It’s no secret that health insurance is among the most complex parts of healthcare. With many parties involved, and evolving approaches to plan design, patients today are often confused and frustrated by their billing experience.  Some health tech companies, like Inbox Health, help providers communicate more proactively with patients about what they might owe and what repayment options are available to them. To explain the current trends in patient billing, senior writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya chats with Inbox Health’s co-founder and CEO Blake Walker.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shake-up leaves medical debt reform in limbo Why one New York health system stopped suing its patients Federal watchdog warns medical debt collectors off illegal tactics  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digital health venture capital funding cooled off in 2024 following the fever pitch of investment from 2020 to 2022. But investors still see bright opportunities for the sector. Digital health startups banked $10.1 billion in venture funding in 2024, down from $10.8 billion in 2023 but higher than 2019's funding total. Several key trends shaped digital health investment in 2024: a handful of large, more established players dominated healthcare innovation headlines and heavyweight investors drove sector dealmaking. Investors focused on earlier-stage funding and pulled back on later-stage check sizes, according to Rock Health’s year-end report. Executive editor Heather Landi sits down with Sari Kaganoff, chief commercial officer at Rock Health, to discuss the digital health sector's performance last year and the trends that will shape venture funding in 2025.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Digital health venture funding hit $10.1B in 2024 as investors focused on earlier-stage dealmaking Fierce Healthcare Fundraising Tracker—Zoom invests in Suki; Bicycle Health nabs $16.5M Digital health leaders bracing for capital investment boom in 2025. Here's how execs view the economic outlook 2024 a mixed bag for health tech venture capital: HSBC report General Catalyst teams up with AWS to co-develop, deploy AI-driven solutions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health tech experts and leaders descended on Nashville last week to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the digital health sector.  Senior Editor Heather Landi, Senior Writer Paige Minemyer and Staff Writer Emma Beavins were on-site for several days of panels, meetings and deep dives. This week, they sit down to take a look back at the trendiest topics from the show floor. (Hint: It’s AI, of course).  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  ViVE 2025 roundup: Lumeris unveils AI tech for primary care; DoseSpot's latest Rx transparency tool ViVE 2025: Where Humana's CenterWell team is exploring the promise of AI ViVE 2025: Cleveland Clinic rolls out Ambience's AI for doctors after testing scribe technologies ViVE 2025: Abridge scores $250M, adds new AI tool to streamline 'billable notes' ViVE 2025: Highmark taps Sword Health for pelvic health program ViVE 2025: MultiPlan unveils rebrand as it shifts focus to data assets, tech for providers, payers and employers ViVE 2025: UPMC Enterprises has AI on its radar as it launches new testing environment for developers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past decade, emergency room visits for mental health-related needs have soared. But the ER is often not the only option for treatment. Certified community behavioral health clinics, or CCBHCs, provide evidence-based care for mental illness and substance use disorder. There are hundreds of these centers around the U.S. today.  Fierce Healthcare’s Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks to Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, about the CCBHC model, how it works and what it takes for states to participate.   To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Survey: Opportunities for tech investments in behavioral health Learnings from Indiana's behavioral health system overhaul Avel eCare to offer virtual behavioral health services to people in crisis in North Dakota AI in action: Enhancing suicide risk detection in behavioral health HLTH24: A look at outcomes in Highmark's new behavioral health program See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women make up half the U.S. population and make most healthcare decisions. Yet only 2% of VC dollars go toward women’s health. A recent report, released at this year’s J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, lays out the high-growth potential of the women’s health market and its promised return on investment. The report was published by nonprofit Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM) and KPMG. Fierce Healthcare’s Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks to two leaders involved: Carolee Lee, founder of WHAM, and KPMG U.S. healthcare sector leader Ash Shehata. They walk through the details of the report’s findings and explain how the investment community is increasingly rallying around women’s health. Read the full report here. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  JPM25: First Lady Jill Biden committed to improving women's health as White House tenure winds down New collective of women's health companies aims to scale access to specialty care True change 'requires investment': Healthcare leaders react to new $250M Gates fund for women's health HHS announces $27.5M in funding to address women's behavioral health needs  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a deep dive into healthcare reform, Andrew Schwab, a seasoned health policy expert and founder of Platform Government Strategies, shares insights on the shifting landscape under Trump. He discusses the potential for Medicaid cuts and the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency. Schwab also explores bipartisan opportunities in areas like Medicare adjustments and chronic care, while examining the impact of recent executive orders on healthcare. The conversation provides a thorough understanding of legislative priorities amidst the political whirlwind.

