Healthcare Industry Actions to Protect Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic – March 23, 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.

• As patients are being discouraged in many instances from seeking care in physician offices, Aetna is offering telemedicine visits for any reason with no copays and is offering its Medicare Advantage virtual evaluation and monitoring visit to all of its fully insured members. See more here from Aetna president Karen Lynch.

• In an interview on CNBC, AMN Healthcare CEO Susan Salka said her company has made acquisitions that will enable it to offer telehealth capabilities so medical professionals can engage in COVID-19 triage activities without necessarily being in the same room as the patients. Salka said her company is working with state medical associations to help them use the technology to increase workforce flexibility.

• Johnson & Johnson’s chief scientific officer said the company hopes to begin human clinical trials on a COVID-19 vaccine in November. J&J will begin putting processes in place to enable widespread production of a vaccine.

• The Mayo Clinic’s Infection Prevention and Control Team has offered ten steps individuals can utilize to protect themselves and minimize the spread of COVID-19. The tips are contained on a dedicated webpage Mayo has created with continually updated information about the virus.

• Premier has pointed out an important gap in meeting healthcare supply needs that policymakers must address, releasing a survey that found over two-thirds of senior living facilities in the U.S. do not have sufficient masks, face shields, and personal protective equipment to treat suspected cases of COVID-19.

• Silver Sneakers, a fitness program for seniors created by Tivity Health, has launched a virtual workout series on Facebook Live offering an on-demand library of workout formats and intensity levels so that older Americans can continue to pursue physical fitness while unable to participate in community activities.