Want to pay your health plan premiums while picking up medications, buying some batteries (or maybe a piece of chocolate) and getting a free cholesterol screening? Humana is betting that retail convenience will support its individual membership business.
Humana is partnering with CVS Health to let individual pre-65 members pay their plan premiums in cash, credit or debit at CVS stores via Bill Pay, a payment platform launched with CVS and InComm earlier this year.
Humana is the first insurer to join the Bill Pay and CVS, and sees it as a big help for newly-insured members, especially those purchasing subsidized plans from one of the 15 state exchanges the company is selling in.
Plan members can bring their barcoded insurance premium bills to any participating CVS and make a payment, without any additional fees, the companies noted.
"Our partnership with CVS reflects our focus on bringing simplicity to today's complex healthcare environment, which includes providing people with convenient access to their health information and the appropriate education to make informed decisions," said Humana president and CEO Bruce Broussard.
CVS, of course, has been trying to build on its pharmacy legacy and flow more of its business into all things healthcare, now operating more than 800 walk-in clinics, integrating with hospital EHRs, aligning its strategies by ending tobacco sales and inking partnerships like the payment program with Humana.
Over the past year, Humana's individual membership has increased by more than 500,000 to 1,085,800, thanks to enrollment in both exchange plans and unsubsidized policies. Now that Humana has increased its exchange presence -- including in parts of Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri and Texas -- an expanded partnership with a popular retailer could help support the needs of new members.
Humana and CVS are also working on an Affordable Care Act outreach and education campaign to help consumers understand their options.
Under a multiyear partnership crafted in 2013, Humana representatives will answer consumer questions at informational events hosted in 285 CVS stores through the open enrollment period. Humana representatives are also participating in a CVS wellness campaign called Project Health, which offers free screenings of body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol and smoking cessation counseling.
"The free, comprehensive health screenings offered at our Project Health events give our customers the opportunity to access vital healthcare services at times and locations that are convenient for them and can help identify health concerns or risk factors that they may be unaware of," said Helena Foulkes, President of CVS' pharmacy unit.
Humana is also partnering with YMCA locations and other community organizations to help answer consumer enrollment questions on issues like federal subsidy eligibility, plan options and benefits. "If we want people to make informed decisions about their health coverage, they must have the understanding and resources to do so," said Humana's chief medical officer, Roy Beveridge, MD.