24/7: Dartmouth-Hitchcock, along with MDLive, announced a virtual urgent-care service earlier this month. The 24/7 virtual urgent care will connect patients anywhere to clinicians at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, while MDLive physicians will provide back-up coverage.
Dementia Risk Rising: Researchers say it’s probable that COVID-19 can increase the risk of getting dementia based on several new studies. You can read the full story here.
Multiple Sclerosis Pilot: Highmark has partnered with AllianceRx Walgreens Prime to launch a Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) pilot outreach program targeted at Highmark members who have multiple sclerosis (MS) and use AllianceRx as their specialty pharmacy. Through a voluntary member survey, the program will identify and notify patients impacted by social risk factors in order to refer them to necessary social or behavioral resources. This program began on April 19th and will initially be one year long, with future phases dependent on the success of the pilot.
Heads Carolina, Tailwinds For SDOH: In an attempt to decrease food insecurity among their members, BCBS NC is partnering with the Benefits Data Trust, Manna Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC to boost enrollment in SNAP and the Food and Nutrition Service. BCBS NC also launched a food delivery and health coaching program for low-income members with Type 2 diabetes and transportation programs for members in need of assistance getting to and from grocery stores.
Symptom Checker: Anthem is partnering with Blackstone to scale an AI-powered app, K Health, that helps consumers check symptoms and provides virtual care. In our poll of 1,524 adults, 58% say they would be interested in tools to help them do in-home assessments “rather than relying solely on going to the doctor.” Moms are far more interested than others (71% polled), particularly in tools both for their aging parents, their kids, and themselves.
PCP Partnership: Accolade, a health benefits platform, is acquiring virtual primary care company, PlushCare. The combined company will be able to streamline access to acute, chronic and preventive care both virtually and in-person. Earlier this year, Accolade purchased another virtual care company, 2nd.MD.
Moving Health Home: Home care is the #1 payer priority this year – including more contracting and payment models – and Advocate Aurora Health of Milwaukee and Pittsburgh-based UPMC are two of the latest health systems to join Moving Health Home, a healthcare coalition founded by Amazon Care, Intermountain and Ascension earlier this year. Expect more of these arrangements between health systems and suppliers.
Good Rep: Some health systems are looking to better their reputations by engaging more patients to leave reviews. Sharp HealthCare in California and Ochsner in Louisiana are both working with Podium, a reputation management vendor, in an effort to increase online reviews. While other industries have long relied on Yelp and other platforms for positive reviews, healthcare has not historically focused on collecting this data. Now health systems, along with health plans and their providers, are increasingly focused on making sure patients’ voices are being heard.
Extra Point: I’ve heard it said that if we just handle things like dogs we’d all be better off – that’s if you can’t eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away. This is true to a point I suppose, until you own a dog like mine whose idea of healthcare is licking his toes. After a 6-hour wait in the ER, the doctor and her team finally was able to see us Tuesday. “Sorry, we had some real emergencies – really appreciate your patience.” I didn’t mind, but did wonder what “real emergencies” meant exactly. Within 30 minutes the doctor diagnosed a “bizarre ear infection”, prescribed Prednisone and began the discharge process. It was like I was seeing my daughter’s allergist for bronchitis and knowing the side effects of Prednisone, I was admittedly skeptical. “You sure about this doc?” Dr. Zee paused, petted Zaggy and looked up, “Let me put it this way Bry, do you want the infection to spread or do you want to deal with some mild side effects?” I gave in, grabbed the meds and put the lab in the car. The $310 bill seemed high but understandable given I keep resisting insurance. Maybe I should sign up for an Exchange plan if they have such a thing, though I’ve heard that people with dog health insurance still often have to pay big bucks for this kind of treatment. Is it time for an ACA for pooches? Since Tuesday, Zaggy has been dehydrated and dizzy and so anxious he barked at the air for an hour last night, but the itching and soreness is fading. If there’s a lesson here it’s that if you have a dog, it’s not unlike having an infant or toddler - clean their ears, lest you’ll find yourself spending 6 hours with nothing to show for it other than a $300 bill and a dog with a whole new set of issues.