Healthcare Strategies

Exploring rural healthcare cybersecurity resource constraints

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0300

Rural and small healthcare entities face the same cyber threats as the nation's largest health systems, but often lack the tools to combat them in the same way. From funding scarcity to workforce shortages, rural healthcare organizations must balance the need for an effective cybersecurity program with ongoing operational constraints. How can rural healthcare providers manage risk while understaffed and underfunded?

Featuring: Jim Roeder, vice president of IT at Lakewood Health System

In this episode, we'll cover

The unique cybersecurity challenges that small and rural healthcare providers face compared to their larger counterparts
How the cybersecurity workforce shortage has impacted rural entities' ability to attract and retain cyber talent
What types of government and community support would help rural healthcare organizations improve their cybersecurity programs

and more!

References

To learn more about healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Healthtech Security site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Reshaping healthcare revenue cycle management with AI

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0300

Revenue cycle management is rife with data issues and automatable processes--making it ripe for AI implementation. How can providers use AI tools to reduce their revenue cycle management workload?

Featuring: Jacqueline LaPointe, executive editor, lead editor on Rev Cycle Management, Xtelligent

Anuja Vaidya, senior editor on Virtual Healthcare, Xtelligent

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

The significance of AI in revenue cycle management (RCM)
Key applications of AI in RCM including eligibility verification and prior authorizations
Future prospects with generative and agentic AI

and more!

References:

To learn more about revenue cycle management, check out Revenue Cycle Management.

To watch the video version our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Balancing technology and touch with virtual nursing programs

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0300

As virtual nursing programs transform healthcare delivery, discover how this digital revolution is leveraging technology and human expertise to address widespread staffing shortages while enhancing both the patient and provider experience. Explore how hospitals and health systems are currently using virtual nurses, the successes they have already had and how the trend will evolve in the next five to ten years.

Featuring: Jacqueline LaPointe, executive editor at Xtelligent Healthcare

Anuja Vaidya, senior editor, Virtual Healthcare at Xtelligent Healthcare

In today's episode, we'll cover:

Virtual nursing implementation and core components of a program
Nursing workforce benefits and care coordination strategies
Opportunities to improve patient satisfaction and clinician experience

References

What is virtual nursing, and why is it on the rise?

Exploring health systems' virtual nursing staffing strategies

To learn more about virtual nursing, check out our site, Virtual Healthcare.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

FDA ends GLP-1 compounding for semaglutide, tirzepatide

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0300

FDA’s removal of GLP-1 drugs from the shortage list ends supplemental compounding, shifting patient access back to branded semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Featuring: Sara Heath, executive editor, Xtelligent Healthcare

Alivia Kaylor, senior editor of Pharma Life Sciences, Xtelligent Healthcare

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

The end of GLP-1 compounding creates a significant access barrier for millions of patients seeking weight management solutions
Financial inequity deepens as patients transition from affordable compounded options to expensive branded medications
Future innovation in oral GLP-1 formulations offers hope but remains constrained by long-term patent protections

and more!

References:

To learn more about GLP-1s, check out our Pharma Life Sciences and Patient Engagement sites.
To watch the video clips of our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Peer navigators: the soul of community-based street medicine

Tue, 20 May 2025 05:00:00 -0300

Street medicine is taking off in cities nationwide as part of the industry's effort to address a rampant housing insecurity crisis and boost population health. Driven by mobile medical units outfitted to look more like primary care offices, these street medicine teams are moving unhoused individuals to better health and preparing them for stable, supportive housing.

But street medicine programs aren't successful just because of the clinicians and their supped-up sprinter vans. Rather, it's the peer navigators or community health workers to make these community-based interventions what they are. Learn more about how California-based Healthcare in Action providers and peer navigators work to support better street medicine.

Featuring: Benjamin Kaska, PA, vice president of development and partnerships, Healthcare in Action

Eric Berrera, lead peer navigator, Healthcare in Action

In this episode, we'll cover

Why street medicine is so important for supporting unhoused individuals
The importance of supporting clinical efforts with peer navigators
How street medicine providers partner best with peer navigators and community stakeholders

and more!

References

To learn more about community-based care and population health, visit our Patient Engagement site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Healthcare policy recap: First 100 days of Trump’s second term

Mon, 05 May 2025 05:00:00 -0300

The first 100 days of the second Trump presidency were marked by new, wide-ranging tariffs and executive orders along with workforce cuts and leadership changes. What are the immediate and long-term impacts of these shifts? And how has the healthcare industry responded?

Featuring: Alivia Kaylor, senior editor for Pharma Life Sciences at Xtelligent

Jacqueline LaPointe, executive editor of Editorial at Xtelligent

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

Tariffs and their impact on drug supply chain
The impact of deregulation and workforce cuts on wasteful healthcare spending
Understanding the role of executive orders in healthcare policy

and more!

To learn more about these topics, check out techtarget.com/healthcarepayers and techtarget.com/pharmalifesciences.

To watch clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References:

Pursuing strategic partnerships to tackle Cobalt Strike abuse

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0300

Fortra, the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Health-ISAC), and Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit teamed up to combat abuse of Cobalt Strike, a legitimate adversary simulation tool that cyberthreat actors have taken a liking to. The collaborative efforts resulted in an 80% reduction in unauthorized copies of Cobalt Strike observed in the wild. What does this success story say about the value of industry collaboration in healthcare cybersecurity?

Featuring: Bob Erdman, associate vice president, research and development at Fortra

In this episode, we'll cover

The threat that abuse of legitimate security tools by cyberthreat actors poses on healthcare organizations

Joint efforts by Fortra, Microsoft, and Health-ISAC to crack down on Cobalt Strike abuse in the wild

The value of industry-wide collaboration in making healthcare more secure

and more!

References

Cobalt Strike abuse drops 80% following takedown campaign

Microsoft, Fortra, Health-ISAC Crack Down On Cobalt Strike Abuse

To learn more about healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Healthtech Security site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Saving lives with a state health information exchange

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 13:39:42 -0300

The Connecticut Poison Control Center receives on average a hundred calls a day and operates 24/7. To handle such an immense workload, the Center relies on one tool to sustain and improve its emergency response: the state's health information exchange (HIE), Connie. How does this HIE help the Center save lives? Listen to find out!

Featuring: Suzanne Doyon, MD, medical director of the Connecticut Poison Control Center at UConn Health

In today's episode, we will cover:

What drove the Connecticut Poison Control Center to integrate the state's health information exchange
How the tool has impacted efficiency and even staff morale
The potential that other agencies have/could actualize by leveraging the health information exchange

...and more!

References:

To learn more about value-based care, check out our site Healthtech Analytics.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Reimagining value-based care to unlock quality care

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0300

The healthcare industry has been shifting from fee-for-service to value-based care and payment for decades now with not much to show for it as a whole. How can employers and other healthcare purchasers achieve value amid soaring costs and worsening disease burden?

