Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1424600
66 CIO / HEALTH IT 7 things to know about Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Anthem's virtual care strategies By Hannah Mitchell A s the pandemic boosted telehealth usage, four payers have solidified their virtual care strategies. Here are seven things to know about Aetna, Anthem, Cigna and Blue Cross Blue Shield's telehealth expansions and digital health initiatives from July to September. Anthem 1. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is col- laborating with Boulder Care to grow its tele- health addiction treatment network across Ohio. e agreement allows Anthem's Ohio employer-based, individual and Medicare Ad- vantage plan members to access Boulder Care's digital treatment for substance use disorders, which promotes a value-based care model. 2. e Clinic, a joint virtual health venture between the Cleveland Clinic and Amwell, teamed up with Anthem to offer the payer's members access to the Clinic's telehealth sec- ond opinion service. Aetna 3. Texas Health Aetna is extending its con- tract with Denver-based telemedicine com- pany CirrusMD for another three years. e collaboration gives Texas Health Aet- na members access to CirrusMD's 24/7 digital care tool. 4. Aetna, a CVS Health company, unveiled its new virtual primary care service for self-funded employers powered by Teladoc Health. Aetna members have access to phy- sicians and a nurse care team through virtual communications and telehealth, including in-app text messaging or phone calls before and aer visits. Blue Cross Blue Shield 5. Blue Shield of California partnered with Walgreens to expand healthcare a ccess and deliver care with the assistance of digital advisers to conduct in-home tests, find health products and fill out health- related applications. 6. CareFirst of Maryland, a Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate, launched a virtual care delivery model that lets payer members get preventive care, urgent care and behavioral healthcare through a mobile app. Cigna 7. Cigna and New York City-based Oscar Health partnered to launch Oscar virtual pri- mary care to some of the payers' joint plans. n Texas physician's sudden retirement leaves patients struggling to get medical records By Hannah Mitchell W illiam Moran, MD, a physician based in Aus- tin, Texas, abruptly retired after more than 30 years, leaving patients in the dark about get- ting medical records, according to a Sept. 14 report by NBC affiliate KXAN. Patients reported calling the office, but the phone line had been disconnected. Patients who showed up to the of- fice for appointments were greeted with a note that said: "Office is closed down due to Dr. Moran's retirement. Sorry for any inconvenience." A phone number on the sign instructed patients to leave a voicemail, but the line has been disconnected, according to the report. Dr. Moran's patients have said on social media that they have been struggling to get access to medical records. One patient said they felt Dr. Moran "abandoned his patients overnight." Dr. Moran's office told the publication that patients seeking medical records should contact the custodian of records through email. Dr. Moran still has his medical license listed as active on the Texas Medical Board's website, according to the report. The Texas Medical Board requires physicians to notify the board within 30 days of retirement or relocation. A spokes- person for the board said Dr. Moran did notify them. The board also requires physicians to notify patients through signs in their office 30 days before retirement. Patients seen in the last two years should get an email or letter in the mail. Additionally, physicians have to inform patients where they can get their medical records. Bill Eastman, a patient of Dr. Moran, said he reported him to the medical board for failing to adhere to retirement protocols. "If [the Texas Medical Board] receives a complaint and a violation verified following an investigation, [the board] uti- lizes sanctions guidelines in disciplinary matters," a spokes- person for the board told the publication. "The potential sanction will depend on a number of factors including con- sideration of any aggravating or mitigating circumstances. If a physician's license is in an active status, they may still be subject to disciplinary action." n