Although not as active as prior years due to the coronavirus pandemic, the landscape of payer deal-making continues to show signs of life through innovative consolidations and partnerships. Healthcare payers have been initiating innovative consolidations and partnerships as they manage the coronavirus pandemic’s impact. Here are five partnerships payers recently struck with providers, technology companies, and others.
- Clover-Thyme care: Jersey City, N.J.-based insurance startup Clover Health is partnering with Nashville, Tenn.-based Thyme Care to collaborate on cancer care for underserved seniors. The partnership means that Clover’s Medicare Advantage members across New Jersey will be able to receive Thyme Care’s high-touch, tech-enabled care navigation for cancer.
- Aetna-ACES: A partnership between Aetna and ACES is increasing members’ access to value-based autism spectrum disorder care. The partnership also marks the creation of Aetna’s first applied behavioral analysis Institute of Quality, which serves to expand autism care through efforts by both parties.
- CareFirst-Highmark: CareFirst of Maryland and Highmark announced Union Blue, a collaborative health plan tailored for labor unions and their members. “The communities we serve are home to so many labor unions and union members,” said Brian Pieninck, president and CEO of CareFirst. “We’ve worked with Highmark to create a best-in-class solution, delivering access to care that addresses their needs and leads to healthier outcomes.”
- Leon- HCA: Leon Medical Centers Health Plans, a part of Cigna, is partnering with HCA East Florida to make the network accessible for approximately 40,000 Medicare Advantage members. The partnership gives Medicare Advantage beneficiaries access to 2,500 physicians between Aventura (Fla.) Hospital and Medical Center, Miami-based Kendall Regional Medical Center, and Miami-based Mercy Hospital.
- Danville- Cognizant: A collaborative effort between Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Health Plan and technology solutions company Cognizant has led the insurer to be one of the first to comply with CMS’ new interoperability mandate. The new compliance uses a software-as-a-service solution to allow government program members to access their healthcare information digitally.