Featuring: Shawn Gremminger, president and CEO of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions

In today's episode, we will cover:

Why the current definition and implementation of value-based care in healthcare isn't working effectively, and a major rethinking is needed to create a truly value-driven system.

The core challenges employers face in achieving value-based care, especially around data access, price transparency and practical strategies.

Strategies for achieving higher quality, affordable care, such as narrow network design, increased pricing data access and direct contracting.

References:

Health Care Payment Learning & Action Network;s APM Measurement effort

What the Transparency in Coverage rule means for healthcare price transparency

How to accelerate value-based care despite looming healthcare crisis

To learn more about value-based care, check out our site Healthcare Payers.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Industry Perspectives HIMSS25 recap: Shifting AI conversations

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0300

HIMSS25 ran from March 3-6 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It attracted thousands of industry leaders and featured a predominant theme: artificial intelligence. How did the industry approach this topic in 2025, and what surprising talking points arose?

Featuring: Rebecca Pifer, senior reporter at Healthcare Dive

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

The evolution of the AI conversation in healthcare
AI governance and oversight
Current trends in agentic AI

and more!

To learn more about AI in healthcare, check out Healthtech Analytics.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References:

Industry Perspectives: Leading healthcare AI integration

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0300

It is easy to get swept up in the AI hype. But healthcare leaders cannot afford to lose sight of their true priorities when evaluating AI solutions. How has this technology influenced healthcare leadership styles?

Featuring: Brian Spisak, senior partner and chief people and communication officer at Csuite Growth Advisors; program director of AI and leadership at the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

Avoiding the hype cycle in healthcare technology
Understanding organizational ambidexterity
Effective applications of AI in healthcare

and more!

To learn more about AI in healthcare, check out Healthtech Analytics.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References:

Industry Perspectives: Navigating Environmental Health and AI

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0300

AI can have a negative effect on the environment, largely due to increased electricity consumption. How should that shape when and where AI is used in healthcare, if at all?

Featuring: Manijeh ('Mani') Berenji, MD, MPH, associate clinical professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine and School of Public Health

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

The impact of environmental changes on patient health
The intersection between AI, the environment, and healthcare
How to use AI in healthcare in an environmentally-responsible way

and more!

To learn more about AI in healthcare, check out Healthtech Analytics.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References:

Industry Perspectives: Acting on social determinants of health data in rural healthcare

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:06:56 -0300

Some might balk at the idea that a healthcare system would struggle to gather social determinants of health data in 2025. But for a rural healthcare system where every employee already fulfills multiple roles and the workforce is stretched thin, collecting this data can feel impossible to add to the workflow. Today's guest shares how to make this impossible task more possible for rural healthcare.

Featuring: Susan Gutjahr, HIT Director and Compliance Officer, Sparta Community Hospital

In this episode, we'll cover

Why collecting social determinants of health data is so challenging for rural healthcare systems
How Sparta Community Hospital navigated these challenges
Putting rural healthcare challenges in perspective

and more!

References

To learn more about healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Patient Engagement site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Industry Perspectives: Finding the sweet spot for AI in EHRs

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0300

Many have postulated that AI could solve--or, at least, bring us closer to solving--the clinician burnout crisis stemming from EHR adoption. But what use cases for AI integration into EHRs are the most ideal?

Featuring: Sean McGunigal, Director of Artificial Intelligence at Epic

In today's episode, we cover

The ideal use cases for AI and EHR integration
Metrics and KPIs for AI success
How scalability challenges impact AI integration into EHRs
Addressing provider concerns about AI dependency

...and more!

To learn more about health IT, check out Health IT and EHR site.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References:

Industry Perspectives: Navigating the legal landscape of PHI and AI innovation

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 18:09:23 -0300

AI innovation requires patient data in order to develop accurate models that can bolster healthcare functions. But, legally, there is only so much one can do with protected health information. How should healthcare organizations walk the line between innovation and privacy? This conversation was recorded at HIMSS25.

Featuring: Adam Greene, partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP

In this episode, we'll cover

The legal limits on using patient data for AI development

What CEOs and healthcare leaders should know about privacy and AI innovation

How the new administration's regulatory approach to AI may shape healthcare organizations' privacy responsibilities

and more!

References

To learn more about healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Healthtech Security site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Industry Perspectives: Using risk mapping to improve healthcare cybersecurity

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:28:54 -0400

Healthcare organizations dodge cyberattacks daily, even from service providers with multiple degrees of separation. What if there was a standard way to prioritize cybersecurity actions across the healthcare sector so that organizations can know their risk level and be more prepared? The Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) Cybersecurity Working Group is working on something that might do just that.

Featuring: Greg Garcia, executive director, Health Sector Coordinating Council Cybersecurity Working Group

In this episode, we'll cover

What risk mapping looks like for the healthcare sector
The HSCC's work on developing health sector risk maps
How healthcare stakeholders can build cyber resiliency by knowing their risk level

and more!

References

To learn more about healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Healthtech Security site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Advancing reproductive choices for men

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:26:12 -0400

Despite decades of advancements in reproductive health, male contraception methods remain limited to condoms or vasectomies. This leaves few options for those seeking alternatives and leaves women shouldering the physical and hormonal burdens of birth control. Today, with 85% of men aged 18–45 actively seeking new family planning solutions, the demand for a long-acting, reversible alternative is greater than ever.

As male contraception advances in the wake of the Dobbs decision reversal, this episode examines market prospects, regulatory hurdles, and the future of reproductive options for men.

Featuring: Darlene Walley, Chief Executive Officer, NEXT Life Sciences

In this episode, we will cover…

The growing demand for male contraception in the wake of shifting reproductive rights policies.

How Vasalgel technology works and why it's a reversible alternative to vasectomies.

The regulatory approval pathway for Plan A as a medical device.

The economic and public health impact of expanded contraceptive options for men.

The role of strategic partnerships with organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Male Contraceptive Initiative in advancing male birth control.

To stay up to date on the latest developments in male contraception, check out our Pharma Life Sciences sites.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References:

U.S. men's interest in new male contraceptives

A reversible alternative to vasectomies

Pipeline of male contraceptives

Reflecting on the Change Healthcare cyberattack, one year later

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The Change Healthcare cyberattack had widespread, unprecedented impacts across the healthcare sector in February 2024 and beyond. What has the sector learned since, and are providers better equipped to handle a similar incident today?

Featuring: Errol Weiss, chief security officer at the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Health-ISAC)

In this episode, we'll cover

Systemic security challenges that the Change Healthcare cyberattack exposed
Lessons learned in the year since the Change Healthcare cyberattack, and how the sector has improved its cybersecurity efforts
Ongoing cybersecurity risks to the healthcare supply chain

and more!

