Two of edHEALTH’s plan administrators are changing their names in 2020:CoreSource, our national healthcare administrator, is changing its name to Trustmark Health Benefits effective January 1, 2020. The company is rebranding to better tie the health division’s name with the parent company, Trustmark Mutual Holding Company. There will be no other changes. Trustmark Health Benefits will continue to use a customized approach to determine which of their 60 carrier- and provider-owned networks best meet the needs of our new member schools.BriovaRx, our specialty pharmacy vendor, is changing its name to Optum® Specialty Pharmacy in 2020. They have begun rolling out this change, which will continue into 2020. The new name is in keeping with the Optum parent company name. There will be no changes for existing BriovaRx members to benefits, services, or the phone number. Both of the following w...

In support of our goals of providing quality healthcare solutions at affordable costs, edHEALTH launched an innovative population health program in the spring. Did you know that 50% of edHEALTH’s claims come from just 5% of the population? The KnovaSolutions® Clinical Prevention Service focuses on those who need the most help. KnovaSolutions’ clinical team focuses on the highest risk, highest cost employees and their families with a holistic approach to support their needs.Privacy ProtectedThis program ensures privacy while using predictive modeling to identify those in need of support early in their care journey. Personal health data is secure; KnovaSolutions® doesn’t share it with member schools or edHEALTH. Additionally, they store all data consistent with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy standards.Potential Reduction in High Cost ClaimsTh...

This year’s “Walk This Way Walking Challenge” was an overwhelming success. Fifteen member colleges and universities participated in the four-week challenge. Over 750 employees walked more than 200 million steps over the four-week period. Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) brought home the edHEALTH walking trophy and enjoyed an ice cream social for their winning scores:47 participantsOver 14.6 million steps walkedAverage of 311,900 steps per walkerMargaret Card, WIT’s HR Director, accepted the trophy on the School’s behalf. “Our employees relished competing against their fellow schools for the grand prize,” said Margaret. “It was a fun way to encourage healthy habits and the edHEALTH ice cream social was a lot of fun.”Each week during the challenge, the top 5,000 and 10,000 step walkers from each school won a themed gift basket: nutrition, exercise, relaxation, and mindfulness. Th...

VCIA is pleased to announce the addition of two new captive professionals to its Board of Directors.  Joining the VCIA Board in October 2019, both have been active in the captive industry for years.                        Tracy Hassett, SPHR, is the President and CEO of edHEALTH, the member-owned healthcare collaborative for 20 colleges, universities, and charter schools. She also is the President and CEO of Educators Health Exchange, edHEALTH's medical stop loss captive. Prior to edHEALTH, Ms. Hassett worked for 17 years at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in a variety of HR roles. She rose through the ranks to Vice President of Human Resources, and was the first person to hold this position. While Ms. Hassett was working at WPI, she joined Boston Consortium higher education finance executives who were looking for a solution to the healthcare cost conundrum. WPI was a founding member ...

edHEALTH is now available throughout the country. For 2019, we entered into an agreement with Trustmark Health Benefits, a national employee benefits company. The company has access to over 60 carrier-owned and provider-sponsored networks. These include Aetna, Cigna, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield of New York, Anthem Blue Cross of California, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia.Trustmark Health Benefits uses a customized approach to determine which networks best meets the needs of new clients. They evaluate network panel scope, how strongly the network and types of care align with the client’s utilization patterns, and financial value. These findings are provided to the new member organization, edHEALTH, and Spring Consulting for final network determination.This same customized approach is used for plan design. Like all member organizations, the school determines its plan type of...

Take Advantage of a Telehealth visit with a credentialed doctor specializing in internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, dermatology, psychology, or psychiatry. A virtual care visit enables you to see a provider through real-time, Skype-like technology using a smartphone, tablet, or computer that has a microphone and webcam. Benefits include:Immediate access to doctors 24 hours a day, 365 days a yearNo need to travel from work or homeSecure and private two-way video chats with U.S. board-certified doctors and therapistsPrescriptions sent to your drug store, if needed$25 copay/visitConsider taking advantage of telemedicine benefits if you have any of the following non-emergency needs:AllergiesUpper respiratory infectionFluEaracheSkin rashUrinary tract infectionConjunctivitisSinus infectionUpset stomachBehavioral HealthTelehealth behavioral health benefits are confidential and co...

