What You Should Know: 

– UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of the Optum health services division, announced the closure of its Optum Virtual Care business, Endpoints News first reports. Optum Virtual Care offered 24/7 access to virtual consultations with board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners across all 50 states. 

– On April 18th, Optum Virtual Care employees were informed of the shutdown, with some reportedly having last days in July according to a Seeking Alpha article referencing Endpoints News. A UnitedHealth Group spokesperson confirmed the closure via email to news outlets, emphasizing their commitment to supporting affected team members with job placement opportunities within the company.

What You Should Know: 

– Owlet, a provider of smart infant monitoring technology, announced a strategic partnership with Wheel, a prominent virtual healthcare provider. 

– The partnership empowers Wheel’s network of clinicians to prescribe Owlet’s BabySat, an FDA-cleared infant pulse oximeter. This innovative device, featuring a comfortable sock design, allows caregivers to effectively monitor their baby’s health vitals at home. This collaboration fosters closer collaboration between parents and healthcare providers, ensuring optimal newborn care.

Addressing Critical Needs

Each year, over 450,000 babies transition home from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the US alone. Additionally, congenital heart disease (CHD) affects 40,000 newborns annually, and an estimated 58,000-80,000 children under five require hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Streamlined Access and Reimbursement

The BabySat virtual telehealth platform, powered by Wheel, simplifies access to this vital monitoring tool. The platform integrates with durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, facilitating insurance billing and potentially offering up to 100% reimbursement for BabySat. This streamlined process significantly reduces the time and effort required for families to secure the device and receive insurance or HSA/FSA reimbursement.

“We’re thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Owlet, a leader in smart infant monitoring. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand healthcare access and simplify care delivery for all Americans — especially for growing families,” said Wheel CEO, Michelle Davey. “Wheel’s virtual care platform helps streamline access to home monitoring, making Owlet’s BabySat pulse oximeter more convenient for new parents than ever before.

What You Should Know:

• Cedars-Sinai is expanding virtual healthcare for children and Spanish speakers in California through its mobile app Cedars-Sinai Connect, a fast-growing online option that allows patients to quickly access top healthcare professionals for acute, chronic and preventive care.

Innovative Healthcare Solutions: Expanded Access for Children and Spanish Speakers at Cedars-Sinai

Children aged 3-17 can now conveniently access urgent healthcare services from Cedars-Sinai providers for issues like coughs, colds, flu, or rashes. Families have the option of on-demand visits 24/7 or scheduled appointments on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Existing pediatricians stay informed through Cedars-Sinai’s electronic health record.

Spanish-speaking patients aged 3 and above can now opt for a Spanish-language app. Spanish-speaking healthcare providers are available for scheduled visits on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Translators are also available 24/7 for on-demand care if a Spanish-speaking provider isn’t accessible. Additionally, Spanish-speaking adults can receive primary care in their preferred language to manage conditions like high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and obesity.

These new care options for children and Spanish speakers expand upon the success of Cedars-Sinai Connect. Since its launch in fall 2023, over 8,000 patients across California—from San Diego to Sacramento—have utilized Cedars-Sinai’s services through more than 10,500 virtual visits. Cedars-Sinai Connect leverages AI technology from K Health to streamline administrative tasks like data entry, allowing doctors to dedicate more time to patient care. K Health empowers patients to manage acute, chronic, and preventive care needs by leveraging medical knowledge and real patient experiences.

“Cedars-Sinai Connect has already helped thousands of new and existing patients easily access the high-quality care for which Cedars-Sinai is known, from home,” said Jill Martin, executive vice president of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network. “The platform is helping us extend that opportunity to even more people throughout California who are coming to Cedars-Sinai for convenient acute or chronic care. These patients also gain access to our broad network of specialists through referrals when appropriate.”

What You Should Know: 

– Augmedix (AUGX), a leader in AI-powered medical documentation, and Andor Health, a cloud-based platform for virtual care communication, have announced a strategic partnership to streamline workflows and improve patient care. 

– The strategic integration aims to revolutionize virtual care by leveraging ambient AI to automate note creation within the Andor Health platform, ThinkAndor®.

Focus on Clinician Efficiency and Patient Care

Augmedix’s AI technology will automatically generate medical notes during virtual consultations within ThinkAndor®. This frees up valuable time for clinicians, allowing them to focus on patient interaction and diagnosis. By streamlining documentation processes, clinicians can dedicate more time to each patient, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.