References

Health-ISAC's 2025 Health Sector Cyber Threat Landscape Report

American Hospital Association and Health-ISAC Joint Threat Bulletin: Russian Ransomware Gangs Disrupt Patient Care

Understanding the impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack on providers

10 largest healthcare data breaches of 2024

HPH Cybersecurity Performance Goals

To learn more about healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Healthtech Security site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Unpacking claim denials in light of public backlash against payers

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The public outcry against health insurers intensified after the shooting of a UnitedHealthcare CEO. What trends are driving Americans' dissatisfaction with payers and can payers recover the public's trust?

Featuring: Jacqueline LaPointe, executive editor at Xtelligent Healthcare

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

Trends in claim denials
The driving factors behind payers' denials
The role of artificial intelligence in claims management, for better and for worse...

and more!

To learn more about claims management, check out our Rev Cycle Management and Healthcare Payers sites!

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References

Breaking down claim denial rates by healthcare payer

KFF: Consumer Survey Highlights Problems with Denied Health Insurance Claims

Trend Alert: Private Payers Retain Profits by Refusing or Delaying Legitimate Medical Claims

Sharing early lessons on SDOH data integration across health plans

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Social determinants of health (SDOH) play a critical role in health outcomes, but standardized SDOH data collection is lacking. How is NCQA driving standardization through national SDOH quality measures?

Featuring: Rachel Harrington, PhD, AVP of health equity sciences, NCQA

Adrianna Nava, PhD, MPA, applied research scientist, NCQA

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

Updates to NCQA’s SDOH quality measures
Current SDOH data collection challenges
The role policy plays in driving SDOH data standardization...

and more!

To learn more about SDOH data collection, check out our Health IT and EHR site and our Patient Engagement site.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References

Charting new territory: the early lessons in integrating social determinant of health (SDOH) measures into practice

How Regenstrief and HL7 are driving SDOH data standards

Advocating for SDOH data standards to support health equity

Why healthcare needs a patient-centered approach to AI use

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:05:04 -0400

AI has officially transcended buzzword status, with healthcare continuously diving deeper into its uses and applications. But as technology continues to proliferate healthcare, experts eye questions about the effects on patient experience and the industry's overall push for more patient-centered care. In this episode, we explore those questions and discuss how healthcare can embrace AI as a leading clinical decision support tool without losing site of its patient-centered goals.

Featuring: Prashila Dullabh, vice president and senior fellow in Health Sciences at NORC at the University of Chicago

In today's episode, we'll cover…

The risks of omitting patient-centricity from healthcare's AI conversations
The research going into deploying AI with a patient-centered lens
How patients might feel about use of AI in healthcare

…and more!

To learn more about patient-centered care and healthcare's embrace of AI, check out our Xtelligent sites: Patient Engagement, Healthtech Analytics and Health IT.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References:

Enhancing Patient Engagement through Shared Decision-Making

What Are the Top Challenges of Clinical Decision Support Tools?

Prioritizing SOGI data collection to improve health equity

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 11:28:31 -0400

Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data is key for improving health outcomes among sexual
and gender minority (SGM) patients. How can healthcare organizations effectively navigate challenges --
like bias and discrimination -- to improve SOGI data collection?

Featuring: Carey Candrian, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of
Medicine and a 2024 Health and Aging Policy Fellow

In today's episode, we'll cover:

The implications of missing SOGI data on care delivery and quality
The challenges health systems face that prevent them from routinely collecting SOGI data
Strategies to improve SOGI data collection and health equity for LGBTQIA+ patients

And more!

To learn more about AI in healthcare, check out our site, Healthtech Analytics.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @Healthcare Strategies.

References

2025 predictions: GLP-1s, telehealth, AI, employer health plans, and more

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400

2025 promises to be an interesting year in healthcare with many possibilities, challenges and unknowns. A few of our editorial staff members got together to discuss the trends we will be watching in the new year, from telehealth flexibilities to artificial intelligence guardrails, and from employers' cost-cutting efforts to the future of reproductive health.

Featuring: Shania Kennedy, assistant editor of Healthtech Analytics at Xtelligent

Veronica Salib, associate editor of Pharma Life Sciences at Xtelligent Healthcare

Anuja Vaidya, senior editor of Virtual Healthcare and special events lead at Xtelligent Healthcare

Kelsey Waddill, multimedia manager and managing editor of Healthcare Payers at Xtelligent Healthcare

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

The focal points of GLP-1 research in the coming year
GLP-1 coverage expectations
AI trends in 2025
Telehealth market shifts
Reproductive healthcare evolution since the overturn of Roe v. Wade

...and more!

To learn more about 2025 healthcare industry predictions, check out our Xtelligent sites: Healthtech Analytics, Healthcare Payers, Pharma Life Sciences, and Virtual Healthcare.
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Thank you to Dr. Sanjula Jain, Melissa Knuth, and Dr. Stephanie Page who spoke with us earlier in the season and whose insights we included in this episode.

References

GLP-1 general impact overview

CDC unintended pregnancy data

Vasectomy data from the University of Florida Health

Planned Parenthood data on vasectomy reversals

HR managers see value in GLP-1 coverage

Employer coverage rates of GLP-1s for weight loss

Exploring generative AI in healthcare

Introducing the role of Chief Analytics Officer

Telehealth volumes data from Trilliant Health

Leveraging RPM at home for cancer care

Vendor uses wearables to assess impact of GLP-1s on Parkinson's disease

Understanding pharmacists’ role in contraceptive access

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400

As the reproductive health landscape continues to evolve, access to contraception and prescriptions for contraception are increasingly critical tools for preventing unplanned pregnancies. In some states, pharmacists at retail pharmacies can play a critical role in contraceptive access by providing counseling and prescriptions for some birth control methods.

Featuring: Dr. Mollie Scott, a pharmacist, the regional associate dean of the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, and Chair of the Department of Pharmacotherapy at Mountain Area Health Education Center.

In today’s episode, we’ll cover

The role pharmacists play in prescribing and medication management
Policies and regulations for pharmacists’ prescribing
The benefits and drawbacks of pharmacists prescribing contraception
Advocacy tips for pharmacists hoping to change contraception prescribing laws in their state

And more!

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Note: The Healthcare Strategies team will be on break for 12/30/24, but make sure to tune in for our first episode of the new year (publishing 1/6/25) where we cover major trends for 2025!

Resources:

Clinical Pharmacists Are a Major Contributor to Quality Patient Care

Understanding the widespread impacts of pharmacy deserts

Limited Access to Female Contraceptives: A Public Health Crisis

Assessing the Expected Impacts of OTC Hormonal Birth Control Pills

Exploring key telehealth policy considerations for 2025

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400

The future of telehealth policy remains uncertain, with pandemic-era regulatory flexibilities set to expire by the end of the year, barring Congressional action. What is holding Congress back from extending or solidifying these flexibilities, and will those concerns influence telehealth legislation in 2025?

