May 29, 2020 | Managed Care Friday
42: Percent of people delaying healthcare appointments due to the pandemic, while just 16% delaying mental health appointments, a BCBS spokesman said, thanks largely to a system of virtual sessions that was already changing before the virus. A local solo therapist for teens in southern New England had hired 5 school psychologists in January for tele sessions, turning her caseload from 50 established to 200. On a national scale, Magellan saw a staggering 1,500% increase nationally in behavioral health telemedicine claims from February to early April this year while Talkspace volume is up 65%....
May 22, 2020 | Managed Care Friday
90: Percent of home health agencies reporting that their clients are canceling one or more visits because they are fearful of contracting COVID-19 or potentially bringing the virus into their homes, according to a Home Care Association of America survey. Many are delaying necessary medical care and even avoiding the ER for a day or two after a stroke or heart attack due to virus fear, which could lead to clinical deterioration and complications. One large home health and hospice company that usually provides care to 35,000 patients experienced 8,000 visit cancellations in the span of one...
May 19, 2020 | Legislation/ Budgets/ Macro
House Democrats have passed an expansive fifth COVID-19 response bill, dubbed the HEROES Act. The total impact of the legislation would likely be in excess of $3 trillion in new spending. The Senate will most likely craft its own, more limited, legislation through a negotiation between Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, and the White House. This brief primarily focuses on healthcare policy, while providing a very high-level summary of other major proposals in the legislation. Click to read more.
