27 Apr Health Data News Roundup: UnitedHealth Gives $5M for COVID-19 Healthcare Workers; ONC Delays Interop Rule; and SCAN Health Plan and SDOH

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.

UnitedHealth Gives $5M to Support Healthcare Workers During COVID-19
The United Health Foundation is partnering with the CDC Foundation, Direct Relief, and the American Nurses Foundation to support the nation’s healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ONC Delays Final Interoperability Rule Deadline Due to Coronavirus
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have extended the deadline for hospitals and health IT professionals to implement the final phase of the 21st Century Cures Act, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Individual Market COVID-19 Treatments May Cost Less Than Expected
The individual health insurance market will experience the economic impact of coronavirus in three major ways, including potentially lower COVID-19 treatment costs, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) report recently found.

$5.1M Grant Addresses Social Determinants of Health in Seniors
SCAN Health Plan, a California-based Medicare Advantage group, is committing $5.1 million in funding to help seniors mitigate some of the social determinants of health felt during the coronavirus pandemic.

DoD, VA Launch Joint Health Information Exchange
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the US Department of Defense (DoD) have launched a joint health information exchange (HIE) that aims to improve interoperability between the two agencies and their healthcare partners.

CDC Unveils FHIR-Based COVID-19 EHR Reporting Application
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has unveiled a new FHIR-based application called eCR Now, that aims to give public health officials a more detailed and real-time view of the spread of COVID-19.

ACHP Suggests Regulatory Steps To Extend Coronavirus Coverage
In the wake of major legislation including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, there are still opportunities for Congress to step up its financial assistance for employers, employees, uninsured, and vulnerable populations, the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) argued in a letter to congressional leaders.

Addressing Social Determinants of Health With Data Interoperability
Access to a complete picture of the patient – including the behavioral and environmental factors that influence daily health – is critical to realizing the shared benefits of value-based, holistic care, according to this recent Health IT News article.