Powering the Collaboration: ThinkAndor® and Augmedix

The integration leverages the strengths of both platforms:

• ThinkAndor® by Andor Health: Offers AI-powered communication tools and real-time insights from electronic medical records (EMRs) to support efficient virtual consultations.
• Augmedix Platform: Utilizes ambient AI to convert natural conversations between clinicians and patients into structured medical notes within seconds of the virtual visit.

The Role of Google Cloud MedLM

The collaboration will also leverage Google Cloud MedLM, a suite of AI models specifically designed for the healthcare industry. MedLM’s capabilities will further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the AI-generated medical notes.

“This integration demonstrates Augmedix’s commitment to serve the broadest spectrum of specialties and care settings within the market,” said Manny Krakaris, CEO of Augmedix. “The Andor-Augmedix approach is focused on unobtrusive integration wherein the ambient documentation is part of the native virtual workflow and end-user experience paradigm. Deep integration will also enable optimized upstream audio ingestion that generates the highest quality downstream note output quality scores.” 

What You Should Know:

– Tufts Medicine, a leading healthcare system, and Curai Health, an AI-powered virtual clinic, have joined forces to expand access to high-quality virtual care for patients across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

– The collaboration aims to provide convenient and affordable healthcare options through the MyTuftsMed patient portal app.

Seamless Integration with MyTuftsMed App

Through a new feature within the MyTuftsMed app, patients can share their health concerns and choose between connecting with a Tufts Medicine clinician in person or receiving virtual care powered by Curai. Patients opting for virtual care will be connected with a licensed clinician within minutes, 24/7. If an in-person visit becomes necessary after a virtual consultation, patients will be seamlessly referred to a Tufts Medicine network physician.

Curai’s AI-powered Virtual Care Platform

Curai Health is a pioneer in integrating machine learning into clinical workflows. They partner with health systems and plans to increase clinical capacity, reduce operational costs, and improve patient engagement. Since its inception in 2017, Curai has delivered affordable, on-demand, and high-quality virtual primary and urgent care services. Their platform empowers providers with AI-powered tools to streamline information gathering, clinical documentation, and access to up-to-date medical knowledge, ultimately enhancing patient care.

“We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to provide our patients with high-quality care that is both affordable and convenient,” said Frank Osborn, MD, Chief Medical Officer for the Tufts Medicine Integrated Network. “Adding more virtual care options alongside our existing services is a clear step towards enhancing our virtual-first program and ensuring our patients receive the care they need, when and where they need it.”

What You Should Know:

– Samaritan Health Services, a leading healthcare provider in Oregon, has announced a partnership with KeyCare to offer 24/7 virtual urgent care services to their patients.

– The collaboration expands access to convenient and affordable healthcare for over 265,000 residents in the mid-Willamette Valley and central Oregon coast, especially those in rural or underserved areas.

Cost-Effective Care for Minor Medical Issues

For just $59, patients can connect with a KeyCare clinician via video visits through the MyChart patient portal. These virtual consultations are available 24/7, nationwide, and address a wide range of non-emergency medical concerns, including:

• Allergies
• Back pain
• Bites and stings
• Colds and flu
• Minor burns
• Headaches
• Minor digestive issues
• Pink eye
• Sinus problems
• Sprains and strains
• Urinary tract infections
• Tooth pain

While KeyCare clinicians can prescribe medications (excluding controlled substances), they cannot order lab tests or imaging scans.

“Because we serve a population of rural and sometimes vulnerable patients, it is essential that we prioritize delivering care in a way that is affordable and convenient,” said Sonney Sapra, Chief Information Officer, Samaritan Health Services. “Our partnership with KeyCare ensures that we can immediately expand access for virtual urgent care to meet our patient demand, while allowing us to add other virtual services offerings over time.”

What You Should Know:

– The COVID-19 pandemic propelled virtual care from a niche service to a mainstream necessity. However, as we move into a new era, consumer preferences surrounding virtual care are evolving, according to data from Rock Health’s 2023 Consumer Adoption of Digital Health Survey.

– The survey reveals that virtual care adoption has plateaued at a high level, with 76% of respondents having ever used it. However, a quarter of respondents still prefer in-person care, citing concerns about quality, lack of awareness, or cost. This highlights the need for a spectrum of care options – traditional, virtual, and retail – to cater to diverse preferences.