If you’re a current edHEALTH member school, you’ve probably worked with Cindy Bartelson, edHEALTH’s Operations Manager. Cindy is the “go to” person for edHEALTH’s day-to-day activities:Troubleshooting health insurance-related issuesHR employee orientationPlan Design Committee logisticsNew group implementationTwo years ago, Cindy joined edHEALTH. She previously worked for 15 years in the HR Department at member school Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Cindy’s skills and experience make her uniquely qualified to running edHEALTH’s operations. She’s especially gratified to help member schools troubleshoot health-insurance related issues. “In HR there are a lot of urgent personnel-related issues,” says Cindy. “The school HR staff appreciates having one less item on their plates. And, through investigating member health insurance issues, I identify and find resolutions for larger conc...

It was a pleasure to meet with all of you to discuss the new edHEALTH population health initiative, KnovaSolutions® Clinical Prevention Service. We’ve already heard from many of you that you want to participate in the program that targets the 5% of your population that comprises over 50% of claim costs.  It’s a triple-win solution:1) Potential Reduction in High-Cost ClaimsThe program’s clinical staff provides personalized care for high-risk, high-cost employees and covered dependents. Through phone and secure email, participants receive support for medical decisions. Information, education, and decision support helps decrease unnecessary costs and utilization.2) Improves Healthcare Quality and Employee Satisfaction24/7 access to assistance: Questions about diagnosis, treatments, tests, and medicationsSupport for making lifestyle changesMedication review assistanceWork/life balance sup...

Opioid abuse is a national epidemic: every 13 minutes there is an opioid-related death. Between 2015 and 2016 drug overdoses increased 21%, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Our prescription drug vendor, OptumRx, uses an innovative opioid management program that helps members and patients balance the need for powerful medications with the risk of abuse and misuse.  Targeted drugs include Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, hydromorphone, codeine, fentanyl, methadone, tramadol, OxyContin, Percocet, Lorcet, and Vicodin. The program takes a multi-pronged approach to help tackle abuse:Prevention and education: OptumRx provides education to patients and providers about the risks of opioids. Home delivery patients who fill opioid prescriptions through mail order receive education and promotion of proper leftover drug disposal. The drugs our dispensed with label and bottle cap warn...

There was lots to celebrate at this year's Annual Meeting: 20 members before 2020; beating healthcare cost trends; financial performance; and $2 million in dividend distributions.Watch our presentation video here

Nancy McConaghy Named Business Development Executive at edHEALTHLong-time Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Account Executive Brings Unique Expertise to the Role NORTHBRIDGE, MA, June 20, 2019 - edHEALTH, the member-owned healthcare purchasing collaborative for colleges, universities, private and charter schools, welcomed Nancy McConaghy, former Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Senior Account Executive, as its Business Development Executive. In this new role, McConaghy will be responsible for membership growth and retention.McConaghy was the account representative for edHEALTH’s Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Administrator and helped to ensure member satisfaction for the colleges, universities, and their employees enrolled in the Harvard Pilgrim health plan option. She served in that capacity since edHEALTH’s inception six years ago. With over 25 years of experience in account management for major ...

Read the April 2019 edHEALTH newsletter to find out how we're beating the healthcare cost curve, adding members, and expanding nationally. Get to know our Operations Whiz.  You'll also find out how to join edHEALTH, and learn about opioid management, population health, and telehealth programs. Get ready to celebrate at our Annual Meeting, and get your sneakers ready to compete against fellow colleges and universities with our Walking Challenge.

Happy New Year 2019 from edHEALTH.pdfHere's the January 2019 edHEALTH update including:OverviewMember colleges and universitiesResults

July_2018_edHEALTH_newsletter.pdf  In this issue:Announcement of national relationship with CoreSourceNew data warehouseFinancial resultsOptum Rx initiativesHarvard Pilgrim Healthcare tools

edHEALTH-November -2017 Newsletter.pdf In this issue:New membersCaptive financial results updatePrescription drug formulary optionsTelemedicineTufts Health Plan addiction servicesHarvard Pilgrim appsInterview with edHEALTH's Chair, Stephen Hannabury

edHEALTH_March2017.pdf

Here's edHEALTH's July 2016 newsletterThe edHEALTH News vol 5 iss 2 july 2016.pdf

The January 2016 edHEALTH newsletterThe edHealth Newsletter Volume V