1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,000 Hello, everyone. This is Jacob Emerson with the 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:04,799 Becker's Pay Your Issues podcast. Thrilled today to 3 00:00:04,799 --> 00:00:07,120 be joined by Jake Pascaglio, who is the 4 00:00:07,120 --> 00:00:10,080 president of commercial business at Harvard Pilgrim Health 5 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:11,839 Care. Jake, thank you so much for taking 6 00:00:11,839 --> 00:00:13,119 the time to be with me on the 7 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:13,939 podcast today. 8 00:00:14,404 --> 00:00:16,184 Great to be with you, Jacob. Thank you. 9 00:00:16,244 --> 00:00:18,164 Yeah. Absolutely. And before we dive into everything 10 00:00:18,164 --> 00:00:19,524 we wanna talk with you about, can you 11 00:00:19,524 --> 00:00:21,304 tell us a little bit more about yourself, 12 00:00:21,445 --> 00:00:23,364 your background in health care, and what it 13 00:00:23,364 --> 00:00:25,224 is that you do today at Harvard Pilgrim? 14 00:00:26,260 --> 00:00:26,760 Certainly. 15 00:00:27,140 --> 00:00:29,620 Again, I'm Jacob Viscaglio. Currently serve as a 16 00:00:29,620 --> 00:00:33,560 president of commercial markets and specialty products for 17 00:00:33,780 --> 00:00:37,000 Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, which is a subsidiary 18 00:00:37,060 --> 00:00:40,085 company of point thirty two Health. We're based 19 00:00:40,085 --> 00:00:40,905 in Massachusetts 20 00:00:41,284 --> 00:00:42,185 and serve 21 00:00:42,725 --> 00:00:43,864 New England markets, 22 00:00:44,484 --> 00:00:44,984 Massachusetts, 23 00:00:45,524 --> 00:00:47,784 Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. 24 00:00:48,244 --> 00:00:50,085 And through that and in my role, I'm 25 00:00:50,085 --> 00:00:53,864 responsible for sales, sales operations, product strategy innovation, 26 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:57,500 strategic business development, and the overall financial performance 27 00:00:57,799 --> 00:01:00,219 of the commercial and specialty businesses. 28 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:03,320 I've been in health care the majority of 29 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:03,899 my career 30 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:04,780 with 31 00:01:05,079 --> 00:01:06,060 other organizations 32 00:01:06,439 --> 00:01:07,819 like Cigna, Anthem, 33 00:01:08,314 --> 00:01:11,635 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Been with 34 00:01:11,635 --> 00:01:14,715 Irving Pilgrim Health Care for about seven months 35 00:01:14,715 --> 00:01:15,215 now. 36 00:01:15,594 --> 00:01:15,834 And, 37 00:01:16,395 --> 00:01:18,734 I also have a stint in financial services 38 00:01:19,194 --> 00:01:21,435 at Prudential Financial, and it's great to be 39 00:01:21,435 --> 00:01:22,575 back in health care. 40 00:01:23,090 --> 00:01:24,609 Fantastic. Well, we're glad to have you with 41 00:01:24,609 --> 00:01:26,709 us. A long career in the industry, 42 00:01:27,090 --> 00:01:27,569 Jake. 43 00:01:27,969 --> 00:01:29,689 And we're and we're here specifically to talk 44 00:01:29,689 --> 00:01:31,890 with you a little bit about Harvard Pilgrim 45 00:01:31,890 --> 00:01:35,090 Health Care expanding its partnership with Progyny Health 46 00:01:35,090 --> 00:01:37,475 to support your members for a full year 47 00:01:37,534 --> 00:01:41,555 after NICU or special care nursery discharge. So 48 00:01:41,615 --> 00:01:43,555 let's