Virtual Care Here to Stay, But Not for Everything

While convenient, virtual care isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. 24% of respondents prefer in-person care, citing quality concerns and lack of awareness as reasons. A spectrum of care options (virtual, in-person, and retail) will be needed. For certain needs like prescription refills and mental health, virtual care remains the preferred option. However, for chronic conditions, annual checkups, and physical therapy, in-person care is gaining traction again. This suggests convenience isn’t the only factor – factors like cost, existing provider relationships, and the nature of the care needed all play a role.

Other key findings from Rock Health’s 2023 Consumer Adoption of Digital Health Survey include:

Convenience Matters, But Value Drives Loyalty

• Top Draws: Convenience (39%), shorter wait times (30%), and access to specific providers (17%) are the main reasons patients choose virtual care.
• Shifting Preferences: Virtual care is increasingly preferred for prescription refills, minor illness care, and mental health due to its convenience and ability to see specific providers.
• The Competition Heats Up: For other needs, consumers are looking beyond virtual care. Easy-to-access physical locations and on-demand care offered by retailers and clinics are emerging competitors.
• Beyond Convenience: To stay competitive, virtual players need to offer additional value propositions like clear communication, cost-effectiveness, insurance coverage, and culturally competent care.

The Familiarity of At-Home Testing Isn’t Universal

• COVID-19 Test Boom: 72% of respondents have used at-home tests, with COVID-19 tests being the primary driver (64%).
• Limited Appeal for Other Tests: Adoption for other at-home test types (genetic, gut biome, etc.) remains low, suggesting unique factors like ease of use and long-term value are crucial for broader adoption.

Data Sharing: Willingness with Reservations

• Open to Sharing: A large majority (90%) is willing to share health data, but with fewer entities (2.7 on average) compared to 2020 (3.4).
• The Doctor Disconnect: There’s a decline in sharing with doctors/clinicians (64% vs. 70% in 2022), potentially due to shrinking patient-provider relationships and demographic factors.
• Building Trust is Essential: Growing data privacy concerns highlight the need for robust security measures and clear communication about how data is used to improve the patient experience.

The Takeaway: A New Era of Discerning Patients

Consumers are no longer simply embracing virtual care; they are actively evaluating when and how to utilize it. Healthcare innovators must adapt by:

• Prioritizing Omnichannel Care: Cater to diverse needs with a range of virtual, in-person, and potentially retail-based options.
• User-First Design: Focus on user experience, convenience, and clear communication across all touchpoints.
• Building Trust with Data: Implement robust data security practices and transparent data usage policies to build trust with patients.

What You Should Know:

– Wheel, a virtual care platform provider, has announced the expansion of its Integrated Virtual Care Ecosystem with the addition of three key players: Talkspace, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (Cost Plus Drugs), and Health Gorilla.

– The strategic move aims to simplify access to comprehensive virtual care for patients and empower healthcare providers to meet evolving consumer demands.

Enhanced Patient Experience with Diverse Services

Wheel’s ecosystem now offers patients a wider range of integrated services:

– Talkspace: Enables convenient access to high-quality virtual mental healthcare.

– Cost Plus Drugs: Provides transparent and affordable home delivery pharmacy options.

– Health Gorilla: Streamlines lab and diagnostic services for seamless virtual care delivery.

These additions address the growing consumer preference for virtual care solutions. A Wheel-commissioned study revealed that patients are not only open to virtual consultations but also willing to pay more for the convenience it offers.

Streamlined Care Delivery for Providers

Wheel’s platform simplifies care access by providing a single destination for patients to connect with various healthcare services. This integrated approach empowers healthcare providers to:

– Meet patient demand for comprehensive virtual care.

– Offer a more convenient and patient-centered experience.

Availability

Wheel’s Integrated Virtual Care Ecosystem is readily available to all its platform users. The company actively seeks additional solutions to further enhance the patient-centered virtual care experience.

“With over one million patient visits last year and increasing demand, we’ve recognized the need for deeper ecosystem integrations. This ensures our existing and future collaborators can access a diverse network to deliver unparalleled care to their patients — while putting an end to the dizzying maze created by disconnected point solutions that leave patients behind and unnecessarily drive up costs,” explained Michelle Davey, CEO of Wheel.

