Health

Diabetes drug makers come under gov’t pressure: Big Pharma reacts to Biden administration push for limits on insulin prices. A majority of consumers—and employers—are cheering on cost pressures.

Underserved patients are the hardest hit by medical debt: Hospitals routinely chase down patients with past-due medical bills without offering payment plans or providing discounted care—when they should.

On today's episode, we discuss what omnichannel healthcare should look like, how patients are using social media to find health information, and why physicians don't want to review their patients' wearable data. "In Other News," we talk about what will happen moving forward regarding patient health information being shared for advertising purposes and why Best Buy is teaming up with Atrium Health. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Rajiv Leventhal and Lisa Phillips.

Virtual reality could help hospitalized cancer patients: Rocket VR Health and Massachusetts General Hospital launch a digital therapeutic trial to boost mental well-being during distressing treatments.

Consumers see the potential of AI in clinical care: Patients’ comfort levels with AI in healthcare are mixed, but many are bullish on the tech’s ability to improve outcomes and reduce medical errors.

15 biggest US pharmacies hit $548 billion in Rx revenues in 2022: We look at Drug Channels Institute’s list of top US pharmacies and where spending will go in the future.

How consumers shop for doctors online: A new Patient Pop survey shows that finding a healthcare provider online is a lot like picking a restaurant or buying shoes. We dig into what they’re looking for before booking a doc.

Telemental health state of play: We detail how virtual mental health grew during the pandemic and predict what’s in store for 2023.

Digital health startups to watch: This week, we spotlight tech-focused fertility clinic Kindbody and AI-powered coding platform CodaMetrix on the back of fresh funding.

Transcarent beefs up its benefits with 98point6 assets: The health benefits company adds an AI-powered virtual care platform while 98point6 redefines itself as a B2B health tech service.

Best Buy Health delivers hospital-at-home care: A new partnership with a major health system signals a serious pivot from consumer retailer to delivering healthcare solutions.

WeightWatchers enters the Rx business for obesity: Its acquisition of medication-based weight loss program Sequence signals an emerging digital health market trend—but consumers must be cautious of telehealth startups' claims.

Don’t share mental health data for advertising purposes: BetterHelp learns that lesson through a $7.8 million settlement.

Amazon, One Medical, and BetterHelp targeted by the FTC: The federal agency issued a $7.8 million fine over use of patient health data. But it’s also looking for deceptive promises of privacy.

Complaint alleges that Talkspace dishonestly charges patients: We think the virtual mental health platform is in the limelight for the wrong reasons.

Best Buy touts its healthcare business while preaching patience: We think the retailer’s multifaceted health strategy is worth betting on.

Digital health startups to watch: This week, we spotlight value-based care platform Vytalize Health and virtual sleep health company BetterNight on the back of fresh funding.

Pixel Watch’s latest health feature is more attention-grabbing than meaningful: Google is assuring that a new fall detection capability won’t trigger false emergency alarms. But it’s still not enough to catch up with Apple Watch’s market penetration.

Walmart boosts healthcare to trickle down to its bottom line: It’s adding 28 clinics in 2024 and has new partnerships to address health inequities. The moves could lure more shoppers to higher-margin products, like prescription and OTC medications.

On today's episode, we discuss whether it's time for Google to spin off YouTube, how people feel about targeted ads, what consumers think about using AR to shop, what an in-car TikTok app might look like, the US Supreme Court examining Section 230, paid health leave in the US versus the world, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Blake Droesch, Evelyn Mitchell, and Paul Verna.