The Reckoning: What Happens to Digital Health After COVID?
By JEFF GOLDSMITH and ERIC LARSEN It has been a rough year so far for digital health. After an astonishing $45 billion poured into new […]
Health Tech
The new paradigm in drug development: Why platform technology is the solution patients and payers need
The model of investing huge amounts of money into one drug to try to recoup it later is problematic at best and unsustainable at worst. […]
How is AI moving the needle in the pharmaceutical industry?
Artificial intelligence can help drug study teams solve operational, scientific and ethical challenges. For example, AI can be used to flag real-time trends emerging in […]
Overhauling prior authorization: How to achieve better outcomes at a lower cost
An intelligent authorization platform relies on AI and machine learning to extract patient-specific data from a number of sources including the EHR. This helps health […]
INVEST Pitch Perfect winner: Vincere Health offers underserved patients a holistic solution to quit smoking
The Allston, Massachusetts-based health tech startup is looking to help people on Medicaid not only quit smoking but make other behavioral changes that will improve […]
Are you a startup seeking to transform clinical trials? Here’s why you should apply to pitch at INVEST PharmaTech.
INVEST PharmaTech Pitch Perfect virtual conference July 26 will give startups the opportunity to present their approaches to clinical trial innovation to a team of […]
StartUPDATES: New developments for healthcare startups
Read about new developments from Healthmine, Capable Health, Imagene AI, PolyCore Therapeutics, Inc and more.
Healthcare hires of note
Here’s a selection of recent executive hires across healthcare and life sciences.
The Pandemic, Bad Habits, Riskier Population Health & The Case for Prevention Coming from Newtopia
BY JESS DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH With 61% of American adults reporting a negative behavior change – troubled sleep, changes in diet, increased alcohol consumption, more […]
Evolving hospital-at-home models benefit patients and providers
The most powerful drivers for digital home hospital adoption are advances in telehealth, remote monitoring and emerging digital technologies that facilitate high quality, cost-effective care […]
The globally declining birth rate and the role of egg freezing
Depopulation places an unsustainable burden on a diminishing workforce, as fewer workers are available to support an increasing number of seniors. But technological improvements in […]
Overcoming healthcare’s reluctance to technological change
To stay competitive and differentiate themselves, hospitals, physicians and practices must use technology to enhance the patient experience while simultaneously improving outcomes.
FDA clears wearable 3D breast ultrasound for cancer screening
Startup iSono Health said its FDA-cleared automated imaging system will make personalized whole breast imaging more accessible to women worldwide and could help improve breast […]
ONC Explainer: Micky Tripathi Deep-Dive on Info Blocking, API standardization & TEFCA
By JESS DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Micky Tripathi the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS says this year will be a “transformative” year for […]
Why digital health companies should be HITRUST-certified
HITRUST is a framework for systematically managing digital security far above what HIPAA requires. Its stringency explains both why it can be daunting to implement […]
How AI is helping to address staffing shortages in healthcare
Healthcare, like much of the rest of the economy, is facing a labor shortage. Artificial intelligence can lighten the load for overworked providers through everything […]
Startup focused on fertility planning raises $2.8M in seed funding
San Francisco-based Frame Fertility has developed a platform geared toward helping people get a headstart on issues that could impact their ability to have children […]
How hospitals are breaking down data silos to improve patient care
Full EHR interoperability and data standardization remain the holy grail: mysterious and elusive. So hospitals are employing different strategies to access a patient’s complete medical […]
Digital heart health solution Hello Heart raises $70M to help fuel rapid growth
The Series D funding round was led by growth equity firm Stripes. Hello Heart’s latest haul brings the total amount the company has raised since […]
What the “Great Resignation” means for clinical research
Staffing shortages can slow down trial timelines and negatively affect patients, who have less time with the physicians and nurses providing their care. But a […]
It’s time to rethink chronic care management
To truly move the needle on healthcare costs and outcomes, we need a more integrated care delivery model. This should fill in the gaps between […]
Three ways tech can help overcome healthcare burnout and staff shortages
Offloading menial tasks to digital assistants isn’t just about a reduction in workload; it allows physicians to refocus their time on what they entered the […]
StartUPDATES: New developments from healthcare startups
Check out new developments from Healthmine, Source Health, Amino Health, Nym Health, and Waltz Health.
The work-from-home culture is slowing progress in the fight against prostate cancer
Studies have shown that men are less likely to use preventive healthcare services than women, and do not seek immediate treatment for many of their […]
Payers can lead the way in modernizing commercial dental benefit administration
Dental payers can no longer rely on the processes, methodologies and technologies of the past. They must adopt new technologies, like automation, that deliver the […]
INVEST Pitch Perfect winner: Athelo helps patients navigate cancer journey
Athelo Health’s software is a personal coach that supports women with breast and gynecological cancers. The startup was judged co-winner in the pharmatech category during […]
Technology considerations to promote inclusion, equity and diversity in clinical research
Underrepresented groups traditionally were thought to have limited access to technology. But internet access is on the rise and researchers can take steps to increase […]
Can virtual reality and holograms address patients dying alone in future medical crises?
