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Important Tips for Avoiding Heat Exhaustion

Warm summer weather and prolonged sun exposure can lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion, both of which are especially dangerous for older adults. Seniors should follow these tips for staying safe this summer.Heat exhaustion can affect people of all ages, but older adults may be more susceptible to this issue. This can lead to a number of adverse health problems, and even cause heat stroke. For anyone planning on spending extended periods of time outdoors this summer, it is essential be aware of the causes and symptoms of heat exhaustion. To stay safe this summer, follow these important tips.

Spotlight

Baptist Health Plan

Baptist Health Plan offers healthcare coverage to individuals, families and employers—backed by Baptist Health, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Kentucky.*

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Health Technology, AI

The Need for Cost Clarity

Article | July 18, 2023

With consumers’ share of healthcare costs expanding, we need to do a better job making charges more transparent and more predictable My husband recently stubbed his toe. Badly. Badly enough that I encouraged him to go see a doctor. He was reluctant. While I suspected he’d rather just garner sympathy by complaining to me while limping around the house (just kidding, honey), his stated reason was all too familiar: “I have no idea what we’ll have to pay. They’ll want to do anX-ray,it might need surgery, and I have no idea what it’ll cost.” All true. We have good health insurance; but like most Americans, when we go to the doctor or have a procedure, what we will actuallyhave topay out of pocket remains a mystery.This is something that we can and should change. As consumers we are shouldering more and more of the cost of healthcare. And the biggest increases are for those of us with employer-sponsored plans. According to an analysis of federal data by the Commonwealth Fund,deductibles in employer plans more than doubled between 2008 and 2017, from $869 to $1,808. Especially troubling, an accompanyingCommonwealth Fund survey revealed that only 62% of adults were very or somewhat confident in their ability to afford healthcare. This increasing burden is also evident when you look at the crushing levels of medical debt in the United States. According to a new studyby JAMA, medical debt is now the largest contributor to personal debt. And the data for this study was collectedbeforethe COVID-19 pandemic. Some of this debt is driven by unpredictability—if the heart procedure you needed costs several thousand dollars more out of pocketthan you thought it would, you may not be prepared, emotionally or financially, to pay it. This is a bad outcome, obviously. The risk of nonpayment rises for the provider; and a recuperating patient is burdened with the stress of a large,unexpected bill. More skin in the game Soas consumers are paying more out of pocket, some may become reluctant to seek care (like my husband) or seek more information about what they willhaveto pay for the care they receive. Consumers are also armed with incredible levels of price transparency with other products—everything from hotel rooms to clothing to household items. With so much skin in the game, and the internet providing so much information, consumers’ expectations are changing when it comes to healthcare. State and federal regulators are also beginning to take action, a trend that will likely accelerate. Most hospitals are now required to publicly disclose the prices they charge. This does not, however, solve the issue for consumers. While it provides a measure of visibility into pricing for insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid, it doesn’t show what share the patient will ultimately pay. Making the complicated simple The complexity of pricing in healthcare is well documented. Niall Brennan, CEO of the Health Care Cost Institute, a nonprofit that analyzes medical costs, suggests that healthcare costs are too high.As a recent Wall Street Journal article reported, a price of a C-section varied from $6,241 to$60,584 at one hospital. This all has to do with the vagaries of the agreements that hospitals sign with multiple insurance companies and government payers. In turn, each insurance company will have its own deductible and out-of-pocket schedules, which providers don’t have access to. We are seeking to change this at Change Healthcare. We are piloting our Care Cost Estimator with a few innovative providers. With the Care Cost Estimator, weleverage our unique dataset, and the largest eligibility network in the industry, to make the unpredictable, predictable.Because we’ve managed 15 billion healthcare transactions—and our network covers 1 million physicians, 6,000 hospitals, and 2,400 payers—we have an unmatched ability to analyze what real-world patients are paying for practically any procedure, performed at almost any hospital or clinic. With a cloud-based transaction engine, providers will now be able to tell their patients how much they will have to pay out of pocket for a given procedure.And this analysis takes place in real time. Removing unpredictability in pricing This gives providers the opportunity to offer added value for their patients, taking some unpredictability out of whatis often a stressful transaction. In addition, it accelerates patient payment cycles which, as the patient’s share of the cost burden increases, is becoming more and more important. We’re not talking $50 co-pays anymore; it’s thousands of dollars per transaction. If necessary, providers can also help the patient plan for the expense, offering financing options, thus reducing unpaid bills. For the patient, it allows more informed decision-making and peace of mind. Testing the beta version of our Care Cost Estimator with our partners will allow us to receive real-world feedback and collaborate with customers on how to continuously improve the product as we scale it. We expect the ROI for providers, in addition to the payment-cycle improvements, will include greater patient satisfaction and loyalty. For the patient, it provides information necessary to help make proper decisions and plan emotionally and financially; in other words, giving the consumer the same information for vital healthcare transactions that’s available to them for practically any other purchase. This kind of win-win solution is at the core of Change Healthcare’s mission to improve the healthcare experience for everyone—including my husband and his broken toe!

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Health Technology, Digital Healthcare

