26 Sep Health Data News Roundup: NCQA Shares Health Plan Performance Ratings; IMAT DaaS Platform Boosts Revenue for Payers; and Interoperability Updates

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.

IMAT DaaS Platform: Helping Payers Boost Revenue, Achieve Compliance and Enhance Member Care
The IMAT Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform allows health payers to leverage clinical data in ways that enhances overall member care, boosts revenue, while also meeting reporting and compliance mandates.

NCQA Shares Health Plan Performance Ratings Ahead of Open Enrollment
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has released its 2022 Health Plan Ratings, revealing that most plans earned three stars or higher for overall health plan performance.

Employer Sponsored Health Plan Costs Expected to Increase in 2023
As employer-sponsored health plan costs are expected to rise over the next three years, employers plan to implement new programs and policies to improve affordability, according to a new survey.

Collaboration Needed for Race, Ethnicity Data Collection, Exchange
A multi-stakeholder approach is needed to improve race, ethnicity, and language (REL) data collection, validation, and exchange, according to an article published in Health Affairs.

Humana Looks to Buy Clinics From Private Equity Partner for Up to $550M
Humana is expected to pay between $450 million and $550 million to acquire the first group of senior-focused primary care centers that it developed through a joint venture with Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, and Chief Financial Officer Susan Diamond.

Interoperability is a ‘Unicorn,’ Says Franciscan Health’s Chuck Christian
Chuck Christian, CTO of Franciscan Health, stated that “interoperability is kind of like a unicorn. Everybody can describe it, but nobody’s really seen it,” in this recent Becker’s Q&A interview.

First-in-the-Nation Legislation Requiring Health Exchange to Operate as State Health Data Utility to Take Effect Oct. 1 in Maryland
CRISP, the state-designated health information exchange (HIE) connecting health care providers and the Maryland Department of Health, will now have authority to operate as a health data utility (HDU) after the State Legislature passed key bills.

How to Use Digital Health Data to Improve Outcomes
The amount of health information generated by digital tools is rapidly growing, and should be used to improve the quality of care, as highlighted in this recent Harvard Business Review article.

Blue Cross NC’s Value-Based Care Program Saved Significantly Last Year
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina touted major savings thanks to improved outcomes racked up by providers and the insurer through its Blue Premier program that relies heavily on value-based healthcare.

House Passes Bill to Install Electronic Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage Plans
The House passed key legislation that creates an electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and other reforms aimed at a major headache for providers.

OR Introduces Coverage for Mental Health Mobile Crisis Intervention Services
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has approved a proposal from Oregon’s Medicaid program, Oregon Health Plan, to cover community-based substance abuse and mental healthcare mobile crisis intervention services.

Large Employers Aim to Redirect Healthcare Spending, Boost Quality
Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH) has announced a series of goals to help large employers redirect healthcare spending and improve care quality for its members over the next five years.

Incomplete Patient Data Delays Prior Authorization for Specialty Medications
Nearly two-thirds of prescribers report that inaccurate and incomplete patient data is a top challenge to obtaining prior authorization for specialty medications, according to a new survey.

Anthem Grants $150K to Support Substance Use Disorder Services
The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation (Anthem) has provided a three-year grant to the Chris Atwood Foundation to help increase access to stable housing for individuals with substance use disorders.