We have witnessed several people die alone during the pandemic without their family members or loved ones being beside them due to hospital regulations. Can […]
How health systems can get innovation right: A winning strategy that creates real change
It’s common for health systems, which feel pressured to innovate but are unsure how to implement change, to choose flawed approaches. Having a thoughtful strategy […]
Concert Health adds $42 million to help bridge the gap between physical and mental healthcare nationwide
The San Diego-based behavioral health medical group announced Wednesday that it has raised $42 million in Series B financing led by Define Ventures. The company […]
Targeted drug combinations are the next big advance in cancer treatment
Drugs that work for one patient may not work for another, even if both patients have the same diagnosis. This is why each patient should […]
New EMR report shows Cerner continuing to lose market share in the U.S. despite what Feinberg said
The 2022 U.S. Hospital Market Share report from KLAS states that other than government contracts, “no net-new large health systems have selected Cerner since 2013” […]
Former OptumRx CEO launches startup Waltz Health with $35M, promising to lower drug costs
Pharmacy benefit managers have been widely criticized for opaque drug pricing practices. But Waltz Health, which was co-founded by former PBM executive Mark Thierer, aims […]
CEO Kuldeep Singh Rajput on Biofourmis’ huge Series D raise
You may have thought the days of huge digital health rounds were over. Not quite yet! CEO Kuldeep Singh Rajput talks with Matthew Holt about […]
Gandeeva CEO shares how integrating AI with cryo-electron microscopy can support drug discovery
Founded in 2021, Gandeeva is developing precision imaging solutions with the integration of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and artificial intelligence. Its technology can be applied to […]
How hospitals should approach quality improvement in post-Covid-19 world
While no single approach is right for every hospital, there are a few fundamental tenets that all healthcare organizations should keep in mind as they […]
As AI’s role in combating clinician burnout grows, Suki expands its voice-enabled capabilities
The voice solution Suki Assistant uses machine learning and natural language processing to accurately understand and document information and respond to physician commands, according to […]
Opioid addiction startup founder calls for better reimbursement and legal changes to improve access
Zack Gray, CEO of digital health startup Ophelia, aims to help “the invisible 80%” of opioid use sufferers in America who are unengaged with the […]
Improving the patient journey through speech analytics
Speech analytics technology can be leveraged to help better understand friction in the customer journey and improve customer retention. Examples of speech analytics include word […]
The rise of virtual-first care: How it could drive cost savings and improve patient outcomes [Sponsored]
In a webinar sponsored by Wheel, health tech executives will explore how telehealth is increasingly becoming the first point of interaction between patients and providers […]
Will Congressional action cement the vaunted status of telehealth beyond the pandemic?
Providers, health systems and patient groups who want to see telehealth survive beyond the federal public health emergency need to engage their lawmakers and associations […]
New unicorn NexHealth is growing its workforce, adding EHR features to streamline the patient experience
NexHealth raised $125 million in a Series C funding round that was led by Buckley Ventures, the patient experience platform announced Thursday. The latest investment […]
StartUPDATES: New developments from healthcare startups
Check out new developments from Seven Bridges, Healthmine, Bright Health, and My One Medical Source.
The domino effect: Assessing the long-term impact of healthcare staffing shortages
Hospitals needs to make changes not only to retain clinicians but to stem financial losses. Healthcare leaders are committed to rising to the challenge, and […]
MedCity Pivot Podcast: A conversation with Buoy Health’s chief medical officer
In our conversation, Adrienne McFadden, who at one time was a practicing physician, speaks about the evolution of the company to more of a curated […]
Wallaby Medical acquires phenox GmbH to broaden its stroke treatment and prevention product pipeline
Wallaby, which has its main offices in Laguna Hills, California and Shanghai, China, and Bochum, Germany-based phenox have been strategic partners since 2019. The deal […]
Why it’s time for your practice to adopt digital payments
For both providers and patients, digital wallets offer greater convenience, ease of use, efficiency and security than traditional methods of medical bill payment.
Could tech help to curb workplace violence in healthcare?
One company is addressing violence against healthcare workers with a panic button, which has been deployed in the psychiatric and addition services units at the […]
Meditech’s genomic solution, which provides a patient’s full genetic history in their EHR, is now live
Clinton, Missouri-based Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare is the first to deploy Meditech’s solution, Expanse Genomics. It allows providers to analyze and parse genetic results into […]
#HealthTechDeals Episode 24: Carbon Health, Clipboard Health, Source Health, and Diligent Robotics
Happy 4/20 everybody! Smoking weed live on Health Tech Deals is not to be encouraged, but Jess and I embrace the natural high of discussing […]
Reinventing clinical trials? Apply to pitch at our virtual INVEST PharmaTech event in July
MedCity News is inviting all startups aiming to reinvent the clinical trials industry — that were founded in 2020 and earlier — to apply and […]
Has Virgin Pulse’s Acquisition of Welltok Created a New Kind of Care Navigator?
By JESS DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Virgin Pulse has been a big name in workplace wellness for a long time – working with health plans and […]
Icario launches program to help Medicaid, Medicare plans improve broadband access for members
The program, called Digital Bridge, will leverage Icario’s expertise in personalized health communications to help plans ensure members are able to access resources available to […]
Overcome healthcare staffing shortages with a sound telepsychiatry strategy
Telepsychiatry has allowed providers to supplement their behavioral health workforces to address growing patient volumes while also expanding the geographic reach of services.
PBM WithMe joins health navigation platform Castlight’s partner network
The company touts its personalized approach to helping patients who need the most support with medications, like those who are managing multiple health conditions.
Why unicorn-maker Glen Tullman, CEO of Transcarent, is backing virtual diabetes clinic 9am.health
The company has $20 million in funding, including $16 million from a Series A funding round announced Wednesday, and backing from the veteran health executive […]
What’s next in healthcare consumerism: Digital management solutions benefit patients and providers
We’re past the point of technology being a Band-Aid to get practices through a pandemic. Investing in the right digital tools can help practices attract […]
How vocal biomarkers are becoming a necessary tool for remote patient monitoring
With the information contained in a simple 30-second voice sample, providers can help patients get ahead of future health issues and prescribe or adjust treatment […]
Report: Digital health funding tanks in the first quarter
A new CB Insights report found global digital health funding fell 36 percent in the first quarter of the year from that in Q4, 2021, […]
Without brain data, we won’t improve outcomes for patients who have neurological diseases
New technologies for quantifying behavioral information and tracking neurological patterns have the potential to change treatment—but we must connect the data.