When Someone You Know Struggles with Fear and Anxiety

Article | September 8, 2023

Do you know a friend or loved one who suffers from fear, anxiety, and depression and do not know what to do to help them? It can be frustrating to watch someone you know struggle with their mental health and not be able to do anything to relieve their suffering. With this in mind, here are seven ways to help the person cope in these kinds of situations. 1. Learn as much as you can in managing anxiety and depression: There are many books and information that will educate you on how to successfully overcome fear and anxiety. Share this information with the individual who is struggling with their fears. The key is to get your friend to understand how important it is to seek some guidance when it comes to their mental health. 2. Be understanding and patient with the person struggling with their fears: Maintaining depression and anxiety can be difficult for the individual so do not add more problems than what is already there. Do not get into arguments with your friend who may be having a difficult time with their anxieties. Make an effort to listen to the person rather than making judgements. 3. Talk to the person instead of talking at them: It is important not to lecture the individual who’s having a hard time with anxiety and depression. Talk to the person about their issues without being rude. Most people will listen if you approach them in a proper manner. Remember to treat others the way you would want to be treated if you were the one who was struggling. 4. Ask for some ideas: Seek advice from a professional who can assist the person you know with their mental health issues. A counsellor can give you some ideas on how to overcome anxiety, fear, and depression. Getting help from a therapist is the number one priority in getting the individual to do something about their problems. 5. Find out why the person won’t get assistance: Address the issues on why he or she will not seek treatment. Many people who are struggling are fearful and frustrated. Try to find out the reasons why your friend won’t get the help they need and then try to find the ways that will overcome their resistance of seeking some guidance. 6. Remind the person on the consequences of not getting help: Another way to convince the individual who is struggling with fear and depression is to tell them what may happen if they don’t get some counselling. Anxiety and depression can make things worse and usually won’t go away by themselves. 7. You can’t manage your mental health all by yourself: A person’s fears and anxieties can be difficult to manage and more than likely he or she will need some help. Many people think that they can overcome their mental health problems on their own. This is a mistake. The individual should admit they have a problem and then seek treatment to get their life back on track.

Read More
Digital Healthcare

Is Technology Working To Prevent Physician Burnout?

Article | November 29, 2023

Workers in the healthcare industry are among the most burned out demographics following the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, a report by Medscape on physician burnout and depression in 2022 calculated a five-percentage point increase in burnout overall, from 42% in 2020 to 47% in 2021. Critical care physician burnout was also found to increase from 44% to 51% last year, placing them at the top of Maryville University’s list of physician specialties with the highest cases of burnout. This is closely followed by rheumatology physician burnout, which was 50% in 2021. At the bottom of the list, emergency medicine physician burnout still came in close at a rate of 44%. Burnout can result in, among other things, exhaustion and a loss of concentration, which can be dangerous in healthcare. With that, advancements in technology have been made to help mitigate stress and reduce the chances of burnout in healthcare. Maximum Tasks, Minimum Efficiency Reports show that many technological advancements in the healthcare industry actually aren’t appropriate for managing physician workloads. This is due to the range of tasks physicians need to perform, from creating treatment plans to managing EHRs. Our previous discussion on EHR-Generated Messages highlighted how the misapplication of this algorithm had actually led to these inboxes getting clogged. This has primary care physicians spending more than half their workday interacting with EHRs that only remind physicians to order certain tests, instead of dealing with critical messages from patients or colleagues. This has been counterproductive in terms of efficiency, leading to more burnout symptoms and the tendency to reduce clinical work hours. It is therefore important that technology integrations consistently consider the broader picture of the tasks of physicians. Tech Developments for Reducing Burnout Shifts in the industry have thus begun to focus on the quality of efficiency and physician assistance, rather than the quantity of technology available. Here are some notable examples of technology that has become finely integrated within the healthcare industry. Ambient Technology in Clinical Documentation Ambient computing streamlines the clinical documentation process by using artificial intelligence to respond to human behavior and needs. This provides front-end speech and computer-assisted documentation, reducing the time needed for physicians to work on admin tasks, and thereby minimizing burnout. Smart hospitals have started leveraging this through sensor-based solutions, and experts from Michigan University believe usage must be made easier and simpler to use for the provider if the healthcare industry is to further leverage ambient computing for CDI. As of 2021, adoption has only started to take off, especially in the revenue cycle. Computer Modeling in Vaccine Development The traditional process of designing novel vaccines usually lasts 10 to 15 years and can cost between $200 million and $500 million. However, a feature by News Medical highlights the recent development of COVID-19 vaccines, which uncovered the capabilities of computational modeling systems. This showed an ability to predict which parts of a pathogen may be recognized by the immune system’s B cells and T cells. This allows rapid identification of vaccine targets from a genetic sequence, which reduces the years required for preclinical research. Physicians are thus able to respond faster to vaccine developments, and reduce the overload of health systems during any future pandemics or epidemics in the long term. Patient Placement Technology The shortage of physicians is a common setback in the industry, one that staff at the Rice County District Hospital in Lyons, Kansas mitigated using patient placement technology. Patient placement technology coordinated care for patients inside the 25-bed, level 4 hospital, as well as those needing to be transferred to another facility. By integrating local EMS and other transport services with health systems, manual telephone calls were no longer necessary. Hence, physicians were able to quickly and effectively get patients the care they needed while managing time-critical diagnoses. This maximizes the limited resources available without stretching out the workforce. Physicians are able to focus solely on their patients, knowing that the time-consuming logistics are being efficiently handled by technology. The industry needs to continue to look into the practices of reducing burnout among physicians, more so as we continue to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. By emphasizing physician wellness and efficient technology, we can continue to assure the health and productivity of healthcare workers into the future.

