04 Nov Health Data News Roundup: Verma and ACA Repeal; Unstructured Data and Predictive Analytics; and Payers Drive Patient Navigation

Welcome to the Health Data Weekly News Roundup from IMAT Solutions. As the power of data continues to grow in the healthcare arena, today’s care organizations need to be on the forefront of all news and trends to help ensure that their data analytics efforts deliver accountable and informed care. Each week, we will provide you with the actionable news you need to meet these goals.

Verma Testifies to House on ACA Repeal, ACA Replacement Unknown
When the House Committee on Energy and Commerce brought in CMS Administrator Seema Verma to testify regarding the White House’s attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the hearing covered major questions that have been encircling the ACA repeal for months.

ONC: One-Third of Providers Can Access PDMP Data Within EHRs
One-in-three hospitals can access prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data within its EHR system, ONC leaders wrote in a recent blog post referencing new data from the agency.

Unstructured EHR Data More Useful for Predictive Analytics, Study Shows
Real world evidence drawn from unstructured clinical notes was more accurate in algorithmic prediction of coronary artery disease than structured data, a new study from AMIA shows.

Payers Drive Patient Navigation, Education to Cut Uninsurance
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) seeks to address uninsurance in the US by developing an education and patient navigation campaign, known as Be Covered, to inform the uninsured of their health insurance options.

UnitedHealthcare Combats Opioid Crisis with Non-Opioid Benefits
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is combating the opioid epidemic and high healthcare costs with new physical therapy and chiropractic care benefits to prevent, delay, or in some cases substitute for invasive spinal procedures.

How Iowa Farmer Bureau Designed Less Costly Association Health Plans
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s Farm Bureau Health Plan was designed to help unsubsidized Iowans afford a health plan and represents the controversy surrounding association health plans.

Health Savings Accounts Help Gen Z Manage High Healthcare Costs
High healthcare costs are keeping young adults from saving for the future, recent data from CITE Research, commissioned by Lively, shows, making the case for health savings accounts (HSAs).