Iris Telehealth raises $40M to help hospitals, community clinics address the mental health crisis
Concord Health Partners and Columbia Pacific Advisors led the Series B funding round. The Austin, Texas-based company said it plans to use the money to […]
#HealthTechDeals Episode 23; Real, Iris Telehealth, 9am Health, Eko & Duos
In this episode of Health Tech Deals, Jess thinks the music has stopped as Rock Health reports Q1’s funding total being below Q4 2022! No […]
Chairman of new Northwell/Aegis accelerator: It will build AI companies much faster
Northwell Health, the largest health system in New York, and startup studio Aegis Ventures announced Tuesday that they had launched the AI company creation platform […]
Increasing access and equity in healthcare through AI
While many healthcare companies have used artificial intelligence for some time now for features like machine learning interpretability required by the healthcare industry for compliance […]
Planning ahead while looking back: What the pandemic collectively taught us
As artificial intelligence becomes more focused and efficient, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries consolidate to survive, it’s important to also reflect on what is […]
New unicorn IntelyCare uses $115M raise to expand its data-driven nurse staffing solution
The infusion of cash brings IntelyCare’s valuation to $1.1 billion, according to the company. Investment firm and asset manager Janus Henderson Investors led the Series […]
How next-generation automation technology can improve healthcare revenue management
The revenue cycle is incredibly complex due to shifting payer requirements, continuous regulatory compliance and coding updates, and emerging and evolving payment models. That complexity […]
Here’s what primary care will look like in the future
Primary care providers will function as the hub in a personalized care ecosystem, with the patient at the center. To accomplish this, they’ll not only see […]
Telehealth reform made care affordable and accessible — it’s time to make It permanent
Congress must provide the Department of Health and Human Services the authority and flexibility to continue all federal telehealth waivers once the administration declares an […]
#HealthTechDeals Episode 22: Viz.ai, PocketHealth, Eleanor Health, Recora, and Vytalize Health
3 big deals for this episode of Health Tech Deals! Tiger, General Catalyst, and e-Patient Dave are back! Check out this episode to hear my […]
DALL-E, Draw an AI Doctor
BY KIM BELLARD I can’t believe I somehow missed when OpenAI introduced DALL-E in January 2021 – a neural network that could “generate images from […]
CMS is prioritizing healing heart valves over bolstering brain health
Our analysis demonstrates that CMS’s coverage processes for breakthrough devices demonstrate product class and disease state disparities. These disparities contradict mental health parity statute, CMS […]
Vytalize Health brings in $50M to advance value-based primary care for seniors
The Series B funding round was led by Enhanced Healthcare Partners. Hoboken, New Jersey-based Vytalize has grown its patient base 150% year-over-year and is now […]
The Next Next-Gen PBM? Healthcare Navigation Biz Rightway On Making The Pivot
BY JESS DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH More traction in Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) innovation, this time coming out of care-navigation-plus-PBM startup Rightway. CEO Jordan Feldman and […]
The future of hospital pharmacy is here: How to maximize this resource to improve patient care
Patients are comfortable with pharmacists being more involved, and physicians place a high level of trust in them as well. That mirrors pharmacists’ own confidence […]
Report: Increase in socially engineered, sophisticated cybersecurity attacks plagues organizations
A new report that showed a sharp increase in cybersecurity attacks in 2021 urged organizations to consider when, not if, they too will be under […]
If You’ve Seen One Robot – Wait, What?
BY KIM BELLARD If You’ve Seen One Robot – Wait, What? We think we know robots, from the old school Robbie the Robot to the […]
Leveraging data analytics to support employee mental well-being
The latest generation of health and wellness offerings enables employers to provide tailored solutions to their workforce. These apps and programs often leverage big data […]
INVEST PharmaTech: The convergence of digital health and biopharma
MedCity INVEST PharmaTech, a virtual conference scheduled for July 26, will bring together technology disruptors, Big Pharma and biotech leaders, investors and entrepreneurs to discuss […]
Demystifying digital patient financial engagement: 4 ways AI can help
When designed effectively, digital payment and financial communications can have a substantial impact on a hospital or health system’s bottom line. But patients still commonly […]
Well Health Wants To Stay Unknown: The White Label Platform Behind Provider-to-Patient Text Messages
BY JESS DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Well Health is flying under-the-radar as a white-label patient communications platform that lets more than 400 healthcare providers text message […]
Corporate venture capital-backed funding for digital health startups increased sharply in 2021
According to a CB Insight’s report, GV (formerly Google Ventures) funded the most digital health companies with 22 investments, making it most active investor in […]
Butler University debuts mental health app from LifeOmic and Preventia
Preventia and LifeOmic partnered to create the free LIFE Extend app to serve mental health needs of Butler University students. It not only connects them […]
How advanced platforms for informed consent can reinforce trust in clinical trials, improve compliance
Informed consent isn’t as simple as getting verbal or written consent from a participant one time. Rather, it is the start of an ongoing relationship […]
Healthcare hires of note
Here is a selection of recent executive hires and departures across healthcare and life sciences.
Our healthcare system is failing Black mothers: a first-hand perspective
Director of payer sales at Ovia Health, Kami Wigginton, experienced discriminatory care first-hand when she had cervical cerclage surgery and labored for 30 hours during […]
Here are the winners of the INVEST Pitch Perfect contest
Winners were selected across each of the four tracks of the startup pitch contest: care coordination and value-based care; diagnostics 2.0; pharmatech; and remote patient […]
Can healthcare providers overcome the hurdles in API adoption?
API adoption will hinge on efforts from all angles — such as healthcare organizations, IT specialists and regulators – working together to support a standardized […]
Brightline raises $105M to expand virtual mental healthcare services to diverse populations
The company’s digital on-demand platform, Connect, along with its coaching programs and clinical services—which include behavioral therapy, evaluation, medication support and speech therapy—are now available […]
Report: In big shift, medtech executives grow fonder of U.S. regulatory process
Executives used to lean toward European regulators launching their products in that region. But after a decade of change, they now see the U.S. as […]
At-home alcohol treatment covered by insurance for BlueShield of CA and Western Health Advantage members
Magellan Healthcare, a managed health company, will offer some California members access to Ria Health’s at-home alcohol use disorder treatment program.
Health Care Organizations Must Prioritize Cybersecurity Before Undergoing Digital Transformation
By TRAVIS GOOD The health care industry is rapidly embracing new technologies. Covid-19 changed the way many industries operate, and healthcare is one industry that […]
StartUPDATES: New developments from healthcare startups
Check out new developments from Healthmine, Light Solutions Company, Zephyr AI and Sema4.
Digital tech for mental care grows as way to help patients navigate health deserts
The need for mental health services continues to strain the ability of the healthcare system to respond. New technologies are helping to improve patient access […]
Resilience Lab takes another step to expand access to mental health treatment
The mental health tech company, which supports collaboration between therapists to improve outcomes and access, is expanding beyond New York to New Jersey and Connecticut. […]
Healthcare’s data conundrum: How to succeed in a data-filled world [Sponsored]
Here are some essential steps that healthcare organizations can use to better meet current consumer expectations.
