HIMSSCast

Here  why Fast Interoperability Health Resources, or FHIR, is the new agent of change in healthcare.  Organizations around the world are capitalizing on FHIR adoption, using the new data standard to kickstart their legacy modernization and digital transformation journey.

Medicare Advantage star ratings released; Security firm raises FIN12 ransomware attack concerns. Plus: Withings receivesan FDA clearance for Scan Watch’s ECG and SpO2 monitoring features .Links to the stories:See the rankings: More than 70 health plans earned 5 stars in Medicare Advantage star ratingsCyber experts warn of 'aggressive' threat actor targeting healthcareWithings scores FDA clearance for smartwatch ECG and SpO2 monitoring

The CDC's Diabetes Prevention Program is one of the first lifestyle and behavior-based interventions to be proven, in a large clinical study, to be more effective than a comparable drug (in this case metformin). Digital implementations can make the DPP more accessible and more scalable, and a number of digital health companies have been tackling this for the last few years.Fruit Street Health is one of those companies and its CEO Laurence Girard joins host Jonah Comstock on today's HIMSSCast to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and successes his company has had in this space.Talking points:A brief history of the CDC Diabetes Prevention ProgramWhy Fruit Street and others are taking the DPP digitalChallenges and opportunities of virtual DPP implementationOngoing reimbursement challenges with Medicare and MedicaidAdvantages of group-based programs via video chatsQuestions and misconceptions about scalabilityMaking sure pre-diabetes interventions work for everyoneCultural food expectations and combatting food deserts, both through partnershipsDirect-to-consumer DPP outreachAre DPP programs (in-person and virtual) making a dent in the problem?More about this episode:Fruit Street to deliver CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program through live video classesFruit Street Health raises $3 million in doctors-only roundUK passes on Apple, Google's Bluetooth contact tracing tool, Fruit Street Health launches COVID-19 telemedicine platform and more digital health news briefsAHIP, CDC to partner on diabetes preventionMedicare to reimburse for Diabetes Prevention Program, including Omada's digital versionDiabetes Prevention Program under the Affordable Care Act is working, HHS Secretary Burwell saysAmerican Medical Association pushes public, private health plans to cover National Diabetes Prevention ProgramCMS calls for extending Diabetes Prevention Program into Medicare, proposes new doc fees to boost chronic care

Join Mobile Heartbeat Chief Operating Officer, Mike Detjen, as he uses his expertise to project future capabilities of the clinical collaboration space.

Lenovo will discuss what was learned by attending all the sessions at HIMSS.  They will offer their impressions and opinions for how Lenovo can best adapt and transform the way we got to market and productively enable our customers.  We want to be the number one technology provider that Healthcare leaders think about when making new technology decisions.

State licensure and differing regulations on privacy, licensure, and more have always been a barrier to virtual care models that seek to care for anyone with an Internet connection. Which of those hurdles have been overcome and which still remain? And how did COVID-19 and its associated waivers affect this complex issue?On this episode of HIMSSCast, a tie-in to our Virtual Care Paradigm series, host Jonah Comstock welcomes Heather Alleva, an associate at Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney specializing in healthcare law, to get a rundown on some of these issues, including some little-known practice restriction. If you're thinking about starting a multi-state virtual care business, be sure to give this one a listen.Talking points:How COVID affected licensure laws and what’s happening to them nowHow different state laws affect telehealth reimbursementHow reimbursement affects adoption and investmentPros and cons of payment parityTelehealth licensure compacts and where they are todayLimits and levers of federal government powerHow the government can lead by exampleHow restrictions can hinder telehealth innovationPrivacy and security legislative barriersThe corporate practice of medicine prohibitionAntitrust laws and health technologyHow to navigate the complexities of telehealth regulationsMore about this episode:Virtual care regulation: What's next (this episode's companion TV segment)Now is the time for providers to be proactive about telehealth22 states changed telemedicine laws during the pandemicReport shows 'vast improvement' in state telehealth reimbursement policiesThe prominent issues telehealth must tackle when the pandemic passesBuilding an interstate regulatory framework for telemedicineHow a Supreme Court case about teeth whitening could bolster telemedicine interests (2015 throwback)

Cerner mandating COVID-19 vaccines for all U.S employees; SWORD Health acquires wearable firm Vigilant Technologies . Plus: Air ambulance services among commercial insurers have risen 27.6% .Links to the stories:Cerner announces vaccine mandate as Feinberg takes the reinsSWORD Health buys workplace health-focused wearable company Vigilant TechnologiesAir ambulance charges rise 28% in four years, analysis finds

Digital transformation has increased exponentially in the healthcare industry over the past year, as organizations harness the power of digital to reach patients, accelerate research and develop new therapies to beat the global pandemic. Unfortunately, this digital transformation has been paired with an increasing cohort of highly capable cyber extortionists that have been using ransomware to compromise operations and hold patient data hostage to extract money from health organizations. As ransomware attacks become more rampant and advanced in our industry, the risk of an organization falling victim is more real than ever. In light of this reality, one question stands central for all of us: how do we make sure we are prepared to prevent and respond to a ransomware attack.

As Healthcare organizations explore how to evolve the care delivery model, they must consider how to safely evolve within an ever-increasing threat landscape. Modernizing Healthcare IT solutions provide great promise to improve Secure Care environments, but in order to ensure adoption and achieve maximum value, all stakeholders must be involved.Join  Kevin Crosby, Dell Technologies Healthcare Director, Americas as he discusses how Healthcare IT can enable innovation and the evolution of the care delivery model, ultimately helping Healthcare providers provide better outcomes for the organization and their patients.

Walmart to begin rolling out Epic platform in its healthcare centers; 73% of metropolitan areas are controlled by large health insurers . Plus: Amazon adds to its fitness tracking line with Halo View.Links to the stories:Walmart Health announces partnership with EpicAMA: Nearly three-quarters of metropolitan areas are concentrated health insurance marketsNew Amazon Halo device and features compete against Fitbit, Apple Fitness+