Latest news with #CareFirst
Technical.ly
2 days ago
- Business
- Technical.ly
Techstars announces AI Health accelerator will stay in Baltimore, with more cash for startups
Techstars' accelerator focused on artificial intelligence and healthcare will stay in Baltimore for the next few years and companies taking part can expect more cash, organizers announced Thursday. The AI Health Baltimore accelerator will host five more programs in the region. Participating startups can expect up to $220,000 in investment instead of the previous $120,000, managing director Nick Culbertson said at the accelerator's inaugural demo day at M&T Bank Stadium. Eight companies hailing from Argentina to Pittsburgh pitched their startups at the event. Innovations included using AI to detect cancer, using the tech as a between-sessions therapy assistant and having it facilitate compliance with rebate policies. No companies in this cohort were from Baltimore, and Culbertson acknowledged that. 'We really want companies in Baltimore to apply,' Culbertson told the crowd. However, he added, 'It's not just about Baltimore companies. Many of the companies who came here, came here because of the resources we have to offer, because of the ecosystem we have provided.' That ecosystem includes Johns Hopkins University and Mid-Atlantic insurance provider CareFirst — the program's key partners. Inaugural cohort urged to stay in Baltimore Lester Davis, the executive vice president and chief of staff at CareFirst, called for founders in this cohort to keep a presence in the region. 'We need you to stay here,' Davis told the crowd. 'Baltimore, the Maryland area, has everything that you need … Stay right here, invest here, build here.' AidRx CEO Tony Lee is taking that advice. He's creating a platform that enables pharmacists to work remotely and connect with patients and outpatient physicians. While completing the Techstars program, Lee from Calgary signed with three outpatient clinics in Canada to use his product. Plus, he's now working with digital health firm Scene Health in Brooklandville to use his product. Leaning into investments in health, tech Investment in AI and healthcare is on the rise for Techstars. The firm is running another health-focused accelerator in nearby DC this spring, with applications accepted now through June 11. Baltimore gets equal investment from Techstars in comparison to players like New York and London, per Andrew Cleland, its chief investment officer. Techstars is also leaning into these health and AI verticals, he said. Out of 500 healthcare investments from Techstars, a third of those are related to AI. Those companies are some of Techstars most successful. 'They've rewarded investors and owners and families,' Cleland told the crowd during a presentation. 'They've changed for our thousands of people. All that context goes into why we're here and why we're so committed to this program.' Applications just closed for the next cohort in Baltimore, and that group will start in September.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Maryland could see a spike in health insurance costs in 2026.
Thousands of Maryland residents who buy health insurance from the state could see an 18% spike in their premiums in 2026. The Maryland Insurance Administration announced the proposed increases from healthcare providers on Tuesday, June 4. Proposed insurance price increase Insurance companies are seeking an average increase of 17% for individuals and 5.5% for businesses with small group plans. "Really, all 250,000 people who are buying coverage for the exchange are going to be significantly impacted," said Johanna Fabian-Marks, the Director of Policy and Plan for Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. "These are the largest increases in the six years since Maryland took action to really stabilize our individual market." The increase by health care carriers is in response to the anticipated loss of federal funds, according to the Maryland Insurance Administration. Federal tax credits offered through the Affordable Care Act are set to expire at the end of the year. If Congress reauthorizes the enhanced tax credits, increases would be about 5% to 7%, instead of 8% to 18.7%, officials said. CareFirst BlueChoice requested the biggest average increase for individuals in the marketplace at 18.7%. Optimum Choice by UnitedHealthcare requested 18.6% and Kaiser Permanente requested 12%. "People could be looking at an average increase of more than $800 per year, per person in their premiums," Fabian-Marks said. What's next for Maryland health insurance rates The Maryland Insurance Administration is reviewing the requests from healthcare providers. The rates need to be approved by the commissioner, and decisions are expected in September. "We will be examining rates filed by carriers closely in the coming months, and urge Congress to take action to address affordability of health coverage," said Commissioner Marie Grant in a news release. The Maryland Insurance Administration is currently working with the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange on designing a state subsidy authorized by the state legislature with House Bill 1082. The measure was established to mitigate the impact of a reduction in federal tax credits. "We are in the process of developing a state program that will provide some financial assistance to people next year to step in if these tax credits do go away," said Fabian-Marks. "But we're not going to have the funds at the state level to fully replace the value of the Federal tax credits that would be expiring." The Maryland Insurance Administration will hold a virtual public hearing on the proposed premium increases on July 30. Find more information HERE. "Feedback from all stakeholders is very important and we urge everyone to participate in the public hearing," Commissioner Grant said in a statement. "Health insurance costs impact everyone, and we want to give all Marylanders the opportunity to be heard as we consider the proposed rates."