dive into that a little bit because, 49 00:01:43,615 --> 00:01:46,594 as you know, neonatal care, it's getting increasingly 50 00:01:46,734 --> 00:01:47,234 complex 51 00:01:47,615 --> 00:01:49,215 as the year goes on. Coverage of these 52 00:01:49,215 --> 00:01:52,290 services is increasingly getting more complex. And and 53 00:01:52,290 --> 00:01:52,950 the challenges, 54 00:01:53,250 --> 00:01:55,909 that these families face after NICU discharge, 55 00:01:56,290 --> 00:01:57,590 are daunting. So 56 00:01:57,890 --> 00:02:00,049 how do you see programs like this, between 57 00:02:00,049 --> 00:02:03,030 Harvard Pilgrim and Progyny Health shaping the future 58 00:02:03,170 --> 00:02:06,355 of post acute care management and improving those 59 00:02:06,355 --> 00:02:08,354 long term outcomes for the families that you 60 00:02:08,354 --> 00:02:08,854 serve? 61 00:02:09,875 --> 00:02:12,275 It is complicated as you mentioned, and I 62 00:02:12,275 --> 00:02:14,275 think you touched on a really important aspect 63 00:02:14,275 --> 00:02:16,854 of this, which is the family aspect of 64 00:02:17,155 --> 00:02:18,215 care. So certainly, 65 00:02:18,599 --> 00:02:19,099 the 66 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:22,599 the child, the newborn that's in receiving care 67 00:02:22,599 --> 00:02:24,439 is the one who's receiving care, but really 68 00:02:24,439 --> 00:02:25,819 it's impacting the family 69 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:29,000 across the board. So it's not only about 70 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,099 caring for the the infant, 71 00:02:31,465 --> 00:02:34,025 but it's also really taking care of the 72 00:02:34,025 --> 00:02:34,924 the family, 73 00:02:35,625 --> 00:02:36,284 at large. 74 00:02:36,584 --> 00:02:38,185 And I'll I'll share a little bit of 75 00:02:38,185 --> 00:02:40,185 the perspective in terms of why we think 76 00:02:40,185 --> 00:02:43,004 this expansion is so important, but I'll also 77 00:02:43,430 --> 00:02:46,150 give my own, family story because it's, something 78 00:02:46,150 --> 00:02:48,469 we've we experienced now. Yeah. It's been a 79 00:02:48,469 --> 00:02:50,969 while since my children are older, but, firsthand 80 00:02:51,110 --> 00:02:51,610 experience 81 00:02:51,909 --> 00:02:52,389 with, 82 00:02:52,710 --> 00:02:53,210 twins, 83 00:02:53,590 --> 00:02:54,330 that were 84 00:02:54,710 --> 00:02:55,210 premature 85 00:02:55,844 --> 00:02:57,764 and, spent some time in the NICU. So 86 00:02:57,764 --> 00:03:00,025 for me and my family, it's very personal. 87 00:03:00,405 --> 00:03:02,564 So what we're doing here is we're expanding 88 00:03:02,564 --> 00:03:04,104 a program that we started, 89 00:03:04,405 --> 00:03:06,104 with our great partner, Progyny. 90 00:03:06,644 --> 00:03:08,985 Initially, we're sixty days after 91 00:03:09,669 --> 00:03:10,169 birth, 92 00:03:10,550 --> 00:03:11,930 to care for the newborn, 93 00:03:12,310 --> 00:03:13,210 in the family. 94 00:03:13,669 --> 00:03:16,330 I should say newborns or or more plural 95 00:03:16,389 --> 00:03:16,889 there. 96 00:03:17,189 --> 00:03:17,689 And, 97 00:03:18,150 --> 00:03:20,250 really expanding that to the full year. 98 00:03:21,110 --> 00:03:22,969 And just a little bit about the program 99 00:03:23,030 --> 00:03:26,944 around Progyny. So their team includes board certified 100 00:03:27,004 --> 00:03:29,025 physicians, nurses, social workers, 101 00:03:29,564 --> 00:03:31,405 and to date, they've worked with more than 102 00:03:31,405 --> 00:03:32,544 2,500 103 00:03:32,604 --> 00:03:33,504 of our members. 