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Independence Blue Cross’s expanded behavioral health services deliver faster care, improved health outcomes, and reduced costs

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PHILADELPHIA, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is closing critical gaps in care and delivering impactful results with its expanded behavioral health services (which include services for both mental health and substance use disorder).

A key part of these services is the IBX Connect to Care provider network, which uses IBX’s live intake and scheduling tools to help members quickly find and book appointments for care. In 2024, more than 15,000 IBX members used Connect to Care providers and more than half of those members were seeking help for the first time.

“The results we’re seeing from this work are significant and reflect our commitment to advance equitable, whole-person health,” said Dr. Rodrigo Cerdá, senior vice president of Health Services and chief medical officer at Independence Blue Cross. “By improving access and streamlining care, we are helping members receive treatment more quickly. At the same time, we are driving better health outcomes, increasing outpatient care usage, and reducing overall health care costs. It’s a win for everyone.”

IBX’s commitment to behavioral health is delivering real results:

Faster access to care. Through IBX’s Connect to Care provider network, members are receiving behavioral health care in record time. Appointments are available in under 6 days, with an average wait time of just 4.8 days when scheduled by IBX directly (the national average is 6 weeks or more). This timely access ensures members get the help they need when they need it most.Improved Health Outcomes. Members who got behavioral health care through IBX’s Connect to Care provider network experienced improvements in their symptoms. Among those with moderate to severe depression, symptoms decreased by an average of 44 percent, while members with moderate to severe anxiety saw a 42 percent reduction in symptoms.Increased utilization of outpatient services. IBX has seen a 14 percent increase in outpatient behavioral health usage thanks to its Connect to Care provider network. This shift to preventive and ongoing care has helped reduce the need for inpatient visits and is improving the overall efficiency of the health care system. It has also led to an estimated $9.7 million in reduced health care costs.Reaching New Patients. In 2024 alone, more than 15,000 members used IBX’s behavioral program; over half of those members were seeking help for the first time. In 2024, 55 percent of members who used the Connect to Care provider network were accessing behavioral health services for the first time. This highlights IBX’s success in increasing access to care.

“We know behavioral health is personal. We want our members to feel supported and understood, while receiving the care they need, when they need it,” said Dr. Ryan Connolly, senior medical director for Behavioral Health at Independence Blue Cross. “That’s why our care doesn’t stop with making connections. Our Behavioral Health Case Managers, Care Advocates, and Clinical Triage Team help members every step of the way. This includes closing care gaps, helping members navigate their care, and focusing on urgent needs.”

For more information on IBX’s behavioral health services, visit www.ibx.com/get-care/behavioral-health.

About Independence Blue Cross:
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. For more than 85 years, we have been enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve. We deliver innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneer new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and support programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

CONTACT: Diana Quattrone
215-815-7828 (cell)
Diana.Quattrone@ibx.com

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SOURCE Independence Blue Cross

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Osstem Implant Accelerates Innovation in India with ‘Denall TV’, a Digital Dental Education Hub

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Over the past two years since its launch in April 2024, Denall TV has become a core platform for digital dental education in India.Opened a dedicated Denall Studio in India in July 2025, strengthening live hands-on and professional training programs.Supporting the professional growth of clinicians through practical content, including ‘Master Courses’ and ‘Product Reviews’.

NEW DELHI and MUMBAI, India, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Osstem Implant announced that its specialized dental education platform for the Indian market, ‘Denall TV’ (https://in.denall.com), is gaining significant traction among local practitioners, establishing itself as a vital hub for digital dental education in India.

 Building a Comprehensive Digital Clinical Education Environment

Since launching its first content in April 2024, Denall TV has continuously evolved to meet the needs of Indian clinicians. To provide more immersive and high-quality education, Osstem Implant established a dedicated Denall Studio in India in July 2025. This facility has enabled the creation of a systematic digital clinical education environment, overcoming geographical limitations for dentists across the country.

Providing High-Quality, Practice-Oriented Clinical Content

The platform focuses on promoting ‘Digital Dentistry’ through specialized ‘Digital Surgery’ education and providing accurate product information. Denall TV consistently uploads essential clinical content, including: Live Hands-on sessions, Practical Master Courses, Expert product reviews featuring items such as the T2 Plus and 122 Taper KIT, helping clinicians make informed decisions for their practices.

Strengthening Trust as a Strategic Education Partner

Professional clinical courses have become a major topic of interest among local medical professionals. Notably, the ‘Implant System Introduction’ lecture has surpassed 25,000 views, proving the platform’s high influence. This achievement signifies that Osstem Implant has successfully established itself as a trusted education partner in the Indian market, going beyond its role as a manufacturer.

Bridging Global Trends and Improving Educational Accessibility

Osstem Implant connects local practitioners with global academic networks. The platform provides timely content from global academic events such as the ‘2026 Osstem World Meeting in Bangkok’, sharing the latest implant trends and technological advancements with the Indian dental community. By offering online access, Denall TV effectively bridges the educational gap for dentists in regions where offline seminars are difficult to attend.

