Payers often lack information on members’ race and ethnicity that can help to address underlying causes of health disparities and provide cost-effective coverage to members, according to Managed Healthcare.

In 2019, fewer than 25% of commercial health plans had race data for even half their members.

Challenges with collecting that data can include legal and privacy concerns, reluctance from individuals to self-report, hesitancy from healthcare professionals to gather race and ethnicity data and a lack of financial incentives or program requirements.

Here are five best practices to improve race and ethnicity data collection, according to Managed Healthcare:

• Analyze current data and collection practices: Find specific obstacles that may be stopping your organization from collecting data or using it effectively.
• Train staff: All staff collecting data should be trained on how to ask members for their personal data over the phone, virtually and in person. Data collectors should be able to communicate with patients about how the data will be used and protected.
• Be transparent: Members should know why the data is being collected and how it will be used.
• Collect and validate data: Ensure that collected data is accurate. All health plans should focus on collecting self-reported race and ethnicity data directly from members. When self-reported data isn’t available, health plans should use only reliable collection practices and plan to begin collecting data directly in the future.
• Share outcomes: After using the data, health plans should relay success stories about how it improved care outcomes to employers and members.

Source: Beckers Payer

The University of Vermont Health Network has agreed to commercial contract terms with UnitedHealthcare.

The agreement extends through March 31, 2023, and affects about 2,900 UnitedHealthcare members in Vermont and Northern New York, according to a March 29 press release emailed to Becker’s.

The renewal with Burlington-based UVM Health Network includes a commitment from UnitedHealthcare to cover reasonable cost increases and address policies that make it difficult for patients to access care.

“We are happy to close this chapter and make sure we are meeting patient needs, regardless of their insurance carrier,” said John Brumsted, MD, president and CEO of UVM Health Network. “This is a partial victory for local, not-for-profit health care providers. We are doing our best, every day, to provide the healthcare services our patients need.”

The agreement comes after UVM Health Network expressed desire to end its contract with UnitedHealthcare in early March, citing administrative issues and delays for care approval. UnitedHealthcare had previously said the two could not come to an agreement over reimbursement fees, saying UVM Health Network’s rates were not “affordable or sustainable.”

Source: Beckerspayer

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company (Penn Mutual), a Fortune 1000 company, announces that Mark Strosahl has joined the company as chief information security officer, reporting to Greg Driscoll, chief operating officer of the company’s life insurance and annuities line of business.

“Mark has extensive experience developing, implementing and monitoring information security strategy, policies and procedures,” said Driscoll. “He has deep knowledge of the interdependencies related to financial services and cybersecurity legal and regulatory requirements. Mark also has an outstanding track record of building alliances across functions to promote understanding of and fidelity to information security risk management.”

Strosahl joins Penn Mutual with more than 14 years of financial services industry experience leading information technology and information security functions. Most recently, he served as information security officer for the retirement business at Principal Financial Group.

Strosahl received his bachelor’s degree in information systems management and his MBA from Iowa State University and holds numerous information security certifications, including Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

About The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
For more than 175 years, Penn Mutual has been helping people get stronger. Our expertly crafted life insurance is vital to long-term financial health and strengthens people’s ability to enjoy every day. Working with our trusted network of financial professionals, we take the long view, building customized solutions for individuals, their families, and their businesses. Penn Mutual supports its financial professionals with retirement and investment services through its wholly-owned subsidiary Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Visit Penn Mutual at www.pennmutual.com.

Source: PR Newswire