Kaiser Family Foundation

Labcorp Launches Weight Loss Management Testing Solutions

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

BURLINGTON, N.C., March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, announced today the introduction of its Weight Loss Management portfolio. The new offering features educational resources and convenient testing solutions, equipping individuals and their physicians with baseline and ongoing health indicators to inform treatment options, including lifestyle modifications, Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications or bariatric surgery.

Key Points: 
  • GLP-1 medications for weight loss and diabetes management are also dramatically changing the weight management landscape.
  • The Weight Management Tracking Test assesses average blood sugar and lipid levels to monitor metabolic health as an individual progresses along the weight loss journey.
  • "The introduction of GLP-1s and other weight loss treatments has increased interest from individuals and their doctors seeking solutions for effective weight management.
  • "Our Weight Loss Management offering simplifies the process of obtaining baseline measurements and tracking health progress to empower informed conversations about weight loss between individuals and their doctors."

Vive Concierge, Inc. Announces Groundbreaking Expansion into Mental Health Services with Dr. Charles Sophy at the Helm

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Vive Concierge expands into mental health with Dr. Charles Sophy leading, focusing on underserved LA communities.

Key Points: 
  • Vive Concierge expands into mental health with Dr. Charles Sophy leading, focusing on underserved LA communities.
  • Dr. Charles Sophy, a distinguished psychiatrist with over 35 years experience, joins Vive Concierge as the Head of Mental Health and Wellness.
  • "Amidst a national mental health crisis, our mission at Vive Concierge is more vital than ever.
  • The introduction of mental health services is a key component of Vive Concierge's innovative Vive Care Connect platform, which revolutionizes care coordination and patient engagement.

Nystrom & Associates Provided Behavioral Health Services to 100,000 People through 1 Million Visits in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nystrom & Associates helped more people in 2023 than any year in its 30+ year history. Over 100,000 people in five states received therapy, psychiatry or substance use treatment services through more than 1 million in-person or telehealth visits.

Key Points: 
  • Over 100,000 people in five states received therapy, psychiatry or substance use treatment services through more than 1 million in-person or telehealth visits.
  • "There is such a tremendous need for mental health and substance use services," said Mark Peterson, CEO, Nystrom & Associates.
  • Nystrom & Associates has immediate openings in psychiatry, therapy and substance use treatment – even for services such as child and adolescent psychiatry.
  • For more information on the services Nystrom & Associates provides and to schedule an appointment please call 1-844-NYSTROM.

Sun Life partners with Somatus to provide comprehensive services for late-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular care

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Sun Life's solution, Kidney Care 360 and Heart Care 360, are aimed at two different patient populations, using one unique care management approach that will be an extension of Sun Life's Clinical 360 program.

Key Points: 
  • Sun Life's solution, Kidney Care 360 and Heart Care 360, are aimed at two different patient populations, using one unique care management approach that will be an extension of Sun Life's Clinical 360 program.
  • Clinical 360 combines data analytics and clinical expertise to improve patient care and outcomes while reducing costs.
  • Somatus focuses on whole-person care when it comes to both chronic kidney disease and congestive heart failure.
  • Somatus' innovative and comprehensive care model leverages AI-driven technology to address patient care needs related to medication management, care coordination, nutritional support, and transitions of care support that empower patients to take an active role in their health.

Alight Names Siobhan Nolan Mangini to Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 11, 2023

Alight, Inc. (NYSE: ALIT), a leading cloud-based human capital technology and services provider, today announced that it has named Siobhan Nolan Mangini to its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2024.

Key Points: 
  • Alight, Inc. (NYSE: ALIT), a leading cloud-based human capital technology and services provider, today announced that it has named Siobhan Nolan Mangini to its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2024.
  • Ms. Nolan Mangini brings over two decades of healthcare experience to Alight, most recently serving as President and CFO of NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in therapies for immuno-oncology, cardiometabolic diseases and ophthalmology.
  • "With her extensive advisory, technology, and financial background spanning numerous enterprises, Siobhan will bring significant depth to Alight's Board of Directors as the company nears the end of its successful transformation phase.
  • We look forward to Siobhan’s many contributions as Alight continues to diversify its Board."

