Aetna Targets More IT to Providers & Employers

Aetna has launched Aetna Innovation Labs, an initiative to leverage data and best practices, initially through two programs. The insurer has licensed and will offer free to oncology providers the cancer care clinical decision support software of Philadelphia-based eviti Inc. Aetna will make the software available via its Medicity health information exchange platform, initially in New York and New Jersey. A timeframe for further rollout is not yet established, according to a spokesperson.

Aetna also will use the data analytics supercomputer technology of GNS Healthcare to analyze employers’ data to identity targeted programs for covered members at risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The insurer initially is piloting the program with a large, unnamed employer.

Michael Palmer, who joined Aetna in September 2011 after a 25-year consulting career, has led development of the initiatives and is head of Aetna Innovation Labs. He most recently served as global managing partner of Accenture’s medical technology business.

This story first appeared at Health Data Management.