Read More
Digital Healthcare

What’s So Great About FHIR? Find Out Here

Article | December 27, 2021

Affordable healthcare is the need of the hour and interoperability is the means to that end. The healthcare ecosystem is looking into ways they can enable this affordability as soon as possible, and that is where FHIR comes in. FHR promises an on-demand exchange of secure healthcare information. It has become an increasingly popular protocol, thanks to its commitment to ensuring interoperability in the app economy, via apps. The privilege enjoyed by consumers and participants in most industries is the ease of accessibility of information. With most of it being on the cloud, a URL ensures access to the same information regardless of where it is being accessed from or which internet enable device. This is the privilege FHIR aims to introduce in healthcare, over the current document-based approach where forms are either faxed, emailed, or electronically exchanged. FHIR is for Building new healthcare apps Develop cloud-based health apps that integrate with social networks Providing a simple to use standards-based API for cloud-based health integration services The government looking to implement a national EHR FHIR Aims to Reduce Cost The medical expenses of an average American in a year are north of $12k and rising. The reasons are the unnecessary complications in the healthcare IT infrastructure. With FHIR, HL7 aims to reduce the burden on providers in sharing and accessing healthcare data at the point of care, thereby reducing the administrative expenses spent on moving data back and forth. It also promises to grant on-demand access to patients – enabling them to make better-informed healthcare decisions. What is part of FHIR? Pre-defined Resources and API A common way to represent data as building blocks and rules for connecting them Target support for common scenarios Implementer Friendly Familiar tooling and technologies using web standards Multiple Libraries available for faster implementations Mobile Friendly Concise and easily understood specifications, RESTful API and JSON Leverages cross-industry web technologies Multi-paradigm Thick client, browser, or mobile devices Supports human readability as the base level of interoperability Large Community for Support Heaps of open-source software and training events, webinars, and connectathons Specification feedback welcomed, including update requests-tracker Out-of-the-box Interoperability Base resources can be used as it is, can also be adapted for local requirements Seamless exchange of information using messages or document Start The FHIR Health plans are jumping on the FHIR bandwagon faster than ever thanks to the Interoperability and Patient Access rule as well as the latest proposals. Do not get left behind or sustain the ramifications of non-compliance with CMS regulations.

Read More
Health Technology, AI

Transforming Digital Healthcare Software through AI-Enhanced UX Testing

Article | July 18, 2023

With consumers’ share of healthcare costs expanding, we need to do a better job making charges more transparent and more predictable My husband recently stubbed his toe. Badly. Badly enough that I encouraged him to go see a doctor. He was reluctant. While I suspected he’d rather just garner sympathy by complaining to me while limping around the house (just kidding, honey), his stated reason was all too familiar: “I have no idea what we’ll have to pay. They’ll want to do anX-ray,it might need surgery, and I have no idea what it’ll cost.” All true. We have good health insurance; but like most Americans, when we go to the doctor or have a procedure, what we will actuallyhave topay out of pocket remains a mystery.This is something that we can and should change. As consumers we are shouldering more and more of the cost of healthcare. And the biggest increases are for those of us with employer-sponsored plans. According to an analysis of federal data by the Commonwealth Fund,deductibles in employer plans more than doubled between 2008 and 2017, from $869 to $1,808. Especially troubling, an accompanyingCommonwealth Fund survey revealed that only 62% of adults were very or somewhat confident in their ability to afford healthcare. This increasing burden is also evident when you look at the crushing levels of medical debt in the United States. According to a new studyby JAMA, medical debt is now the largest contributor to personal debt. And the data for this study was collectedbeforethe COVID-19 pandemic. Some of this debt is driven by unpredictability—if the heart procedure you needed costs several thousand dollars more out of pocketthan you thought it would, you may not be prepared, emotionally or financially, to pay it. This is a bad outcome, obviously. The risk of nonpayment rises for the provider; and a recuperating patient is burdened with the stress of a large,unexpected bill. More skin in the game Soas consumers are paying more out of pocket, some may become reluctant to seek care (like my husband) or seek more information about what they willhaveto pay for the care they receive. Consumers are also armed with incredible levels of price transparency with other products—everything from hotel rooms to clothing to household items. With so much skin in the game, and the internet providing so much information, consumers’ expectations are changing when it comes to healthcare. State and federal regulators are also beginning to take action, a trend that will likely accelerate. Most hospitals are now required to publicly disclose the prices they charge. This does not, however, solve the issue for consumers. While it provides a measure of visibility into pricing for insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid, it doesn’t show what share the patient will ultimately pay. Making the complicated simple The complexity of pricing in healthcare is well documented. Niall Brennan, CEO of the Health Care Cost Institute, a nonprofit that analyzes medical costs, suggests that healthcare costs are too high.As a recent Wall Street Journal article reported, a price of a C-section varied from $6,241 to$60,584 at one hospital. This all has to do with the vagaries of the agreements that hospitals sign with multiple insurance companies and government payers. In turn, each insurance company will have its own deductible and out-of-pocket schedules, which providers don’t have access to. We are seeking to change this at Change Healthcare. We are piloting our Care Cost Estimator with a few innovative providers. With the Care Cost Estimator, weleverage our unique dataset, and the largest eligibility network in the industry, to make the unpredictable, predictable.Because we’ve managed 15 billion healthcare transactions—and our network covers 1 million physicians, 6,000 hospitals, and 2,400 payers—we have an unmatched ability to analyze what real-world patients are paying for practically any procedure, performed at almost any hospital or clinic. With a cloud-based transaction engine, providers will now be able to tell their patients how much they will have to pay out of pocket for a given procedure.And this analysis takes place in real time. Removing unpredictability in pricing This gives providers the opportunity to offer added value for their patients, taking some unpredictability out of whatis often a stressful transaction. In addition, it accelerates patient payment cycles which, as the patient’s share of the cost burden increases, is becoming more and more important. We’re not talking $50 co-pays anymore; it’s thousands of dollars per transaction. If necessary, providers can also help the patient plan for the expense, offering financing options, thus reducing unpaid bills. For the patient, it allows more informed decision-making and peace of mind. Testing the beta version of our Care Cost Estimator with our partners will allow us to receive real-world feedback and collaborate with customers on how to continuously improve the product as we scale it. We expect the ROI for providers, in addition to the payment-cycle improvements, will include greater patient satisfaction and loyalty. For the patient, it provides information necessary to help make proper decisions and plan emotionally and financially; in other words, giving the consumer the same information for vital healthcare transactions that’s available to them for practically any other purchase. This kind of win-win solution is at the core of Change Healthcare’s mission to improve the healthcare experience for everyone—including my husband and his broken toe!