What You Should Know:

• Today, Talkspace, a leading online behavioral health company, and Wheel, the foremost virtual care platform powering the next generation of virtual healthcare, announced they will partner to offer patients access to board-certified general practitioners and licensed behavioral health providers across the U.S. – conveniently and virtually.
• In particular, the partnership will provide Talkspace and Wheel clients, including employers, payers, life sciences companies, and more with a single solution to more effectively screen for, and support, patients holistically addressing a wide range of needs, from general wellness to mental health.

Revolutionizing Access to Healthcare: The Talkspace-Wheel Partnership

In certain states, there remains a significant limitation in accessing healthcare professionals. Adding to this challenge are persistently long wait times for therapy and psychiatric services. Over 160 million Americans live in areas lacking sufficient mental health resources, with over 30 million residing in healthcare deserts, where accessible physicians are scarce. The collaboration between Talkspace and Wheel marks a crucial step towards ensuring quality care for all Americans.

This strategic partnership between Talkspace and Wheel offers a unified, scalable, and cost-effective solution for virtual care delivery. Patients can now swiftly connect with a clinician through Wheel’s platform and be matched with a dedicated, licensed therapist via Talkspace’s platform, all from one central location. This integration provides enhanced access, convenience, and flexibility for individuals seeking care.

“We recognize that today’s employers cater to dynamic and diverse workforces, including remote workers or employees who may not live in healthcare epicenters,” said Natalie Cummins, Chief Business Officer at Talkspace. “Together with Wheel, we offer organizations true whole-person virtual care and, more importantly, peace of mind that their employees and students have convenient access to high-quality healthcare.” 

Dr. Brad Younggren, Chief Medical Officer and President of Care Innovation at 98point6 Technologies

In the face of unprecedented clinical workforce shortages that are only expected to grow larger in 2024, according to a new PWC report, health systems across the country are grappling with the challenges of providing quality care while navigating budget constraints. Hospital leaders face the daunting task of recruiting and retaining clinicians while seeking higher reimbursement from payers to cover their escalating salaries. The confluence of these challenges is prompting health systems to explore new solutions to help mitigate financial burden, and virtual care models have emerged as a beacon of hope.

Gartner’s 2022 Hype Cycle for Healthcare Providers corroborated the shift, stating “we see greater provider interest and focus on virtual care and total experience to meet clinical and business demands.” 

Yet, despite its potential to reduce costs and improve the care experience, virtual care implementation is among the top challenges for health systems. Research from Chartis found that only 13% of hospitals consider themselves ahead of the pace of change patients expect to see with regards to digital capabilities, and only 11% of health systems report being in the implementation phase of their personalized care and digital transformation journeys.

The promise of virtual care is enticing, but the path to unlocking its full ROI potential is fraught with complexities. Health systems face a multitude of hurdles when trying to integrate virtual care into their existing frameworks. To navigate this landscape effectively, four essential questions emerge for health systems to ensure both the quality and affordability of their virtual care delivery platform.

Do We Have an Efficient Patient Onboarding Strategy?
The success of any virtual care program hinges on how seamlessly patients can transition from traditional in-person visits to virtual appointments. An efficient patient onboarding strategy is essential to ensure that patients can navigate the technology comfortably and receive the necessary support. A well-designed, comprehensive onboarding list that addresses common questions and concerns patients might have can make a significant difference in streamlining this process.

This list should include step-by-step instructions on how to access virtual appointments, troubleshoot common technical issues and reach out for assistance. Ensuring that patients are comfortable with the technology can reduce the likelihood of missed appointments or frustrating experiences that might deter them from further virtual care interactions.

Are We Minimizing Data Entry Redundancy?
One of the hidden costs in healthcare administration is the redundancy of data entry. Often, healthcare providers find themselves entering the same information into multiple systems. In addition to increased workload, errors, inefficiencies, the lack of interoperability leads to clinician burden and frustration when providers can’t easily locate or transfer clinical data. In the context of virtual care delivery, data entry redundancy can hinder the cost-saving potential of the model. To ensure affordable virtual care delivery, health systems must critically evaluate their data management processes.

Integrated EHR systems that seamlessly connect patient data across various touchpoints can be a game-changer. When virtual care encounters are seamlessly integrated into the patient’s comprehensive health record, healthcare providers can access a holistic view of the patient’s medical history. This eliminates the need for duplicative data entry, reduces the risk of errors caused by manual input and deepens care providers’ understanding of patients and their needs, leading to better health outcomes overall.

