Humana’s increasing focus on its clinical efforts—namely, in primary care and home health—was a recurring theme on its second-quarter earnings call on Wednesday.
The insurer attributed the growth it saw primarily to its Medicare Advantage plans. More broadly, however, it hopes to drive consumer engagement and improve quality outcomes across the board through a series of new partnerships, acquisitions and programs.
The insurer reported $19 million in consolidated pretax income in the second quarter on $14.2 billion in revenues.
Last month, the insurer finalized its acquisitions of long-term care operator Kindred at Home and hospice provider Curo Health Services. It also launched a clinic in a Kansas City Walgreens, testing an effort that it hopes to expand this fall. And earlier this year, it brought four clinics in Texas and Florida together under one brand, Conviva.
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“We are striving to reshape healthcare by expanding access to high quality, value-based care in both primary care and home health,” said President and CEO Bruce D. Broussard regarding the Kindred and Curo acquisitions.
Later, he said that Conviva’s operational structure was designed to improve quality outcomes “by integrating care and simplifying the patient experience.” And the Walgreens clinic will offer a variety of services to Humana members and nonmembers alike, such as education sessions, food programs and transportation assistance.
Chief Financial Officer Brian Kane noted that inpatient admissions have decreased, while observations and lower-acuity procedures in the outpatient setting have increased. As a result, costs increased per inpatient admission, but spending decreased overall.
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Broussard said Humana “[welcomes] change that aligns home health with pay-for-value and improved clinical outcomes, reducing preventable events.” But if its recent investments are any indication, the insurer’s embrace of value-based care seems to extend beyond home health and into many areas of its practice.