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CareFirst gifts $6.2M to support Coppin State medical program
Coppin State University announced Wednesday that it received a $6.22 million investment from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to expand its health services and education. The investment, the largest philanthropic gift Coppin State has ever received, is aimed at renovating and expanding the university's health center, as well as building up its healthcare education and scholarship programs. One of these programs, the Carefirst scholarship program, will help train medical students through hands-on experience at Coppin State's health center. 'Our partnership with Coppin State responds to a critical need for a well-trained pool of healthcare professionals and greater access to quality care while strengthening a hub for transformative solutions,' said CareFirst president and CEO Brian D. Pieninck, in a news release. Pieninck noted that historically Black colleges and universities, like Coppin, 'receive 178 times less funding than Ivy League institutions, despite being engines of growth and innovation for communities of color.' 'This investment is about more than expanding services — it's about shifting the trajectory of our communities by improving opportunity and access,' he said in the release. Coppin State President Anthony L. Jenkins said the funding will help create jobs, build skills and improve health in the community, noting the two organizations' work on CareFirst's West Baltimore Workforce Development Program. 'This partnership is something special and an investment that will have a lasting impact on our students and the west side of Baltimore,' Jenkins said in the release. Have a news tip? Contact Mathew Schumer at mschumer@ 443-890-7423 and on X as @mmmschumer.
Business Wire
22-04-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Advantia Health Partners with Mirvie to Bring Predictive and Preventive Care to Maternal Health
ARLINGTON, Va. & WASHINGTON & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mirvie, Inc., in partnership with Advantia Health, has launched a first-of-its-kind pilot program in the U.S. to improve pregnancy outcomes. The program uses the clinically validated Encompass Preeclampsia Test (powered by the Mirvie RNA Platform) to assess high and low risk for preeclampsia, enabling clinicians to initiate preventive care for the appropriate patients. The potential to impact pregnancy health is huge. We have been operating without objective data. This test allows us to identify and focus on the few patients at truly high risk with a preventive care plan. Share Preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication, has nearly doubled in recent years and now affects 1 in 12 pregnancies, costing the U.S. healthcare system billions each year. Current risk assessment methods have proved ineffective, leading to high rates of preterm deliveries, neonatal ICU admissions, and preventable deaths. 'The potential to impact pregnancy health is huge. We have been operating without objective data. This test allows us to identify and focus on the few patients at truly high risk with a preventive care plan," said Dr. Jo'Ann Jackson, Regional Chief Medical Officer of the Mid-Atlantic, Advantia Health. 'Until now, we have lacked an effective and objective test to assess risk for preeclampsia in patients with no known risk factors. The Encompass test helps resolve this ambiguity of risk, ensuring the right pregnancies get the right preventive care. We are bringing a level of personalized care, based on molecular signatures, that has been long available in oncology, but for the first time can now be brought to pregnancy care,' said Dr. Thomas McElrath, Vice President of Clinical Development at Mirvie, and practicing physician in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Brigham and Women's. "We know innovations in maternal health are needed," said Dr. Michael Udwin, Medical Director, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst). 'We are excited about the potential for improved outcomes for both mother and baby through Mirvie's collaboration with Advantia Health, which provides care to many CareFirst members.' This year-long collaboration, which launches immediately, reflects Advantia Health's commitment to improving pregnancy outcomes in the mid-Atlantic region and Mirvie's commitment to bringing a precise standard of care to pregnancy health. About Mirvie Mirvie is bringing scientifically rigorous and data-driven approaches to solving some of the most pressing clinical problems in women's health, beginning with pregnancy. Serious complications impact one in five pregnancies in the U.S., and Mirvie is committed to creating a world where every pregnancy is as safe and healthy as possible. Founded and led by a team of seasoned entrepreneurs and scientists, the company is based in South San Francisco, California and backed by top-tier investors, including