WASHINGTON – Nov. 20, 2019 – The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, a nonprofit organization of purchaser-led business and health coalitions, honored Cigna, Geisinger Health System and Health Net, LLC with its 2019 eValue8™ Innovation Award.
The award recognizes the innovative work and measurable results of health plans that participate in eValue8, the National Alliance’s resource used by purchasers to measure and evaluate health plan and pharmacy benefit manager quality and performance.
“Given our focus on health, wellbeing and value, we’re encouraged by the efforts of these health plans to develop innovative solutions to these growing issues,” said Michael Thompson, National Alliance president and CEO. “It’s refreshing to see the number of diverse innovative programs submitted for consideration that are truly making a measurable impact on employee health and productivity.”
Cigna
Global health service company Cigna was honored for its book of business analysis on the value of integrated health benefits, proving the positive impact on both total health engagement and savings. Cigna’s latest Value Integration Study found individuals whose medical, behavioral and pharmacy health benefits are connected and administered by Cigna are more engaged in their health and wellbeing than those whose benefits are not fully integrated. Among the findings, along with higher engagement clients saved an average of $645 per member per year medical costs for each engaged person with a health improvement opportunity.
Geisinger
Geisinger, a regional healthcare provider to central, south-central and northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, was recognized for its Fresh Food Farmacy initiative that uses population health analytics to identify and address the adversity and challenges faced by individuals with type 2 diabetes and food insecurity. One in eight American adults reported food insecurity in 2015 and one in 10 Americans have diabetes. The Fresh Food Farmacy “food as medicine” approach provides fresh, healthy food and clinical care to those most in need and empowers participants to manage their medical condition through food-related behavior change and the support of a clinical care team. Program data shows an average 1- to 2-point drop in HbA1c levels, along with lower weight, blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol. Enrollees at the program’s longest serving location saw 27% lower emergency room usage and 70% lower hospital readmission rate, as well as higher participation in primary care and specialty care services, when compared to a similar population that did not enroll in the program.
Health Net, LLC.
Health Net was founded 40 years ago and is dedicated to transforming the health of its communities, one person at a time. The company provides health plans – including commercial products – for individuals, families, employers; and for people with Medicare and people with Medi-Cal — coverage for every stage of life. Health Net was honored for SHAPE (Stroke and Heart Attack Prevention Every Day). The program’s goal is to decrease and prevent cardiovascular events by improving adherence to the recommended cardio-protective medication bundle (ACE inhibitor, statin, and aspirin) in members aged 55 years and older that have diabetes and cardiovascular disease or hypertension. This multi-year, member-centric program includes outreach by pharmacists and healthcare coaches to members and providers. Results to date show an increased adherence to the cardio-protective medication bundle and patient engagement, decreased emergency room usage rates for cardiovascular-related events, and cost reductions in the millions for this specific member population – as a result of decreased per member per month utilization for cardiovascular events pre- and post-intervention.
Finalists
HealthPartners, Kaiser Permanente Washington and Regence Washington were recognized as finalists for their innovative programs engaging consumers and physicians in optimizing health. HealthPartners’ program centers around efforts to build emotional resilience. Kaiser Permanente Washington’s Above Between Below program focuses on reducing bullying in schools through theater. Regence’s Common Care program partners with providers to put the patient in the center of care for a unified approach to a care plan and communication.
About eValue8
eValue8 was created by business coalitions and employers to measure and evaluate plan performance. eValue8 asks health vendors probing questions about how they manage critical processes that control costs, reduce and eliminate waste, ensure patient safety, close gaps in care and improve health and healthcare. Through these efforts the National Alliance has develop deep dive assessments related to health plans around mental health and substance use disorders, oncology and pharmacy benefits management.
About National Alliance
The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions is the only nonprofit, purchaser-led organization with a national and regional structure dedicated to driving health and healthcare value across the country. Our members represent more than 12,000 employers/purchasers and 45 million Americans spending over $300 billion annually on healthcare. To learn more, visit nationalalliancehealth.org, connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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