Another year at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference is in the books. Fierce Healthcare’s Executive Editor Heather Landi and Senior Writer Paige Minemyer made the trek to San Francisco and after the event, sat down to discuss the biggest themes coming out of the conference. While major payers skipped out on attending this year, health tech companies, health systems and insurtechs all made appearances to share their latest updates with investors. In this episode, we’ll also share more about Heather’s fireside chat with former First Lady Jill Biden at Fierce JPM Week, where they dived into her efforts around women’s health. If you missed the event, check out the sessions on demand here.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  JPM25, Day 1: CHAI launches working group on use of AI for prior auth; IU Health's focus on team culture JPM25, Day 2: News from Nvidia, Tempus AI and Health Catalyst; A look at Children's Health Dallas' expansion plans JPM25 Day 3: Why 2025 will be a hot year for M&A; Talkspace rolls out new AI-powered tool for therapists JPM25: A look inside Advocate Health's Rewire 2030 strategy JPM25: CommonSpirit Health says focus on 'systemness' is driving financial, quality gains JPM25: Teladoc sees virtual chronic condition management as a key growth driver, joins Amazon's health benefits program JPM25: Checking in with Morgan Health JPM25: First Lady Jill Biden committed to improving women's health as White House tenure winds down 'Own JP Morgan, don't let JP Morgan own you': Biopharma—and Jill Biden—show up for JPM25 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. is in the throes of a mental health crisis. Deaths from drugs, alcohol and suicide more than doubled between 2000 and 2017 and continue to rise. As the largest payer of behavioral health services in the country, Medicaid is crucial to serving society’s most vulnerable. But the infrastructure and funding for these services varies by state.   Indiana, which had ranked low in national mental health rankings, established a behavioral health commission in 2020. The group was charged with improving the state’s infrastructure and outcomes in mental health. Jay Chaudhary, then the director of the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, led that effort. In today’s episode, he takes senior writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya through the overhaul, lessons learned and potential future policy threats to care access.  Chaudhary is currently a senior fellow for mental health and community wellness at the Sagamore Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank. He also writes a Substack newsletter, Favorable Thriving Conditions.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  One year of 988: The crisis hotline's successes and challenges Cityblock Health teams with MDwise to open health hubs in Indiana See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Price transparency has been a regulatory priority over the past several years. While providers have had time to adapt and adjust, there remain common challenges that many run into as they look to comply with regulatory requirements.  Senior writer Paige Minemyer sat down with Turquoise Health’s AVP of Channel Sales Joe Wisniewski to outline these challenges, how hospitals can get ahead of the curve and lessons that payers can take away as regulations tighten for them, too.   To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Transparency has led to uniformity in healthcare costs—but not necessarily lower prices: white paper Price transparency startup Turquoise Health picks up $30M series B funding Hospital, payer price transparency compliance improves, but new requirements are kicking in this year GAO wants CMS to check whether hospitals' price transparency data are actually usable 'It isn't normal to operate the way they do': Senators condemn healthcare's resistance to price transparency See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fierce Healthcare hosted the second annual Fierce Health Payer Summit in November. Top leaders and decision-makers in the healthcare and payer industry convened in Austin, Texas, for two days of discussions.   During the event, Fierce’s Emma Beavins interviewed several panelists on the show floor about what they think the ideal payer of the future looks like. In this episode, you’ll hear about improving the member experience, reforming prior authorization and leveraging AI.  The speakers featured in this episode are:   Alex Azar, former Health & Human Services secretary Tanvi Patel, general manager and director of Amazon Pharmacy Michael Anne Kyle, associate professor of health policy at the University of Pennsylvania Ed DeVaney, president of employer & health plans at CVS Caremark Brian Kim, CEO of HighRoads  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.