Thread, AWS partner on next-gen tech for clinical trials
The partners aim to make decentralized clinical trials more efficient and less expensive through greater use of AI and machine learning.
Increasing connectivity to address health disparities requires more than expanding broadband access
The broadband expansion, especially in rural areas, will allow more people to access telehealth. But a panel at MedCity INVEST in Chicago said that’s not […]
Primary care has to lead healthcare progress in 2022
Primary care has demonstrated remarkable resilience in spite of the intense pressures of the pandemic, and there is critical work to do to help our […]
Beyond the hype: AI continues to gain traction amid the pandemic
Where once the promise of artificial intelligence for healthcare seemed to be more hype than reality, the rubber has started to hit the road. AI […]
As cash keeps pouring into health startups, VC firms work to stay disciplined
Venture capital investment in healthcare startups is continuing at a steady pace. Is it too much? Is a correction coming? Three investors offered their perspectives […]
Dibs on a RNA Computer
BY KIM BELLARD I’ve given DNA a lot of love over the years — DNA as a storage medium, as a computing platform, as the […]
Has Covid-19 made healthcare more patient-centric?
At MedCity News’ INVEST conference Monday, panelists in a session on patient-centered care talked about the impact of the pandemic. While Covid-19 has sparked some […]
How to incorporate telemedicine in an orthopedic practice
Telemedicine has a place in orthopedics; not only can range of motion measurements be taken virtually as effectively as in-person, but telehealth offers additional advantages […]
Take a holistic approach to genomic testing reimbursement
To get to the root of existing reimbursement problems, health plans should consider tackling genomic benefits management in a way that addresses test ordering and […]
IBM dumping Watson Health is an opportunity to reevaluate artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence in healthcare is only as good as the patient data that is collected. The information must be accurate, and precision management of patient […]
Envision aims to help visually impaired users live independently with updated AI-powered smart glasses
Envision Glasses are designed with the aim of helping blind and visually impaired users better process text and the visual world around them, according to […]
Lessons learned from fighting HIV in Africa—and how they apply to Covid-19 in the U.S.
One of the most important lessons learned in Africa—and throughout the Covid-19 pandemic—is that data is your biggest ally. We need data to tell us […]
Five common social media mistakes in health research participant engagement
Social media is a powerful tool for health researchers, but it also has its pitfalls. To make social media an effective part of your study’s […]
Paige launches software to help detect breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes
When breast cancer spreads, it commonly invades the lymph nodes—structures that are part of the body’s immune system. Paige’s software is designed to find cancer […]
Cricket + Fresenius Health Partners + InterWell Health CEO on New Biz & “Take Out Merger” Chatter
BY JESSICA DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Matthew Holt categorized the triple-merger between Cricket Health, Fresenius Health Partners, and InterWell Health as a “take out merger” — […]
StartUPDATES: New developments from healthcare startups
Check out news from Equiva, Healthmine, Recora, and Antidote Health.
Podimetrics snags $45M to grow its diabetic foot health business, prevent amputations
The company is using the funding to grow its product development and research teams, and expand the clinical services offered by its nurse support team. […]
Exploring the next chapter of interoperability [Sponsored]
A webinar, sponsored by Surescripts on April 28, will include: Surescripts CEO Tom Skelton, Epic CEO Judy Faulkner, Healthcare Leadership Council President Mary Grealy, McKesson […]
#HealthTechDeals Episode 18: Huma, Afterlife, Timedoc Health Avive, Antidote Health
Exciting things are a-happening in the Medicaid space! Two new female CEOs are being announced today in City Block Health and in Centene! In this […]
How providers can win the tug-of-war with payers over denials
In this complex and rapidly changing claims denial environment, providers must take a proactive approach to stay ahead of the game. Here’s what providers can […]
Supreme Court rejects Epic’s request to reinstate $420M payout from Tata instead of $280M
EHR powerhouse Epic Systems sued Tata Consultancy Services in 2014 for stealing trade secrets and the court awarded Epic $940 million, which was reduced to […]
Executives at new InterWell Health, formed by 3-way merger, want to turn kidney care on its head
The new organization combining InterWell, Fresenius Health Partners and Cricket Health is valued at $2.4 billion with a total addressable market of $170 billion, more than $6 […]
Glucose monitor health startup snags $4M in seed funding
BioCoach will use its $4 million seed funding from SecretLab LLC founder Jason Bright to scale its platform that tackles prediabetes by offering customized diet […]
How to successfully navigate remote patient monitoring
Early indications show that remote patient monitoring holds promise in advancing value-based care. But healthcare providers and practice managers need to consider several factors before […]
How to ensure Medicare’s kidney care contracting model succeeds and transform treatment
Medicare’s Comprehensive Kidney Care Contracting model spotlights the importance of proactive, coordinated kidney care. It’s critical for nephrology practices to start incorporating this patient-centric approach […]
Eko unveils its newly redesigned app aimed at detecting heart disease early
The Eko App uses automated disease detection software and is paired with the company’s line of smart stethoscopes to analyze heart sounds with FDA-cleared AI algorithms. […]
Livongo’s Former CEO Zane Burke on New Gig Leading Healthcare Navigator Biz Quantum Health
By JESS DAMASSA Livongo Alumni Updates from ViVE 2022 continue! Former CEO Zane Burke drops in to talk about his new gig as CEO of […]
#HealthTechDeals Episode 17: Cricket Health, Embold Health, Canopy, Vira Health, and Woebot
We’ve reViVEd from ViVE and the HIMMSanity is over! Jess and I are back to discuss more multimillion-dollar deals: Fresenius/Interwell/Cricket Health is merging to 2.4 […]
Study: Machine learning successfully tracks drugs stolen from hospitals faster and with minimal error
A retrospective study published in American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy found that machine learning and advanced analytics technology not only identifies drug diversion – when […]
How analytics can elevate the role of data across the care continuum
With analytics, faster, more informed decision-making is possible. This provides opportunities for healthcare leaders and organizations to find greater alignment on priorities, resources and outcomes.