Read More
Health Technology, Digital Healthcare

Unlocking Better Health Online: Exploring Power of EHR Telemedicine

Article | September 8, 2023

Do you know a friend or loved one who suffers from fear, anxiety, and depression and do not know what to do to help them? It can be frustrating to watch someone you know struggle with their mental health and not be able to do anything to relieve their suffering. With this in mind, here are seven ways to help the person cope in these kinds of situations. 1. Learn as much as you can in managing anxiety and depression: There are many books and information that will educate you on how to successfully overcome fear and anxiety. Share this information with the individual who is struggling with their fears. The key is to get your friend to understand how important it is to seek some guidance when it comes to their mental health. 2. Be understanding and patient with the person struggling with their fears: Maintaining depression and anxiety can be difficult for the individual so do not add more problems than what is already there. Do not get into arguments with your friend who may be having a difficult time with their anxieties. Make an effort to listen to the person rather than making judgements. 3. Talk to the person instead of talking at them: It is important not to lecture the individual who’s having a hard time with anxiety and depression. Talk to the person about their issues without being rude. Most people will listen if you approach them in a proper manner. Remember to treat others the way you would want to be treated if you were the one who was struggling. 4. Ask for some ideas: Seek advice from a professional who can assist the person you know with their mental health issues. A counsellor can give you some ideas on how to overcome anxiety, fear, and depression. Getting help from a therapist is the number one priority in getting the individual to do something about their problems. 5. Find out why the person won’t get assistance: Address the issues on why he or she will not seek treatment. Many people who are struggling are fearful and frustrated. Try to find out the reasons why your friend won’t get the help they need and then try to find the ways that will overcome their resistance of seeking some guidance. 6. Remind the person on the consequences of not getting help: Another way to convince the individual who is struggling with fear and depression is to tell them what may happen if they don’t get some counselling. Anxiety and depression can make things worse and usually won’t go away by themselves. 7. You can’t manage your mental health all by yourself: A person’s fears and anxieties can be difficult to manage and more than likely he or she will need some help. Many people think that they can overcome their mental health problems on their own. This is a mistake. The individual should admit they have a problem and then seek treatment to get their life back on track.

Read More
Digital Healthcare

The Key Ingredient in Healthcare Compliance Success

Article | November 29, 2023

Workers in the healthcare industry are among the most burned out demographics following the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, a report by Medscape on physician burnout and depression in 2022 calculated a five-percentage point increase in burnout overall, from 42% in 2020 to 47% in 2021. Critical care physician burnout was also found to increase from 44% to 51% last year, placing them at the top of Maryville University’s list of physician specialties with the highest cases of burnout. This is closely followed by rheumatology physician burnout, which was 50% in 2021. At the bottom of the list, emergency medicine physician burnout still came in close at a rate of 44%. Burnout can result in, among other things, exhaustion and a loss of concentration, which can be dangerous in healthcare. With that, advancements in technology have been made to help mitigate stress and reduce the chances of burnout in healthcare. Maximum Tasks, Minimum Efficiency Reports show that many technological advancements in the healthcare industry actually aren’t appropriate for managing physician workloads. This is due to the range of tasks physicians need to perform, from creating treatment plans to managing EHRs. Our previous discussion on EHR-Generated Messages highlighted how the misapplication of this algorithm had actually led to these inboxes getting clogged. This has primary care physicians spending more than half their workday interacting with EHRs that only remind physicians to order certain tests, instead of dealing with critical messages from patients or colleagues. This has been counterproductive in terms of efficiency, leading to more burnout symptoms and the tendency to reduce clinical work hours. It is therefore important that technology integrations consistently consider the broader picture of the tasks of physicians. Tech Developments for Reducing Burnout Shifts in the industry have thus begun to focus on the quality of efficiency and physician assistance, rather than the quantity of technology available. Here are some notable examples of technology that has become finely integrated within the healthcare industry. Ambient Technology in Clinical Documentation Ambient computing streamlines the clinical documentation process by using artificial intelligence to respond to human behavior and needs. This provides front-end speech and computer-assisted documentation, reducing the time needed for physicians to work on admin tasks, and thereby minimizing burnout. Smart hospitals have started leveraging this through sensor-based solutions, and experts from Michigan University believe usage must be made easier and simpler to use for the provider if the healthcare industry is to further leverage ambient computing for CDI. As of 2021, adoption has only started to take off, especially in the revenue cycle. Computer Modeling in Vaccine Development The traditional process of designing novel vaccines usually lasts 10 to 15 years and can cost between $200 million and $500 million. However, a feature by News Medical highlights the recent development of COVID-19 vaccines, which uncovered the capabilities of computational modeling systems. This showed an ability to predict which parts of a pathogen may be recognized by the immune system’s B cells and T cells. This allows rapid identification of vaccine targets from a genetic sequence, which reduces the years required for preclinical research. Physicians are thus able to respond faster to vaccine developments, and reduce the overload of health systems during any future pandemics or epidemics in the long term. Patient Placement Technology The shortage of physicians is a common setback in the industry, one that staff at the Rice County District Hospital in Lyons, Kansas mitigated using patient placement technology. Patient placement technology coordinated care for patients inside the 25-bed, level 4 hospital, as well as those needing to be transferred to another facility. By integrating local EMS and other transport services with health systems, manual telephone calls were no longer necessary. Hence, physicians were able to quickly and effectively get patients the care they needed while managing time-critical diagnoses. This maximizes the limited resources available without stretching out the workforce. Physicians are able to focus solely on their patients, knowing that the time-consuming logistics are being efficiently handled by technology. The industry needs to continue to look into the practices of reducing burnout among physicians, more so as we continue to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. By emphasizing physician wellness and efficient technology, we can continue to assure the health and productivity of healthcare workers into the future.