Blackrock, Decheng Capital, Foresite Capital, General Catalyst, GV, Khosla Ventures, and Mayfield. For more information, visit About Advantia Health Advantia Health is transforming healthcare for all women by setting a higher standard of care and convenience, while reducing unnecessary costs. Compassion and value inspire everything we do. We take time to listen, answer questions completely, and offer helpful technology between visits so that our patients are empowered and at ease. More than 140 Advantia Health providers serve over 250,000 patients at our specialist offices. Learn more at About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield In its 87th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2023, CareFirst infused $233 million in support of regional community impact to improve overall health and advance accessible, affordable, equitable, high-quality healthcare. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Advantia Health Partners with Mirvie to Bring Predictive and Preventive Care to Maternal Health
Encompass™ RNA test to help stratify asymptomatic pregnant women into high or low risk for preeclampsia, and support early preventive care interventions ARLINGTON, Va. & WASHINGTON & SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mirvie, Inc., in partnership with Advantia Health, has launched a first-of-its-kind pilot program in the U.S. to improve pregnancy outcomes. The program uses the clinically validated Encompass Preeclampsia Test (powered by the Mirvie RNA Platform) to assess high and low risk for preeclampsia, enabling clinicians to initiate preventive care for the appropriate patients. Preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication, has nearly doubled in recent years and now affects 1 in 12 pregnancies, costing the U.S. healthcare system billions each year. Current risk assessment methods have proved ineffective, leading to high rates of preterm deliveries, neonatal ICU admissions, and preventable deaths. "The potential to impact pregnancy health is huge. We have been operating without objective data. This test allows us to identify and focus on the few patients at truly high risk with a preventive care plan," said Dr. Jo'Ann Jackson, Regional Chief Medical Officer of the Mid-Atlantic, Advantia Health. "Until now, we have lacked an effective and objective test to assess risk for preeclampsia in patients with no known risk factors. The Encompass test helps resolve this ambiguity of risk, ensuring the right pregnancies get the right preventive care. We are bringing a level of personalized care, based on molecular signatures, that has been long available in oncology, but for the first time can now be brought to pregnancy care," said Dr. Thomas McElrath, Vice President of Clinical Development at Mirvie, and practicing physician in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Brigham and Women's. "We know innovations in maternal health are needed," said Dr. Michael Udwin, Medical Director, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst). "We are excited about the potential for improved outcomes for both mother and baby through Mirvie's collaboration with Advantia Health, which provides care to many CareFirst members." This year-long collaboration, which launches immediately, reflects Advantia Health's commitment to improving pregnancy outcomes in the mid-Atlantic region and Mirvie's commitment to bringing a precise standard of care to pregnancy health. About Mirvie Mirvie is bringing scientifically rigorous and data-driven approaches to solving some of the most pressing clinical problems in women's health, beginning with pregnancy. Serious complications impact one in five pregnancies in the U.S., and Mirvie is committed to creating a world where every pregnancy is as safe and healthy as possible. Founded and led by a team of seasoned entrepreneurs and scientists, the company is based in South San Francisco, California and backed by top-tier investors, including Blackrock, Decheng Capital, Foresite Capital, General Catalyst, GV, Khosla Ventures, and Mayfield. For more information, visit About Advantia Health Advantia Health is transforming healthcare for all women by setting a higher standard of care and convenience, while reducing unnecessary costs. Compassion and value inspire everything we do. We take time to listen, answer questions completely, and offer helpful technology between visits so that our patients are empowered and at ease. More than 140 Advantia Health providers serve over 250,000 patients at our specialist offices. Learn more at About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield In its 87th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2023, CareFirst infused $233 million in support of regional community impact to improve overall health and advance accessible, affordable, equitable, high-quality healthcare. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit View source version on Contacts Kate Enoskate@
