Each year, the HLTH conference provides an opportunity for healthcare leaders to gather and share ideas. The event also provides an opportunity for companies to break news – often about new products, partnerships and business plans.
Here are seven noteworthy announcements made during this year's HLTH conference in Las Vegas.
Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs Company to Partner with TrumpRx
During an onstage session at HLTH, Mark Cuban revealed an upcoming partnership between his company Cost Plus Drugs and TrumpRx, a federal program to bring discounted prescription drugs directly to consumers.
TrumpRx, which will launch early next year, will serve as a recommendation platform, directing people to sites like Cost Plus Drugs. Through this partnership, Cost Plus Drugs will provide its pricing data to TrumpRx.
Cuban said he hopes the partnership will break with the traditional PBM model, which he has long criticized for contributing to the nation's exorbitant drug prices.
Optum launches claims management platform
Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, has launched an artificial intelligence real-time claims management platform called Optum Real. The system is designed to reduce friction between providers and payers during the claims submission and reimbursement process.
The goal of the platform is to allow providers to instantly verify details about patient benefits and coverage, thereby reducing the guesswork and delays providers typically face when trying to get paid.
Cedar launches new tool to help people afford care
Healthcare payments startup Cedar has launched Cedar Cover, a digital platform designed to help patients obtain Medicaid coverage and financial assistance. The platform integrates with hospital billing workflows to help determine patients' potential Medicaid eligibility, assist with their enrollment, manage their renewals, and connect them with co-pay support for medications.
In light of recent cuts to Medicaid under the Big Beauty Act, Cedar's new system aims to mitigate harm to patients and providers by reducing the cost of uncompensated care. Early adopters of Cedar Cover include Novant Health, Baystate Health and Iowa Clinic.
Oscar Health develops ACA plan for menopause
Oscar Health has launched a new Affordable Care Act plan called HelloMeno. The New York-based payer developed the program in partnership with Elektra Health, a virtual provider of menopause care.
Tailored specifically for women in menopause, HelloMeno offers zero out-of-pocket primary care, gynecological and behavioral health visits, as well as free labs, hormone therapy, insomnia medication and bone density scans.
AMA launches new digital health and artificial intelligence center
The American Medical Association has launched a new center aimed at giving physicians a stronger voice in deciding how to deploy digital health tools and artificial intelligence technology in clinical care.
The center works to help shape policy and regulations around digital health technologies and find better ways to integrate these tools into clinical workflows. Other goals include providing education and training to clinicians on how to use AI tools and fostering cross-industry collaborations—including with technology companies, payers, governments, and researchers.
Knowwell secures US$25 million in financing
Knownwell closed $25 million in financing led by CVS Health Ventures. The startup provides metabolic health services, primary care, nutritional counseling and behavioral health care, and prescribes GLP-1 when deemed appropriate. It provides virtual care nationwide and personal care at clinics in the Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and Dallas areas.
With the new funding, the startup will focus on expanding care, by adding more clinics and expanding its virtual care team.
Highmark Health partners with Noom
Highmark Health, the Pittsburgh-based parent company of payer Highmark and health system Allegheny Health Network, has partnered with digital weight loss company Noom. Starting next year, they will offer Noom's weight management and behavioral health programs to nearly 2 million eligible Highmark members.
The program aims to use artificial intelligence tools and behavioral science techniques such as food logging, body scanning technology and peer support communities to help members develop healthy habits rather than just treat illnesses. Qualified members of Highmark can take advantage of this offer at no additional cost.
Photo: HLTH
