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HealthCore is generating the insights necessary to improve the health of humanity.

We are the wholly owned, independently operating research subsidiary of Anthem, Inc. and a key member of the Enterprise Analytics Hub. As we work with Anthem, life sciences companies, government agencies, and other healthcare stakeholders, we often uncover opportunities for innovation, cost savings, and improvements to quality of care. Our Value and Insights Alignment (VIA) Committee is dedicated to providing relevant and impactful insights back to Anthem stakeholders including Enterprise Analytics Hub, IngenioRx, and Anthem colleagues.



September 2021    |    Issue 1


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A real-world study of immunoglobulin (IG) reveals multiple cost-saving opportunities
An exploration into use of immunoglobulins (IG), costly blood-derived products accounting for millions in annual spending in the Anthem membership, reveals substantial... Read more on IG

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Major depressive disorder (MDD) patients highly impacted by COVID-19 face daunting challenges
Obtaining access to healthcare and medications can feel like an uphill battle for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) highly impacted by COVID-19. The results of a HealthCore... Read more on MDD

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Ibrutinib vs chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) had lower healthcare utilization and economic burden
Compared to chemoimmunotherapy, first line use of Ibrutinib in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, can lead to lower costs without... Read more on CLL

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Machine learning (ML) algorithm in claims data to identify anaphylaxis, a rare, serious drug or vaccine induced outcome
Traditional analytical methods are no match for anaphylaxis, a rare but serious reaction to certain drugs and vaccines that can be difficult to find in a sea of administrative... Read more on ML




For more information on a specific study or to connect with the VIA Committee, contact us at [email protected].


Dissemination and sharing of the Newsletter is limited to Anthem and its subsidiaries and included findings and implications are for Anthem and its affiliates’ internal use only. 

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Highlighted Studies

A real-world study of immunoglobulin (IG) reveals multiple cost-saving opportunities 

Hub Domain(s): Immunology, oncology, costs of care, IngenioRx, policy guidance
Summary: 

  • Background: Immunoglobulins (IG) are costly blood-derived products accounting for more than $500m in annual spending in the Anthem membership
  • Methods: HealthCore examined IG utilization using claims data to evaluate appropriateness of use, the extent of site-of-care optimization and non-preferred IG use.
  • Results: The findings revealed significant off-label use of IGs (30%), including 22% for indications that were neither approved by FDA nor covered by Anthem, but were accepted by other health plans; and 8% for indications that were neither approved by FDA nor covered by any health plan
    • Additionally, 25% of the IG use was observed in the most expensive site of administration of hospital outpatient (HOPD) and non-preferred IG use accounted for 71% of the total IG use
  • Key Takeaways: Examining the IG uses from various dimensions presents several opportunities to IngenioRx and Anthem:
    • Reducing off-label IG use represented an estimated $27.8m annual savings opportunity
    • Shifting IG utilization from HOPD to a less expensive site of care could drive a further estimated $6.3m in annual savings
    • The study also identified opportunities to increase the share of preferred IG products used by our patients.


Major depressive disorder (MDD) patients highly impacted by COVID-19 face daunting challenges

Hub Domain(s): COVID, member experience
Summary: 

  • Background: Disruption to daily life and lockdown measures that were imposed in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19 presented new hurdles for at-risk populations, such as patients with major depressive disorder (MDD)
  • Methods: Conducted a 2020 internet survey to understand reasons for antidepressant continuation, switching and discontinuation in patients with MDD; COVID-19 pandemic questions were developed and added to survey.
    • COVID-19 Pandemic Impact (CPI) score was calculated and, based on their CPI scores, patients were categorized as experiencing low (LPI), medium (MPI) or high pandemic impact (HPI).
  • Results: Compared with LPI and MPI patients, HPI patients reported:
    • Significantly more problems accessing healthcare; few reported not having health insurance benefits due to loss of/reduced health insurance coverage (Figure 1).
    • More challenges obtaining depression prescription medications in terms of:
      • Filling new/current prescription(s)
      • Receiving samples from healthcare providers
      • Paying for prescription(s) due to loss of/reduced health insurance coverage and/or pharmacy benefits
    • Since start of COVID-19 pandemic engaged in significantly more:
      • Alcohol, drug, and tobacco use
      • Unhealthy mindless eating
      • Sedentary behavior
  • Key Takeaways: Our findings are consistent with literature showing that traumatic events, e.g. pandemics, can negatively impact health behaviors.
    • More research is needed to explore the COVID-19 impact in other patient populations.
    • Education opportunities exist for health plans to increase awareness among providers and patients of possible short and long-term COVID-19 effects on health behaviors.

Figure 1: Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on accessing healthcare/mental healthcare

  • Publications: Poster presented at the Virtual American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) Annual Meeting, June 1-4, 2021

Ibrutinib vs Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) had lower healthcare utilization and economic burden

Compared to chemoimmunotherapy, first line use of ibrutinib in patients with…

Developing a machine learning (ML) algorithm in claims data to identify anaphylaxis, a rare, serious drug or vaccine induced outcome

Traditional analytical methods are no match for anaphylaxis, a rare but serious...

A real-world study of immunoglobulin (IG) reveals multiple cost-saving opportunities

An exploration into use of immunoglobulins (IG), costly blood-derived products…

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