Read More
Digital Healthcare

What’s So Great About FHIR? Find Out Here

Article | December 27, 2021

Affordable healthcare is the need of the hour and interoperability is the means to that end. The healthcare ecosystem is looking into ways they can enable this affordability as soon as possible, and that is where FHIR comes in. FHR promises an on-demand exchange of secure healthcare information. It has become an increasingly popular protocol, thanks to its commitment to ensuring interoperability in the app economy, via apps. The privilege enjoyed by consumers and participants in most industries is the ease of accessibility of information. With most of it being on the cloud, a URL ensures access to the same information regardless of where it is being accessed from or which internet enable device. This is the privilege FHIR aims to introduce in healthcare, over the current document-based approach where forms are either faxed, emailed, or electronically exchanged. FHIR is for Building new healthcare apps Develop cloud-based health apps that integrate with social networks Providing a simple to use standards-based API for cloud-based health integration services The government looking to implement a national EHR FHIR Aims to Reduce Cost The medical expenses of an average American in a year are north of $12k and rising. The reasons are the unnecessary complications in the healthcare IT infrastructure. With FHIR, HL7 aims to reduce the burden on providers in sharing and accessing healthcare data at the point of care, thereby reducing the administrative expenses spent on moving data back and forth. It also promises to grant on-demand access to patients – enabling them to make better-informed healthcare decisions. What is part of FHIR? Pre-defined Resources and API A common way to represent data as building blocks and rules for connecting them Target support for common scenarios Implementer Friendly Familiar tooling and technologies using web standards Multiple Libraries available for faster implementations Mobile Friendly Concise and easily understood specifications, RESTful API and JSON Leverages cross-industry web technologies Multi-paradigm Thick client, browser, or mobile devices Supports human readability as the base level of interoperability Large Community for Support Heaps of open-source software and training events, webinars, and connectathons Specification feedback welcomed, including update requests-tracker Out-of-the-box Interoperability Base resources can be used as it is, can also be adapted for local requirements Seamless exchange of information using messages or document Start The FHIR Health plans are jumping on the FHIR bandwagon faster than ever thanks to the Interoperability and Patient Access rule as well as the latest proposals. Do not get left behind or sustain the ramifications of non-compliance with CMS regulations.

Read More
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Spotlight

Baptist Health Plan

Baptist Health Plan offers healthcare coverage to individuals, families and employers—backed by Baptist Health, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Kentucky.*

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Digital Healthcare

Lucira Health Announces Expanded Partnership with Switch Health to Increase Canadians' Access to At-Home Molecular COVID-19 Tests

Lucira Health | December 27, 2021

Lucira Health, Inc., a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of transformative and innovative infectious disease test kits, announced a new agreement with Switch Health Solutions Inc. ("Switch Health") to increase Canadians' access to at-home molecular COVID-19 tests as Omicron cases surge. Lucira will provide more than 2 million at-home COVID-19 test kits in 2022 as part of the deal. "As Omicron cases surge around the world, the need for better testing solutions has never been more apparent. Only Lucira's tests provide a PCR-quality test result in 30 minutes, wherever you are, from a simple, single-use kit. Making these tests more available is critical to help slow the spread of COVID-19." Erik Engelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lucira Switch Health is a Canadian healthcare company dedicated to providing better decentralized patient care. Switch Health has quickly become a leader in COVID-19 testing on-site at its Switch Health Clinics and at-home through its remote telehealth service and in-person visits. "Switch Health's ability to be a Canadian health care leader in decentralized diagnostics is in large part due to the innovative technologies we make available to everyday Canadians," added Marc Thomson, Chief Operating Officer at Switch Health. "Lucira has been an instrumental partner in helping Switch Health achieve that in the COVID-19 era. Together, we are removing barriers to get Canadians safely back to work and reunited with their loved ones." Last month, Lucira announced confirmation that its COVID-19 Check-It (OTC) and All-In-One (Rx) molecular self-test kits' can detect 100% of Omicron variant genome sequences analyzed, including the "stealth variant." Lucira assays target viral sequence regions unaffected by the spike protein mutations found in Omicron, Delta, and other variants of concern, allowing it to maintain its accuracy in the face of an evolving virus. Lucira has received Interim Order authorization from Health Canada to sell and distribute its COVID-19 test kits for at-home self-testing in Canada. LUCIRA™ CHECK IT Test Kit The Lucira™ Check-It (OTC) and All-in-One (Rx) test kits are Nucleic-Acid Amplification Tests (referred to as NAAT). The tests fit in the palm of your hand, extract genetic material from the virus and amplify it, similar to PCR lab tests, to detect the presence of virus earlier and more accurately than antigen tests. The test uses an approach called reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). It was designed and tested extensively for individuals to use independently and does not require a physician's prescription or supervised assistance. There is no additional equipment to purchase, such as a reader or instrument. Each Lucira test kit contains everything needed to run one COVID-19 test. Users get the test device, two AA batteries, sample vial, swab and simple instructions. The batteries are inserted into the device and the sample vial is placed in the test unit. The user then opens the test swab packet and rotates the swab five times in each nostril. The swab is then stirred in the sample vial, which is then gently pressed into the test unit to start the test. The "ready" light will blink until a "positive" or "negative" green light is illuminated within 30 minutes. In the US, Lucira also offers a free LUCI Pass™ digital verified test result back to a user's phone. LUCI Pass is accessed via text and does not require downloading an app. There is also an opt-in for public health reporting for users who wish to transmit their results to the relevant public health authorities. In clinical trials, 100% of users successfully performed the test at home in about two minutes using Lucira's easy-to-use 'swab, stir and detect' Check-It test kit. In a Community Trial setting, Lucira™ Check-It results were compared with the Hologic Panther Fusion, considered a high-sensitivity molecular test due to its low Limit of Detection ("LOD"). Lucira's accuracy was 98%, correctly detecting 385 out of 394 positive and negative samples in comparison to the Hologic Panther Fusion, excluding ten samples with very low levels of virus (those with very high PCR cycle thresholds of 37.5 or greater) that possibly no longer represented active infection. Comparative positive results agreed 97% of the time among this sample, and negative results agreed 98% of the time. About Lucira Health Lucira is a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of transformative and innovative infectious disease test kits. Lucira's testing platform produces lab quality molecular testing in a single-use, consumer-friendly, palm-size test kit powered by two AA batteries. Lucira designed its test kits to provide accurate, reliable, and on-the-spot molecular test results anywhere and at any time. The Lucira™ Check-It COVID-19 Test Kit (OTC) and Lucira™ COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit (Rx) are designed to provide a clinically relevant COVID-19 result within 30 minutes from sample collection.

