12 Sep Health Data News Roundup: Walmart and UnitedHealth Partnership; Cigna HL7 Accelerator; and HCSC Employs Virtual Care

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.

Walmart Enlists UnitedHealth Group for 10-Year Value-Based Care Partnership
Walmart and UnitedHealth Group have agreed to a 10-year partnership that aims to drive value-based care adoption for Walmart’s clinicians as well as launch a new Medicare Advantage plan.

HL7 FHIR Accelerator Launches Pilot for Oncology Prior Authorization
Evernorth, the health services business of Cigna Corporation, and Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, are collaborating to enhance health data interoperability for prior authorization in oncology through the Health Level Seven (HL7) FHIR Accelerator CodeX.

HCSC Employs Virtual Care To Expand Access to Primary Care Services
Ahead of 2023 open enrollment, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) announced that it will make its virtual care options available to midsize and large employers in two new states in 2023.

HHS, CMS Bump Affordable Care Act Marketplace Navigator Funding
The Biden administration announced a historic boost in funding for the Affordable Care Act marketplace Navigator program.

Large Health IT Networks Unveil Plans to Become QHIN Under TEFCA
Joining as a QHIN under TEFCA intends to provide greater interoperability offerings and allow organizations to participate in a network that works together to share clinical data.

HIE Participation Supports Data Exchange for 64% of Shared Patients
Almost four-fifths of hospitals participated in health information exchange (HIE) networks in 2018, supporting data exchange for about two-thirds of shared patients, according to a new study.

CVS Health: How Educators, Parents Factor Into Adolescent Mental Health
Adolescents are more likely to approach educators about mental health concerns than they are to approach their parents, but parents are more likely to initiate conversations about mental health than educators, according to a poll conducted by CVS Health and Morning Consult.