TimeDoc Health raises $48.5M in bid to reduce admin burden for physicians and assist with care coordination
TimeDoc plans to hire about 350 additional employees in 2022, according to CEO Will Boeglin. That includes additional care coordination staff, sales and marketing personnel […]
Connecting the healthcare data dots: How a harmonized healthcare data strategy can create efficiencies
When the healthcare industry talks about data, the conversation usually focuses on interoperability and data standards. While these are certainly important, the most effective way […]
Easing the transition home after a hospital stay: the role of augmented recovery coaching
Many patients are discharged from the hospital only to be readmitted soon afterward. But recovery coaching programs bolstered by augmented intelligence can significantly reduce readmission […]
The real power of data: Leveling the playing field in healthcare
As we work to engage underserved communities in proactive, value-based medical treatment, we need to find ways to provide more granular data that accurately and […]
Crafting the next-generation value creation playbook in healthcare private equity
While the pandemic has disrupted demand for certain healthcare sectors, it has accelerated innovation and provided an opportunity for investment in other areas. In particular, […]
3 must-haves when considering a chatbot for healthcare
Although there is a wide range of healthcare chatbot applications, such as providing medical information and mental health assistance, typical chatbot solutions are often inadequate, […]
Intelligent AED company snags $22M Series A to address out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Avive raised $22 million in its recent Series A funding round to further develop its intelligent automated external defibrillator technology and platform that work like […]
Ada Health’ platform, now available on Epic, is helping drive value-based care
The company announced this week that its AI-powered symptom assessment and care navigation platform is now available in the Epic App Orchard. Jeff Cutler, Ada’s […]
Quickbite Interviews: Force Therapeutics/Xealth & Avia Health
I was at the VIVE conference in Miami last week and caught up with a number of CEOs & execs for some quickbite interviews — […]
StartUPDATES: New developments for healthcare startups
Read about news from Element Science, Healthmine, Equiva, UniDoc Health Corp., and House RX.
Digital transformation is imperative to combat healthcare’s labor crisis
The “Great Resignation” should spark a great transformation, where digital innovation is no longer a stop-gap but an integral part of any health care delivery […]
GE Healthcare announces partnership with AliveCor, launches new digital platform at HIMSS
With its two major announcements at the Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, the company signaled it is aiming to help providers access more […]
ViVE conference highlights commitment to health equity through tech, previews the next chapters of interoperability [Sponsored]
The ViVE conference last week was a refreshing collection of discussions exploring how much progress has been made in healthcare transformation and the enormous amount […]
#HealthTechDeals Episode 16: Doctolib, House Rx, SmithRx, and Kintsugi
May the luck of the Irish be with the health tech sector and may everybody’s valuation go back to where it was in the St. […]
“There Isn’t One Health Plan to Save Them All”: Flume Health’s CEO on New Build-A-Plan Biz
By JESSICA DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Two of the most notable payer venture funds, Optum Ventures and Cigna Ventures, just headed up a $30 million dollar […]
Atrial fibrillation in primary care: Why a proactive approach is needed
The key challenge for primary care is the current lack of means for population-wide screening as this significantly lowers our ability to catch the condition […]
Enhancing patient care with mobile clinical communication technologies
To truly enhance the quality of care, healthcare organizations need more collaborative, less disruptive communication tools — mobile clinical technologies — that enable greater workflow […]
Amwell’s SilverCloud Health unveils digital mental health resources for families at HIMSS
The company rolled out new programs, content, interactive tools and videos aimed at addressing family mental health. The offerings seek to fill in gaps in […]
Quickbite Interviews: 1UpHealth& Cecilia Health
I was at the VIVE conference in Miami last week and caught up with a number of CEOs & execs for some quickbite interviews — […]
Epic beats competition in new KLAS report ranking Top IT companies for healthcare
Cybersecurity company Censinet paired up with healthcare IT research company KLAS for the 2022 annual Best in KLAS report where they rank IT companies in […]
Clarify Health Solutions’ CEO on Data Analytics Startup’s Next Trick: Value-Based Payments Tech
By JESSICA DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Turns out, the Clarify Health Solutions story is about a lot more than data and analytics these days. Value-based payments? […]
Meditech exec says Google Health collaboration will bring search’s simplicity to the EHR
After announcing plans to collaborate at HIMSS, Google Health and Meditech executives explain why bringing search capability to the EHR helps to not only aggregate […]
Where Health Care Value Can Lead
By BRIAN KLEPPER It seems inevitable that, in the near future, an innovative health care organization – Let’s call it The Platform – is going […]
Global survey: More than half of clinicians say telehealth harms their ability to show empathy towards patients
The global survey conducted by Elsevier Health also explored attitudes toward technology adoption, current issues driving change and offer predictions of what being a clinician […]
Past the Talking Points: Glen Tullman on Affordable Insulin, Payment Model Reform & Transcarent
By JESSICA DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Turns out, that if you’re lucky enough to catch Glen Tullman in an impromptu chat just off the main stage […]
Health interoperability with purpose: TEFCA’s impact & (maybe) the beginning of the end of impersonal care
Recently, the ONC revealed its most ambitious healthcare interoperability effort to date with the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). It outlines a common […]
Tech-forward, third-party administrator health plan company raises $30M series A
Flume Health offers a platform for customized health plan administration for insurers who want to develop customized health plans to target certain populations. The company […]
Network with healthcare executives at MedCity INVEST
In our first in-person event in two years, the MedCity INVEST conference March 28-30 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago, there will be many […]
Vibe at ViVE: Health tech executives share new developments at inaugural conference [Sponsored]
Hear from healthcare executives such as CVS Kidney Care President Lisa Rometty, Komodo Health CEO Dr. Arif Nathoo, and McKesson Ventures Partner Michelle Snyder on […]
Quickbite Interviews: Lark & Luma Health
I was at the VIVE conference in Miami last week and caught up with a number of CEOs & execs for some quickbite interviews — […]
Exploring the technology trends that will define the future of healthcare
While the healthcare industry’s digital transformation continues pushing forward — accelerated, in part, by growing adoption of telehealth — we’re also seeing the effects of […]
Amwell CEO at ViVE: Health providers, not consumers, will drive telehealth adoption
In a sit-down interview, Roy Schoenberg said the fixation on consumer behavior around telehealth misses the bigger story. He thinks provider adoption and integration of […]
5 steps to push healthcare tech innovation now that data interoperability is here
New Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) regulations promote innovation, interoperability and the free flow of data. Americans have demanded more transparency in healthcare for decades, […]
Medical innovations during Covid leave behind people with disabilities
Telemedicine, teleworking, rapid tests, virtual school, and vaccine drive-throughs have become part of Americans’ routines as they enter Year 3 of life amid covid-19. But […]
Medical director leading Amazon Care Medical: I was a burned-out physician
In an interview at ViVE earlier this week in Miami, Dr. Sunita Mishra, medical director of Care Medical, Amazon Care’s clinical delivery team, said that […]
StartUPDATES: New developments from healthcare startups
Read about news from Equiva, Healthmine, Prenosis, 9am.health, and Socially Determined.