Are We Leveraging Interoperable Platforms?
Incorporating virtual care into an existing healthcare ecosystem requires careful consideration of interoperability. Health systems often utilize a combination of software and tools, each serving different purposes. However, if these tools don’t communicate effectively with one another, the result can be fragmentation and inefficiencies. A frequently referenced industry study found that a lack of interoperability costs U.S. health systems over $30 billion annually. 

Investing in interoperable platforms that can seamlessly integrate with existing technology stacks is crucial, particularly when aiming to provide affordable virtual care without compromising quality of service. These platforms should allow for smooth data sharing between different departments, healthcare providers and systems. When patient information flows seamlessly, healthcare providers can make informed decisions, reduce redundant tasks and enhance patient care.

Are We Embracing Telehealth Regulation and Reimbursement Changes?
In the rapidly evolving landscape of virtual care, keeping abreast of telehealth regulations is paramount, and health systems must stay informed to ensure compliance and optimize reimbursement.

Health systems should actively monitor changes in telehealth regulations at the federal and state levels. Understanding the nuances of reimbursement policies and staying aligned with them can significantly impact the affordability of virtual care. Staying ahead of these changes is vital to ensure that the financial aspects of virtual care delivery remain sustainable. 

In the coming years, the hybrid nature of healthcare delivery will continue to become the norm as health systems balance workforce shortages with rising costs. Those systems that strategically incorporate virtual care will be better positioned to navigate workforce challenges and financial constraints, ultimately delivering exceptional care to patients without breaking the bank. 

About Dr. Brad Younggren

Dr. Brad Younggren is the Chief Medical Officer and President of Care Innovation at 98point6 Technologies, a position he has held since 2017. He has more than 20 years of clinical and leadership experience, previously serving as Chief Medical Officer at Cue Health along with a number of other roles. In addition to serving as CMO of 98point6 Technologies, Dr. Younggren is the medical director of emergency preparedness and trauma at EvergreenHealth, where he still works shifts as an ER physician. He received his BA from UCLA and his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He also earned a Bronze Star as well as the Combat Medic Badge for his service in Iraq as a United States Army physician.

What You Should Know:

– The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has announced the creation of a new Clinician Council to tackle hurdles hindering the widespread adoption of telehealth and virtual care.

– This new Clinician Council aims to address emerging platforms and technologies supporting tech-enabled healthcare, while building trust through a “Trust Agenda” emphasizing responsibility, credibility, and integrity within the industry.

Clinician Council Leadership and Focus

• Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of the ATA: Highlighted the importance of the council in informing stakeholders about telehealth benefits and fostering a productive dialogue around its future.
• Joe Kvedar, MD, Council Chair and ATA Senior Clinical Advisor: Underscored the council’s focus on building trust, advising on healthcare ethics, patient/provider experiences, and relevant standards/guidelines.
• Lois Ritter, EdD, MS, MA, MS-HCA, ATA Research Director: Will support the council’s research, initiatives, and administration.

Clinician Council Composition:

• Clinicians from diverse healthcare specialties, including physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, physical therapists, and psychologists.
• Two-year term for each council member.

The inaugural Clinician Council members are:

• Gokhan Anil, MD (Mayo Clinic)
• Melynda Barnes, MD (Ro)
• Sameer Berry, MD, MBA (Oshi Health)
• Ethan Booker, MD (MedStar Health)
• Patrick Carroll, MD (HIMS, Inc.)
• Ian Choe, MD (Optum)
• Bonnie Clipper, DNP, MA, MBA, RN (Innovation Advantage)
• Melinda Cooling, APRN (OSF HealthCare)
• Abigail Crawford, APRN, FNP-C (WVU Medicine)
• Carrie Culpepper, RN, FNP-C, MBA (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center)
• Carlos Estrada, MD, MBA (Boston Children’s Hospital)
• Charles Fisher, PT, MPT, MBA (Hospital for Special Surgery)
• Debora Fisher, RN-BSN, MPH/A (MobileHelp/Clear Arch Health)
• Leanna Fortunato, PhD (American Psychological Association)
• Gail Golab, DVM, PhD (American Veterinary Medical Association)
• Linda Goodwin, MSN, RN (CommonSpirit)
• Shawn Griffin, MD (URAC)
• Derrick Haslem, MD (Intermountain Health)
• Helen Hughes, MD, MPH (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
• Anney Joseph, OD, FAAO (Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Florence Kariuki, RN, BSN (Health Recovery Solutions)
• John Kazianis, MD (Hicuity Health)
• Malik Khan, MD, FCCP (Corewell Health)
• Jade Le, MD (Access Telecare)
• Shannon MacDonald, MD (Mass General Brigham)
• Ateev Mehrotra, MD, MPH (Harvard Medical School)
• David Newman, MD (Sanford Health)
• Ngoc-Anh Nguyen, MD (Houston Methodist)
• Jordan Pritzker, MD, MBA (Aetna)
• Adonis Saremi, MD (Noom, Inc.)
• Helen Schnase, MD, MBA (Transcarent)
• Kate Steinle, MSN (FolxHealth)
• Kellie Swink BSN, RN (Children’s National Medical Center)
• Greg Weidner, MD, FACP (One Medical/Amazon)
• Eric Weil, MD (MDLive by Evernorth)
• Huiling Zhang, MD, MPH, MBA (Philips)

