Healthcare M&A in the US reached $241B by May 2015, the highest year-to-date volume ever recorded. Healthcare providers are making these acquisitions to gain economies of scale; shift from volume-based to value-based care; address local market characteristics to remain competitive; better appeal to consumer wants and needs; and expand their digital health and ehealth capabilities, according to a new report from Accenture.
While this new wave of M&A growth expands a set of strategic
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American Well vs Teladoc Telehealth Trademark Battle Leaning Teladoc’s Way
This week, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) has agreed to move forward with Teladoc’s case to invalidate a patent held by rival American Well Corporation. The PTO’s order to proceed with the case, issued September 14, noted that Teladoc has a “likelihood” of prevailing.
“As the pioneer and leader in telehealth, Teladoc has the responsibility to protect consumers’ access to health innovations like telehealth,” said Jason Gorevic, chief executive officer of Teladoc in an official
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Omada Health Raises $48M to Help Employers, Health Plans Tackle Chronic Disease
Omada Health, the Andreessen Horowitz-backed digital health company that helps employers and health plans avoid getting diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions, announced today that it has raised $48 million in Series C funding. The round was led by Norwest Venture Partners, including strategic investment from two Omada customers – Humana, Inc. and Providence Health & Services, as well as prior investors US Venture Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Rock Health and new investors
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Novu Launches mHealth COPD Clinical Trial, Partners with Mayo Clinic, MHS
Novu, a consumer health engagement platform today announced it has been tapped by Minnesota HealthSolutions Corporation (MHS) to partner on a mobile health COPD clinical trial program designed to motivate and monitor people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many of the millions of people affected by COPD are not able to participate in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in a clinical setting, and the program, delivered through the Novu platform, will enable them to complete home
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Doctor Search Portal Practo Acquires Insta Health For $12M
After raising $90 million in Series C funding in August, India-based physician search portal Practo has acquired cloud-based hospital information management company Insta Health for $12 million (Rs 80 crore) in a cash and equity deal. Founded in 2008, Insta Health provides hospital information systems and EMR solutions to hospitals across South East Asia, Middle East, India, and Africa. The Insta Health acquisition marks the company's third acquisition in less than six months. The acquisition
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HIMSS: 3 Health IT Policy Recommendations to Congress
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) has released their annual top health IT policy recommendations to Congress. Under the guidance of the Public Policy Committee, HIMSS staff works closely with key congressional decision-makers, committees, and caucuses to advance improvements in the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare through the use of IT and management systems.
Here are their top three health IT policy recommendations to Congress:
1. Support
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New Health Care Supply Chain Innovation Center Employs Internet of Things Approach
In an Internet of Things (IoT) approach to health care - where connectivity creates opportunities for improved economic benefit − Cardinal Health announced the opening of its Healthcare Supply Chain Innovation Lab, a research and development facility dedicated to reducing the $5 billion in waste in the health care supply chain for devices and implantables.* The new, 20,000 sq. ft. lab located in Concord, Mass., will serve as a hub for Cardinal Health to explore innovative approaches, such as
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Geisinger Awarded 4 Year Grant to Integrate Genetic Data into EHRs
Two Geisinger researchers have been awarded more than $3.5 million to spend the next four years combining DNA sequence information and health information in thousands of patients' EHRs to study two disorders: familial hypercholesterolemia and chronic rhinosinusitis. The award from the National Institutes of Health was announced this week and is part of the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) network administered by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). The goal is
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ONC Strips EHR Certifications for 2 Versions of SkyCare
On Tuesday, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has decertified two versions of SkyCare 4.2, developed by Platinum Health Information System, Inc., previously certified as products that may be used as part of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. According to the ONC, two version of Skycare 4.2 has failed ailure to respond and participate in routine surveillance requests by InfoGard Laboratories Inc. (InfoGard), an ONC Authorized
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Voalte Raises $17M to Improve Hospital Communication with Smartphones
Voalte, a Sarasota, FL-based company that develops smartphone alternatives that simplify caregiver communication has raised $17 million in Series D funding led by Ascension Ventures, Cerner Capital, Inc., an affiliate of Cerner Corporation, and Bedford Funding. The funding will be utilize to sustain triple-digit growth trajectory as revenues grew by 250 percent year-over-year in the second quarter, due in large part to continual product innovation as well as a rapidly expanding customer base.
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