Health

Kaiser Permanente and Geisinger agree to merge: Here’s why this is a big deal for digital health companies in the value-based care space.

Convenience, access to care drive patients to health apps: But don’t expect consumers to pay for them.

Oura goes offline with Best Buy deal: The smart ring is moving into bricks-and-mortar sales to capture consumers’ attention.

Hint Health teams up with Eden Health: Direct primary care rivals are banding together in the face of growing competition.

Cost Plus Drugs links up with independent pharmacies: It’s yet another move by the company to cut big-name pharmacy benefit managers out of the picture.

Measuring digital patient engagement: Providers know they need consumer-friendly offerings to ward off competitors. Next, they’ll be able to track how patients are interacting with their digital tools.

Smart hospitals go beyond digital: Cleveland Clinic will deploy Verizon’s private 5G network at its new Mentor, Ohio hospital. Here’s why it’s a model for the hospital of the future.

Patient empowerment is a double-edged sword: The Edelman Trust Barometer shows a growing number of consumers around the world are trusting friends, family, and social media for medical advice.

Digital health startups to watch: This week, we spotlight data analytics company Arcadia and digital mental health player Spring Health on the back of fresh funding.

Another telehealth company gets into weight loss drugs: Teladoc’s struggle with Livongo leads the virtual care company into the potentially lucrative obesity drug market.

Physical therapy enters the metaverse: XRHealth acquired Amelia Health to treat both physical and mental health with extended reality. But AR/VR use is growing slowly in the US, and the metaverse is still a novelty.

Caregility offers a la carte AI solutions: Cash-strapped providers can choose the features they need while working around workforce and patient safety concerns.

Generative AI comes to EHRs: Microsoft’s strong AI position could bring the company more healthcare cloud customers since its integrated AI tech with Epic can only be accessed on Azure.

Medical misinformation is a disease, too: The spread of misinformation is hurting patients and has helped to shorten US life expectancy.

The risks and benefits of generative AI in healthcare: The AI craze is triggering mixed feelings in healthcare communities as tech players continue to tout their tools for healthcare tasks.

The FTC strikes healthcare again: The federal regulatory agency issued 670 warnings to healthcare companies and others about misleading advertising. Healthcare firms: be ready to back up your claims.

Digital health startups to watch: This week, we spotlight virtual GI clinic Oshi Health and clinical workflow tech vendor Florence on the back of fresh funding.

Walgreens, Prothena team up for Alzheimer’s clinical trial: We detail why pharma companies and retailers are a natural fit to improve clinical trial participation and retention.

Big Pharma needs a better local online presence: We dive into the 2023 Worldcom Digital Health Monitor report to find out which of the largest pharma companies are winning and who’s losing opportunities based on their online presence.

Digital health companies are facing days of reckoning: Financial pressures are forcing bankruptcies, layoffs, and strategic pivots. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.