Future Plans

The Clinician Council’s first meeting will be held during the ATA’s EDGE Policy Conference, taking place December 13-15 in Washington, D.C.

“The Clinician Council will prioritize building trust within the healthcare community and advise on key topics like healthcare ethics, patient and provider experiences with virtual care, and standards, guidelines, and practices for ATA members. We look forward to leveraging the Council’s collective thought leadership, unique perspectives, and vision to guide the future of telehealth and virtual care,” said Dr. Joe Kvedar, the ATA’s Immediate Past Chair and Senior Clinical Advisor.

What You Should Know:

– TytoCare, a virtual care company partners with St. Luke’s Health System, the largest healthcare provider and employer in Idaho.

– This strategic partnership will give St. Luke’s employees and members of St. Luke’s Health Plan access to high-quality, convenient virtual care from the comfort of their homes.

Benefits for St. Luke’s Employees and Members

As part of this commitment to enhancing access to care, St. Luke’s Health Plan will offer TytoHome kits to its members beginning in 2024. In addition to St. Luke’s Health Plan members, St. Luke’s will be offering TytoHome kits to employees, beginning in 2024, to ensure they have access to convenient and easy care. The Home Smart Clinic solutions will enable St. Luke’s patients and employees to conduct high-quality remote virtual care exams from home.

“St. Luke’s Health Plan was established on the foundation of removing barriers to care and this new partnership with TytoCare is a major step forward in realizing that goal,” said Matt Wolff, President of St. Luke’s Health Plan. “Not only will members be able to receive excellent care from the comfort of home, with St. Luke’s Health Plan, the On-Demand Virtual Visit is covered with a $0 copay.”

TytoCare’s Home Smart Clinic

TytoCare’s Home Smart Clinic is the only virtual care solution on the market that can replicate the doctor’s office in the home, enabling more complete care for everyone, including underserved and rural populations. The solution combines TytoCare’s FDA-cleared handheld remote examination device, the AI-backed Tyto Insights™ smart diagnosis support, and Tyto Engagement Labs™ to provide high-quality, accessible virtual care in the home and enable health plans and providers to deliver on expected ROI and drive improved health outcomes. The Home Smart Clinic is FDA-cleared to perform heart, lung (including AI-powered wheeze detection), throat, ear, and body temperature exams.

“The Home Smart Clinic was designed to bring the clinical quality of the doctor’s office to families, whenever and wherever they need it,” said Dedi Gilad, CEO and Co-Founder of TytoCare. “This is especially important in rural areas and underserved communities to ensure that travel to a distant clinic or a shortage of local providers is not a barrier to care.”

What You Should Know:

– The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has initiated the Virtual Care Accreditation Pilot program, a significant step in developing a quality improvement framework for organizations offering care through telehealth or digital platforms.

– NCQA has selected 18 pilot organizations from a pool of over 100 applicants. These organizations are based in 12 states and Puerto Rico and represent various entities, including health plans, health systems, Federally Qualified Health Centers, patient-centered medical homes, and virtual-first/virtual-only organizations.

Virtual Care Accreditation Pilot Development & Focus Areas

The pilot organizations will provide valuable input to shape NCQA’s Virtual Care Accreditation program, the first of its kind, designed to highlight the quality of care delivered through virtual or hybrid modalities by diverse healthcare organizations. Early versions of the accreditation program will concentrate on primary care and urgent care. Future versions will expand to include opportunities for organizations to distinguish themselves in other virtual care areas, such as behavioral healthcare and acute, post-acute, or specialty care.