Featuring: Darryl Roberts, Vice President of Health Informatics at RELI Group

In today's episode, we'll cover…

The impact of telehealth flexibilities on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes
Possible reasons why Congress has yet to act despite bipartisan support for telehealth access
Key pieces of legislation to watch for in 2025

References:

Spending Bill to Extend Telehealth, Hospital-at-Home Waivers for 2 Years

HHS: How the End of the PHE Will Impact Telehealth Flexibilities

What the NJ Lawsuit Adds to Out-of-State Telehealth, Licensure Debates

What the House subcommittee hearing tells us about telehealth’s future

To learn more about telehealth policy, check out our site, Xtelligent Virtual Healthcare.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Regulating and monitoring the online GLP-1 market

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) medications are revolutionizing weight loss and diabetes care, but behind the hype lies a growing web of regulatory gaps, telehealth expansion and online pharmacy risks. This episode unpacks the opportunities -- and dangers -- shaping the future of these life-changing drugs.

Featuring: Scott Roth, Chief Executive Officer, LegitScript

Gerard Olsen, Director of Research, LegitScript

In today’s episode, we'll cover…

The skyrocketing demand for GLP-1 medications and their influence on weight loss trends, including a 26% drop in bariatric surgeries
How telehealth and online pharmacies are reshaping access to GLP-1 drugs -- and the risks posed by rogue sellers and counterfeit products
The critical need for stronger regulatory enforcement and LegitScript's role in ensuring safety and transparency in the online healthcare market

To learn more about GLP-1 medications from all angles, check out our Pharma Life Sciences, Patient Engagement and Healthcare Payers sites.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References:

Metabolic bariatric surgery in the GLP-1 era

Risks of online semaglutide without prescription

FDA updates on GLP-1 compounding policies

Improving community health center sustainability with health IT

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Staffing shortages and rising operational costs are daunting challenges for community health centers, which are vital for serving underserved populations. How can the right technology investments help community health centers overcome these obstacles?

Featuring: Abby Sears, president and CEO of OCHIN

Jeff Lowrance, CEO of OSIS

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

The top operational challenges community health centers face
How health IT innovation can transform healthcare delivery in underserved communities
The value of collaboration for tackling workforce shortages

and more!

To learn more about health IT, check out Health IT and EHR site.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

References:

Finances stymie patient data sharing, interoperability at FQHCs

Community health center access up by 1 million patients

Community Health Centers’ Progress and Challenges in Meeting Patients’ Essential Primary Care Needs

Breaking down GLP-1 patient engagement strategies, challenges

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400

As many patients decide whether to take glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists (or GLP-1s), providers face various new patient engagement challenges. What patient engagement strategies can providers pursue to achieve shared decision-making, even when their patients decide to take GLP-1 compounds? In this episode, we hear one local dietitian share her experience guiding patients through the decision to take GLP-1s and we'll also touch base with one of our senior staff members to get a more comprehensive perspective on patient engagement trends in this area.

Featuring: Kate, a local dietitian in the Boston area

Sara Heath, executive editor at Xtelligent Healthcare

In this episode, we'll cover

One dietitian’s experience with patient engagement on the topic of GLP-1s and weight loss
The need for robust care management in GLP-1 usage
How to respond when patients want to take/are taking a GLP-1 compound

and more!

References

Patient education tips for GLP-1, weight loss drug treatment (https://techtarget.com/patientengagement/feature/Patient-education-tips-for-GLP-1-weight-loss-drug-treatment)

Is care management missing from the GLP-1 drug discourse? (https://www.techtarget.com/patientengagement/feature/Is-care-management-missing-from-the-GLP-1-drug-discourse)

To learn more about patient engagement, check out our Patient Engagement site.

To learn more about GLP-1s, visit our Pharma Life Sciences site.

And to watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Exploring gaps in GLP-1 research, care, and coverage

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400

GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, have gained attention for their significant health impacts and anti-obesity effects. However, there continues to be a lot of unknowns surrounding these medications, their long-term impacts, and access.

Featuring: Dr. Lydia Alexander, an obesity medicine specialist, lifestyle specialist, president of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), Chief Medical Officer at Enara, and a medical chef.

In today’s episode, we’ll cover

The significant progress made in GLP-1 research, care delivery, and insurance coverage
Filling research gaps in GLP-1 care through longitudinal studies examining long-term medication effects and potential adverse reactions
Tips for providers managing patients on GLP-1 medications and patient-focused approaches to obesity management

And more!

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @Healthcare Strategies

Resources:

Understanding new NY hospital cybersecurity regulations

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0400

General hospitals in New York State are subject to new cybersecurity regulations. What do these regulations entail, and what inspired them? How can hospitals in other states prepare for similar cybersecurity requirements?

Featuring: Jill McKeon, associate editor, Healthtech Security, Xtelligent Healthcare

Kelsey Waddill, managing editor & multimedia manager at Xtelligent Healthcare

In this episode, we’ll cover

The provisions of New York State's hospital cybersecurity regulations
Why these regulations could be a sign of what's to come for the sector
Cybersecurity best practices to prepare for future state or federal requirements

and more!

References

To learn more about healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Healthtech Security site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Using a data-driven approach to human-centered SDOH work

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Note: we're taking a quick break next week (10/28) but will be back 11/4 with more conversations.

A good population health strategy requires a breadth of health data to make it work. Across social determinants of health data, patient data and data from non-traditional sources, healthcare organizations and professionals can design interventions tailored to better support chronic disease management and, ideally, prevention.

But how can healthcare providers and their insurer counterparts make effective use of that data to promote better outcomes? And at what point do patient engagement and an empathic human touch need to balance out SDOH data?

Featuring: Roy Beveridge, MD, senior strategic advisory at Avalere Health, and Sarah Ahmad, CEO of CAQH

In today's episode, we'll cover…

The need for tailored healthcare approaches
The role of health data analytics tools
The marriage of information and human touch in a digitized population health space

And more!

To learn more about SDOH data and population health, check out our Patient Engagement site and our 2024 Payer + Provider Virtual Summit.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @Healthcare Strategies.

Building a generative AI-ready healthcare workforce

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Generative AI adoption is of increasing interest within the healthcare industry. How can healthcare leaders ensure that their workforce has the appropriate AI literacy needed to support successful AI integration in clinical settings?

Featuring: Melissa Knuth, vice president of planning at OSF HealthCare

In today's episode, we'll cover…

How generative AI use can improve patient experience and empower the healthcare workforce
Strategies to design and scale an enterprise-wide educational initiative to improve healthcare workers' AI literacy
The role that industry partnerships play in bolstering healthcare AI efforts

And more!

To learn more about AI in healthcare, check out our site, Healthtech Analytics.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @Healthcare Strategies.

References

Keeping health equity at the center of connected healthcare

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Note: Healthcare Strategies will be taking a quick break next week, but will return 10/14 with more great conversations!

Connected healthcare models are proliferating, with technologies like telehealth, remote patient monitoring and AI transforming care delivery; however, health inequities stand in the way of progress in this arena. How can healthcare providers advance connected healthcare efforts without compromising health equity?