104 00:03:34,205 --> 00:03:36,144 And I think as most know, 105 00:03:36,444 --> 00:03:39,564 there are specific life challenges that families face 106 00:03:39,564 --> 00:03:41,104 following a NICU stay. 107 00:03:41,540 --> 00:03:45,240 In addition to assistance with discharge planning, education, 108 00:03:45,540 --> 00:03:47,319 screening for postpartum depression, 109 00:03:47,860 --> 00:03:50,280 the Progyny Health team and their case managers 110 00:03:50,340 --> 00:03:52,919 connect families to important resources they may 111 00:03:53,620 --> 00:03:54,120 need, 112 00:03:54,655 --> 00:03:58,014 things like transportation, healthy food, financial support for 113 00:03:58,014 --> 00:04:00,495 utilities and rent, and even help members find 114 00:04:00,495 --> 00:04:02,275 access to free items they need 115 00:04:02,575 --> 00:04:04,895 for their babies like cribs, car seats, diapers, 116 00:04:04,895 --> 00:04:07,635 and baby formula. So certainly, the 117 00:04:08,090 --> 00:04:10,430 the care in the hospital and the coordination 118 00:04:10,569 --> 00:04:11,049 there, 119 00:04:11,370 --> 00:04:14,009 for the newborn or newborns, the the mom, 120 00:04:14,009 --> 00:04:14,989 the dad, etcetera, 121 00:04:15,849 --> 00:04:18,910 but also really beyond that and the impacts 122 00:04:18,970 --> 00:04:19,470 that, 123 00:04:20,169 --> 00:04:22,750 someone, a family that's going through, 124 00:04:23,165 --> 00:04:26,045 this is dealing within all aspects of what's 125 00:04:26,045 --> 00:04:26,545 needed 126 00:04:27,084 --> 00:04:27,985 to really 127 00:04:28,524 --> 00:04:29,024 launch, 128 00:04:29,324 --> 00:04:30,545 the the new family, 129 00:04:31,165 --> 00:04:33,805 on a path, is really important. So as 130 00:04:33,805 --> 00:04:34,464 I mentioned, 131 00:04:34,845 --> 00:04:36,845 my wife and I are fortunate to have 132 00:04:36,845 --> 00:04:37,904 a set of twins, 133 00:04:38,285 --> 00:04:40,920 that spent time in the NICU and, 134 00:04:41,379 --> 00:04:43,699 programs like this were not available to us 135 00:04:43,699 --> 00:04:45,300 at that time. Fortunately, we had a great 136 00:04:45,300 --> 00:04:47,240 support system of family members, 137 00:04:47,620 --> 00:04:50,899 friends, great doctors, nurses, etcetera. But as I 138 00:04:50,899 --> 00:04:52,600 reflect back on that time, 139 00:04:53,139 --> 00:04:54,040 we were just 140 00:04:54,704 --> 00:04:56,785 trying to survive day to day. We actually 141 00:04:56,785 --> 00:04:59,425 had, a 20 old at the time, so 142 00:04:59,425 --> 00:05:01,365 trying to juggle across all that, 143 00:05:01,824 --> 00:05:04,004 and care for our newborns, 144 00:05:04,944 --> 00:05:06,625 and just make sure we were on top 145 00:05:06,625 --> 00:05:07,285 of everything. 146 00:05:07,620 --> 00:05:10,420 Looking back, was a daunting challenge. So a 147 00:05:10,420 --> 00:05:12,500 program like this, would have been something that 148 00:05:12,500 --> 00:05:14,120 would have been very much appreciated, 149 00:05:14,819 --> 00:05:16,980 for for my family at the time. So 150 00:05:16,980 --> 00:05:19,459 that's why for me, it's personal and something 151 00:05:19,459 --> 00:05:21,240 that I'm really proud that our organization 152 00:05:21,540 --> 00:05:24,735 stands behind for our clients, for our members, 153 00:05:24,954 --> 00:05:27,295 and making this more broadly available. 154 00:05:28,394 --> 00:05:31,355 Certainly. So you really understand these issues firsthand, 155 00:05:31,355 --> 00:05:34,014 these issues that are also facing your members. 