IT execs call for HIPAA overhaul in 'Project Nightingale' wake

It could be time for stricter personal health information protection laws in light of Google collecting the data of more than 50 million Americans from provider giant Ascension, health IT experts say. The partnership, called Project Nightingale, came to light last week and involves the nation's second-largest health system sharing data from patients from 21 states with the Mountain View, California-based tech giant — without patient consent or knowledge. In return, Ascension gets access to any software or services Google develops, such as an omnibus search tool integrated into the EHR that aggregates all PHI in one location.

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Health Technology

ShiftKey Extends Its Tech Solutions to Embrace Acute Care Facilities

ShiftKey | September 15, 2023

ShiftKey, a leading technological enterprise at the forefront of reshaping the future of workforce engagement, has officially announced its expansion into acute healthcare facilities. ShiftKey's technology, data resources, and talent marketplace are set to be accessible to acute care facilities in Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. This expansion addresses workforce-related challenges and enhances patients' access to top-tier healthcare services. Furthermore, the technology has already undergone beta testing at acute care facilities in Alabama, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, and West Virginia. CEO of ShiftKey, Mike Vitek, characterized the company's foray into the acute care sector as a pivotal step in its platform and business development. He emphasized the organization's vantage point on healthcare staffing challenges and expressed optimism regarding the potential alleviation of strain on acute care facilities and healthcare professionals. Meanwhile, Brandon Tappan, Chief Revenue Officer at ShiftKey, added that the escalating workforce challenges confronting healthcare facilities have become an annual trend. The departure of nurses from acute care facilities in large numbers underscores the imperative for a novel approach to address staffing needs within institutions serving vulnerable populations. Integrating ShiftKey's technology into acute care facilities represents establishing an independent healthcare staffing solution. This initiative aims to reinvigorate and safeguard this vital industry by enabling individuals to rejoin the workforce on their terms. About ShiftKey ShiftKey is a technological enterprise dedicated to transforming workforce access and integrity. Employing data and a marketplace model, the company facilitates connections between independent licensed professionals and facilities with workforce requirements. It is pivotal in advancing empowered labor, stability, and solutions for professionals, institutions, and beneficiaries. With a platform encompassing 10,000 healthcare facilities and myriad independently licensed professionals, ShiftKey is one of the foremost leaders in strategic workforce solutions, catalyzing a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous workforce economy for the years ahead.

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Healthcare Analytics

WellSky Expands Post-Acute Offerings Through Corridor Acquisition

WellSky | October 13, 2023

WellSky has officially declared its acquisition of Corridor, a comprehensive technology-enabled service platform tailored to address the most formidable challenges in the post-acute care industry. This strategic move is intended to aid care providers in enhancing their efficiency and overall performance across various domains, encompassing clinical, financial, operational, and compliance aspects. The acquisition has been facilitated through the purchase of Corridor from HealthEdge Investment Partners, a private equity firm with a dedicated focus on healthcare. Bill Miller, CEO of WellSky, highlighted providers' need for quality care support and reduced administrative burdens. He stated, As we looked to strengthen our services offerings, Corridor emerged as an ideal partner. Together, WellSky and Corridor help more post-acute care organizations succeed against industry challenges. [Source – Business Wire] Des Varady, CEO of Corridor, expressed that for over three decades, Corridor has remained dedicated to its mission of enabling clients to optimize their performance and resources through robust technology-based solutions. He conveyed his enthusiasm for Corridor's continued commitment to advancing this mission as an integral part of the WellSky team. By gaining access to WellSky's technology-driven solutions, focusing on enhancing outcomes, reducing expenses, and enhancing patient and family satisfaction, Corridor is better positioned to serve its clients more effectively. With the integration of Corridor into its portfolio, WellSky aims to broaden its spectrum of services in medical coding and revenue cycle management. About WellSky Known for its proven software, analytics, and services, WellSky, a prominent U.S. healthcare technology company, drives better outcomes and cost savings across the healthcare and community care spectrum. It empowers providers, payers, health systems, and community organizations to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, leverage data analytics, and improve results by integrating clinical and social care. About Corridor The Corridor Group Holdings, LLC (Corridor) is a prominent post-acute healthcare sector entity offering top-tier technology-driven outsourced coding, revenue cycle, and educational solutions. It specializes in improving documentation quality and getting better client reimbursement outcomes, including for large health systems, national chains, and smaller, independently managed agencies.

