Podnosis

AI scribes have seen rapid growth in the healthcare market over the past year, but reliable data on their actual performance is still hard to come by. Much of the available information comes from vendor claims, leaving a gap in independent, real-world assessments. In this episode of "Podnosis," Fierce Healthcare's Emma Beavins sits down with Caroline Pearson, executive director of the Peterson Health Technology Institute, which recently released one of the first reports examining how AI scribes impact provider burnout, after-hours work, and their return on investment.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Early evaluation of AI scribes finds decreased burnout but limited financial ROI 2025 outlook: What's next for AI scribes and virtual care Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Delivery Systems: Early Applications and Impacts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abbie Clary, Principal and Co-Director of CannonDesign’s global health practice, discusses the transformative potential of human-centered design in healthcare. She highlights its importance in improving patient experiences and addressing health equity. Clary emphasizes how inclusive design can break down barriers to access and enhance operational efficiency. The conversation delves into the integration of sustainability and quality improvement, showcasing innovative approaches that prioritize both environmental responsibility and patient dignity.

Jeff Smith, CEO of Bamboo Health, brings 30 years of experience in healthcare technology to the discussion on supporting high-need patients. He highlights that 20% of patients account for nearly 60% of costs, often due to intertwined behavioral health and physical issues. Smith promotes integrated care models that utilize real-time data and AI-driven insights for improved navigation and support. Through compelling examples, he advocates for a coordinated healthcare system designed to enhance outcomes and reduce hospitalizations.

About 1 in 10 people have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t even know they have it. Preventing and managing diabetes is only possible when you know where to start. Yumlish provides nutrition literacy to Medicaid and Medicare populations in a culturally diverse way. This week on "Podnosis," Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya speaks with Yumlish founder and CEO Shireen Abdullah about the outcomes Yumlish is seeing and how federal budget cuts risk making diabetes prevalence worse. To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Food as medicine got a boost after RFK Jr.'s nomination—will it last under Trump? Instacart launches AI-backed tools to make it easier for users to find healthy foods Tia, Nourish partner to expand nutrition counseling, women's healthcare access Virtual diabetes care providers score legislative win, turn focus to full passage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a recent sponsored episode of Podnosis, Claritev executives broke down the company’s rebrand from MultiPlan, its legacy of payer-provider engagement, and the growing role of data transparency in employer-sponsored health care. David Murtagh, vice president of Product Management for Data & Decision Science, said the shift to Claritev reflects the company’s expanded focus beyond payers to include providers, employers, consultants and government entities. “We’re trying to open [the brand] up to all health care stakeholders that have a common interest in affordability, quality and transparency,” he said. Transparency, according to Murtagh, goes well beyond regulatory requirements. Claritev’s BenInsights platform aims to unify fragmented health benefits data—claims, pharmacy, biometrics, and more—into one actionable ecosystem. The goal: help employers identify care gaps, predict risks, and better evaluate costly trends like GLP-1 weight-loss drugs or musculoskeletal conditions. By synthesizing large data sets into accessible insights, Claritev hopes to empower HR professionals and consultants without requiring deep technical expertise. “It doesn’t require a small army of analysts,” Murtagh said. “It just takes engagement once all the data is there.” For a deeper dive into how Claritev is helping employers make smarter benefits decisions, listen to the full episode of Podnosis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough providers who know how to treat these complex conditions. What care is available is largely inaccessible, often for financial or geographical reasons.  Equip, a virtual provider of eating disorder treatment services, recently ran a survey of nearly 500 people who have been in or are currently in treatment. To understand the striking findings, Fierce Healthcare's Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Jessie Menzel, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and VP of clinical programs at Equip. They also chat about why the current system fails patients and how cultural competence plays a key role in eating disorder treatment.   To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Equip nabs additional investment to expand virtual eating disorder treatment services to adult patients Most doctors get limited education on eating disorders. This online training helps fill the gap Equip taps healthcare exec Nikia Bergan as new president to scale up virtual eating disorder treatment services See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The use of wearable devices continues to rise, and as consumers become comfortable with the array of wellness features they offer, these companies are turning their eyes to healthcare.  The team at Oura, which offers a smart ring that tracks sleep and physical activity, has built relationships with health plans by digging deeper into the connection between sleep habits and chronic disease.  In this week's episode of "Podnosis," Senior Writer Paige Minemyer sat down with Jason Oberfest, vice president of healthcare at Oura, to discuss how the company is approaching its push into healthcare.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Oura closes $200M round, boosting smart ring maker's valuation to $5.2B Smart ring maker Oura picks up $75M series D, inks strategic partnership with Dexcom HLTH24: Essence Healthcare to give MA plan members free Oura ring for health tracking HLTH23: Headspace, Oura partner to bring a high-tech approach to tackling stress, mental wellness See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Podnosis, Chris Hayden from Fierce spoke with Micheal McComber, Principal Solutions Architect at TTEC Digital, about how AI is transforming healthcare by enhancing patient and provider experiences. TTEC Digital specializes in optimizing patient interactions with digital solutions that ensure first-call resolution and streamlined provider support. McComber highlighted three major challenges in healthcare: rising costs, data security, and workforce shortages. He explained that AI can address these issues by automating routine tasks such as patient scheduling, insurance verification, and predictive analytics. One notable example includes AI bots integrated with Epic systems that authenticate patient records, schedule appointments, and even notify patients about prescription updates. Another success story involved a diabetes center using AI to manage recalls for insulin pumps. Automated outbound calls notify patients of recalls and guide them through the replacement process, ensuring patient safety and peace of mind. McComber emphasized that AI-driven efficiencies reduce contact center handling times, offering significant cost savings and enhancing patient satisfaction. As healthcare organizations seek to optimize operations, AI offers a proven path to improved outcomes and streamlined workflows. Listen to this compelling podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is no shortage of startups and new entrants popping up in healthcare. But what do these young companies need to know to set themselves apart from the pack?  That’s one key focus of the team at Healthworx, a Blues plan-backed investment firm and accelerator that seeks to turbocharge the latest innovations.  Senior Writer Paige Minemyer sat down with Soo Jeon, the head of the accelerator at Healthworx, to dig into how the team works with burgeoning startups and what results they’ve seen so far.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  Fierce Healthcare Fundraising Tracker—Proscia picks up $50M; Brain.space nabs $11M for brain data platform Better Health raises $14M to deploy expanded payer partnerships What’s next for digital health investing in 2025? Top health tech companies by VC funding: A look at 2024 and the past decade This episode is sponsored by Optum Rx. Learn more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nate Favini, Chief Medical Officer at Pair Team, and Christian Curby, Executive Director of Turlock Gospel Mission, bring insightful discussions on supporting high-needs populations in California. They delve into the complexities faced by dual-eligible beneficiaries and explore how community care hubs can enhance healthcare delivery. The conversation highlights innovative solutions such as telemedicine and community collaboration, aiming to address both medical and social challenges while improving healthcare outcomes and reducing costs.