Socially Determined unveils metric measuring impact of social connectedness on health outcomes, business performance
The metric analyzes the influences of loneliness, social network quality, social capital and other data to deliver insights into how those factors converge to impact […]
Disruptive collaboration gains momentum in healthcare [Sponsored]
The ViVE conference highlighted some of the exciting developments in healthcare such as making drugs more affordable, interoperability, improving home care and holistic health.
#HealthTechDeals Episode 14: Elemy, Health Gorilla, M_disrupt; Flume; and Homeward Health
In this episode of Health Tech Deals, Jess and I say hello to you from Miami! Together at ViVE 2022, we weigh in on some […]
Will ‘DoorDash for Lab Draws’ Startup Sprinter Health Be What Speeds Up Virtual Care’s Growth?
By JESSICA DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Sprinter Health bills itself as “the “DoorDash for lab draws” – sending nurses and phlebotomists out to patients’ homes to […]
Epic CEO at exclusive sit-down at ViVE: We are now interoperable with the world
In a sit-down interview after my onstage fireside chat with rival Cerner CEO David Feinberg at ViVE, Epic CEO Judith Faulkner aimed to set the […]
Price transparency, virtual care and timely access to data take on many forms at ViVE 2022 [Sponsored]
Some of the overarching trends across many of the health tech companies at ViVE included making healthcare access more flexible, user friendly and more transparent […]
Newly launched Homeward aims to change the face of rural healthcare
Launched Monday with an initial investment of $20 million from General Catalyst, the startup is looking to bolstering access to high-quality, affordable primary and specialty […]
When Crypto Comes to Health Care
By KIM BELLARD The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been called many things. To most of the world, of course, it’s considered an invasion, […]
Mental Health Care & Medicaid State-of-Play: Circulo Health, Brave Health Execs Weigh-In
By JESS DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Two experts in mental health care for the Medicaid market stop by to help us get smart on the challenges […]
5 takeaways from ViVE 2022: Day one [Sponsored]
Healthcare executives and investors shared insights on a wide range of topics from partnering with startups, real world evidence, health equity and new developments in […]
Hospitals leverage technology beyond its initial design to address needs of mental health patients
Amidst an increase in mental health patients, some healthcare organizations are leveraging technology solutions built for an entirely different purpose in new ways to support […]
Integrating a whole person care view for actionable behavioral health services
Supporting real-time care coordination will benefit the physical and behavioral health of every patient, resulting in better outcomes and make significant progress against the mental […]
How Cerner’s CEO responded to U.S. market share losses at ViVE
Dr. David Feinberg spent much of a roughly 20-minute late-morning session Monday talking about the potential benefits of EHRs, but when asked about losing market […]
Now is our chance to design digital health for equity: Here’s how we can do it
As we embrace breakthroughs in digital health, let’s not cut, paste and proliferate the health equity issues of the offline world. We can only claim […]
BREAKING at ViVE: Jenny Schneider on Launch of New Biz, Homeward
by JESSICA DAMASSA, WTF HEALTH BREAKING! Livongo-famous Jenny Schneider stops by to talk to us first, on-site at ViVE in Miami, about the brand-new business […]
Amwell exec weighs in on findings of AMA report, best practices for delivering behavioral healthcare virtually
The director of psychological services at Amwell said that the report from the American Medical Association entitled “Accelerating and Enhancing Behavioral Health Integration Through Digitally […]
Digital health intelligence company MDisrupt lands $5.7M seed funding
MDiscrupt will utilize the seed funding to develop its digital health intelligence platform, build out its product and engineering teams in Austin, and grow its […]
RubiconMD CEO shares insights on behavioral health and outlines rural health initiative [Sponsored]
Gil Addo, CEO and co-founder of RubiconMD, is taking part in a discussion on value-based care and access to healthcare in rural communities at the […]
AI to help bridge care gap between visits for high risk patients
Healthcare technology company WellSky acquired TapCloud, a virtual engagement technology company that connects patients and providers in real-time to address care needs between visits, leveraging […]
Improving the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases with AI-based technology
To reduce time-consuming manual searches and improve their findings, many organizations are turning to artificial intelligence technologies such as natural language processing. Clinical and research […]
StartUPDATES: New developments from healthcare startups
Read about news from Equiva, Doceree, Verana Health and XR Health.
AI attempts to tackle radiology provider shortage, while also improving outcomes
Several AI solutions for various indications in radiology – from x-rays to CT scans to ultrasounds – aim to address not only the radiologist provider […]
Sutter Health chief of digital health shares digital health integration insights [Sponsored]
Sutter Health Chief of Digital Health Dr Albert Chan is taking part in a panel discussion about the patient experience at the ViVE conference by […]
CancerIQ raises $14M to grow its platform focused on early detection and prevention
The Series B financing round was co-led by Merck Global Health Innovation Fund and Amgen Ventures. The company’s Black female co-founders have prioritized overcoming systemic […]
#HealthTechDeals Episode 13: ModMed, Nayya, Sanofi, Dario Health, Ro, Dadi, and Daybreak Health
Here’s the big question of the day: VIVE or HIMSS or both? Jess and I offer our thoughts on both conferences and which ones we’re […]
Big Tech companies are harming – not helping – healthcare
Big technology companies have often been hailed as the saviors that could free the nation from the problems of our dysfunctional, inefficient and archaic healthcare […]
Streamlining vaccine supply chains – it’s all about the label
While a great deal of attention has been given to streamlining supply chains – and ensuring vaccines reach healthcare providers and their patients around the […]
New study shows first FDA-cleared video game treatment for pediatric ADHD improves brain function
In the U.S., EndeavorRx has been cleared to help in improving attention function as measured by computer-based testing in children ages 8-12 years who have […]
Healthcare transformation sits at the intersection of scheduling and engagement
Simple-to-use integrated scheduling and two-way engagement are critical in equipping healthcare providers to deliver a better patient experience in the digital future.
