Anthem BCBS is diversifying its positioning in the marketplace by rebranding itself as ElevanceHealth Inc. But, a quick inspection of the healthcare industry shows that Anthem is not alone in the quest to broaden its value proposition via technology.
Key takeaways:
Whole-Health Approach | Anthem has undertaken several acquisitions recently in order to address health drivers beyond traditional treatment models.
Follow the Leader | This announcement follows the example of previous mergers and acquisitions in the healthcare space that have allowed carriers such as Aetna, UHC and Cigna to leverage technology as a means of improving care by making it easier to connect with providers and schedule services, as well as data analytics that help with diagnostics and treatments.
Vertical Integration | There is a trend toward consolidation of health-related services into a carrier eco-system, like nutrition, home-based care (including nursing and telehealth), and behavioral health offered alongside traditional medical care providers.
Focus on Prevention | Many carriers are focused on acquiring platforms that offer accessible, preventative care that can help reduce medical costs and improve outcomes.
See the follow up Risk & Insurance interview with author, Les Williams.
