Congress to consider chiropractic coverage for veterans
Bipartisan legislation was introduced this week to expand access to chiropractic services for veterans through the Department of Defense TRICARE health program.
Introduced by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and David Loebsack (D-Iowa), the legislation would ensure veterans can continue to receive chiropractic care they accessed previously through the Department of Defense healthcare system during active duty.
The American Chiropractic Association praised the legislation, saying that since painful musculoskeletal conditions are a common complaint among those who have served in the military, the legislation adds an important nondrug option for pain management in TRICARE in the midst of a national opioid crisis. (Release)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts adds digital health products
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has added two new digital health products for its large self-insured clients: Robin Care for cancer support and Hinge Health for musculoskeletal conditions such as back and knee pain.
The products are part of its "Emerging Solutions" portfolio announced earlier this year to find innovative digital solutions and advise employer customers on options to help improve their employees' health and lower costs. Previously, Blue Cross launched the portfolio with Livongo and Omada, aimed at diabetes management, and Ovio Health, aimed at helping members with fertility, pregnancy and parenting. (Release)
Mutual of Omaha will no longer deny insurance to applicants who use PrEP
Mutual of Omaha, which is one of the country’s largest providers of life and long-term care insurance, has agreed to stop denying all forms of insurance to patients using the HIV prevention medication Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The move come following an investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office and a separate lawsuit filed by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders.
Truvada is a tablet containing two types of antiretroviral medication that block HIV from replicating in the body. The medication has been approved as a way to prevent HIV transmission by the Food and Drug Administration since 2012 and recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since 2014. (Release)
Press Ganey names new CEO, Patrick Ryan assumes executive chairman title
Patrick Ryan has assumed a growth-focused roles as executive chairman at Press Ganey, the consulting firm announced Thursday.
Ryan, who served as Press Ganey’s CEO from 2012, will still lead the firm, but his work will now center on expansion and identifying investment opportunities. Joe Greskoviak, Press Ganey’s chief operating officer, will take on the CEO role and oversee day-to-day operations.
Greskoviak will report to Ryan, and the pair have worked together for more than a decade.
“This new leadership structure will effectively position Press Ganey for the next phase of our growth and for the dynamic changes we hope to drive as an industry,” Ryan said. (Announcement)