Innovation and Advancements in an Evolving Healthcare System

The healthcare system is constantly evolving. Innovative changes help us deliver high-quality care to our members and patients and demonstrate that we put their health first. 

We know the healthcare system can feel complicated, but what we do behind the scenes can make all the difference. We must continue to find innovative ways to simplify healthcare delivery and payment processes to improve the experience of patients and providers. I believe we are doing that at Humana.

Value-based care
From a clinical perspective, how we deliver care and the partners with whom we work directly impact the experience of our members and patients and lead to better health outcomes. We have seen tremendous growth in value-based care over the last decade with 2.3 million more of our patients receiving care in this type of arrangement. 

As Humana’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kate Goodrich recently outlined, our focus on integrated, value-based care enables us to focus on the physical and mental health of our members and patients while also addressing social and environmental factors that can affect their health. Our data from 2022 showed significant cost savings for our members in value-based care arrangements – an average of 23.2% savings in medical costs compared to individuals enrolled in Original Medicare.

Interoperability
Interoperability is critical to the future success of our business and the healthcare industry. If you have had personal interaction with me, you know this is something I talk about often. We have made great strides in technology designed to increase access to quality care and improve health outcomes. This evolving process helps to simplify and automate the sharing of information between payers, providers and members. Access to on-demand medical records not only reduces wait times and decreases waste in the system, but it facilitates safer and more coordinated, patient-centered care.

Integrated electronic records allow physicians to more swiftly and accurately determine appropriate treatment for patients, and they allow us to deliver better value for our business and our partners. In fact, a 2023 assessment showed an estimated $600 million in total value created by interoperability solutions. Interoperability is a win-win, and increasing provider use of automated tools helps us deliver better care and better value.

Quality
Quality is another topic you will hear me discuss frequently, and with good reason. Humana is a leader in the industry because we are meticulous about providing quality services for our members and supporting our network providers. With 94% of our Medicare Advantage members enrolled in plans rated 4+ stars by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) in 2024, we have demonstrated that we care about quality and are dedicated to having a positive impact on the health and well-being of our members.

When you boil it down, this means our members are engaging with their physicians, taking medications as prescribed and getting important screenings. For example, 77% of our Medicare Advantage members are up to date on recommended colon cancer screenings, and 88% of members who need medication to help manage their cholesterol are taking their meds as prescribed. When patients see their medical providers regularly and follow their guidance, the result is better health outcomes – and that’s exactly what we are trying to enable.

In addition to value-based care, interoperability and quality care, we produce actionable research, hold ourselves and those we do business with to high standards of excellence, build a diverse supply network, and so much more. To learn more, read the recently published 2023 Humana Impact Report.