Health Care Reinvented

Pittsburgh Technology Council
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Discover conversations around the many ways Highmark and Allegheny Health Network (AHN) are reinventing health care. From community expansion and partnerships and bringing care closer to patients to deploying the latest and most advanced technologies, Highmark and AHN are bringing the future of health care to members and patients right now.

  1. Sep 17

    Can Technology and AI Make Health Care More Human?

    What if your health plan could spot that you need help before a missed appointment, medication gap or health issue turns into something much bigger? On this episode of Health Care Reinvented, hosts Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo talk with Judy Arrow, VP of Health Engagement at Highmark, and Matt P*****a, VP of Product Development at enGen, about how Highmark is combining technology, data and human expertise to make navigating health care easier and more personal. The goal sounds simple: meet members where they are, identify signals earlier and remove the friction that can make getting care frustrating. Behind the scenes, however, that requires connecting information that once lived in separate systems and giving care teams a more complete picture of each member. Arrow and P*****a explain how AI is being woven directly into those workflows. It can prepare clinicians before a member call, listen during conversations, provide prompts and summarize interactions afterward. Instead of replacing the human connection, the technology is designed to give clinicians more time to concentrate on it. The conversation also explores Highmark's move from reactive care management toward earlier intervention, guided handoffs between nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health specialists and social workers, and the growing ability to use near-real-time data to determine when a member may need help now rather than next week. It's a look behind the curtain at how health care technology, AI and human expertise can work together to create a more connected experience and potentially keep small problems from becoming big ones.

  2. Jan 26

    How Highmark Health Is Building a More Human, Connected Care Experience

    What if technology could give doctors superpowers and personalized care became the standard for everybody? On this episode, we  are joined by two leaders at Highmark who are just on the. Forefront of healthcare innovation. We're talking to Maria Baker, vice President of Health Strategy and Delivery, and Mari Vandenburgh, vice President of Health Programs and Solutions. Together, they are transforming how healthcare reaches and supports nearly 7 million members. There are so many great reasons to keep on listening. First, discover how holistic care works in action as Maria and Mari explain how their teams collaborate to meet both targeted clinical needs and wide reaching population health goals, creating a seamless journey for patients. Plus you can learn how technology is empowering doctors and patients alike from real-time program referrals to data-driven insights that enhance decision making at the point of care. And also get insider tips to maximize your Highmark experience with advice for members, employers, and employees on accessing the benefits and solutions available through Highmark's innovative living health strategy. Don't miss this fascinating conversation on the future of personalized healthcare and how technology is shaping healthier communities today.

  3. 10/17/2025

    Health Care Reinvented: The Gold Carding Revolution

    What if getting the care you need didn't involve weeks of waiting, endless paperwork, and frustrating back-and-forth with insurance?  On this episode of Health Care Reinvented, we sit down with Dr. Timothy Law, Chief Medical Officer at Highmark, to explore how their new Gold Carding program is transforming healthcare delivery. By using technology and trust to remove unnecessary barriers, Highmark is helping thousands of doctors get patients the care they need — faster, smarter, and with less stress.  This is more than an efficiency story — it's a patient-first innovation that could become a model for the entire healthcare system.  Three key takeaways you'll hear in this episode:  How Highmark's Gold Carding program eliminates delays by empowering trusted physicians to bypass traditional prior authorizations.  Why this initiative is dramatically cutting administrative costs and reinvesting those savings back into patient care.  The powerful ripple effect on patient experience — from faster cancer treatments to less anxiety waiting for test approvals.   If you care about the future of healthcare access, this is one conversation you don't want to miss. Press play now to learn how Highmark's Gold Carding program is redefining speed to care — and why it's setting a new national standard.

  4. 09/10/2025

    How Highmark Is Transforming Healthcare Costs With CopayGo's Transparent Design

    What if understanding your healthcare costs was as simple and predictable? Rising medical costs and confusing benefit designs leave both employers and employees frustrated. In this episode of Health Care Reinvented, Highmark leaders Jonathan Majernik and Taylor Mackay reveal how their new CopayGo plan aims to change that by offering transparent, predictable costs and a seamless digital experience for members nationwide. Learn how CopayGo eliminates deductibles and co-insurance to create a straightforward copay-only plan. See how a national provider network with tiered specialties can lower costs while improving quality. Discover how Highmark's enhanced digital tools empower members to confidently shop for and manage their care. Press play now to hear how CopayGo is redefining healthcare access, affordability, and transparency for both employers and members.