156 00:05:34,634 --> 00:05:36,074 In that vein, Jake, what are some of 157 00:05:36,074 --> 00:05:38,870 the broader implications of expanding this kind of 158 00:05:38,870 --> 00:05:40,870 care management from the sixty days to a 159 00:05:40,870 --> 00:05:43,209 full year for neonatal cases? 160 00:05:43,669 --> 00:05:45,589 And how do you think this shift, in 161 00:05:45,589 --> 00:05:48,389 care strategy is reflecting the industry evolving the 162 00:05:48,389 --> 00:05:50,889 industry's evolving approach towards more, 163 00:05:51,350 --> 00:05:53,129 member centered health plans? 164 00:05:54,285 --> 00:05:56,865 Yeah. Absolutely. It's, it's an important 165 00:05:57,725 --> 00:05:58,865 aspect of 166 00:05:59,404 --> 00:06:02,944 how we really want to surround our members 167 00:06:03,004 --> 00:06:03,504 with 168 00:06:03,964 --> 00:06:06,464 services that are going to be helpful 169 00:06:07,004 --> 00:06:07,824 over time. 170 00:06:08,370 --> 00:06:10,770 And it it just makes good sense to 171 00:06:10,770 --> 00:06:12,310 support the the families 172 00:06:13,250 --> 00:06:14,709 with a program like this. 173 00:06:15,009 --> 00:06:17,730 Additionally, as we know, the first year of 174 00:06:17,730 --> 00:06:20,050 an infant's life is crucial for their ongoing 175 00:06:20,050 --> 00:06:21,935 health. No surprise there. 176 00:06:22,634 --> 00:06:24,794 Then a NICU stay can further compound some 177 00:06:24,794 --> 00:06:27,055 of the challenges that families face during 178 00:06:27,355 --> 00:06:28,814 that baby's first year. 179 00:06:29,435 --> 00:06:31,274 One of the things we saw in the 180 00:06:31,274 --> 00:06:32,334 data is, 181 00:06:32,714 --> 00:06:35,115 more than ninety percent of our Harvard Pilgrim 182 00:06:35,115 --> 00:06:37,910 members who participate in the program have reported 183 00:06:37,910 --> 00:06:38,730 high satisfaction. 184 00:06:39,509 --> 00:06:41,590 We saw the opportunity to do even more 185 00:06:41,590 --> 00:06:42,490 for this population. 186 00:06:43,189 --> 00:06:44,870 And I'd love to share an example of 187 00:06:44,870 --> 00:06:46,569 one of our members from New Hampshire, 188 00:06:47,509 --> 00:06:49,830 was a mother of premature twins born at 189 00:06:49,830 --> 00:06:50,889 33, 190 00:06:51,524 --> 00:06:52,024 and 191 00:06:52,404 --> 00:06:54,725 the daughters were in the NICU. They had 192 00:06:54,725 --> 00:06:56,345 a toddler at home, sounds familiar, 193 00:06:57,045 --> 00:06:58,644 and the the mom had just started a 194 00:06:58,644 --> 00:07:00,805 new job and had no paid maternity time 195 00:07:00,805 --> 00:07:03,685 off. So certainly a challenge there just to 196 00:07:03,685 --> 00:07:04,185 start. 197 00:07:04,485 --> 00:07:05,305 Add a complication 198 00:07:05,685 --> 00:07:06,185 of 199 00:07:06,740 --> 00:07:08,819 her grandmother passing away and that she had 200 00:07:08,819 --> 00:07:10,980 contracted COVID and couldn't visit the twins in 201 00:07:10,980 --> 00:07:13,240 a hospital for an extended period of time. 202 00:07:13,699 --> 00:07:16,500 Progyny stepped in with gift cards to help 203 00:07:16,500 --> 00:07:19,764 with travel expenses, connected the mom with resources, 204 00:07:19,764 --> 00:07:21,685 helped manage the cost of formula to help 205 00:07:21,685 --> 00:07:24,004 her fortify her breast milk due to the 206 00:07:24,004 --> 00:07:24,985 twins' prematurity. 207 00:07:25,685 --> 00:07:27,525 The Progyny team also worked closely with the 208 00:07:27,525 --> 00:07:30,404 hospital to clarify the twins milestones and provided 209 00:07:30,404 --> 00:07:30,904 reassurances 210 00:07:31,685 --> 00:07:33,944 to the mom and her husband when needed. 