Medicare Part D 2024 Drug Premiums Soar in Advance of Lower Inflation Reduction Act Cap on Catastrophic Drug Costs

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 20, 2023

DANVERS, Mass., Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new HealthView Services analysis of Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) in California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas shows a dramatic increase in 2024 premiums. This is despite a prediction earlier this year by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that it expected basic Medicare Part D premiums to decline in 2024 as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Key Points: 
  • This is despite a prediction earlier this year by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that it expected basic Medicare Part D premiums to decline in 2024 as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act.
  • This compares to Medicare Part B premiums rising by 5.9% in 2024, and a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment of 3.2%.
  • Part D premiums currently account for around 9% of lifetime retirement healthcare costs for a couple retiring in 2023.
  • The new report details announced premiums for high-end, medium, and basic Part D plans for 2023 and 2024, which offer retirees different levels of prescription drug coverage.

SureCo Analysis Finds ICHRAs Vastly Expand Consumer Choice, Strengthen Individual Insurance Markets

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 30, 2023

SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While most employers offer only one health plan to their employees, employees with employer-sponsored Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) on average are choosing from 23 plans, according to a new survey by SureCo, the leader in helping businesses provide customized healthcare options to employees.

Key Points: 
  • A sample analysis of over 4,000 employees in ICHRA plans also found the average age of people enrolled is 34 years old.
  • This variety of choices ICHRAs offer is in sharp contrast to limited offerings employers provide through group health insurance plans.
  • "With employees at different life stages and spread across various locations, traditional group benefits struggle to accommodate everyone's individual needs.
  • It also contradicts the naysayers who predicted ICHRAs would weaken individual markets by overburdening them with older employees with more health problems.

NAFC Receives $1.28M 2-Year Grant for Free & Charitable Clinics from McKesson Foundation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Alexandria, VA, Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) and the McKesson Foundation announce a $1.28M grant dispersed over 2023 and 2024 to address critical needs of free and charitable clinics and their patients across the United States.

Key Points: 
  • Alexandria, VA, Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) and the McKesson Foundation announce a $1.28M grant dispersed over 2023 and 2024 to address critical needs of free and charitable clinics and their patients across the United States.
  • Funding from the McKesson Foundation will establish programs and resources to support increased breast cancer screening and subsequent referrals to care among uninsured women.
  • A vast majority of patients (93%) seen at National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics member organizations are uninsured.
  • “At the McKesson Foundation, we know that un- and under-insured patients often struggle to access high-quality health services.

Solera Introduces Weight Loss Solution to Help Payers and Employers Manage Skyrocketing GLP-1 Demand While Empowering Individuals to Make Informed Choices

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 5, 2023

PHOENIX, Sept. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solera Health, the premier technology platform for connecting people seamlessly and easily to health solutions that work, today announced the launch of Solera GLP-1 Step Therapy Support – a first-of-its-kind solution to combine evidence-based weight management programs with operational support for health plans implementing step therapy and prior authorization for GLP-1s.   In addition to offering desirable solutions for weight loss prior to a patient receiving a prescription for a GLP-1 drug, the solution includes an educational campaign emphasizing key clinical and scientific points about GLP-1s that help members make a personalized choice – often preferring to forego a potentially lifelong, injectable medication.

Key Points: 
  • As GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic sweep the headlines and take over social media, consumer demand is exploding for GLP-1s for weight loss.
  • To capitalize on this market, numerous startups and weight loss companies offering teleprescription services for GLP-1s have emerged.
  • Solera expects to divert 30 to 60 percent of those patients into another effective weight management option following step therapy.
  • “Individuals need a complete suite of options for effective approaches to weight loss - ensuring the best possible outcomes,” said Mary Langowski, CEO at Solera.

Together, the All-in-One AI Health Assistant, Improves Care for Aging Americans With Voice-Based Mental Health Detection Feature

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Together , the leading AI-based health assistant, today unveiled its latest groundbreaking feature: Mental Vitals, an innovative mental health detection tool designed to screen for symptoms of depression and anxiety through voice analysis.

Key Points: 
  • Together , the leading AI-based health assistant, today unveiled its latest groundbreaking feature: Mental Vitals, an innovative mental health detection tool designed to screen for symptoms of depression and anxiety through voice analysis.
  • "Our mission with Together is to unify every aspect of health care, from vitals monitoring to mental health detection, into one intuitive platform," said Dr. Renee Dua, founder and chief product officer of Together.
  • According to a Mental Health America 2023 survey report , 54% of adults with a mental illness did not receive treatment.
  • By combining mental health detection, vital measurement, and routine health management, Together can be uniquely effective as an AI-driven patient-centric care coordination and whole-person health platform.