Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Premium Refunds: Blue Cross Michigan Saw Many Fewer Claims
Detroit Free Press: Blue Cross To Give Some Rebates In Fall, Raise Premiums In 2021
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan says it will issue 30% premium refunds in November to people with individual health insurance plans as a result of fewer claims during the coronavirus pandemic, although the insurance giant still plans to raise premiums in 2021 when demand for health care is expected to return. The $21 million in refunds will go to more than 180,000 policy holders of Blue Cross individual and dental plans. The refunds, which are pending approval from state regulators, will be delivered in the form of premium credits for 30% off customers' November invoices. (Reindl, 8/290
Dallas Morning News: Health Care Without Judgment: Why This Nonprofit’s HIV Services Remain As Important As Ever
LGBTQ people face additional barriers to receiving quality health care, stemming in part from a fear of discrimination by health care providers. That’s why Prism Health North Texas says: Come as you are. With clinics in Oak Cliff, South Dallas and Oak Lawn, the nonprofit offers transgender primary care and HIV primary care, among other services for health concerns that are often stigmatized. (Tatum, 8/19)
Modern Healthcare: Mail Delays Highlight Pitfalls Of Prescription Drug Home Delivery
Tracey Gehring, a 51-year-old mother from Greenbush, Mich., typically gets prescription medications delivered to her home about two to three days after she orders them. Recently, her anxiety medication took more than a week to arrive. "I've never had issues getting my prescriptions like this," she said. In danger of running out, she was forced to ask her doctor for an emergency supply and persuaded a local pharmacy to fill it. Gehring's pharmacy benefits are administered by CVS Health, which she said requires her to fill any long-term medications though its mail order service or at a CVS pharmacy location. The nearest CVS store is an hour and a half from her home. (Livingston, 8/19)
The Hill: Democratic Lawmaker Calls Telehealth Expansion The 'Silver Lining' Of Pandemic
Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) on Wednesday said the COVID-19 pandemic has opened the door to widespread adoption of remote health care. “Telehealth has become the silver lining of the pandemic,” Matsui said at The Hill’s “COVID-19: The Way Forward” event. (Mihaly, 8/19)
In financial news —
Dallas Morning News: Texas Cancer Research Agency Puts Nearly $10 Million More Into Southlake Startup OncoNano
The state’s cancer research agency is putting nearly $10 million more into a Southlake startup that’s developing real-time imaging of tumors during surgery. OncoNano Medicine Inc., a spinout from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, is getting $9,965,273 from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to support development of its imaging agent, which is in Phase 2 clinical trials. (O'Donnell, 8/19)
Modern Healthcare: Adventist Health Invests In Behavioral Health Startup
Adventist Health has invested in behavioral health startup Synchronous Health as part of a partnership to co-develop behavioral health and well-being programs, the Roseville, Calif.-based not-for-profit health system announced Tuesday. The organizations did not disclose financial details of the investment. (Cohen, 8/19)