211 00:07:34,379 --> 00:07:36,379 So the members are not just getting help 212 00:07:36,379 --> 00:07:37,279 and support, 213 00:07:37,740 --> 00:07:38,480 but advocacy. 214 00:07:39,020 --> 00:07:41,180 And by expanding the program, we can assure 215 00:07:41,180 --> 00:07:43,339 ensure that happens. Right? There is not a 216 00:07:43,339 --> 00:07:46,240 timeframe of sixty days or ninety days. 217 00:07:46,699 --> 00:07:48,800 Sometimes that's sufficient, but sometimes, 218 00:07:49,404 --> 00:07:51,564 that first year is longer. So for us, 219 00:07:51,564 --> 00:07:53,425 this isn't really a shift in strategy, 220 00:07:53,964 --> 00:07:55,964 but rather it's an expansion of a program 221 00:07:55,964 --> 00:07:56,625 that was 222 00:07:56,925 --> 00:07:59,904 critically needed by this subset of our membership. 223 00:08:00,205 --> 00:08:01,725 And for us, it was an easy decision 224 00:08:01,725 --> 00:08:04,145 to expand the partnership to help our vulnerable 225 00:08:04,365 --> 00:08:05,960 members and their families. 226 00:08:07,060 --> 00:08:09,300 Absolutely. Well, that's a great real world example. 227 00:08:09,300 --> 00:08:10,980 So appreciate you sharing that with us and 228 00:08:10,980 --> 00:08:13,720 and some amazing satisfaction rates that you're you're 229 00:08:13,779 --> 00:08:14,839 seeing through this. 230 00:08:16,020 --> 00:08:17,879 Jake, we we hear from health plans, 231 00:08:18,180 --> 00:08:20,645 all over the country about beyond Harvard Pilgrim 232 00:08:20,645 --> 00:08:21,145 about, 233 00:08:21,845 --> 00:08:24,985 NICU admissions and preterm births remaining a significant 234 00:08:25,205 --> 00:08:27,525 concern for for their poll how they how 235 00:08:27,525 --> 00:08:30,004 they cover things. And so I wonder if 236 00:08:30,004 --> 00:08:31,620 you have advice for, 237 00:08:32,019 --> 00:08:34,339 our our listeners in terms of, how to 238 00:08:34,339 --> 00:08:35,720 integrate more comprehensive 239 00:08:36,339 --> 00:08:38,279 maternity and infant care management 240 00:08:38,740 --> 00:08:40,519 into into their health plans. 241 00:08:41,379 --> 00:08:43,620 Yeah. Absolutely. Let me start maybe with some 242 00:08:43,620 --> 00:08:44,919 of the the data 243 00:08:45,365 --> 00:08:48,264 in terms of what's happening industry wide around 244 00:08:48,404 --> 00:08:51,065 the, you know, the specific need around 245 00:08:51,444 --> 00:08:54,644 NICU admissions and the this topic that we've 246 00:08:54,644 --> 00:08:57,284 been talking about. So the stats paint a 247 00:08:57,284 --> 00:08:59,284 a pretty dire picture. In The United States, 248 00:08:59,284 --> 00:09:01,740 we have one of the highest maternal mortality 249 00:09:01,740 --> 00:09:04,059 rates in developed world and the rates are 250 00:09:04,059 --> 00:09:04,799 on the rise. 251 00:09:05,259 --> 00:09:07,100 According to the March of Dimes twenty twenty 252 00:09:07,100 --> 00:09:09,500 four report card, preterm birth rate in The 253 00:09:09,500 --> 00:09:12,620 US remains historically high at ten point four 254 00:09:12,620 --> 00:09:13,120 percent 255 00:09:13,595 --> 00:09:16,315 and NICU births require specialized attention to ensure 256 00:09:16,315 --> 00:09:18,894 the best outcomes during an infant's first year. 257 00:09:19,674 --> 00:09:21,274 And even a short stay in the NICU 258 00:09:21,274 --> 00:09:24,575 can delay family bonding, impact breastfeeding adoption. 