Featuring: Arianne D. Dowdell, vice president and chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer at Houston Methodist

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

Collaborative approaches to achieving health equity
The role of digital health tools in furthering health equity and where they are falling short
What the conversation around health equity is missing post-pandemic

To learn more about health equity, check out our sites, Xtelligent Virtual Healthcare and Xtelligent Patient Engagement.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies

Implementing cyber hygiene best practices in healthcare

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Good cyber hygiene is critical to successfully mitigating cyber threats in healthcare. What strategies can healthcare organizations employ to train employees on the tenets of cyber hygiene and prevent data breaches in an increasingly digitally connected healthcare environment?

Featuring: Kyle Murphy, vice president, editorial, Xtelligent Healthcare

Jill McKeon, associate editor, Healthtech Security, Xtelligent Healthcare

In this episode, we’ll cover

Top strategies for employee cybersecurity training in healthcare
Common social engineering tactics used against the healthcare sector
Best practices for crafting a secure password

and more!

References

To learn more about cyber hygiene and healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Healthtech Security site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Bringing artificial intelligence into prior authorization processes

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0300

There are many eye-catching artificial intelligence use cases out there, but in today's episode we focus on one AI opportunity that impacts a large swath of the healthcare system: prior authorizations. What can AI do to alleviate provider burden related to prior auth?

Featuring: Amber Nigam, CEO and co-founder of basys.ai

In today’s episode, we’ll cover…

The challenges of the prior authorization process
How artificial intelligence can reduce provider burden
What prior authorization might look like in the future

To learn more about artificial intelligence, check out our site Healthtech Analytics.

To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Impact of prior authorizations on health insurers: https://www.techtarget.com/healthcarepayers/answer/With-Proper-Use-Artificial-Intelligence-Improves-Health-Plan-Operations
Revenue cycle strategies for reducing friction in prior authorization: https://www.techtarget.com/revcyclemanagement/answer/From-AI-to-Regulation-Making-Progress-with-the-Prior-Authorization-Process
Transparency in prior authorizations: https://www.techtarget.com/healthcarepayers/feature/Overcoming-Tech-Barriers-to-Achieve-Prior-Authorization-Transparency

Exploring chronic disease management trends, strategies

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Chronic disease management and prevention strategies are of increasing importance as chronic conditions increase in prevalence.

Guests: Sara Heath, executive editor at Xtelligent Healthcare

Alivia Kaylor, senior editor, Pharma Life Sciences at Xtelligent Healthcare

Anuja Vaidya, senior editor, Virtual Healthcare, and special events lead at Xtelligent Healthcare

In the first episode of Season 6, we'll cover

Patient engagement strategies to improve chronic disease management
Using digital health tools for expand chronic disease prevention
The role that clinical trials play in chronic disease...

and more!

References

To learn more about chronic disease management from different angles, check out our Patient Engagement site, Pharma Life Sciences site and Virtual Healthcare site.

To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Industry Perspectives: Bridging gaps to control drug costs

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Leaders in some healthcare organizations, like today's guest, are trying to bridge the gap between stakeholders to achieve a common goal: lowering drug costs for patients. Why do drug costs have such a high impact on overall healthcare spending and what can healthcare organizations do about it?

Guest: Cynthia Meiners, senior vice president and strategic program development officer at GoodRx

In today's episode, we'll cover

Prescription drug spending trends
Alignment among healthcare stakeholders around decreasing drug costs
Integration of drug cost savings opportunities

To learn more about drug spending, check out our site Pharma Life Sciences.

To watch video clips from AHIP 24, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Industry Perspectives: Exploring the latest in behavioral health innovation

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Since the coronavirus pandemic, mental and behavioral health awareness has improved and innovation in this area has exploded. What is the industry up to now?

Guest: Solome Tibebu, Founder and CEO of Behavioral Health Tech

In today's episode, we'll cover

Behavioral healthcare technologies
Challenges and progress in behavioral health since the coronavirus pandemic started
One key message to payers about behavioral healthcare technology

To learn more about behavioral healthcare technologies, check out our site Virtual Healthcare.

To watch video clips from AHIP 24, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Industry Perspectives: Scaling Interoperability Efforts

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0300

The next big thing in interoperability may involve scaling data exchange efforts.

Guest: Terry Douglas, Product Marketing and Sales Enablement Director at Surescripts

In today's episode, we'll cover

The role of QHINs in interoperability's progress
Areas for improvement in payers' data exchange efforts
Opportunities for innovation in payers' interoperability strategies

To learn more about interoperability, check out our site Health IT and EHR.

To watch video clips from AHIP 24, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Industry Perspectives: What quality measures mean to Medicare Advantage

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Quality measures play an important role in the Medicare Advantage program. SCAN Health Plan's recent lawsuit against CMS revealed just how important.

Guest: Sachin Jain, MD, CEO of SCAN Health Plan

In today's episode, we'll cover

SCAN Health Plan's lawsuit against CMS
Improving the Medicare Advantage program and Medicare Advantage quality measures
Getting over toxic positivity in the health insurance industry

To learn more about Medicare Advantage, check out HealthPayerIntelligence.com

To watch video clips from AHIP 24, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Industry Perspectives: Tracking employer sponsored health plan trends

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Employer sponsored health plans cover six in ten non-elderly Americans, making successful collaboration between payers and employers crucial to many Americans' wellness. Todd Woodruff, Chief People Officer at Salt & Straw, and Todd Burton, President of the Commercial Market at Providence Health Plan, shared about trends in mental health, pharmacy spend, and health equity in the employer-sponsored health insurance space.

Industry Perspectives: Standardizing provider data for health plans

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Providers are expected to equip payers with information so that health plan members can find in-network care. But what if those demands from payers were consolidated from 20 separate requests into one? What if providers could enter their information one time in such a way that all of their payer partners could access it? Tyler Ford, Vice President, Strategy and Partnerships, CAQH, shares how that might be possible in today's episode.

Industry Perspectives: Charles DeShazer, MD, Chief QHA Officer at Cigna

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0300

The generative AI revolution is here. How should payers respond and how can they learn from past technological revolutions in healthcare to inform their next steps? Charles DeShazer, MD, Chief Quality and Health Advocacy Officer at Cigna Healthcare, offers his recommendations in this episode of Industry Perspectives.

Driving SDOH data standardization for health equity

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0300

In this last episode of season 5 of Healthcare Strategies...

The United States has a health equity problem, but a lack of comprehensive data standards has limited efforts to mitigate health disparities. In this episode, Keysha Brooks-Coley, vice president of advocacy at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), discusses the importance of standardized SDOH data in pursuing health equity.

Don't worry, we'll be back in September with more great conversations! In the meantime, tune in to our Healthcare Strategies | Industry Perspectives every Thursday for insights from AHIP 2024. Subscribe to get the episodes when they drop!