Eden Health launches proactive, personalized care plans to blueprint patients’ care
The care plans, available through the company’s app, draw on predictive technology to help identify preventive treatments for lower-risk and higher-risk patients alike. Patients are […]
Healthcare’s dirty secret: cash pay can be more economical than paying with insurance
Solv Health launched ClearPrice that compiles data from more than 5,000 providers so consumers can evaluate the cost of various services before they are rendered […]
Synapse Medicine adds $28M for its platform supporting proper medication use
European venture firm Korelya Capital led the funding round, Synapse’s third in as many years, bringing the total amount the startup has raised to $40 […]
Sanofi and DarioHealth team up on digital health tools for chronic conditions
Sanofi and digital therapeutics company DarioHealth will work together to promote the tech firm’s offerings for the management of chronic diseases. Under the $30 million, […]
Which pharmatech startups will present at MedCity INVEST’s Pitch Perfect contest?
Five companies will present to a group of investor judges. They will be evaluated on criteria such as business idea, market opportunity, and revenue model.
Yale study: Disparities in 30-day readmission rate for dual-eligibles not connected to SDOH factors
A recent Yale study found no correlation between 30-day hospital readmissions for dually eligible Medicare Medicaid patients and census reported social determinants of health, though […]
ViVE Q&A: What can healthcare organizations do to repel ransomware attacks? [Sponsored]
Cybersecurity will be an important part of the conversation at the ViVE conference by HLTH and CHIME, March 6-9 in Miami Beach. An interview with […]
#HealthTechDeals Episode 12: Omada Health, Somatus, Qventus, Story Health, and Medibuddy
In this episode of Health Tech Deals, Jess is back! Where was she? Out in the wilds in Arizona, hiking in mountains. A big shoutout […]
Five key capabilities for health systems to meet growing consumer demand for self-service
At a time of dramatically increasing consumer demand for convenience and digital self-service, hospitals and health systems have a significant opportunity to close the gap […]
Report identifies phishing, ransomware attacks as most significant security incidents for healthcare
The 2021 HIMSS Healthcare Cybersecurity Survey found heathcare cyber attacks most frequently targeted financial information; aging infrastructures and tight budgets contributed to security challenges.
DEMO: Medstar Health’s digital front door – featuring b.well Connected Health
Medstar Health, a big hospital system in the Washington DC area, has been using a selection of digital health tools like Bluestream Health’s telehealth system […]
Avoiding the trends trap: Accelerating change in health IT through greater connectedness
To avoid the “trends trap” of heightening the health tech disconnect in the wake of innovation, we must consider how best to proceed in investing […]
Teladoc, Amazon partnering to offer voice-activated virtual care
Customers will be able to access Teladoc on Alexa for 24/7 non-emergency general medical care through certain smart speakers, including Echo, Echo Dot and Echo […]
3 predictions for clinical decision support innovation in healthcare
As we near two years since Covid-19 first struck the U.S., our healthcare system continues […]
Predicting therapeutic outcomes in breast cancer patients: AI’s next big task
There is a need for sophisticated and accurate forecasting software tools that incorporate precision cancer care. Technology and artificial intelligence, in particular, have the potential […]
Report finds telehealth use lags. Can providers make it more attractive to patients?
Nearly two years into the pandemic, only about 1 in 4 Americans, less than 26%, have used telehealth, according to Trilliant Health’s 2022 Telehealth Trends […]
The calvary has arrived for the kidney care revolution: Policymakers, start-ups join physicians’ longstanding fight to transform a troubled industry
To combat challenges facing the industry, both policymakers and entrepreneurs have been working on complementary strategies to help primary care physicians, nephrologists and other care […]
The value of a human-centric, AI-powered approach to healthcare
Many healthcare companies are examining ways to incorporate AI to improve safety, efficiency and the overall patient experience. However, as companies continue to prioritize this […]
A tech-enabled solution to drug diversion: What to do when a provider steals a patient’s medication
Unfortunately, too many patients go without prescribed medication because healthcare professionals – a distinct minority but no small number – “divert” the drugs for other […]
Healthcare firms were pushed to confront racism. Now some are investing in Black startups.
The racial reckoning of the past couple of years has inspired many industries to take a look at their histories and practices.
StartUPDATES: New developments from healthcare startups
Check out news from Equiva, Minded, Rightway and more.
Aflac, Neuroflow partner in aims of closing gaps in mental health care for customers
The financial terms of the three-year deal were not disclosed. Beginning in Q3, NeuroFlow will be available to new and existing clients that have fully […]
INVEST Digital Health conference set to move to Dallas with state’s growing stature as a health hub
MedCity News is bringing its INVEST Digital Health conference to Dallas on September 28. Every year we will discuss something that’s new and emerging in […]
Department of Justice sues UnitedHealth to stop it acquiring Change Healthcare
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to stop the merger of UnitedHealth Group and […]
Communication breakdown: Healthcare delivery is still hindered by preventable mistakes
Even with EHRs, notes are still written down on paper and some critical communication never happens between clinicians. To reduce medical errors, we need to […]
Omada Health raises $192M in Series E funding and Verily’s Onduo snags a payer partner
Omada got funds from two new investors – Fidelity Management & Research Company and aMoon as well as existing ones. Verily’s Onduo is bringing its […]
Seqster: The Salesforce of Healthcare?
