INDUSTRY NEWS
Key Takeaways from HLTH
By Laura Carabello
Digital. Technology. And more Digital Technologies
Technology and digital solutions dominated the conversation and the exhibit floor: AI, machine learning, remote monitoring, advanced analytics, robotics and devices to diagnose, treat and resolve just about any disease or condition.
If the human touch of doctors, nurses and providers has been eclipsed by all these advancements, patients may be left wondering why they should keep their appointments at all? Judging from the event, the absence of one-on-one medical care became palpable. This may not be all bad, since technology-enabled healthcare promises to be more accurate, more efficient and less costly. Time will tell, but the sheer number of solutions demonstrates that the market is betting on technology to save the system.
Prevention is Key
Many of the presentations and conversations focused on the importance of preventive care – how to avoid complications, promote better outcomes and frankly, stay away from inpatient hospitalization. Even FaceBook is joining the market with a new tool that directs its participants when to get flu shots or screenings. Now, we must all hope that these types of programs keep the information safe and private.
Center Stage: Social Determinants of Health
Food insecurity and transportation challenges have been around for decades, but it appears that everyone is finally taking notice. Kaiser introduced a food giveaway program and LYFT and UBER are coming to the transportation rescue. This is clearly a concept whose time is now and going forward, we are bound to witness even broader initiatives. Kudos to all the vendors who are supporting this trend – and to the payers who seem to be lining up with coverage.
Mastercard Launches Integrated Product Suite to Optimize Healthcare Partner Technology
Who better than MasterCard to help healthcare partners successfully tackle fraud, waste, and abuse, capture more revenue, and protect patient health data?
Hospitals and healthcare entities can deploy these solutions on a subscription or per transaction basis. While not yet available globally, US domestic institutions can take advantage immediately.
Gone are the days (hopefully!) for wondering which patients are a good credit risk. MasterCard is using predictive analytics to weed out potential non-payers. Hospitals and providers will know “the good, the bad and the ugly.”
This is revenue cycle management on steroids, and Master Card is already partnering with some of the best RCM companies in the industry.
They are also detecting fraud and abuse — in the millions. Plus their new solutions are detecting cyber security breaches.
Read the official announcement here:
New study: Full-scale ‘Medicare for All’ costs $32 trillion over 10 years
Thehill.com – A new study finds that a full-scale single-payer health insurance program, also called “Medicare for All,” would cost about $32 trillion over 10 years.
The study from the Urban Institute and the Commonwealth Fund found $32.01 trillion in new federal revenue would be needed to pay for the plan, highlighting the immense cost of a proposal at the center of the health care debate raging in the presidential race.
To view the original article in its entirety, click here.
NST Region: Bangkok still top destination for international overnight visitors
Newstraitstimes.com – For the fourth time in a row, Bangkok was ranked as the top destination for international overnight visitors.
According to the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index (GDCI), this was also the sixth time Bangkok clinched the top spot in the past decade.
To view the original article in its entirety, click here.
Court blocks plan to deny visas to would-be immigrants who can’t afford health insurance
BY CAMILO MONTOYA-GALVEZ
CBSnews.com – A federal judge in Oregon blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a sweeping plan to deny visas to would-be immigrants based on their inability to show they could pay for health insurance or medical costs in the U.S.
Through a temporary restraining order, Judge Michael Simon of the U.S. District Court in Oregon blocked the policy hours before it was set to take effect on Sunday.
To view the original article in its entirety, click here.