259 00:09:24,955 --> 00:09:26,715 And once an infant is discharged from the 260 00:09:26,715 --> 00:09:29,035 hospital, the risk of a readmission back to 261 00:09:29,035 --> 00:09:31,830 the hospital is significant without case management support 262 00:09:31,830 --> 00:09:36,409 for the infant and family. Additionally, perinatal depression, 263 00:09:36,870 --> 00:09:38,649 which is a condition that can have devastating 264 00:09:38,710 --> 00:09:41,110 consequences, affects up to one in seven women 265 00:09:41,110 --> 00:09:43,509 in The US. And some studies suggest that 266 00:09:43,509 --> 00:09:45,129 this number can be even higher. 267 00:09:45,495 --> 00:09:47,335 So we've seen the first hand of positive 268 00:09:47,335 --> 00:09:47,835 results 269 00:09:48,615 --> 00:09:50,855 of this type of program with Progyny Health, 270 00:09:51,014 --> 00:09:53,575 and the impact it has on babies and 271 00:09:53,575 --> 00:09:55,115 the families, broadly. 272 00:09:55,815 --> 00:09:58,235 So as it relates to other, 273 00:09:58,774 --> 00:09:59,274 insurance 274 00:09:59,860 --> 00:10:01,779 leaders that are thinking about these programs, I 275 00:10:01,779 --> 00:10:03,799 really think about it in a couple of, 276 00:10:04,179 --> 00:10:06,440 important manners. One is really understanding 277 00:10:07,220 --> 00:10:08,519 the needs of 278 00:10:08,980 --> 00:10:09,480 the 279 00:10:09,940 --> 00:10:10,440 memberships 280 00:10:10,820 --> 00:10:12,600 that a membership that is covered, 281 00:10:13,379 --> 00:10:14,279 by the plans 282 00:10:14,995 --> 00:10:16,375 and really understanding 283 00:10:16,914 --> 00:10:19,235 with those needs, what's the best way to 284 00:10:19,235 --> 00:10:20,074 deliver it, 285 00:10:20,514 --> 00:10:22,834 that care, that coaching, that program, whatever the 286 00:10:22,834 --> 00:10:23,814 case may be, 287 00:10:24,194 --> 00:10:25,174 in determining 288 00:10:25,554 --> 00:10:27,975 what is the best approach to enable 289 00:10:28,639 --> 00:10:29,299 that program 290 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:32,019 or the that those care pathways, etcetera. 291 00:10:32,399 --> 00:10:34,879 And as we think about this, across all 292 00:10:34,879 --> 00:10:37,379 aspects of our business, we really think about, 293 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:38,660 is this something that 294 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:40,580 we can do ourselves? 295 00:10:41,214 --> 00:10:43,455 Is there a way to do it through 296 00:10:43,455 --> 00:10:46,514 a partner relationship that has that specialized 297 00:10:47,054 --> 00:10:47,554 expertise? 298 00:10:48,014 --> 00:10:49,075 That's so critical. 299 00:10:49,695 --> 00:10:50,195 And, 300 00:10:50,654 --> 00:10:51,794 certainly with 301 00:10:52,174 --> 00:10:52,674 NICU, 302 00:10:53,134 --> 00:10:55,075 we saw the opportunity to 303 00:10:55,580 --> 00:10:56,080 work 304 00:10:56,460 --> 00:10:59,419 alongside Progyny Health, which is, you know, very 305 00:10:59,419 --> 00:11:00,320 focused across, 306 00:11:00,940 --> 00:11:02,799 this dimension of enabling 307 00:11:03,259 --> 00:11:04,399 support and care, 308 00:11:04,779 --> 00:11:07,660 for the most vulnerable members. And, again, very, 309 00:11:07,660 --> 00:11:09,279 very pleased with the 310 00:11:09,794 --> 00:11:12,514 results that we've delivered as our our members, 311 00:11:12,514 --> 00:11:14,134 which is most important to us. 312 00:11:14,674 --> 00:11:16,595 Certainly. And it's such a good call out 313 00:11:16,595 --> 00:11:18,514 and a reminder for our listeners in terms 314 00:11:18,514 --> 00:11:20,134 of the maternal and infant, 315 00:11:20,674 --> 00:11:22,835 issues and care that that the country still 316 00:11:22,835 --> 00:11:23,335 faces. 