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Health Technology

Sun Life Partners with CloudMD to Expand Mental Health Coach To All Group Benefits Clients

CloudMD Software & Services | November 30, 2021

The need to support Canadians and their mental health has never been greater. To help more people access care, Sun Life is expanding its partnership with CloudMD, the creators of Mental Health Coach. Following a successful seven-month pilot program, Sun Life will begin rolling out Mental Health Coach as part of its Group Benefits offering. Despite many Canadians experiencing mental health issues, a Sun Life study found over half are not seeking medical care. Cost, access, and feelings of embarrassment are the top barriers to blame. Sun Life and CloudMD are bridging the gap with Mental Health Coach. The service uses data analytics to identify Clients who are at risk of developing a mental health issue. It then proactively reaches out to guide Clients to the right resources and support. “As the largest provider of group benefits in Canada, we know that tackling the mental health crisis requires dedication and a customized approach. Each person experiences mental health in their own way – no two journeys are the same,” said Dave Jones, President, Sun Life Health. “We’re committed to providing Canadians with innovative and personalized mental health tools to help them wherever they are in their journey. Mental Health Coach is one way we’re helping our Clients live a healthier life.” A personalized and preventative approach to mental health A Mental Health Coach team member meets virtually or by phone with the plan member. They walk the plan member through a mental health assessment and create a personalized plan based on the benefits available to them. The Mental Health Coach service monitors the plan members’ progress and provides regular check-ins. They offer feedback and encouragement and can re-assess the plan member at any point in their journey. During the pilot, Sun Life worked closely with CloudMD to test and refine the Mental Health Coach service. Findings from the Mental Health Coach pilot include: 89% of those experiencing depression and 91% of those experiencing anxiety noticed ‘major improvements’. 73% said they have a better understanding of their benefits. 82% said they would recommend the service based on their own experience. 46% increase in plan members utilizing their mental health benefits for the first time. “We know that prevention is key when it comes to managing disability claims and connecting plan members with the care they need. The Mental Health Coach provides convenient and effective access to treatment. It can help with many mental health issues before they become severe, which can often lead to people going on disability.” Karen Adams, President, CloudMD Select Sun Life Group Benefits Clients will be able to access the Mental Health Coach service as part of their integrated benefits offering. The service will be rolled out and offered across plans throughout 2022. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2021, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.39 trillion.Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. About CloudMD Software & Services CloudMD is transforming the delivery of healthcare using technology and by providing a patient-centric approach, with an emphasis on continuity of care. By leveraging healthcare technology, the Company is building one, connected platform that addresses all points of a patient’s healthcare journey and provides better access to care and improved outcomes. Through CloudMD’s proprietary technology, the Company delivers quality healthcare through a holistic offering including hybrid primary care clinics, specialist care, telemedicine, mental health support, healthcare navigation, educational resources, and artificial intelligence (AI). CloudMD’s Enterprise Health Solutions Division includes the leading Student Assistance Program and one of the top 4 Employee Assistance Programs in Canada and offers one comprehensive, digitally connected platform for educational institutions, corporations, insurers, and advisors to better manage the health and wellness of their students, employees, and customers. CloudMD currently services a combined ecosystem of over 7,000 psychiatrists, approximately 4,500 therapists and counsellors, approximately 4,000 psychologists, over 22,000 family physicians, over 34,000 medical specialists, over 1,500 allied health professionals, over 500 clinics, and over 5 million individuals across North America.

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AI

InnerScope Hearing Technologies Announces Partnership with Atlazo Inc. to develop next-generation AI based hearable products

InnerScope Hearing Technologies, Inc. | November 12, 2021

InnerScope Hearing Technologies Inc.("InnerScope"), the leader in direct-to-consumer (DTC) and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing solutions, announced today its partnership with Atlazo Inc. ("Atlazo") to develop next-generation hearing aids and hearable products, utilizing Atlazo's patented Artificial Intelligence (AI) hardware platform. Hearing products powered by Atlazo's proprietary ultra-low power System-on-Chip (SoC) will offer consumers unprecedented new features, including voice commands, continuous health monitoring, and seamless connectivity with other smart devices. Mr. Adnan Shennib, Chief Technology Officer of InnerScope, stated: "Consumers will not only benefit from improved hearing in noisy environments but also from natural ways to interact with other wireless devices, including mobile phones, providing an enhanced, more convenient, user experience." Atlazo's integrated digital hardware platform reduces cost and time-to-market for manufacturers of wearable devices. The SoC platforms include software algorithms designed specifically for wearable healthcare applications. The Atlazo and InnerScope collaboration targeting hearing applications are protected by over 12 issued and pending patents. "We are pleased to join forces with InnerScope and its iHEAR team to develop new types of smart hearing products, leveraging iHEAR's extensive domain experience in hearing health," stated Karim Arabi, Founder and CEO of Atlazo. "Offering new types of intelligent hearing products with improved performance and affordability will be welcomed by tech-savvy consumers looking for alternatives to conventional hearing aids." "With the recent FDA OTC regulations being released last month, including a landmark proposal intended to improve access to and reduce the cost of hearing aid technology for millions of Americans, and the anticipation of this OTC Law to be enacted soon, InnerScope is continuing to execute its plan to be the leader in the direct-to-consumer hearing device market. The Atlazo partnership and our iHear research and development team give InnerScope the ability to develop new innovative types of proprietary artificial intelligence-powered hearing products that transcend today's hearing devices so all consumers, whether they have hearing loss or not, can benefit from using them." Matthew Moore, President and CEO of InnerScope Hearing Technologies About InnerScope Hearing Technologies, Inc InnerScope Hearing Technologies Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of FDA-registered hearing aids and Personal Sound Amplifier Products (PSAPs) dedicated to addressing the global demand for affordable hearing solutions. InnerScope's hearing products and business models breakthrough persistent barriers that prevent access to effective hearing solutions. With the recent Acquisition of iHear Medical Inc., a cloud-based hearing solution provider with access to over 40 patents, and the completion of HearingAssist Acquisition, an established leader in the direct-to-consumer hearing aid market with over 400,000 customers, InnerScope is well-positioned to expand its distribution partnership network and its leadership in the direct-to-consumer hearing solutions market with advanced hearing products offered at a fraction of the cost of conventional hearing aids sold in hearing aid centers. About Atlazo Atlazo is the leader in intelligent semiconductor solutions for healthcare and wearable, targeting the rapidly growing hearing and wearable health device markets. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Diego, CA, the company is dedicated to addressing the global demand for more reliable health tracking and audio by bringing together cutting-edge innovations in energy-efficient AI and flexible bio-sensing interface in a single System-on-Chip (SoC) solution. Atlzao's innovative SoC products offer manufacturers a platform for rapid development of wearable healthcare products, dramatically reducing costs and time-to-market.

