News 2/26/18

Top News

Revenue cycle technology company R1 RCM will acquire Intermedix’s healthcare division, which includes physician and EMS RCM, practice management, and analytics service lines, for $460 million. R1 President Joseph Flanagan believes the acquisition will give the company better leverage in serving the physician practice networks of its hospital customers.

And speaking of hospital customers, Ascension (MO) has decided to expand its contract with R1 RCM to include its medical group, which has facilities in 22 states.

Webinars

None scheduled soon. Previous webinars are on our YouTube channel. Contact Lorre for information.

Announcements and Implementations

US Vision and its Nationwide Vision affiliate implement First Insight’s MaximEyes EHR at 100 locations, with plans to go live at their remaining 500 US locations within the next two to three years.

In an effort to help community providers more easily exchange health data, DSS will embark on a Direct Messaging pilot program with The Sequoia Project’s EHealth Exchange data-sharing network. The pilot will give federal agencies on the exchange access to Direct addresses of physicians and hospitals in rural areas.

People

Healthcare Administrative Partners hires Rick Grodin (Premier Urgent Care) as EVP.

Scott Howell, MD (Heritage Provider Network) joins Advantmed as CMO.

Telemedicine

Orthopedic care management company SwiftPath develops a telemedicine service line for patients undergoing and/or recovering from outpatient joint replacement.

Government and Politics

CMS invites physicians to participate in a year-long study of burdens associated with the reporting of quality measures in exchange for full credit for the 2018 MIPS Improvement Activities performance category. The study will study clinical workflows and data collection methods using different submission systems, seek to better understand physician challenges associated with collecting and reporting quality data, and recommend changes to reduce burdens and improve reporting and care. Applications are due March 23.

Research and Innovation

The New England Journal of Medicine observes that ACOs made up of independent primary care practices are more nimble, interested in experimentation, and focused on resource conservation than their larger, hospital-affiliated peers – qualities that have, in fact, led to greater savings. Money, being the great equalizer that it is, was cited as the biggest pain point for ACOs looking to purchase analytics tools and more robust EHRs. A consequential lack of interoperability also reared its ugly head. The study’s authors point out that IT investments don’t have to happen right off the bat for success; an emphasis on leadership, staff roles, and building relationships with participating practices should be first priority.

This survey finds that provider interest in implementing patient payment portals has jumped from 40 percent to 63 percent in the last year. I blame my health IT bubble (and penchant for Amazon-like retail experiences) for being surprised that there are healthcare organizations out there that haven’t yet invested in consumer-friendly payment tech.

Other

No technology needed: Lincoln Medical Partners (ME) gives away its 20,000th free book to a two year-old patient through the statewide Raising Readers program, which promotes early childhood literacy through book donations to children at birth and annual well visits. PCPs also spend time with parents discussing the benefits of reading aloud to their children. I get the feeling that it’s becoming a lost art as devices seem to take over many of the more traditional social interactions.

Sponsor Updates

• EClinicalWorks posts customer success stories for Petaluma Health Center (CA) and Prime Care Family Practice (VA).
• Idaho Business Review profiles Healthwise SVP of Consumer Health Experiences Christy Calhoun.

Blog Posts

• Do Medical Credit Cards Make Sense for Providers? (Medicomp Systems)
• Treating the “whole person” in vulnerable California communities (Nordic)

Contacts

Jenn, Mr. H, Lorre

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News 2/21/18

Top News

Practice Fusion will soon start charging providers for its EHR software, which has thus far been free thanks to revenue gleaned from embedded pharmaceutical ads. Providers could see monthly subscription charges of $100 as early as next month, according to a company spokesperson who did not indicate if the ads would remain. The decision comes six weeks after Allscripts announced it would acquire the company for $100 million – a fraction of its former valuation. Competitors have been quick to chime in, pointing out that Practice Fusion’s changing business model makes for an opportune time to look for new solutions. Others wonder if the company will flip to a data-selling model akin to Flatiron Health.

Webinars

None scheduled in the coming weeks. Previous webinars are on our YouTube channel. Contact Lorre for information.

Acquisitions, Funding, Business, and Stock

In an effort to tap into the healthcare market, EnterBridge Technologies acquires healthcare analytics and benchmarking business SMA Informatics Partners. It has named the newly combined company New Health Analytics. EnterBridge co-founder Todd Nuckols will become CEO of the 10-employee company.

Announcements and Implementations

Hands On Technology will integrate Ability Network’s RCM application into its TheraOffice rehab EHR/PM.

Apex Revenue Technologies adds expanded physician branding capabilities and more custom patient payment options to its MySecureBill software.

NextGen will add OptimizeRx’s prescription messaging service to its EHR next month, alerting physicians in real-time to prescription savings and educational content.

Amion adds PerfectServe’s clinical communication and collaboration platform to its physician scheduling software.

Fertility Pro adds Azalea Health’s RCM capabilities to its EHR for fertility specialists.

