Healthcare Industry Actions to Protect Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic – April 9, 2020

The Healthcare Leadership Council is comprised of leading companies from every sector of American healthcare.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be sharing examples of actions these companies are taking to protect and assist the public and combat the virus’s spread.  If you would like assistance in reaching a representative for any of these companies, please contact Kelly Fernandez at kfernandez@hlc.org.

• An Ascension hospital in Oklahoma is engaged in a clinical research trial for a potential treatment for COVID-19. The trial involves an anti-inflammatory medication conventionally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but researchers hope it can reduce inflammation in the lungs.

• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee announced it is waiving all cost sharing for testing and full treatment of coronavirus. The insurer has also expanded access to telehealth services and allowed 90-day medication prescriptions to reduce risk of exposure.

• As patient participation in clinical trials has decreased worldwide as a result of COVID-19 self-quarantining, Medidata – a company that provides data analytics and software for use in clinical trials – has published a comprehensive set of recommendations on how data can be collected to advance drug development while protecting patient safety.

• MemorialCare, a leading southern California health system, is protecting patients from coronavirus risk by providing an online symptom checker with chat function to provide up-to-date information on COVID-19. MemorialCare is also providing telehealth services with no co-pays or out-of-pocket expenses.

• Pfizer and the Pfizer Foundation are donating $40 million in medical and charitable cash grants to efforts worldwide to combat COVID-19. In the U.S., these funds will be provided to state public health organizations and non-profit health organizations and clinics for the immediate and long-term needs of frontline healthcare workers.  Pfizer employees with medical training are also mobilizing to provide diagnostic and treatment support where needed.

• Premier, a leading healthcare improvement company, has partnered with a company providing artificial intelligence-based supply chain services to create a cloud-based exchange through which hospitals facing supply shortages will be matched with peer organizations that can provide those materials through a secure network.