HIMSSCast

It's a bit of a pot pourri this week as the MobiHealthNews team shares some of what they've heard at a variety of (virtual, of course) industry events. First host Jonah Comstock recaps what Apple announced at its product launch event last week, then Associate Editors Dave Muoio and Mallory Hackett discuss the Digital Therapeutics East event. Finally Managing Editor Laura Lovett and Jonah talk about the Rock Health Summit.And if you haven't gotten enough of events yet, we've got one of our own coming up next week. VIsit https://www.himss.org/event-accelerate-health to learn more about Accelerate Health.Talking points:Apple Watch’s new blood oxygenation sensorNew studies from AppleApple’s “Peloton” killer, Fitness+The role of digital therapeutics in COVID-19 responseDecentralized clinical trials in a pandemic worldThe importance of clinical trial efficacy dataPharma’s perspective on digital therapeuticsThe need for diversity in the digital health startup ecosystemMore about this episode:Apple adds SpO2 & V02 Max to Apple Watch Series 6, and launches three new studiesApple, Anthem launch 2-year study of asthma app, connected devicesApple plants a flag in the home fitness market with Fitness+ for Apple WatchApple Watch sleep tracking feature is more about habits than graphs (VIDEO)Hands-on with Apple Watch's New Blood oxygenation sensor (VIDEO)Why digital therapeutics are flourishing under COVID-19Pharma companies don’t want unicorn digital therapeutic partnershipsDTx regulatory teams talk the power of research beyond ticking FDA's boxesWith many regulatory barriers clear, remaining roadblocks for digital therapeutics are cultural, logisticalTo boost inclusivity, words matter in the healthcare worldWhat startups are missing when they talk about the 'consumer' experience

In this episode of Top Stories with Jeff Lagasse: Apple partners with VA to offer telehealth services for veterans – and announces new health-tracking functionality for its next Apple Watch. Plus: Hospital CEO changeover rates are dropping after a five-year hold.Links to the stories:Here's what primary care clinicians say they need to effectively implement telehealthVA working with Apple to broaden telehealth access for veteransApple adds SpO2 & V02 Max to Apple Watch Series 6, and launches three new studiesHospital CEO turnover rate dipped in 2019 for the first time in five years

Healthcare IT News Executive Editor Mike Miliard and Healthcare Finance News Managing Editor Susan Morse welcome guest Jeff Coughlin, senior director of federal and state affairs at HIMSS to revisit our discussion of the groundbreaking information blocking rules that dropped back in February — and go into affect November 5th. Talking points:- What the rules do and how the ONC and CMS rules differ- Why the rules are important- How providers and payers have responded since the rules dropped- How these rules could have improved COVID-19 response- What providers and payers should be doing right now to get ready for the November 5 compliance date- Looking ahead to a possible new HIPAA rule this fallMore about this episode:What providers, payers, and tech developers should know about sweeping new patient access rulesHHS publishes final regs on info blocking, interoperabilityWith info blocking rules, concerns for patient privacy, small practicesCMS final rule poses big hurdles for payersCOVID-19 highlights the importance of ONC info blocking rules, says RuckerFinal rules on info blocking pose multiple challenges – but also big opportunitiesCMS releases final and proposed rules on price transparency bound to get provider and payer pushbackPrice transparency, still up in the air, not likely to reduce costs

In this episode of Top Stories: Former CEO of Zocdoc files a lawsuit alleging that executives forced him out of the company in 2015; Telehealth likely represents the biggest threat to healthcare cybersecurity.Links to the stories:Ousted Zocdoc CEO accuses fellow cofounders and CFO of foul play in new lawsuitTelehealth is biggest threat to healthcare cybersecurity, says reportPersonal information of 348,000 people potentially exposed in NorthShore data breachFull coverage: HIMSS & Health 2.0 European Digital Event 2020

AmWell and GoodRx seem to be ushering in a second wave of digital health IPOs. Why is this happening now? Who's next? With Healthbox President and HIMSS EVP Neil Patel as their guest, the MobiHealthTeam (host Jonah Comstock, Managing Editor Laura Lovett, and Associate Editor Mallory Hackett) dive into these questions and more.Plus, in the second half of the show, they discuss Amazon Halo, the tech giant's long-awaited entry into the wearable space.Articles mentioned in this episode:Amwell inks deal with Google Cloud and files to go publicAmazon releases wearable health tracker with app called Amazon HaloGoodRx files to go public, revealing jumps in year-over-year revenue growthSOC Telemed going public through 'blank check' acquisitionHims eyes deal to go public and expands its remote mental health servicesWhy buying Physera made sense for OmadaRo receives $200 million in funding and is now valued at $1.5 billionVerily launches new health insurance venture

Earlier this week, an HHS working session met to discuss a long-simmering topic in American health policy: the need for a universal patient identification strategy. In this episode of HIMSSCast, host Jonah Comstock and Senior Editor Kat Jercich welcome HIMSS VP of Government Relations Tom Leary and Government Relations Senior Manager David Gray to the podcast to discuss the events of the working session, the history and current state of patient identification in the United States, and why this topic is so important in this pandemic moment.More about this episode:Accurate patient matching is even more vital amidst the COVID-19 crisis, say industry groupsHouse votes to overturn unique patient identifier banHIMSS Becomes Founding Member of Patient ID Now Coalition (himss.org)

In this episode of Top Stories: California has passed the nation’s first law mandating a 45-day supply of PPE; Digital health company GoodRX has filed to go public after a strong financial showing in 2020. Plus: The top technical challenge of the pandemic.Links to the stories:California passes nation's first bill requiring hospitals to keep a 45-day supply of PPEGoodRx files to go public, revealing jumps in year-over-year revenue growthHealthcare execs say telehealth is their No. 1 pandemic tech problem

In this episode of Top Stories: VA healthcare is slated for modernization with a new scheduling platform; Nursing homes are now required to test staff for COVID-19. Plus: AmWell going public with $100 million of Google's money.Links to the stories:First component of VA EHR modernization goes live in OhioNursing homes are now required to test staff for COVID-19Amwell inks deal with Google Cloud and files to go publicCheck out a video version of this episode here

Host Jonah Comstock convenes a panel of HIMSS Media editors — HITN Senior Editor Kat Jercich, MobiHealthNews Associate Editor Dave Muoio and HFN Associate Editor Jeff Lagasse — to discuss recent delivery slowdowns at the post office and how they have and haven't affected healthcare stakeholders, including startups and patients. The team also looks into the broader trend of politicization of traditionally apolitical government agencies and how that could affect public faith in COVID-19 treatments or vaccines.More about this episode:USPS service delays are hitting some mail-order pharmacies and telehealth platforms harder than othersMail delays may affect medication supply for nearly 1 in 4 Americans over 50Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's full testimony (C-SPAN)The Package Coalition homepage

In this episode of Top Stories: Larger hospital systems such as AdventHealth are feeling the COVID-19 pinch; ICD-10 codes may not effectively capture patients with cough and fever. Plus: How postal service delays are affecting the healthcare sector.Links to the stories:AdventHealth laments $260 million in losses since the start of the COVID-19 pandemicDr. Anthony Fauci 'cautiously optimistic' that a vaccine will be available in 2020 or 2021ICD-10 codes don't accurately capture COVID-19 symptoms, study showsUSPS service delays are hitting some mail-order pharmacies and telehealth platforms harder than others