An official from Osstem Implant India stated, “Denall TV serves as a key bridge, delivering world-class clinical knowledge to local dentists. We will continue to strengthen our real-time interactive webinars to provide deeper clinical insights.” The official added, “We are committed to driving both the quantitative and qualitative growth of the Indian dental implant market through the continued provision of high-quality educational content.”

Moving forward, Osstem Implant plans to enhance its B2C PR strategies centered around the Denall TV platform and lead the popularization of digital dental treatment in India through close communication with local practitioners.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/osstem-implant-accelerates-innovation-in-india-with-denall-tv-a-digital-dental-education-hub-302796515.html

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Avalara’s Bhumika Kenjale Receives Excellence in AI-Driven Tax Automation Solutions 2026 Award

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Recognition honors leadership in AI-powered compliance innovation and contributions to the future of global tax automation

PUNE, India, June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Avalara, Inc., the agentic AI leader in global tax and compliance, is proud to announce that Bhumika Kenjale, Director of Indirect Tax, has been honored with the Excellence in AI-Driven Tax Automation Solutions 2026 award at the Bharat 2.0 Conclave. The award recognizes leaders driving AI-led transformation in tax and compliance through innovation, technical expertise, and strategic vision that is shaping the future of the industry.

“We are immensely proud of Bhumika and the impact she continues to have on the global tax and compliance landscape,” said Dulles Krishnan, General Manager of India Operations at Avalara. “Her ability to combine deep regulatory expertise with AI innovation reflects the very essence of Avalara’s mission. This recognition highlights her exceptional leadership and the meaningful contributions she has made for Avalara, our customers, and the broader tax and compliance community.”

Kenjale has been instrumental in building the AI-driven infrastructure that powers seamless global compliance. Under her leadership, Avalara’s India Tax Research and Technology Capability Centre has expanded significantly, operating on an AI-first model with advanced automation to deliver highly accurate tax content at scale.

She also serves as a global Co-Chair of Women of Avalara, Avalara’s employee resource group, championing opportunities for women in technology and ensuring the next generation of women see a clear path to technology leadership.

About Avalara
Avalara is the agentic AI platform for global tax and compliance. For more than two decades, Avalara has built one of the most expansive libraries of tax content and integrations in the industry, processing more than 54 billion transactions annually and supporting millions of businesses worldwide. The company’s purpose-built AI agents automate end-to-end compliance with greater precision, from tax calculations and return filings to exemption certificate management and beyond. For more information, visit Avalara.com.

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From Waste to Value: How Jereh Builds the Circular Ecosystem for Batteries

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YANTAI, China, June 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As electric vehicles and energy storage systems scale globally, a critical challenge has emerged: how to manage millions of batteries at the end of their life cycle.

The EU Battery Regulation and similar frameworks are imposing stricter mandates for recycled material content, carbon footprint disclosure, and end-of-life responsibility. Battery recycling has evolved from an environmental compliance duty to a strategic cornerstone of critical material security, supply chain resilience, and the energy transition.

One question remains: can compliant battery recycling be both sustainable and commercially viable?

For Jereh, the answer lies in its intelligent battery recycling demonstration facility in Zhengzhou, China. Since commissioning, the plant has processed more than 15,000 tons of raw feedstock, maintained a utilization rate above 80%, and achieved profitability within its first year of operation. Both the black mass recovery rate and purity exceed 98%, while copper and aluminum separation efficiency reaches up to 96%, underscoring the viability of industrial-scale battery recycling.

This facility served as the validation platform for Jereh’s Lithium Battery Recycling Equipment 1.0. Building on real-world operating data, Jereh has developed its next-generation Lithium Battery Recycling Equipment 2.0 and introduced its LFP Cathode Material Regeneration Solution, further enhancing the value recovery of end-of-life batteries.

The upgraded 2.0 equipment increases single-line annual capacity by 50% while improving operational safety, efficiency, and environmental performance. Meanwhile, the LFP regeneration solution reduces processing costs by 40% through a dry physical process, achieves up to 95% stripping efficiency, eliminates wastewater discharge, and cuts carbon emissions by around 60%.

Beyond technology development, Jereh is expanding its global battery recycling footprint through localized partnerships across South Korea, Australia, Hungary, and the United States. Following the successful 1.0 validation in Zhengzhou, the 2.0 equipment in Guangzhou and Chongqing is expected to commence operations in the coming weeks, with plans for further deployment in overseas markets. Recently, Jereh also signed an agreement with Witthal Gulf to jointly develop a benchmark lithium battery recycling project in Abu Dhabi. The project marks another milestone in Jereh’s efforts to support the development of sustainable battery recycling infrastructure worldwide.

Jereh also contributes to the development of battery recycling standards and safety frameworks, supporting a more mature and transparent recycling ecosystem. For Jereh, the goal is clear: transform retired batteries from waste into valuable resources and help close the loop across the global battery value chain.

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SOURCE Jereh Group

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