Oscar Health CEO: Insurers are ultimately responsible for patients' end-to-end care

Oscar Health CEO and co-founder Mario Schlosser said the insurer's innovative approach to coverage aims to make the whole process less costly and easier for patients to navigate — an issue he and his wife encountered when they had their first child, according to The Pueblo Chieftain.

Mr. Schlosser told the Associated Press one of the issues Oscar Health aims to fix is the relationship between patients and their insurers. The company assigns a six-person "concierge team" to each beneficiary to answer questions and find available in-network physicians, among other tasks. Since its launch in 2012, Oscar Health has grown to cover roughly 250,000 people across major markets, like New York and California.

"Nobody is really accountable for truly helping navigate healthcare and [making] it less complex and less costly," Mr. Schlosser told the Associated Press, according to The Pueblo Chieftain. "I thought that the insurance company should play a major role in that because ultimately the insurance company is responsible for your end-to-end care."

Mr. Schlosser specifically pointed to the efficiency of the concierge team in helping beneficiaries obtain and fill their prescriptions and other tasks to improve their long-term health.

"[The concierge team helps connect] the dots better, making sure you stay up to date with how you best manage your health. They can see if you are filling [a prescription], and they will reach out to you if you are not. They will try to make sure you can get access to the drugs that you need. If we are helpful in the background ... we think it's going to help your long-term health," he said.

To access the full report, click here.

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.