Industry Perspectives: Kathryn Eshelman, MD, VP at Inovalon

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 10:35:00 -0300

In value-based care, providers rely on accurate, timely data. But their needs also evolve as their participation in value-based contracts progresses. Kathryn Eshelman, MD, VP of Clinical Informatics at Inovalon, dives into what providers need at different stages of the value-based care continuum and how healthcare technology vendors can help.

Supporting Patient Education as a Health Plan

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Chronic disease management, preventive care, and mental wellbeing all have at least one thing in common in the healthcare field: a need for strong patient education practices in order to be successful. Cathy Moffitt, MD, explains how patient education is not just a provider task. Rather, payers have a role to play in ensuring members understand their conditions, their options, and their benefits.

Industry Perspectives: Nick Kraft, SVP, Chief Growth Officer at CDPHP

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Member retention is challenging in the current health insurance landscape, but it is advantageous for achieving high-quality care and member satisfaction. Nicholas Kraft, SVP and chief growth officer at CDPHP, identifies strategies for building member loyalty.

Mid-year check-in: Why the market for telehealth is narrowing

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0300

The telehealth industry has leveled out since reaching unprecedented heights of adoption and use during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving behind a markedly different landscape for stakeholders to navigate. In a new Healthcare Strategies podcast, Dr. Sanjula Jain, senior vice president of market strategy and chief research officer at Trilliant Health, tracks telehealth's trajectory, detailing the factors behind its decline and the limitations of the current market.

Industry Perspectives: Jeremy Wigginton, MD, CMO at Capitol Blue Cross

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0300

How can healthcare leaders tweak value-based care models to better suit the needs of specialty care providers? Jeremy Wigginton, chief medical officer at Capitol Blue Cross, shares strategies for promoting the quality over quantity mindset in specialty care spaces in today’s conversation from AHIP 2024.

Carving a Path Forward for Anti-Racism in Nursing Schools

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Leaders in medical education have been laser-focused on addressing health equity and discrimination in healthcare settings. In this episode, Kenya Beard, EDD, one of the commissioners for the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing, outlines the progress made in promoting anti-racism in nursing schools, pitfalls to avoid and strategies for moving forward.

Unpacking the Updated USPSTF Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Cheruba Prabakar, MD, a minimally invasive surgeon, board-certified obstetrician–gynecologist, and Founder and CEO of Lamorinda Gynecology & Surgery, discusses the new United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) breast cancer screening guidelines. While the guidelines recommend starting mammograms at age 40, Prabakar expressed concerns about the shift to biannual screenings, which could result in missed cancer cases. 

Exploring Medical Crowdfunding Efforts, How Payers Can Respond

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Medical crowdfunding is one way that patients handle high medical bills. How does this trend reflect on the state of healthcare prices in the US and how can payers and healthcare leaders respond? Divya Sangameshwar, an Insurance Expert and Spokesperson at ValuePenguin by LendingTree, shares the results of a crowdfunding report and discusses these questions and more.

Industry Perspectives: Jennifer Ford (MEDITECH), Jackie Rice (Frederick Health)

Fri, 31 May 2024 05:00:00 -0300

To make the best health decisions, patients and their physicians must be guided by high-quality, comprehensive information. Jennifer Ford, manager of clinical product management and genomics at MEDITECH, and Jackie Rice, VP and CIO at Fredrick Health, join us to discuss managing the fast-moving nature of genetic information, bringing genomics into the clinical space, the biggest challenges to clinician adoption of genomic technologies, and more.

Industry Perspectives: Oscar Alleyne, managing director at MITRE

Thu, 23 May 2024 05:00:00 -0300

How does public health fit into the patchwork of the US healthcare system? Oscar Alleyne, managing director, public health at MITRE, dives into public health data collection and implementation processes and how these overlap with other sectors of the healthcare industry.

Using LLMs to Help Prevent Pediatric Data Disclosures

Mon, 20 May 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Unintentional disclosures of adolescents’ protected health information are major privacy and security concerns that providers must navigate. Natalie Pageler, MD, chief health informatics officer and division chief of pediatric clinical informatics at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, discusses how the use of large language models (LLMs) could help prevent these disclosures by identifying confidential content in clinical notes.

Industry Perspectives: Paul Wilder, Exec Dir at CommonWell Health Alliance

Thu, 16 May 2024 05:00:00 -0300

There are growing pains that come with technological advancement in healthcare. In this episode, Paul Wilder, executive director at CommonWell Health Alliance, addresses the increasing importance of interoperability in the healthcare industry, the biggest challenges in his line of work, the nuances of digital healthcare records, and more.

Understanding the Multiple Facets of Vaccine Hesitancy

Mon, 13 May 2024 05:00:00 -0300

In this episode, Hilary Hatch, PhD, clinical psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer at Phreesia, discusses the multiple factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Hatch unlocks the definition of vaccine hesitancy beyond social media rhetoric focused on anti-vaxxers and outlines how the healthcare system can combat hesitancy.

Industry Perspectives: David Nace, MD, CMO at Innovaccer

Fri, 10 May 2024 05:00:00 -0300

From telemedicine platforms to electronic health records, digital transformation has revolutionized healthcare. While it has allowed for enhanced efficiency and accessibility, digital transformation is not without its challenges. David Nace, MD, CMO of Innovaccer, joins us to discuss the importance of recognizing the context of specific data, coding standards for healthcare practices, healthcare cloud innovation, and more.

Exploring the Ramifications of the Change Healthcare Cyberattack

Mon, 06 May 2024 05:00:00 -0300

When a ransomware attack hit Change Healthcare in February, claims processing halted for providers nationwide, causing significant operational and financial disruptions that are persisting today. Jill McKeon, associate editor at HealthITSecurity, discusses UnitedHealth Group’s response to the cyberattack, the ongoing recovery process, and what this attack means for the industry going forward.

Industry Perspectives: Nwando Anyaoku, MD, GVP, Chief Health Equity, CIO at Providence Health

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0300

How can health system leaders keep a finger on the pulse of a community effectively to connect patients with the necessary resources and improve health equity? Nwando Anyaoku, MD, GVP, Chief Health Equity and Clinical Innovation Officer at Providence Health, shares how to maintain strong community connections, incentivize providers to be aware of social determinants of health, and advance health equity through personalized care in this episode of Industry Perspectives.

Exploring Phoenix Children's in-house development of RPM apps

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has proved effective in enhancing chronic disease management among adult and pediatric patients alike. While many health systems choose to partner with third-party digital health companies to employ RPM, Phoenix Children’s Hospital decided to develop these tools in-house. In this episode, David Higginson, the hospital's chief innovation officer, describes the pediatric-specific RPM apps, the development process, and the challenges and advantages of in-house development of digital health tools.