Telemedicine

This year’s record flu season prompts Teladoc to provide over 300,000 virtual consults in the last five weeks. Flu cases accounted for 1 in 5 Teladoc visits in the peak month of January – quite a bit higher than the CDC’s reported 1 in 15 in-person visits for the same time period and perhaps a solid indicator that providers and patients are turning to telemedicine before darkening the doors of germ-ridden clinics. Recent reports indicate the flu may have plateaued, with the season expected to possibly last into May.

PlushCare offers allergy sufferers advanced diagnostic tests from Thermo Fisher Scientific and participating labs as part of its virtual consult services.

Research and Innovation

Researchers determine that retrospective claims data is more beneficial than EHR data when predicting a patient’s medication adherence. Prescription fill gaps of at least six days were found to be the biggest indicator of a lack of future adherence.

Other

A JAMA editorial highlights the ways in which small physician practices can leverage service-sharing arrangements in an effort to keep their doors open and patients well-cared for. While these types of arrangements have been around for several years (if not longer), they are experiencing heightened interest as today’s practices struggle with burdensome regulatory programs, IT costs, decreased reimbursements, and burnout. The authors suggest that, though many questions remain related to ROI, such arrangements may be the best bet for practices who want to stay afloat.

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Jenn, Mr. H, Lorre

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From the PRM Pro 2/21/18

The Future of Healthcare: Artificial Intelligence in 2018
By Jim Higgins

We’ve all seen it. What was once considered to be something only found in Sci-Fi movies is quickly becoming part of our daily reality. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are integrating themselves into all aspects of our lives. Studies show that 74 percent of Americans already use AI every day. Healthcare is not exempt. Variations of AI are starting to pop up in every corner of the industry. From robots that can interpret lab results to programs that help doctors make intelligent decisions during surgery to bionic hands that can “see and learn” in order to improve movement, it’s hard to find an area of healthcare not impacted by AI. And although artificial intelligence is still in its infancy, 75 percent of healthcare executives say they have plans to invest in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics within the next three years. Here are the reasons I predict AI will be one of the biggest healthcare trends in 2018:

AI increases practice efficiency

Healthcare employees have been bogged down with repetitive, menial tasks for decades. These tasks take away from time spent with patients and increase burnout for employees. AI is finding ways to eliminate these challenges. According to reports from healthcare executives, the automation of these time-consuming tasks is one of the key ways they anticipate using AI. Some of the most popular AI systems include those that eliminate the burden of:

• Routine paperwork (82 percent).
• Scheduling (79 percent).
• Timesheet entry (78 percent).
• Accounting (69 percent).

By eliminating these time-consuming tasks, healthcare employees will be able to spend more time building relationships with the people who matter most — patients.

AI makes life easier for physicians

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, it is anticipated that the US will face a physician shortage of up to 88,000 doctors by 2025. With burnout rates for physicians already hovering above 50 percent, these added demands will only add to their burdens. AI is one way to reduce pressure on physicians while improving clinical care.

AI makes decision-making for complex care treatment much easier. We live in a world with an ever-growing number of diagnosable conditions as well as patients that now have two, three, four or even more diagnoses. With literally billions of people (and almost as many medical conditions), there are an infinite number of possibilities of overlapping diagnoses. Treatment that may work for one patient may not work for another. This puts a huge burden on physicians and can negatively impact outcomes for patients.

AI, used in conjunction with a physician’s care, can help with this challenge. AI systems can now use algorithms to analyze data based on treatment decisions that have been (and are still being made) throughout the world. Add to that data analysis the ability to continue to learn and apply predictive analysis, and it’s easy to see how AI will begin to help practices provide higher levels of safety and quality for their patients while potentially reducing the workload of physicians.

AI revolutionizes the patient experience

At first glance, AI seems to have the most application for physicians. However, it also provides ample opportunity to improve the patient experience. Today’s patient has high demands of their provider — demands that are often difficult to meet. AI is one solution. Patients are already interested in medical-based AI. A study found that, as of 2016, 54 percent of patients were willing to embrace AI and robotics in their healthcare, and that number is growing every year. What are some examples of what AI can do for patients?

Improve outcomes—there are currently medical apps like PeerWell that help patients take a proactive role in their own care before or after surgery. These programs give patients specific daily plans for care. As the patient enters their information each day in the app, the program can make adjustments to their recovery plan based on the results.

Enrich communication—AI offers the potential to reach out to patients in a much more detailed and individual way. Through machine learning and AI algorithms, practices can easily reach out to patients when and how they prefer with more customized communications, whether it’s for simple reminders or diagnosis-specific education.

AI combined with human touch is the key to success

AI is an incredible tool to help meet the evolving complexity of healthcare and needs of modern patients. Despite all the hype, AI will not replace physicians, but instead enhance the quality of care offered by them.  As Wipro CTO K.R. Sanjiv put it, "While it can learn on a basic level, AI doesn’t rise to the level of human intelligence or pose a meaningful threat to human workers. Once you understand what you can’t solve with AI, you’ll see just what you can." AI will not dehumanize the healthcare experience; instead, it will provide a more detailed and personalized experience for all involved.

