Priority Health, a Michigan-based insurer, announced Wednesday that it has launched two new cancer support solutions for employers in partnership with Color Health and Grail.
The insurer serves more than 1.4 million members in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin. The new cancer support solutions are available for large self-funded employers starting January 1. With the new solutions, Priority Health’s employer customers can offer cancer navigation, support and screening through Color Health’s virtual cancer clinic, as well as early cancer detection through Grail’s blood test. Employers can choose to offer one or both solutions.
Color Health has a 50-state medical group. The company offers at-home cancer screening and testing, 24/7 access to clinical care and a care team focused on cancer. It provides support for diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, and its clinic is certified by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Meanwhile, Grail’s blood test, called Galleri, screens for over 50 types of cancer in one test, including breast, colon, melanoma and stomach.
Priority Health chose these partners to help address cancer earlier and provide more personalized support to members, said Chase Osbourne, senior vice president of employer solutions and innovation at Priority Health.
“Color Health brings a comprehensive model that pairs screening with expert navigation, helping members understand their risk, complete recommended screenings and move through next steps with support,” he told MedCity News. “GRAIL brings innovative multi-cancer early detection technology that can help identify cancer signals across many cancer types, including those without standard screening today. Our criteria focused on clinical credibility, member experience, employer value, scalability and the ability to complement Priority Health’s broader approach to whole-person care.”
These partnerships come as the National Institutes of Health projects cancer spending will rise 34% by 2030. In addition, about 88% of employers report that cancer is a major driver of healthcare costs, according to a survey from the Business Group on Health.
By working with Color Health and Grail, Priority Health aims to help employers take a more proactive approach to cancer, Osbourne said.
“By expanding access to earlier screening and personalized navigation, we hope to support faster diagnosis, better adherence to care and improved outcomes for members,” he stated. “We also want to give employers solutions that can help reduce the impact of late-stage cancer diagnoses on health care costs, absenteeism and workforce well-being. Ultimately, this is about supporting people earlier, more thoughtfully and with less confusion during what can be an overwhelming experience.”
Other companies providing cancer support include Thyme Care, OncoveryCare and Maia Oncology.
Photo: mucahiddin, Getty Images