Industry Perspectives: Keith Duemling, Senior Director at Cleveland Clinic

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0300

Preparing for the future of technology starts with a flexible strategy. Organizations can ensure efficient strategies by emphasizing communication and collaboration, so they are evaluated from different perspectives. Keith Duemling, senior director of cybersecurity technology protection at Cleveland Clinic, shares his thoughts on the future of the cybersecurity policy space, and best practices for building cybersecurity strategies that ensure organizations are ready for future challenges.

Headlines: UHG Scrutinized As Losses Grow, Docs Warm Up to AI

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0300

UnitedHealth Group is still reviewing the impact of a Change Healthcare cybersecurity attack, providers have grown less wary of artificial intelligence, and more on today's episode of Headlines.

Industry Perspectives: Brian Anderson, MD, CEO, Co-Founder of CHAI

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:52:05 -0300

The consequential nature of healthcare calls for tools and technology that are fair, equitable, and useful to both patients and caregivers. With the rise of AI comes ethical questions surrounding its use in healthcare, and how it can be used in the most responsible and efficient ways possible. Brian Anderson, MD, CEO and co-founder of the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), emphasizes the importance of transparency in training AI models, the need for AI innovators and regulators to work together, risk assessment in healthcare technology adoption, and more.

Industry Perspectives: Brad Ryan, MD, Chief Growth Officer at NCQA

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 10:45:00 -0300

For providers, digital quality measure adoption and the ongoing shift to value-based care in the healthcare industry often simply mean more tasks to add to their plates. How can policymakers, payers, and other stakeholders better align quality measures with the provider experience and what needs to change about communication around quality measure adjustments? In this discussion, Brad Ryan, MD, chief growth officer at NCQA, lays out how to maximize efficiency in data collection, what constitutes meaningful data, and how to support providers through shifts in digital quality measures.

Industry Perspectives: Don Rucker, MD, Chief Strategy Officer at 1upHealth

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0300

Bringing APIs into healthcare has been no small task and this Industry Perspectives guest should know. Don Rucker, MD, is currently the chief strategy officer at 1upHealth, but his former role as the National Coordinator National Coordinator for Health Information Technology gave him insight into how healthcare organizations can better collaborate and leverage resources to improve API adoption.

Driving Health Data Usability, EHR Maintenance

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0300

With persistent health data usability challenges across the industry, The Sequoia Project's Data Usability Taking Root Initiative is looking to drive interoperability through existing data standards. Holly Miller, MD, chief medical officer at MedAllies, a health IT network participating in the initiative, discusses the main data usability issues impacting providers and how the cross-industry community of practice is working to address them.

Headlines: CMS Releases Price Transparency Tool, FDA Okays AI for Sepsis

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0300

CMS produced a new tool to help hospitals comply with price transparency rules, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an artificial intelligence tool that assesses patients' risk for sepsis, and more on today's episode.

Industry Perspectives: Aashima Gupta (Global Dir.), Kalyan Pamarthy (Group PM) at Google

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0300

How can Google make healthcare information more useful and accessible? What is the best role for the cloud in healthcare data management? Aashima Gupta, Global Director of Healthcare at Google, and Kalyan Pamarthy, Group Project Manager for Generative AI and Search at Google, address these questions and share their thoughts on the potential for cloud innovation in a healthcare context.

Keeping Private Practices Independent Amid Consolidation

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Widespread consolidation in healthcare is threatening the independence of most private practices. However, private practices are vital to the healthcare ecosystem, delivering the high-quality, personalized care that patients need. Moshe Chasky, MD, FACP of Alliance Cancer Specialists, shares what happened when a health system came knocking at his door and how the group is maintaining autonomy amid changes in market dynamics, health policy and regulation, and more.

Industry Perspectives: Matt DeFrain (Managing Dir.), Tamara Nolan (Sr. Dir.) from Morgan Franklin Consulting

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 10:42:58 -0300

With cyberattacks on the rise--including the advent of the largest cyber event in American healthcare history, the Change Healthcare event--healthcare leaders are scrambling to refortify their health IT security protocols. Matt DeFrain, managing director of MorganFranklin Cyber, and Tamara Nolan, senior director of Cyber & Operational Resilience at MorganFranklin Cyber, share their insights on how healthcare organizations can better prepare for inevitable cyberattacks.

Headlines: AI Detects Heart Failure, Surgical Uses of Telehealth

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0300

FDA approves an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that identifies heart failure in seconds, the American College of Surgeons shares the best uses for telehealth in surgical practices along with guidelines for integration, and more on today's episode.

Navigating the Complex Realm of Medical Device, Drug Litigation

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0300

In this episode, Janpaul Portal, Esq, Managing Director of pharmaceutical and medical device litigation at MSP Recovery Law Firm, sheds light on the complex realm of recent legal challenges surrounding medical devices and pharmaceutical drugs. With a particular focus on sleep apnea devices and insulin pricing, Portal provides valuable insights into the intricate litigation landscape within the healthcare industry.

Industry Perspectives: Rich Birhanzel, Senior Managing Director at Accenture

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0300

In this episode, Rich Birhanzel, senior managing director and global health lead at Accenture, shares the highlights from HIMSS 2024. Specifically, he dives into workforce management and generative AI trends which were the main topics of conversation at the conference.

Headlines: Some Diabetes Tools Don’t Deliver, Epic Adds Ambient Intelligence

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0300

Diabetes management tools attract a lot of physician and patient attention, but some do not live up to their promises. Epic is adding ambient intelligence to its EHRs. Medicaid disenrollments rocket past HHS projections. A proposal in the Senate would offer financial relief to providers affected by cybersecurity crises.

Engaging Community Partners to Create a Public Health Database

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0300

In this episode, we talk to Kayla Monfort, the co-director of Activate Allen County, a public health initiative in Ohio that created a database to fuel its health improvement efforts. Monfort discusses how to use data for public health and engage local partners to pool community health data.

Industry Perspectives: Michelle Flemmings, MD, Industry Exec Director at Oracle Health

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 09:50:00 -0300

Is healthcare technology helping or hurting provider burnout? And what can healthcare systems do to offer healthcare professionals more opportunities for work-life balance? These are the million-dollar--or more--questions that healthcare leaders face as they work with a shrinking pool of providers and heavy administrative burdens. Michelle Flemmings, MD, industry executive and market development director for healthcare in North America’s cloud infrastructure at Oracle Health, addresses these questions and shares what brings her hope amid these challenges.

For more on navigating provider burnout, visit PatientEngagementHIT.com.

Headlines: Change Healthcare Cyberattack, AI App for Ears

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

A cyberattack at Change Healthcare has crippled large segments of the healthcare industry. Also, a new AI app might detect a certain pediatric ear infection better than humans.

Breaking Down the Relationship Between Payers, Pharmacy Benefit Managers

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Pharmacy benefit managers and payers have a lot of influence over prescription drug affordability, but does their traditional working model actually benefit health plan members? Alison Lum, vice president of pharmacy services at Blue Shield of California, shares what needs to change about the PBM-payer relationship to improve prescription drug costs and access to care.