317 00:11:24,019 --> 00:11:25,860 Before we go, Jake, what else are we 318 00:11:25,860 --> 00:11:28,659 missing? Any final thoughts that you wanna share 319 00:11:28,659 --> 00:11:30,419 with our listeners while you have the ears 320 00:11:30,419 --> 00:11:31,960 of a lot of health plan leaders, 321 00:11:32,500 --> 00:11:34,659 from all over the country right now? Yeah. 322 00:11:34,659 --> 00:11:35,879 I appreciate the opportunity. 323 00:11:36,259 --> 00:11:37,559 Yeah. So first and foremost, 324 00:11:38,065 --> 00:11:40,964 Progyny Health, as I mentioned, a significant impact 325 00:11:41,264 --> 00:11:43,424 positively on our members, and we're very proud 326 00:11:43,424 --> 00:11:44,324 of this collaboration. 327 00:11:45,264 --> 00:11:47,424 For us, this collaboration is not just a 328 00:11:47,424 --> 00:11:50,485 one off program at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. 329 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:52,759 We are always looking to sort support our 330 00:11:52,759 --> 00:11:55,259 members through their entire health care journey. 331 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:56,860 Related, 332 00:11:57,320 --> 00:11:59,240 obviously, is women's health, which is a large 333 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:01,480 area of focus for us. We've 334 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:04,220 we had a number of partnerships with, 335 00:12:04,915 --> 00:12:08,035 organizations like Maven and Innovia Health that really 336 00:12:08,035 --> 00:12:11,335 helps us to provide women with 24 access 337 00:12:11,475 --> 00:12:12,855 to a variety of specialists, 338 00:12:13,555 --> 00:12:14,535 personalized resources, 339 00:12:14,995 --> 00:12:15,495 coaches, 340 00:12:16,035 --> 00:12:19,254 lactation experts, behavioral health experts, etcetera, etcetera, 341 00:12:19,709 --> 00:12:23,089 that really help us provide much needed information, 342 00:12:23,949 --> 00:12:26,289 access to providers, to the right providers, 343 00:12:26,829 --> 00:12:28,449 and care across the board, 344 00:12:29,069 --> 00:12:29,569 for 345 00:12:30,269 --> 00:12:31,490 our members, 346 00:12:32,189 --> 00:12:33,169 who are 347 00:12:33,629 --> 00:12:34,129 navigating 348 00:12:34,784 --> 00:12:36,084 challenging life transitions 349 00:12:36,464 --> 00:12:37,605 really end to end. 350 00:12:37,985 --> 00:12:39,825 Additionally, something that we're really proud of that 351 00:12:39,825 --> 00:12:42,084 connects in well here is 352 00:12:42,704 --> 00:12:45,345 a program that was launched, which we refer 353 00:12:45,345 --> 00:12:48,164 to as our behavioral health service navigation program. 354 00:12:48,799 --> 00:12:52,179 This program provides personalized one to one assistance 355 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:55,199 that helps members find a behavioral health provider. 356 00:12:55,199 --> 00:12:57,220 And we know finding behavioral 357 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:00,100 health providers, can be a challenge at times. 