23 Sep Health Data News Roundup: NCQA Annual Health Plan Ranking; Payer Health IT Spending Trends; and the State of Medicare Advantage in 2024

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.

NCQA Released Its Annual Health Plan Rankings. Here’s How Payers Fared
Last week, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) released its annual insurance rankings, with just five plans evaluated earning top marks, as highlighted in this Fierce Healthcare article.

Healthcare IT Spending for Payers and Providers: Innovation, Integration, and AI
Post-pandemic, providers and payers increased their IT spending to fuel innovation and improve operations, emphasizing return on investment, according to this recent Bain & Company analysis.

How Regulatory Changes Have Impacted Interoperability in 2024
There’s been significant regulatory actions impacting the healthcare space this year with federal agencies unveiling many new rules that promise to address major problem points that rankle providers and payers, as highlighted in this Health Data Management article.

The State of Medicare Advantage in 2024
Medicare Advantage continues to grow fast, diversifying its membership of 33.8 million people, or about 55 percent of the total Medicare population, according to the Better Medicare Alliance’s 2024 “State of Medicare Advantage Report.”

Texas System Shutters Medicare Advantage Plan
Southwestern Health Resources will not offer Medicare Advantage plans in 2025 due to increasing competition and utilization, and regulatory requirements, according to this recent Becker’s Payer Issues article.

How Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Could Affect Health Equity
The American Rescue Plan Act’s enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act enrollees could bring greater health equity in coverage rates in 2025, but only if Congress extends these credits before they expire next year, according to an Urban Institute brief.

New Study: US Healthcare Spending More on AI, Cybersecurity, Other IT Investments
A new study from Bain & Company and KLAS Research shows US healthcare providers and payers are boosting their investment in AI, cybersecurity, and other IT areas to support innovation and improve operations.