Using Risk Stratification to Drive Suicide Prevention Efforts

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

The mental health crisis in the United States has contributed to an increase in suicide deaths in recent years. Kimberly Roaten, PhD, ABPP, professor in the Department of Psychiatry at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and associate chief quality and safety officer for Behavioral Health - Parkland Health, and Jacqueline Naeem, MD, senior medical director at Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI), share how health systems can help prevent suicides in their populations using a data-informed risk stratification approach.

Exploring Male Birth Control Development in a Post-Dobbs World

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Stephanie Page, MD, PhD, Co-Director of the University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Robert B. McMillen Professor of Medicine in Lipid Research and head of the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition, discusses the role of male birth control in the global unplanned pregnancy epidemic. Page describes existing and developing male contraceptive methods with Healthcare Strategies.

Headlines: Cigna Sells Medicare Plans, Sickle Cell Therapy Access Grows

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Cigna is shedding its Medicare plans, selling them to HCSC. Meanwhile, the White House is eyeing sickle cell therapies and their high price tags.

Using RPM Tools to Bring Cancer Care into Patient Homes

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Remote patient monitoring tools are increasingly used to deliver cancer care in patient homes. However, the success of these programs depends on various factors, including patient engagement. Glen Peterson, NP, an associate professor of hematology at the University of Colorado Medicine, discusses study findings on the efficacy of an RPM-based outpatient care model for high-risk cancer patients and the implementation strategies to ensure success.

Headlines: Medicare's Shared Savings Program Grows, Surprise Billing Falls

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Large payer organizations reported around 10.1 million averted surprise bills and accountable care organizations are flocking to Medicare's Shared Savings program.

Headlines: CMS Okays Prior Auth Policies, Provider Burnout Progress

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

CMS has finalized prior authorization policies that please most major provider organizations and a new survey shows that EHR transformation is one key strategy for reducing provider burnout.

Checking the Pulse of Progress in the Life Sciences, Pharma Sector

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Alivia Kaylor, MSc, senior editor, and Veronica Salib, associate editor at Xtelligent Healthcare Media, provide in-depth insights into the revolutionary strides defining the landscape of the life sciences and pharmaceutical industry in 2024. Unveiling transformative breakthroughs — including pioneering achievements in gene therapy, advancements in targeted oncology treatments, and cutting-edge progress in male birth control options — the discussion explores how these innovations are reshaping the healthcare landscape and carrying immense promise for the future.

Maintaining Access to Rural Healthcare Amid Closures

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

The cost of delivering quality care is higher than ever, while payers are looking to downsize reimbursement rates as much as possible. As a result, many rural hospitals have closed or are on the brink of closure, exacerbating access to care challenges. Our editors discuss what is causing rural hospitals to shutter their doors and what some providers are doing to prevent it.

Headlines: Amazon Adds Benefits Check, VBP’s Effect on Inequities

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Amazon has added a health benefits check to its growing range of healthcare capabilities. Meanwhile, value-based purchasing might not be the best solution to health disparities in some care settings.

Sharing Predictions for the Healthcare Industry in 2024

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

With the start of a new year, healthcare executives assess the state of the industry and set expectations for top trends and key strategies that will be widely implemented. Join four Xtelligent Healthcare Media senior staff members as we share what we have been hearing from healthcare leaders about 2024.

Industry Perspectives: Rescuing the Healthcare Workforce through Automation

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Automation could take many mundane yet demanding tasks off of providers' to-do lists. Russ Richmond, co-founder and chief executive officer of Laudio, shares why providers should embrace automation and what next steps they can take toward adopting the technology in this final episode of Industry Perspectives.

Headlines: Maternal Health Model Starts, US Health Spending Normalizes

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

CMS has announced a new maternal health model. Some US healthcare spending trends dropped to pre-pandemic levels in 2022. Additionally, Medicare opioid use disorder treatment falls behind and the US Supreme Court will review an abortion pill.

Harnessing Health Informatics to Address Climate Change

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

With the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, awareness of climate change and its health effects is growing. Titus Schleyer, DMD, PhD, Regenstrief Institute research scientist, discusses how health informatics can help enhance resilience against the evolving threats of a changing climate.

Industry Perspectives: Leveraging Tech to Empower Nurses

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Technology has become crucial to the nursing profession, but how can healthcare organizations implement new technologies while maintaining personal nurse-patient interactions? Dusti Browning, vice president of growth and client solutions for Conduit Health Partners, shed some light on potential solutions.

Headlines: No Cigna-Humana Merger, RPM Shows Strong ROI

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Cigna and Humana have called off their planned merger in the wake of shareholder backlash. Remote patient monitoring offers a healthy return on investment, according to early estimates. Additionally, CVS Health introduces a new app to integrate healthcare tools for patients and external payer audits quadruple in 2023.

Centering Doulas in Maternal Mental Health Treatment Access

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

NewYork-Presbyterian is home to an innovative maternal mental health program that enlists the work of a multidisciplinary care team centered around doula care to support birthing people in the postpartum period. By employing this community-centered approach, NYP works to make maternal mental healthcare more accessible, closing the gap in the number of people able to access treatment for postpartum depression. In this episode, Davina Prabhu, vice president of the Ambulatory Care Network at NYP, discusses the NYP Postpartum Doula Program.

Industry Perspectives: Increasing Sexual Health Awareness Among Providers

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Sexual health is laden with stigma across our society, but the solution starts with reducing stigma among providers. Daphne Chen, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of TBD Health, explains how one hybrid sexual health clinic--originally designed to serve vagina owners but now open to penis-owning partners as well--seeks to improve access to women's health and sexual health.

Improving Medical Student Education Around Health AI

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

As artificial intelligence continues to gain traction in healthcare, clinicians will be expected to engage with these technologies more and more. In this episode of Healthcare Strategies, Ronald Rodriguez, MD, PhD, professor of medical education at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, details how he and other stakeholders helped design a dual degree program to prepare the next generation of doctors to be leaders in the healthcare AI space.

Industry Perspectives: Tracing the Trajectory of Genomics in WGS, NGS

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Genomics is a burgeoning field, with advancements that affect gene therapies and personalized medicine. Kamal Obbad, chief executive officer and co-founder of Nebula Genomics, offered some context for the field's prominence and recent evolution and provided some insight into what the future might hold for genomics.

Headlines: Introducing the RPM Pill, Emotet Targets Healthcare

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:45:00 -0400

Researchers from multiple institutions collaborate to create an ingestible, wireless remote patient monitoring device. Healthcare is fourth highest on the list of targets for the world's most dangerous malware.

Industry Perspectives: Honing Hybrid Care, Assessing Tech Partners

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Hybrid care and new technology partnerships are growing trends in the healthcare industry. Frank McGillin, chief executive office at The Clinic by Cleaveland Clinic, gives an inside peek at developing hybrid care models and choosing the right technology partners.