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Health Technology, Digital Healthcare

Virgin Pulse and HealthComp Announce Intent to Merge to Create Comprehensive Employer Health Platform

PR Newswire | September 29, 2023

Virgin Pulse, a leading global digital-first health, wellbeing, and navigation company, today announced its intent to merge with HealthComp, a next-generation benefits and analytics platform. The merger will create a technology and data powered health platform-as-a-service organization poised to tackle some of the industry's biggest challenges. The combined entity will aim to improve health outcomes and lower costs for members and employers by empowering better information and decision making. By using an advanced technology and data platform that leverages AI, the combined organization will deploy innovative and flexible health plan designs that drive improved member health outcomes, engagement, and awareness across the most important aspects of a person's healthcare journey. As the healthcare industry evolves, the desire for an integrated experience in the employer-sponsored benefits ecosystem has grown exponentially. This combination will create a set of assets that will integrate plan design, plan management, payment integrity, health navigation, preventative care, and digital therapeutics through the Homebase for Health® user-centric platform. Together, the combined entity expects these assets will create a better experience and lower costs for members and employers, while providing expanded opportunities for insurers and brokers to continue to partner with the combined entity. "This combination with HealthComp creates a new category in the health space that will change the way employers address the two-fold challenge of reducing costs and improving member outcomes. Our two companies have a shared mission to improve individual outcomes by engaging users early and often, and making health and wellbeing more accessible, affordable, and personal for all," said Chris Michalak, Virgin Pulse CEO. "Together, we are addressing a problem that has plagued the industry for years – a misaligned, complex benefit structure that results in unmet needs and escalating costs. We are eliminating waste, friction, and preventable risks by putting members and their needs at the center of the ecosystem." "Self-insured employers pay for almost half of the nation's healthcare expenditures and now require more innovative and affordable solutions," said Chad Harris, HealthComp CEO. "With concierge-level service, rich analytics, and expert medical cost management, HealthComp ensures that employers can make informed benefits decisions that align with the needs of their employees and businesses. Powered by Virgin Pulse's daily wellbeing engagement and data-driven personalization, this transaction creates an end-to-end platform that will radically lower costs and improve member outcomes." [Source – PRNews Wire] "The combination of Virgin Pulse and HealthComp creates the first national value-based care platform company focused on employee health and outcomes. We are excited to work with Morgan Health, Blackstone, and Marlin to bring innovation at scale to this market," said Matt Holt, President, Private Equity and Managing Director at New Mountain Capital. "We have been working to build an innovation platform company in the employer space for more than five years. This transaction represents a significant milestone by forming a leading platform-as-a-service company focused on delivering better outcomes and greater affordability," added Kyle Peterson, Managing Director at New Mountain Capital. "The employer-employee health landscape is ripe for change and the mission of the combined HealthComp and Virgin Pulse is aligned with Morgan Health's mission to improve the quality, equity, and affordability of employer-sponsored health care," said Dan Mendelson, CEO of Morgan Health. Upon closing of the transaction, Chris Michalak will serve as CEO of the combined entity, where he will continue building upon the Homebase for Health vision and expanding the value proposition for clients and the market at large. The combined entity will serve more than 20 million members and address costs for more than 1,000 self-insured employers. HealthComp's powerful analytics will also benefit Virgin Pulse's health plan and health system clients by providing closed-loop data on health outcomes and the true ROI of investing in member experience and wellbeing programs. The merger is expected to close in Q4 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of all closing conditions under the definitive agreement. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. HealthComp is backed by New Mountain Capital and Virgin Pulse is backed by Marlin Equity Partners. New Mountain Capital will be the majority owner of the combined entity. Blackstone Credit has committed to support the deal with strategic financing. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as financial advisor to HealthComp. HealthComp's legal counsel was Ropes & Gray LLP. Evercore acted as financial advisor to Virgin Pulse, with Kirkland & Ellis LLP and McDermott Will & Emery LLP serving as legal advisors. About Virgin Pulse Virgin Pulse is a leading digital-first health, wellbeing, and navigation company that empowers organizations across the globe to activate populations, improve health outcomes, and reduce spend in an era of accelerating cost and complexity. Virgin Pulse's Homebase for Health® connects data, people, and technology to deliver high tech, human touch experiences that engage and reward individual journeys. Virgin Pulse impacts over 100 million people across 190 countries by helping Fortune 500, national health plans, and many other organizations change lives – and businesses – for good. About HealthComp HealthComp, a New Mountain Capital company, has a customized and responsive approach to health benefits administration. We advocate for our members to get the best possible care suited for their unique needs. Our next generation benefits and analytics platform brings together concierge-level service, best-in-class operations, powerful analytics, and expert medical cost management. HealthComp integrates seamlessly with any benefits ecosystem to drive a personalized experience that delivers higher clinical outcomes at lower costs. HealthComp has offices in California, Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. About New Mountain Capital New Mountain Capital is a New York-based investment firm that emphasizes business building and growth, rather than debt, as it pursues long-term capital appreciation. The firm currently manages private equity, credit and net lease investment strategies with over $45 billion in assets under management. New Mountain seeks out what it believes to be the highest quality growth leaders in carefully selected industry sectors and then works intensively with management to build the value of these companies. About Marlin Equity Partners Marlin Equity Partners is a global investment firm with approximately $9 billion of capital commitments. The firm is focused on providing corporate parents, shareholders and other stakeholders with tailored solutions that meet their business and liquidity needs. Marlin invests in businesses across multiple industries where its capital base, industry relationships and extensive network of operational resources significantly strengthen a company's outlook and enhance value. Since its inception, Marlin, through its group of funds and related companies, has successfully completed over 200 acquisitions. About Morgan Health Morgan Health is a JPMorgan Chase business unit focused on improving employer-sponsored health care. Through its investments and the advancement of accountable care, Morgan Health is working to improve the quality, equity and affordability of employer-sponsored health care for JPMorgan Chase employees, their families and the U.S. health system. The business is led by Dan Mendelson, CEO of Morgan Health, reporting to Peter Scher, Vice Chairman of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and a member of the firm's Operating Committee. Morgan Health is headquartered in Washington, D.C. About Blackstone Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset manager. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $1 trillion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis.

