HIMSSCast HIMSSCast: How digital health can lower costs, streamline ops and much more
Jan 17, 2025
Thom Bales, U.S. Health Services Advisory Leader at PwC, delves into the pressing challenges in healthcare, such as skyrocketing costs and the impact of digital health. He highlights how digital advancements can enhance efficiency and reduce costs, especially in home care. The conversation touches on disparities in digital health access, particularly for complex Medicaid patients, and innovative solutions like street medicine. Bales emphasizes meeting diverse patient needs through personalized digital health strategies that engage busy demographics.
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Rising Healthcare Costs
- PwC's "Behind the Numbers" report revealed the highest medical inflation in 10+ years, driven by GLP-1 drugs, general inflation, and behavioral health.
- These factors impact both providers and patients, increasing healthcare costs.
Advancements in Care Delivery
- Advancements like digital medicine, telemedicine, and industrialized treatments can lower costs.
- These advancements improve care quality and efficiency by optimizing resource use and patient care.
Digital Health's Evolution and Impact
- Digital health originated in the 1960s to serve rural areas, peaking during COVID and expanding into specialties.
- It improves diagnostics (like radiology), reduces waste through health records, and personalizes care using data.