth Group (@UnitedHealthGrp) in the first quarter of 2022.

Humana Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results; Raises Full Year 2022 Adjusted EPS Financial Guidance
Humana Inc. (@Humana) reported consolidated pretax results and diluted earnings per common share for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 (1Q22) versus the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (1Q21) as noted in the tables below.

Cigna Reports Strong First Quarter 2022 Results, Raises 2022 Outlook
Global health services company Cigna Corporation (@cigna) reported strong first quarter 2022 results reflecting revenue and earnings growth across its businesses.

Policy News:

Biden Harris Administration Proposes Rule to Fix “Family Glitch” and Lower Health Care Costs
The Biden-Harris Administration is proposing a rule to strengthen the ACA by fixing the “family glitch,” which would save hundreds of thousands of families hundreds of dollars a month.

To Read:

I Paid Less for My Hospital Birth Than Most of My Patients With Insurance by Dr. Maryanna Barrett – It seemed unthinkable, but I decided to think about it anyhow. Would it be possible to have a hospital birth without maternity coverage? I had time and I had options, so I decided to figure it out.

Upcoming Events:

AHIP 2022 (@ahipcoverage)
What: AHIP 2022. (Formerly AHIP Institute & Expo)
When: June 21 – 23, 2022
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Register here.

AHIP 2022 – What’s next for your members and the communities you serve? Find it at AHIP 2022. (Formerly AHIP Institute & Expo.) Health care’s essential event has a new name that prioritizes what’s next right now, building on AHIP’s decades-long heritage of bringing together the people, ideas, and solutions guiding greater health.