Recent Digital Health Trends, Insight and News - December 2024
70% of healthcare leaders are investing in AI
Between the holidays and wrapping up numbers for 2024, it can be hard to stay on top of all the news, trends, technology and insights breaking through in the digital health space.
That’s why we’ve done the work for you and compiled some of the latest news and insights in this December telehealth recap. Learn what’s happening with Elon Musk’s Neuralink project, where AI stands among providers and payers, and so much more.
Technology, News and Insights
Elon Musk's Neuralink Announces Study to Connect Brain Implant to Robotic Arm
Elon Musk’s brain computer interface implant start-up, Nuralink, has been approved to undergo a feasibility study. The study will test the implants ability to control an investigational assistive robotic arm. It’s intended to help individuals with quadriplegia control their thoughts using a digital implant or Telepathy device. The article remarked that this is “an important first step towards restoring not only digital freedom but also physical freedom.”
Read the full MobiHealthNews article here >>
Providers, Payers Focused on Initial 'Quick Wins' for AI with Plans to Grow Investment: Survey
A recent C-suite survey found that more than 50% of health plan and health system executives consider AI an immediate priority. In addition, over 70% are increasing their investments in AI, as the space is moving quickly, and organizations don’t want to get behind. Currently, they’re focused on the “quick wins” that AI projects can offer in operational efficiency, which can help with future buy-in. The article reveals additional survey results, such as how executives may select AI vendors, potential use cases, etc.
Read the full Fierce Healthcare article here >>
Policy and Regulatory
DEA and HHS Extend Virtual Prescribing for Controlled Substances through 2025
Telehealth industry groups and Congress have encouraged the DEA and HHS to extend prescribing flexibilities permitted under the original COVID-19 public health emergency. With the end-of-year deadline looming, patients were at risk of losing access to their telehealth-prescribed medications. On November 19, 2024, the agencies published in the Federal Register that they would issue a third temporary extension through December 31, 2025. This extension will grant them more time to create a final set of telemedicine regulations.
Read the full Healthcare IT News article here >>
5 Things to Know About New Healthcare Cybersecurity Bill
Cyberattacks within the healthcare system not only cost organizations millions of dollars but also risk patient safety. Four U.S. senators have introduced a new bill, the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2024, to help combat this issue. This bipartisan legislation is designed to help safeguard health data against increasing cyber threats. This article goes over five things the proposed legislation would do, including extending grants and training to healthcare providers and more.
Read the full Becker’s Hospital Review article here >>
CMS Finalizes Telehealth Pay Changes: 5 notes
On November 1, 2024, CMS released its 2025 Physician Fee Schedule final rule, along with updates about telehealth flexibilities. One is regarding Medicare restrictions, which will be reinstated for most telehealth services on January 1, 2025. If Congress doesn’t step in, there will be limitations on service locations and practitioner types eligible for Medicare reimbursement. The article covers four other key takeaways that include behavioral health exceptions, congressional action and more.
Read the full Becker Hospital Review article here >>
Industry Conversations
The Digital Transformation of Nursing Practice: An Analysis of Advanced IoT Technologies and Smart Nursing Systems
Some of the upcoming challenges expected in the healthcare industry are the increased prevalence of chronic disease and a global aging population. One way to tackle these issues is by using IoT applications, like smart nursing platforms, and key technologies, such as sensor networks, wearable devices, and mobile health solutions in remote patient monitoring. This article explores the current state of IoT, challenges in use, and future trends in IoT development that policymakers, practitioners, and others may find valuable.
Read the full Frontiers article here >>
HIMSSCast: Care Provider or Tool? When and Why Patients Like AI
Many healthcare organizations and providers see AI as a beneficial tool for patients, but how do patients actually feel about it? During a HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum panel discussion, professionals shared patients' attitudes and perspectives on healthcare AI. The article shared that patients like how generative AI is available 24/7, provides timely responses, and shares personalized information. However, the podcast also explores patients' frustrations with AI, how they feel about the use of AI in medical decisions, and more.
Read the Healthcare IT News article here >>
Growth, Funding and Innovation
Amazon One Medical Rolls Out Telehealth Treatment Services in Competition with Ro, Hims & Hers
Amazon One Medical currently provides a pay-per-visit telehealth service that treats more than 30 common healthcare conditions. Now, it’s launching a new service for Prime members, giving them access to clinical treatments for common lifestyle conditions, like anti-aging skin care, motion sickness, and men’s hair loss. Offering these tailored online health treatments puts Amazon One Medical in competition with Ro and Hims & Hers, a direct-to-consumer telehealth player.
Read the Fierce Healthcare article here >>
Trinity Health Expands Virtual Nursing to 26 Hospitals, 11 States
Trinity Health, a 93-hospital, Michigan-based health system, has expanded its TogetherTeam hybrid nursing model to additional locations. With this model, a virtual nurse works from a hub in tandem with a bedside registered nurse and nursing aide. The virtual nurse helps with shift hand-offs, attends rounds, and offers patients 24/7 care with the push of a button. According to the article, patients state this program helps them “feel safer,” and it’s also boosted recruitment for the organization.
Read the Becker Hospital IT Review here >>
OpenLoop Resources & News
D2C Telehealth Could Cut Costs for Employers, Study Finds
Employers are starting to feel the financial impact of rising healthcare costs and are looking at telehealth as a way to save money. One study published by the American Journal of Managed Care assessed how D2C telemedicine reduced fees for a large academic health system. Read on to learn some of the benefits of outsourcing telehealth for your employee programs.
Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>
21 Clinician Healthcare Conferences in 2025
Are you a provider interested in networking, earning CME credits, and discovering the latest in patient care in 2025? We’ve created a list of some of the top clinician-focused conferences, along with expected topics and potential attendees.
Read the full OpenLoop blog here >>
Cash-Pay vs Insurance: Which Is Better For Your D2C Telehealth Program?
One of the most significant decisions you’ll make when launching a D2C telehealth program is whether to take patient insurance or only accept cash pay. This high-level overview explains the pros and cons of both decisions so you can decide what’s best for your organization.