$50: The cost of a new 12-week Embrace Wellness program offered by Carroll Hospital in Maryland for people going through cancer treatment. Participants have access to self-care activities, nutrition education, wellness classes, and weekly exercise classes. The program runs through November 24, 2020 and costs $50 per person. Coordinator Bridgette Bostic says the program has been successful despite COVID-19.
Cleveland Rocks: University Hospitals, based in Cleveland, formed a joint venture with digital health company, ValueHealth, to create a high-value network of ASCs. The centers will focus on orthopedic surgery, specifically hip and knee replacements, but will also include clinical services like urology and cardiology. UH will be one of over 30 health systems partnering with ValueHealth for their Ambulatory Centers of Excellence program.
Smoking, Diabetes Fix in Carolina: Blue Cross NC is launching no-cost virtual programs to help their members quit smoking and reverse Type 2 diabetes. Starting in November, fully insured group members will have access to Carrot Inc’s tobacco cessation program and Virta Health’s diabetes program. Both programs use digital health tools to help members choose better behaviors, and Virta Health’s program can be used by PCPs to integrate into care plans.
Live From Zoom: Cigna is partnering with MDLive to offer members who rarely interact with the healthcare system virtual wellness exams. The partnership aims to get people into the healthcare system through an easy first step and after meeting with a MDLive physician virtually, members can be referred to other sites of care. If you’re a PCP or urgent care provider with significant Cigna exposure, this represents a new gatekeeper in the mix, and perhaps volume pressure.
Western Outcomes Model: L.A. Care Health Plan and Inland Empire Health Plan are participating in the California Right Meds Collaborative, an initiative founded at USC that is focusing on empowering pharmacists to help improve health outcomes in their communities. Pharmacists in the program who provide clinical services to members with uncontrolled health conditions, like diabetes, high BP, and asthma will then receive payments from the health plans.
Michigan Referral Changes: Priority Health in Michigan is the latest payer to offer a telehealth-only plan. My Priority Telehealth PCP will assign members a PCP through Doctors on Demand and all visits will be virtual unless the PCP refers the member to a specialist that needs to be seen in person. The plan offers the same benefits as traditional plans, including coverage for preventive care and chronic care management, and access to reduced co-pays on prescription drugs, along with discounts on gym memberships.
Amazon Links Up With Big Payer: Horizon BCBS members now have the option to have their medications delivered at home, thanks to an alliance between Horizon’s PBM, Prime Therapeutics, and Amazon’s PillPack. Members have two options for receiving meds: a 30-day supply of pre-sorted packets for each day or a 90-day supply in a standard bottle, which PillPack notes may lower the member’s out of pocket costs.
Fit for a Benefit: Moda Health is integrating Fitbit benefits into its plans in January 2021, offering more than 64K Individual, Small Group, and MA members across the Pacific Northwest access to Fitbit devices, programs, and health coaching. As plans continue to emphasize preventive care, digital health platforms make sense to incorporate and we expect to see more collaborations like this.
Extra Point: Please pray for my oldest son this weekend. Jack, on the eve of his 17th birthday, has a serious case of senioritis. He is already into at least one college, is pulling a solid D- in AP statistics, didn’t study for his test last night, and didn’t budge on going to school today, so we grounded him. It will no doubt be a difficult weekend for him alone in his messy bedroom watching college football, eating pizza, and sleeping in late. Say a little prayer, as Aretha would sing – one for Jack, one for you, and one for anyone out there this weekend alone, grounded by circumstance and who would give up their left arm for a hug and a Hail Mary.