The U.S. Healthcare economic system must change. For too long, it's been one long game of whack-a-mole trying to keep prices in check. That game can end if healthcare, particularly payers, look to mirror the success stories of other major industries.
In the late 20th century, when the fee-for-service version of healthcare grew in popularity, inpatient costs started increasing. To rectify this, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced the Inpatient Prospective
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Health IT & Digital Health-Opinion | Op-Eds | Guest Columns | Analysis, Insights - HIT Consultant
Navigating The Mental Health Challenges of an Aging Population
As the baby boomer generation ages, the “silver tsunami” is contributing to a significant demographic shift. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Americans over age 65 increased by 13 million between 2010 and 2020, marking the fastest growth rate since the late 19th century. This trend is expected to accelerate, bringing with it various public health challenges, including a rising prevalence of late-life depression. The numerous factors contributing to late-life depression
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Data Storage: The Foundation to an AI-Driven Health System
The possibilities of artificial intelligence, and more specifically generative AI (Gen AI) in healthcare are vast — streamlining administrative tasks, expediting patient diagnosis, and even helping with medical research. Right now they’re focused on point AI solutions producing real but limited impact on healthcare outcomes. The potential impact is much greater.
The first step for any healthcare organization leveraging AI is a sound, comprehensive data storage strategy. Any large or
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AI Washing in Healthcare: How to Identify and Avoid Empty Promises
The costs of care are rising, and with them, the pressure on healthcare systems to manage resources effectively. Between 2019 and 2022 alone, overall hospital expenses surged by 17.5%, while hospital labor costs grew by 20.8%, according to a recent report from the American Hospital Association. This financial strain, coupled with ongoing resource constraints and staffing shortages, has created a perfect storm, making it increasingly difficult for health systems to maintain both
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The Double-Edged Sword of GenAI in the Life Sciences Sector
It’s said that data is the lifeblood of the modern enterprise. While that’s certainly true, it’s also true that there is perhaps no industry as dependent on data – and protecting it – as the life sciences sector.
Of course, the very nature of data has evolved significantly over the past few years. What once consisted of straightforward records and research results has now expanded to include highly complex and distributed datasets generated by advanced technologies like genomics, AI-driven
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Is Leadership Bias Holding Back Virtual Healthcare Adoption?
Virtual healthcare has experienced a remarkable surge in recent years, with over 116 million users worldwide engaging in online doctor consultations in 2024 — a dramatic leap from just 57 million in 2019. This exponential growth underlines the increasing accessibility and potential of telehealth solutions, particularly in behavioral health. Unlike many other fields of medicine, behavioral health care often doesn't require physical examinations or tests, making it particularly well-suited for
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Gen Z Doesn’t Want to Answer Your Call: How Providers Can Customize Communications
Generation Z has never known a world without pervasive digital technology. From smartphones and social media to instant messaging and online shopping, technology has been a constant in their lives, with Gen Zers spending an average of 6 hours and 5 minutes on their phone daily.
That’s a lot of time to get comfortable with technology, and it’s made Gen Zers adept at navigating online tools and platforms. Their preference for digital solutions means that Gen Z now has a tacit expectation
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The Role of Incentives in Member Activation and Behavior Change
When members are engaged in proactive care, it can improve clinical outcomes and reduce costs. Still, despite health plans’ many efforts to modernize and improve the member experience, motivating members to be active participants in their healthcare remains a challenge.
Much of this challenge stems from a lack of clarity and transparency (what will something cost, which doctors or specialists are in the network, how to find and access care, etc.). Health plans have increased their
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The Future of EMRs: AI-Powered, Patient-Centric, and Interoperable
Imagine a world where a patient can visit any healthcare provider around the globe, and that provider has access to your entire health history and lifestyle habits within minutes, enough to diagnose what ails you and provide relief and treatment options. Imagine also a healthcare system that offers valuable insights to the provider along the way — like a little genie sitting on their shoulder, prompting necessary actionable insights based on evidence. That world might be years away at best, but
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The Rise of AI in Telemedicine: Enhancing Efficiency and Accessibility
One of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic was the rise of telemedicine. The constraints imposed by the pandemic sparked a lasting trend of patients willing and able to seek healthcare solutions virtually. Since the pandemic, the rise of AI and its integration with telemedicine and digital health has seen significant investment growth, leading to enhanced patient care and reduced operation costs for healthcare providers and systems.
The global AI market in healthcare was
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