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Digital Healthcare

Lucira Health Announces Expanded Partnership with Switch Health to Increase Canadians' Access to At-Home Molecular COVID-19 Tests

Lucira Health | December 27, 2021

Lucira Health, Inc., a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of transformative and innovative infectious disease test kits, announced a new agreement with Switch Health Solutions Inc. ("Switch Health") to increase Canadians' access to at-home molecular COVID-19 tests as Omicron cases surge. Lucira will provide more than 2 million at-home COVID-19 test kits in 2022 as part of the deal. "As Omicron cases surge around the world, the need for better testing solutions has never been more apparent. Only Lucira's tests provide a PCR-quality test result in 30 minutes, wherever you are, from a simple, single-use kit. Making these tests more available is critical to help slow the spread of COVID-19." Erik Engelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lucira Switch Health is a Canadian healthcare company dedicated to providing better decentralized patient care. Switch Health has quickly become a leader in COVID-19 testing on-site at its Switch Health Clinics and at-home through its remote telehealth service and in-person visits. "Switch Health's ability to be a Canadian health care leader in decentralized diagnostics is in large part due to the innovative technologies we make available to everyday Canadians," added Marc Thomson, Chief Operating Officer at Switch Health. "Lucira has been an instrumental partner in helping Switch Health achieve that in the COVID-19 era. Together, we are removing barriers to get Canadians safely back to work and reunited with their loved ones." Last month, Lucira announced confirmation that its COVID-19 Check-It (OTC) and All-In-One (Rx) molecular self-test kits' can detect 100% of Omicron variant genome sequences analyzed, including the "stealth variant." Lucira assays target viral sequence regions unaffected by the spike protein mutations found in Omicron, Delta, and other variants of concern, allowing it to maintain its accuracy in the face of an evolving virus. Lucira has received Interim Order authorization from Health Canada to sell and distribute its COVID-19 test kits for at-home self-testing in Canada. LUCIRA™ CHECK IT Test Kit The Lucira™ Check-It (OTC) and All-in-One (Rx) test kits are Nucleic-Acid Amplification Tests (referred to as NAAT). The tests fit in the palm of your hand, extract genetic material from the virus and amplify it, similar to PCR lab tests, to detect the presence of virus earlier and more accurately than antigen tests. The test uses an approach called reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). It was designed and tested extensively for individuals to use independently and does not require a physician's prescription or supervised assistance. There is no additional equipment to purchase, such as a reader or instrument. Each Lucira test kit contains everything needed to run one COVID-19 test. Users get the test device, two AA batteries, sample vial, swab and simple instructions. The batteries are inserted into the device and the sample vial is placed in the test unit. The user then opens the test swab packet and rotates the swab five times in each nostril. The swab is then stirred in the sample vial, which is then gently pressed into the test unit to start the test. The "ready" light will blink until a "positive" or "negative" green light is illuminated within 30 minutes. In the US, Lucira also offers a free LUCI Pass™ digital verified test result back to a user's phone. LUCI Pass is accessed via text and does not require downloading an app. There is also an opt-in for public health reporting for users who wish to transmit their results to the relevant public health authorities. In clinical trials, 100% of users successfully performed the test at home in about two minutes using Lucira's easy-to-use 'swab, stir and detect' Check-It test kit. In a Community Trial setting, Lucira™ Check-It results were compared with the Hologic Panther Fusion, considered a high-sensitivity molecular test due to its low Limit of Detection ("LOD"). Lucira's accuracy was 98%, correctly detecting 385 out of 394 positive and negative samples in comparison to the Hologic Panther Fusion, excluding ten samples with very low levels of virus (those with very high PCR cycle thresholds of 37.5 or greater) that possibly no longer represented active infection. Comparative positive results agreed 97% of the time among this sample, and negative results agreed 98% of the time. About Lucira Health Lucira is a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of transformative and innovative infectious disease test kits. Lucira's testing platform produces lab quality molecular testing in a single-use, consumer-friendly, palm-size test kit powered by two AA batteries. Lucira designed its test kits to provide accurate, reliable, and on-the-spot molecular test results anywhere and at any time. The Lucira™ Check-It COVID-19 Test Kit (OTC) and Lucira™ COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit (Rx) are designed to provide a clinically relevant COVID-19 result within 30 minutes from sample collection.