By JESSICA DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH It’s not difficult to get Seqster’s CEO Ardy Arianpour fired up, but to get to the details about his business […]
Negative stereotypes disproportionately affect Black patients’ medical records
The study found that Black patients were labeled “nonadherent” or “noncompliant” more often than their white counterparts and their pain undertreated. Such unfair terminology is […]
AvaSure, Equum Medical partner to address nursing staff shortage
AvaSure brings to the table 24-7 virtual technology monitoring solutions used in hospital rooms across the country, and Equum Medical provides access to care via […]
Three factors that are key to improving health equity at MedCity INVEST
Penn Medicine CEO Kevin Mahoney will be part of a panel discussion on health equity at the MedCity INVEST conference March 28-30 at the Ritz […]
Leveraging aggregated data from patient communities to improve cancer care
For data to be truly valuable, it must take into consideration all the facets of the patient’s life. That will allow researchers to uncover new […]
How to design an omnichannel AI ecosystem for optimum customer engagement
Here are three tips for designing an omnichannel AI ecosystem that maximizes investments while remaining nimble in today’s dynamic and competitive market.
#HealthTechDeals Episode 11: MindMaze, Memora Health, Ro, PriorAuthNow, and Equip
On this episode of Health Tech Deals, Ian Morrison is pinch-hitting for Jessica DaMassa! Ian and I have worked together 25+ years ago, and he’s […]
StartUPDATES: New developments from healthcare startups
Check out news from Healthmine, Equiva, NourishedRx and more.
BREAKING: MindMaze Lands Fresh $105M for Digital Neuro-Therapeutics
By JESSICA DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH You may know the term “digital therapeutics,” but how about the specialized category of “digital neuro-therapeutics”? MindMaze, which has developed […]
H1 acquires Faculty Opinions to grow its global expert network
Faculty Opinions brings together the comments and opinions of thousands of top researchers in life sciences and medicine. Combined with H1’s extensive intel on healthcare […]
Aledade: Mandy Cohen joins, Farzad speaks
Aledade is the “build an ACO out of small independent primary care practices” company. It was founded by former ONC Director Farzad Mostashari and has […]
AI can provide the support patients need to focus on getting better
For those without a companion or person they trust to provide assistance, technology can help with some of the tasks traditionally handled by a caregiver.
Alexa joins the site staff: how clinical trials tech will evolve in 2022
Expect more clinical trial sponsors to embrace these technologies as the industry sees wider adoption of decentralized clinical trials.
Can telehealth be here to stay?
Telehealth has proven itself undeniably practical. However, ensuring its long-term survival will require ongoing work and revision, including broadband improvements, permanent Medicare reforms, Interstate Medical […]
Clinical evidence is a necessity, not a luxury, for digital health companies
Lindsay Sears, VP of evidence generation at One Drop weighs in on the importance of gathering validation for digital health tools and how doing so […]
AI comes of age during Covid-19: Register now and join us for MedCity INVEST in Chicago
The conference takes place March 28-30 at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Chicago. Register now and be part of the conversation, take part in networking […]
#HealthTechDeal Episode 10: ANDHealth, Aetna Health, Minded, Expressable, and Curve Health
Valentine’s day…is awful. Check out this episode of HealthTechDeals to get Jessica’s and my more in-depth thoughts on the holiday. But let’s see which companies […]
Memora Health brings in $40M to grow its platform, expand partnerships
Transformation Capital led the Series B funding round with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Frist Cressey Ventures, Edward Elmhurst Health, AlleyCorp. The new financing enables Memora […]
Health providers snoop through medical files of potential dates
Chief Data Scientist at SecureLink discusses a disturbing phenomenon: medical professionals sifting through patient records to find information on potential dates.
Healthcare CIO survey reveals a tale of two cities for innovation
Our survey of health system CIOs finds growing demand for platforms that not only solve big and urgent problems but deliver provable ROI and integrate […]
Survey finds execs aware and concerned about rampant patient data inaccuracies
Report majority of healthcare organizations did not feel they could produce an accurate 360-degree view of their patients, despite the requirement of knowing “who is […]
The future of regulatory labeling compliance depends on technology adoption
The life sciences industry is more quickly adapting to new methods, standards and requirements. The focus is now on how to drive greater data governance […]
Now is the time to tackle medication adherence in clinical trials
Integrating advanced technologies, including smart packaging and powerful data analytics, is driving a revolution in adherence monitoring that is accelerating drug development timelines, lowering clinical […]
Today’s the last day to register for INVEST and save $300
Join active investors and healthcare’s most promising entrepreneurs who are focused on solving some of the greatest challenges across the health ecosystem.
Quickbites: Equip; SameSky, Jenny Schneider (GC) & Calibrate
I’ve decided to try a new format for some interviews with digital health leaders. The other week I was at the Digital Health Innovation Summit […]
StartUPDATES: New developments from healthcare startups
Check out new developments from Element Biosciences, Equiva Health, and a new startup from the team behind CoverMyMeds.
Signify Health acquiring Caravan Health for up to $300M
According to the terms of the deal, the initial purchase price of about $250 million will be paid in cash and Signify stock. The Dallas-based […]
Validations are piling up on the efficacy of digital health tools to combat chronic disease
The latest piece of evidence comes from Included Health, which found that its telehealth platform helped lower the blood pressure of patients with hypertension over […]
Ada Health pulls in another $30M to expand in the U.S., internationally
Ada Health closed its Series B round after a $30 million extension round. International investors Farallon Capital, Red River West and Bertelsmann Investments provided the […]
INSIDE THE ACQUISITION: Signify Health Adds Caravan Health’s ACO-building Expertise for $220M
By JESSICA DaMASSA, WTF HEALTH Get the details behind the deal! Signify Health (NYSE: SGFY) is acquiring Caravan Health for $220 million in cash and […]
AI is our path to holistic mental health care
It’s time to reject reliance on the availability of human therapists and explore digitally driven, personalized care, so that each person receives exactly what they […]
A preview of the ViVE conference agenda [Sponsored]
The agenda includes discussions around 15 themes. They span investment in healthcare, AI, cybersecurity, the use of digital health tools to improve health equity, automation, […]
Using analytics for compassionate end-of-life care
Correctly deployed hospice and end-of-life care results in major reductions in unnecessary utilization and significantly decreases medical costs.