  5. 04/28/2025

    Highmark Creates a Digital Front Door to Access Care

    In an era where technology seamlessly integrates into every aspect of our lives, the intersection of healthcare and technology has given rise to innovative solutions that are transforming how we manage and interact with our health. Highmark's Digital Front Door is a prime example of such innovation, and it's reshaping the way millions access health services. * Jonathan Kersting, of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, welcomes Stacy Byers, Senior Vice President of Experience Design at Highmark to delve into the groundbreaking work being done to revolutionize healthcare access through Highmark's Digital Front Door app.  Imagine an app that acts as a personalized health companion, one that simplifies scheduling appointments, unearths hidden benefits, and provides secure data handling. Byers details how Highmark's Digital Front Door does just that, merging healthcare with cutting-edge technology to create a comprehensive health ecosystem. This innovation connects members to mental health services, virtual care solutions, wellness programs, and personalized recommendations, all within a seamless digital interface. By emphasizing user-centric design, Highmark has managed to onboard 1.2 million users within just a year. This rapid adoption highlights the pressing need for simplicity in healthcare access and underscores the app's ability to cater to a diverse user base, from tech-savvy professionals to seniors needing extra support. Byers reveals the challenges of modernizing healthcare experiences, which often involve different apps, login credentials, and fragmented experiences. By leveraging their living health strategy initiated in 2020, Highmark decided to create a comprehensive digital solution that combines these disparate elements under a single digital front door. Highmark aims to streamline experiences, from discovering medical benefits to accessing virtual care, reducing administrative headaches, and empowering users to take control of their health journey. It's about making healthcare less burdensome and more accessible, enabling members to focus on wellness rather than paperwork.

  6. 02/17/2025

    How Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Are Transforming the Patient Experience

    How are leading healthcare organizations using advanced analytics and AI to transform the patient experience? As healthcare costs continue to rise and patient satisfaction remains a challenge, many organizations are turning to data driven insights to improve outcomes and efficiency.  This episode of Healthcare Reinvented explores how Highmark Health is leveraging cutting edge analytics to enhance decision making across the enterprise. Highmark's Dr. Richard Clarke and Ian Blunt join the Pittsburgh Technology Council CEO Audrey Russo and VP of Communications Jonathan Kersting so you can discover: How Highmark's analytics team is embedding data and AI into every aspect of the business to drive better results.  How Highmark is partnering with tech giants like Google to accelerate their analytics capabilities and unlock new possibilities. The cultural shift required to make data and AI a core part of an organization's DNA. So hit PLAY to learn how Highmark is using analytics to create remarkable health experiences for their members.

  7. 01/17/2025

    Breaking Barriers in Mental Health Care: Highmark Leads the Way

    In this episode of Healthcare Reinvented, Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo from the Pittsburgh Technology Council discuss Highmark Health's strategies to address the mental health crisis. Guests Dr. Anil Singh and Dr. Doug Henry explain how Highmark has increased access to mental health services by 40% through partnerships like that with Spring Health. The conversation focuses on the importance of a whole-person model of care, addressing health disparities, and ensuring equitable outcomes. They highlight the significant increase in mental health service demand post-COVID and emphasize the vital role of telemedicine. The discussion also covers Highmark's goals for 2025, including enhancing access, reducing stigma, expanding service offerings, and closing health disparities. The speakers stress the importance of early intervention, particularly for children, and the potential of digital solutions to improve mental health care.

  8. 06/17/2024

    Addressing Substance Use Disorders with Technology and a Unique Collaboration

    This episode of Health Care Reinvented explores how technology and advanced analytics are helping to address and mitigate opioid and stimulant addictions. Health Care Reinvented Hosts Audrey Russo and Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and TechVibe Radio interview Dr. Melissa Perry of Highmark and Dr. Michael Frost of WaySpring about their unique partnership to identify potential addicts and notify doctors.  They discuss the profound impact of opioid addiction in southwestern Pennsylvania and how Highmark partners with WaySpring to monitor more than 1.2 million members' prescription risks. WaySpring's data analytics help identify high-risk prescribers and patients to provide education and support to reduce overprescribing by 50% since 2018.  As concerns grow around rising stimulant misuse, the experts explore continued collaboration utilizing innovative monitoring technology to stay ahead of trends and address this emerging public health challenge through member-centered solutions.

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About

Discover conversations around the many ways Highmark and Allegheny Health Network (AHN) are reinventing health care. From community expansion and partnerships and bringing care closer to patients to deploying the latest and most advanced technologies, Highmark and AHN are bringing the future of health care to members and patients right now.

Information

  • Creator
    Pittsburgh Technology Council
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jonathan Kersting
  • Show Website
    Health Care Reinvented