Creshelle Nash, MD, medical director for health equity and public programs at Arkansas BCBS, believes the COVID-19 pandemic has given the national healthcare system a vehicle to address social determinants of health and health disparities.
Monday, July 19, 2021
 
 

"We have seen the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color throughout the pandemic. It has illuminated the health inequities that already existed, from food insecurity, housing insecurity, behavioral health needs, all of those things, varying by race, ethnicity, income, and geography." — Creshell Nash, MD, Arkansas BCBS.

Creshelle Nash, MD, medical director for health equity and public programs at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, shares how the pandemic has given the national healthcare delivery system a vehicle to address social determinants of health and health disparities. Melanie Blackman reports.

Also this week, a new law in Texas grants automatic approval of medical orders for clinicians who have a track record of prior authorization approvals at a payer. Chris Cheney reports.
 
From Crisis to Opportunity: Partnering to Address SDOH, Health Disparities
Arkansas is among one of the rural states where COVID-19 deaths are affecting racial or ethnic minorities at a much higher rate than Whites.
 
Effort to Reform Prior Authorization Gains Traction in Texas
A new law in the Lone Star State grants automatic approval of medical orders for clinicians who have a track record of prior authorization approvals at a payer.
Sponsored
Health Plans and Provider Organizations Need Excess Risk Coverage Too
In a market that continues to see significant growth in catastrophic claim costs, provider organizations, HMOs and other health plans that want to protect their bottom line should consider excess risk coverage.
The People Who Suffered Most During Pandemic Are Most Plagued by Medical Bills
People struggle with bills even as insurance coverage increases, showing "that health insurance in America is not protective enough," says a Commonwealth Fund researcher.
Special Enrollment Period Spurs 2M People to Sign up for Health Coverage In Less Than 5 Months
CMS also reports that 2.5 million people have reduced their monthly premiums after advance payments of premium tax credits during the Special Enrollment Period, which ends August 15.
Hospital 'Trauma Centers' Charge Enormous Fees to Treat Minor Injuries and Send People Home
Tens of thousands of times a year, hospitals charge enormously expensive trauma alert fees for injuries so minor the patient is never admitted.
Senate Democrats' Plan Boosts Spending on Medicare, ACA Subsidies, Long-Term Care
A large portion of that spending would be dedicated to healthcare, targeting major sections of the system — some with new regulations and some with a generous increase in federal funding.
As Congress Wrestles With Plans to Expand Medicare, Becerra Says Any One Will Do
Becerra also said he will support efforts to bring down drug prices, including allowing importation from such countries as Canada and giving Medicare the ability to negotiate prices.
 

Must Reads
 

That's all for this week's Payers Newsletter.

We'll be back in your mailbox next Monday with more news and reporting on the business of health insurance and healthcare.

Check our website frequently throughout the week for updates. And, remember to sign up for our E-newsletters to keep you informed on the top industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.

If you've got news tips, thoughts, or suggestions, I'd love to hear from you at jcommins@healthleadersmedia.com.

Stay safe!

John Commins
Senior Editor

@ComminsCom