While AI itself may not directly threaten a doctor’s job, experts warn that physicians who take advantage of AI will eventually place physicians without AI technology at a significant disadvantage. Similarly, healthcare systems that are integrated with AI will eventually replace those healthcare systems without. Integration will become a necessity, not a luxury. As with all technology, it is important to balance the benefits of AI with the vital need to engage and connect. Finding ways to leverage AI in order to put more of an emphasis on the human component of healthcare is key to long-term success.

Jim Higgins is the CEO and founder of Solutionreach in Lehi, UT.

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News 2/19/18

Top News

21st Century Oncology Interim CEO Kim Commins-Tzoumakas (the company’s fourth chief executive in 16 months) tells the local paper that the company is looking to expand operations after emerging from bankruptcy and tackling legal issues related to a privacy breach of 2.2 million patient records and an investigation into improper Meaningful Use reporting – both of which led to separate settlements of nearly $30 million. She stresses that the company, which employs 4,000 across Florida, is intent on rebuilding trust and rehabilitating its image. “There’s certainly no guarantees we won’t have issues along the way,” Commins-Tzoumakas says, “but we’re doing everything we can to be one step ahead of those issues. And we’re being very transparent and open about it with all of our payers and certainly with our physicians and the rest of the community.”

Webinars

None scheduled in the coming weeks. Previous webinars are on our YouTube channel. Contact Lorre for information.

Announcements and Implementations

TeleHealth Services will deliver Healthwise’s patient education videos through its patient engagement platform.

Innovaccer updates its ACO Compare benchmarking tool to give providers the ability to compare up to five ACOs at a time, assess performance trends, and generate more detailed reports.

The NBA’s Sacramento Kings will use Connexion Health’s touchless health kiosks to monitor the posture, balance, and health of its players. Head Athletic Trainer Manny Romero believes the full-body scanner will help prevent injuries and lengthen the careers of his players.

Signature Medical Group (MO) develops CareMosaic Advanced, a care coordination and analytics platform for physicians participating in the CMS Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative.

SSI launches analytics software for ASCs that focuses on case management, clinical operations, financial performance, cost analysis, and scheduling.

People

Flint Hills Community Health Center (KS) promotes Renee Hively, RN to CEO.

Urgent care software vendor Practice Velocity hires Joshua Porter (EPowerDoc) as VP of business development, and Jaimie Kowalski (UniCarriers Americas) as VP of marketing.

Acquisitions, Funding, Business, and Stock

CentralReach secures funding from Insight Venture Partners. The Pompano Beach, FL-based company got its start in 2012 as an EHR/PM vendor focused on serving applied behavioral analysis clinics. It has since expanded to software for occupational health and speech therapy specialists.

Sponsor Updates

• EClinicalWorks customer Petaluma Health Center (CA) wins the 2017 HIMSS Davies Award for improving hypertension control among its patients.
• Healthwise will exhibit at the West ACE User Group Conference February 21-23 in San Diego.

Blog Posts

• How one Nordic consultant helps serve Texas’ homeless population (Nordic)

Contacts

Jenn, Mr. H, Lorre

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News 2/14/18

Top News

New York City-based urgent care chain CityMD will acquire competitors STAT Health and FirstMed Immediate Medical Care, bringing its total locations to nearly 100. Over half of those are on EClinicalWorks, which CityMD rolled out in 2016. Google tells me STAT Health uses Medent.

Webinars

None scheduled in the coming weeks. Previous webinars are on our YouTube channel. Contact Lorre for information on our webinar services.

Announcements and Implementations

PerfectServe will integrate its team collaboration platform with QGenda’s physician scheduling software to accurately deliver calls and messages.

Patient education and branded content company PatientPoint works with MeUCare to develop a multimedia messaging tool for physicians and their patients.

Compulink adds text-based patient messaging capabilities to its Dermatology Advantage EHR and PM software.

CampDoc.com adds single sign-on and account management technology from Christensen Computer Company to its EHR for camps.

Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery (FL) will roll out Modernizing Medicine’s EHR and analytics software across its 180-plus clinics.

After a successful pilot, Pottstown Medical Specialists (PA) will utilize Saturn Care’s app-based Chronic Disease Management Program as part of its Chronic Care Management program.

Acquisitions, Funding, Business, and Stock

Scranton, PA-based care management company Signallamp Health raises an undisclosed amount of Series A financing from Sopris Capital.

HIPAA compliance software vendor Compliancy Group announces it now accepts cryptocurrency payments.

People

Fresh off its $3.5 million settlement with OCR, Fresenius Medical Care North America promotes Ahmad Sharif, MD to CMIO.

Vermont Information Technology Leaders names former Navy SEAL and state legislator Mike Smith interim president and CEO following the retirement of John Evans.

Ann Johnson (Zest Health) will join the American Telemedicine Association as CEO in March.

Nextech Systems hires Wyn Partington (NexTraq) as CMO, and promotes Rebecca Sanford to chief people officer.

Government and Politics

OCR makes it clear that organizations found guilty of HIPAA violations can’t escape their financial penalties by going out of business or declaring bankruptcy.

Other

A few of my favorite #healthpolicyvalentines

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