358 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:02,894 Scheduling those appointments once you find 359 00:13:03,215 --> 00:13:04,035 that provider 360 00:13:04,495 --> 00:13:06,894 can be a challenge at times. So our 361 00:13:06,894 --> 00:13:09,774 navigators really take that burden off of the 362 00:13:09,774 --> 00:13:12,175 individual and work side by side with our 363 00:13:12,175 --> 00:13:13,154 members to 364 00:13:14,014 --> 00:13:14,514 enable 365 00:13:15,295 --> 00:13:15,795 awareness, 366 00:13:16,495 --> 00:13:17,955 access to the right 367 00:13:18,389 --> 00:13:19,050 provider, and 368 00:13:19,430 --> 00:13:20,330 then scheduling, 369 00:13:20,950 --> 00:13:22,550 to make sure that they can get what 370 00:13:22,550 --> 00:13:24,230 they need. And then we follow-up to make 371 00:13:24,230 --> 00:13:26,149 sure they're satisfied with their care, and then 372 00:13:26,149 --> 00:13:28,950 we take those learnings and continue to iterate 373 00:13:28,950 --> 00:13:30,570 and improve upon our programs. 374 00:13:30,945 --> 00:13:32,404 Why that's really important, 375 00:13:32,865 --> 00:13:34,884 as we're talking about the topic of, 376 00:13:35,424 --> 00:13:36,325 NICU care, 377 00:13:36,705 --> 00:13:39,105 for for the birth mom, for the children, 378 00:13:39,105 --> 00:13:42,085 etcetera, is the connection certainly between, 379 00:13:42,785 --> 00:13:44,245 behavioral health needs, 380 00:13:44,785 --> 00:13:45,764 in this context, 381 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,160 making sure that we're able to provide that 382 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:50,540 access that's so important 383 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:52,379 to remove any barriers, 384 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:54,940 for for the moms and all the members, 385 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,960 quite frankly, who are looking to access vital 386 00:13:57,960 --> 00:13:58,460 mental 387 00:13:59,639 --> 00:14:01,660 health services when they need them. 388 00:14:02,785 --> 00:14:04,325 Last thing I'll add is, 389 00:14:04,785 --> 00:14:06,565 women's health month will end soon. 390 00:14:07,024 --> 00:14:09,345 The yet the focus on the maternal health 391 00:14:09,345 --> 00:14:11,764 crisis needs our year round attention and action. 392 00:14:11,904 --> 00:14:13,585 And it's really my hope that we can 393 00:14:13,585 --> 00:14:16,325 work together, broadly across the system 394 00:14:16,779 --> 00:14:18,700 of health care to ensure every woman has 395 00:14:18,700 --> 00:14:19,360 the opportunity 396 00:14:19,740 --> 00:14:21,279 to experience a healthy pregnancy, 397 00:14:21,740 --> 00:14:24,620 safe delivery, and a thriving happy life with 398 00:14:24,620 --> 00:14:27,339 their baby or babies, for that matter. It's 399 00:14:27,339 --> 00:14:29,740 a really important topic, and we're very focused 400 00:14:29,740 --> 00:14:31,304 as I know many of, 401 00:14:31,705 --> 00:14:34,044 the other insurance leaders are as well. 402 00:14:34,904 --> 00:14:36,745 Absolutely. Well, I I think that's a great 403 00:14:36,745 --> 00:14:38,424 place to leave things. So, Jake, I wanna 404 00:14:38,424 --> 00:14:40,345 thank you for taking the time to sit 405 00:14:40,345 --> 00:14:42,044 down with us and for sharing 406 00:14:42,424 --> 00:14:44,904 about the impactful work going on under your 407 00:14:44,904 --> 00:14:47,610 leadership at Harvard Pilgrim. We really appreciate it. 408 00:14:48,069 --> 00:14:50,149 Thank you, Jake. Appreciate the opportunity to join 409 00:14:50,149 --> 00:14:50,809 you today. 410 00:14:51,189 --> 00:14:52,549 And to our listeners, if you'd like to 411 00:14:52,549 --> 00:14:55,029 listen to more podcasts from Becker's Healthcare, you 412 00:14:55,029 --> 00:14:57,689 can visit beckershospitalreview.com.