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Health Technology

Ovation Healthcare Expands Portfolio with Launch of Tempo Technology Services

PR Newswire | October 25, 2023

Ovation Healthcare, a premier provider of shared services to independent hospitals and health systems nationwide, today announced the launch of Tempo Technology Services (Tempo). Tempo will complement the Ovation Healthcare portfolio with managed and professional IT services in addition to procurement of hardware, logistics services, and other devices to simplify decision making and optimize clinical and operational performance. said Ovation Healthcare CEO Dr. Dwayne Gunter. We're thrilled to announce the launch of Tempo, which is designed to revolutionize the way hospitals manage their clinical operations. Tempo creates value for our client hospitals and health systems by delivering innovative technology solutions that promote efficiency, transparency, and most importantly, better health outcomes. [Source:PR Newswire] Through a portfolio of tech-enabled shared services, Ovation Healthcare helps independent hospitals outperform their peers in financial, operational, and quality metrics through leverage and economies of scale. The addition of Tempo's services will further support hospitals and health systems in optimizing technology investments, maintaining regulatory compliance, and adopting new capabilities. About Ovation Healthcare Headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., Ovation Healthcare is partnered with 375+ clients in 47 states from critical access hospitals to large health systems. For 45 years, Ovation Healthcare has supported nonprofit, independent healthcare through a portfolio of shared services – Octave Leadership Advisory Services, Elevate Supply and Expense Management Solutions, Amplify Revenue Cycle Management, Cadence Clinical Services, and Tempo Technology Services – designed to provide scale and efficiency to hospital business operations.

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