Early versions of the accreditation program will concentrate on primary care and urgent care. Future versions will expand to include opportunities for organizations to distinguish themselves in other virtual care areas, such as behavioral healthcare and acute, post-acute, or specialty care.

Virtual Care Pilot Organizations

The selected pilot organizations include health plans such as Aetna Better Health of Virginia and Blue Shield of California, health systems like ChristianaCare Health System, patient-centered medical homes including Union Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers like Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, and virtual-only entities such as CirrusMD, Curai, Everly Health, Firely Health, HubMD PC, MDLIVE, and Privia Virtual Health, LLC.

NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane emphasizes that as care delivery evolves, virtual care has become a new normal, requiring standardization and reliable quality assessment. The Virtual Care Accreditation aims to serve as a roadmap and foundation for safe, effective, and equitable virtual care.

What You Should Know: 

– Avidex, a provider of audiovisual and interactive patient care solutions, and Artisight, an AI-powered smart hospital platform announced a strategic partnership.

– Avidex and Artisight will harness the strengths of both companies to provide a turnkey virtual care solution. Avidex will take on the role of the in-room technology integrator, leveraging its expertise to install and support the solution’s essential AV equipment and platform integration of its proprietary TigrPX interactive patient engagement system, enabling the Artisight smart hospital platform to leverage the in-room television for virtual care delivery.

Artisight Smart Hospital Platform

Artisight’s smart hospital platform, built on advanced AI technology, enhances patient care by streamlining end-to-end processes through high-quality video and audio processing, computer vision, voice recognition, and best-in-class indoor positioning systems. Prioritizing enterprise-grade stability and seamless interoperability, the Artisight platform combines intelligent sensors, deep learning technology, and contemporary integrations, resulting in significant enhancement of clinical care. This HIPAA-compliant platform also automates remote patient monitoring, improving operating efficiency while ensuring timely notifications to clinicians when attention is needed. The hardware- and EHR-agnostic platform reduces clinician burnout and improves nurse and patient satisfaction.

“We believe that the synergy between Avidex and Artisight will create a transformative impact on patient care and healthcare delivery,” said Andrew Gostine, MD, MBA, CEO and co-founder of Artisight. “By combining Avidex’s audiovisual expertise and its TigrPX patient engagement solution with Artisight’s advanced AI-driven smart hospital platform, we are poised to offer healthcare facilities a comprehensive virtual patient care solution that significantly improves patient care, satisfaction, and hospital efficiency.”

What You Should Know:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) today announced that it is growing its network of virtual care providers to treat two chronic conditions: gastrointestinal (GI) conditions and diabetes. 
• Oshi Health and Virta Health are now part of Blue Cross’ network and, as part of their agreements with Blue Cross, offer convenient access to virtual care for members.

Expanding Virtual Care to Cure Persistent GI Conditions and Diabetes

Oshi Health and Virta Health each provide specialized virtual care for distinct medical conditions. Oshi Health is dedicated to empowering individuals with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions by delivering a comprehensive, high-touch, multidisciplinary virtual care approach. Virta Health, on the other hand, offers a combination of provider-led virtual care and personalized nutrition, designed to aid people in reducing their blood sugar levels and achieving weight loss without the need for medications. This program aims to reverse type 2 diabetes, guiding individuals towards remission. Oshi highlights that one out of every four Americans grapples with a gastrointestinal condition, and many among them lack access to specialists who can effectively manage their symptoms or an insurance plan to assist with the associated costs.

“Oshi Health’s evidence-based, collaborative care model includes GI-specialized physicians, dietitians, psychologists, social workers, and health coaches – all working together to help individuals achieve lasting symptom control,” said Sameer K. Berry, MD, MBA, co-founder & chief medical officer at Oshi Health. We’re excited to work with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to bring life-changing relief to its members who struggle with digestive health.”

Additionally, in response to the pressing issue of the primary care physician shortage, Blue Cross has taken significant steps to address the problem by welcoming several primary care groups into its network, which include Eden Health, On Belay Health Solutions, and VillageMD. Earlier this year, Blue Cross introduced an innovative “Virtual Care Team Feature” designed to provide its members with access to a dedicated team of primary care providers. These providers are affiliated with Carbon Health and Firefly Health, both of which not only offer enhanced diabetes support but also bring forward novel strategies for the management of chronic conditions. This concerted effort by Blue Cross aims to expand access to primary care services and bolster the healthcare system’s ability to meet the growing demand for quality medical care.