10 Mar Health Data News Roundup: Data and Payer-Provider Relations; CMS Framework for Healthy Communities; and Forbes Best Health Insurance Companies

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.

Strengthening Payer-Provider Relations Through Strategic Data Use
Misalignment between payers and providers increases with variation in evidence and decision-making. Aligned data can improve efficiency and foster trust, according to this recent Wolters Kluwer analysis.

CommonWell Health Alliance Launches Healthcare Marketplace to Advance Interoperability
Last week, the CommonWell Health Alliance announced that it is launching the CommonWell Marketplace, a platform designed to connect healthcare providers with innovative solutions that enhance interoperability and improve patient care. Read the full press release here.

CMS Framework for Healthy Communities
CMS recently released an updated framework to further advance health care delivery and improve health outcomes for the more than 170 million individuals supported by CMS programs.

Medicare Advantage Enrollees Underuse Supplemental Benefits
Medicare Advantage plans often include supplemental benefits that are not typically covered by traditional Medicare, such as over-the-counter medication coverage or dental and vision benefits. However, there is a lack of awareness of these benefits, as well as barriers to accessing them, according to Health Payer Intelligence.

Once an Underdog, Connecticut’s HIE Network Gains Traction
While Connecticut was one of the last states to launch a statewide health data exchange, the HIE network has grown rapidly, adding 1,078 new locations over a 12-month period, according to EHR Intelligence.

HL7’s FHIR Foundry Speeds Up Health Data Standards Adoption
HL7’s FHIR Foundry platform is enabling health organizations to test references of the modern health information exchange specifications before implementation, reducing adoption burden, according to the recent GovCIO article.

Best Health Insurance Companies of 2025
According to the Forbes Best Health Insurance Companies of 2025 list, Kaiser Permanente is the best health insurance company that offers ACA plans. Aetna, Oscar and Blue Cross Blue Shield also rank highly in the analysis of health insurance costs, complaints, metal tiers and breadth of health plans offered in the marketplace. See the full list here.