America’s Health Insurance Plan (AHIP) highlighted healthcare and coverage investment in the recently held National Policy Conference where it tackled some of the key health-related issues, from social determinants of health to clarity in price. AHIP president and CEO Matt Eyles highlighted AHIP’s new Care Changes Everything campaign and focused on 5 ways in which health care in America will be made stronger in the years to come.
- Eyles spotlighted the actions health insurance providers continue to take to support their members during the COVID-19 crisis, including commitment to help millions of seniors in underserved communities receive COVID vaccines as part of the Vaccine Community Connectors pilot initiative.
- Bruce Broussard, president and CEO of Humana, highlighted why the private sector is the best to lead change. He said competition and innovation allows private health insurance providers to access opportunities to advance care delivery and offer a personalized experience. He called for removing financial barriers and helping educate people to make informed decisions about their health and COVID-19 vaccines.
- Dr. Tunde Sotunde, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, said that during the COVID-19 crisis, BCBS NC has contributed $20 million dollars to help over 500 independent primary care practices across the state to remain viable and continue to sustain themselves once it ends. He called the future of the healthcare industry “Better. Simpler. More affordable for all. It’s that simple.”
- Lori Johnston, of Paramount Health Care, underlined how they are using tools and data to provide members with the latest information and resources. Through the “V Project,” it’s looking at ways to identify who needs vaccination most and how best to educate vulnerable populations on the vaccine. “As health insurance providers, we are seen as the trusted source of information for our members.”
- Andrea Walsh, president and CEO of HealthPartners, emphasized that things that consumers wanted from the health system before the pandemic—convenience, information on cost and quality, personalization—haven’t gone away. Now there’s a consumer need for safety assurance. That’s why HealthPartners has been exploring ways to deliver care virtually, from video visits, to online appointment scheduling, to mobile check-in.