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Health Technology

Sun Life Partners with CloudMD to Expand Mental Health Coach To All Group Benefits Clients

CloudMD Software & Services | November 30, 2021

The need to support Canadians and their mental health has never been greater. To help more people access care, Sun Life is expanding its partnership with CloudMD, the creators of Mental Health Coach. Following a successful seven-month pilot program, Sun Life will begin rolling out Mental Health Coach as part of its Group Benefits offering. Despite many Canadians experiencing mental health issues, a Sun Life study found over half are not seeking medical care. Cost, access, and feelings of embarrassment are the top barriers to blame. Sun Life and CloudMD are bridging the gap with Mental Health Coach. The service uses data analytics to identify Clients who are at risk of developing a mental health issue. It then proactively reaches out to guide Clients to the right resources and support. “As the largest provider of group benefits in Canada, we know that tackling the mental health crisis requires dedication and a customized approach. Each person experiences mental health in their own way – no two journeys are the same,” said Dave Jones, President, Sun Life Health. “We’re committed to providing Canadians with innovative and personalized mental health tools to help them wherever they are in their journey. Mental Health Coach is one way we’re helping our Clients live a healthier life.” A personalized and preventative approach to mental health A Mental Health Coach team member meets virtually or by phone with the plan member. They walk the plan member through a mental health assessment and create a personalized plan based on the benefits available to them. The Mental Health Coach service monitors the plan members’ progress and provides regular check-ins. They offer feedback and encouragement and can re-assess the plan member at any point in their journey. During the pilot, Sun Life worked closely with CloudMD to test and refine the Mental Health Coach service. Findings from the Mental Health Coach pilot include: 89% of those experiencing depression and 91% of those experiencing anxiety noticed ‘major improvements’. 73% said they have a better understanding of their benefits. 82% said they would recommend the service based on their own experience. 46% increase in plan members utilizing their mental health benefits for the first time. “We know that prevention is key when it comes to managing disability claims and connecting plan members with the care they need. The Mental Health Coach provides convenient and effective access to treatment. It can help with many mental health issues before they become severe, which can often lead to people going on disability.” Karen Adams, President, CloudMD Select Sun Life Group Benefits Clients will be able to access the Mental Health Coach service as part of their integrated benefits offering. The service will be rolled out and offered across plans throughout 2022. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2021, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.39 trillion.Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. About CloudMD Software & Services CloudMD is transforming the delivery of healthcare using technology and by providing a patient-centric approach, with an emphasis on continuity of care. By leveraging healthcare technology, the Company is building one, connected platform that addresses all points of a patient’s healthcare journey and provides better access to care and improved outcomes. Through CloudMD’s proprietary technology, the Company delivers quality healthcare through a holistic offering including hybrid primary care clinics, specialist care, telemedicine, mental health support, healthcare navigation, educational resources, and artificial intelligence (AI). CloudMD’s Enterprise Health Solutions Division includes the leading Student Assistance Program and one of the top 4 Employee Assistance Programs in Canada and offers one comprehensive, digitally connected platform for educational institutions, corporations, insurers, and advisors to better manage the health and wellness of their students, employees, and customers. CloudMD currently services a combined ecosystem of over 7,000 psychiatrists, approximately 4,500 therapists and counsellors, approximately 4,000 psychologists, over 22,000 family physicians, over 34,000 medical specialists, over 1,500 allied health professionals, over 500 clinics, and over 5 million individuals across North America.

Read More

AI

InnerScope Hearing Technologies Announces Partnership with Atlazo Inc. to develop next-generation AI based hearable products

InnerScope Hearing Technologies, Inc. | November 12, 2021

InnerScope Hearing Technologies Inc.("InnerScope"), the leader in direct-to-consumer (DTC) and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing solutions, announced today its partnership with Atlazo Inc. ("Atlazo") to develop next-generation hearing aids and hearable products, utilizing Atlazo's patented Artificial Intelligence (AI) hardware platform. Hearing products powered by Atlazo's proprietary ultra-low power System-on-Chip (SoC) will offer consumers unprecedented new features, including voice commands, continuous health monitoring, and seamless connectivity with other smart devices. Mr. Adnan Shennib, Chief Technology Officer of InnerScope, stated: "Consumers will not only benefit from improved hearing in noisy environments but also from natural ways to interact with other wireless devices, including mobile phones, providing an enhanced, more convenient, user experience." Atlazo's integrated digital hardware platform reduces cost and time-to-market for manufacturers of wearable devices. The SoC platforms include software algorithms designed specifically for wearable healthcare applications. The Atlazo and InnerScope collaboration targeting hearing applications are protected by over 12 issued and pending patents. "We are pleased to join forces with InnerScope and its iHEAR team to develop new types of smart hearing products, leveraging iHEAR's extensive domain experience in hearing health," stated Karim Arabi, Founder and CEO of Atlazo. "Offering new types of intelligent hearing products with improved performance and affordability will be welcomed by tech-savvy consumers looking for alternatives to conventional hearing aids." "With the recent FDA OTC regulations being released last month, including a landmark proposal intended to improve access to and reduce the cost of hearing aid technology for millions of Americans, and the anticipation of this OTC Law to be enacted soon, InnerScope is continuing to execute its plan to be the leader in the direct-to-consumer hearing device market. The Atlazo partnership and our iHear research and development team give InnerScope the ability to develop new innovative types of proprietary artificial intelligence-powered hearing products that transcend today's hearing devices so all consumers, whether they have hearing loss or not, can benefit from using them." Matthew Moore, President and CEO of InnerScope Hearing Technologies About InnerScope Hearing Technologies, Inc InnerScope Hearing Technologies Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of FDA-registered hearing aids and Personal Sound Amplifier Products (PSAPs) dedicated to addressing the global demand for affordable hearing solutions. InnerScope's hearing products and business models breakthrough persistent barriers that prevent access to effective hearing solutions. With the recent Acquisition of iHear Medical Inc., a cloud-based hearing solution provider with access to over 40 patents, and the completion of HearingAssist Acquisition, an established leader in the direct-to-consumer hearing aid market with over 400,000 customers, InnerScope is well-positioned to expand its distribution partnership network and its leadership in the direct-to-consumer hearing solutions market with advanced hearing products offered at a fraction of the cost of conventional hearing aids sold in hearing aid centers. About Atlazo Atlazo is the leader in intelligent semiconductor solutions for healthcare and wearable, targeting the rapidly growing hearing and wearable health device markets. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Diego, CA, the company is dedicated to addressing the global demand for more reliable health tracking and audio by bringing together cutting-edge innovations in energy-efficient AI and flexible bio-sensing interface in a single System-on-Chip (SoC) solution. Atlzao's innovative SoC products offer manufacturers a platform for rapid development of wearable healthcare products, dramatically reducing costs and time-to-market.

Read More

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