[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":1980},["ShallowReactive",2],{"category-health-insurance":3},{"category":4,"posts":42,"featured":1978,"ebooks":1979},{"id":5,"count":6,"description":7,"link":8,"name":9,"slug":10,"taxonomy":11,"parent":12,"meta":13,"acf":14,"z_taxonomy_image_url":17,"yoast_meta":18,"taxonomy_image":17,"_links":21},802,15,"Everything that is related to health insurance, insurance policies and digital health technologies that shape it all.","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fcategory\u002Fhealth-insurance\u002F","Health Insurance","health-insurance","category",0,[],{"listing_order":15,"child_category_ids":16},"12",false,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2.png",{"yoast_wpseo_title":19,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":20},"Health Insurance - The Medical Futurist","Find the latest health insurance articles from The Medical Futurist!",{"self":22,"collection":28,"about":31,"wp:post_type":34,"curies":37},[23],{"href":24,"targetHints":25},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories\u002F802",{"allow":26},[27],"GET",[29],{"href":30},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories",[32],{"href":33},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftaxonomies\u002Fcategory",[35],{"href":36},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts?categories=802",[38],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",true,[43,195,302,477,611,755,871,1006,1141,1274,1397,1518,1640,1747,1865],{"id":44,"date":45,"date_gmt":46,"guid":47,"modified":49,"modified_gmt":50,"slug":51,"status":52,"type":53,"link":54,"title":55,"content":57,"excerpt":59,"author":61,"featured_media":62,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":66,"categories":67,"tags":74,"project_category":75,"contact_email_category":76,"yst_prominent_words":77,"class_list":91,"better_featured_image":105,"acf":138,"yoast_meta":144,"_links":146},58151,"2026-01-20T15:40:48","2026-01-20T14:40:48",{"rendered":48},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=58151&_wpnonce=4c8646a66e&status=auto-draft&type=post","2026-01-20T15:40:50","2026-01-20T14:40:50","8-top-pharma-trends-in-the-digital-health-and-ai-era","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F8-top-pharma-trends-in-the-digital-health-and-ai-era",{"rendered":56},"8 Top Pharma Trends In The Digital Health and AI Era",{"rendered":58,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>In the midst of the digital health era, the pharmaceutical industry has been experiencing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-things-that-will-dominate-the-2020s-for-pharma-companies\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">a rapid evolution\u003C\u002Fa>. Thanks to the new paradigms that novel healthcare delivery approaches and digital health technologies have brought about, pharma companies need to adopt \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-ai-and-digital-health-future-of-pharma-prescription-for-change\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new strategies\u003C\u002Fa> and consider new investment opportunities to stay relevant in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In this article, we cover 8 major trends for pharma companies to consider in the digital health era. We rank them based on their return-on-investment (ROI) and return-on-vision (ROV). The latter is particularly relevant in this era considering its rapid rate of evolution. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To better appreciate the importance of ROV, we can consider the Apollo program. While it was focused on space exploration, the endeavour has resulted in a multitude of spin-off products across various fields. In the healthcare sector, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.space.com\u002F731-nasa-spin-offs-bringing-space-earth.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">those spin-offs range from\u003C\u002Fa> medical imaging to innovations in dental care. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As such, current investments can have wide ranging applications in the future. From AI in drug development to digital therapeutics, a host of new technologies and trends hold promising ROI and ROV for pharma companies. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>We share a collection of 8 major ones below, ordered from the most practical and promising to the least ones.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Artificial Intelligence for drug research and development\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The process of drug research and development has traditionally been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\">a time-consuming and labour-intensive one\u003C\u002Fa>. This has involved \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.tandfonline.com\u002Fdoi\u002Ffull\u002F10.1080\u002F23808993.2024.2393089\">considerable trial-and-error research\u003C\u002Fa> before a drug can proceed to further developmental stages. This process can be made more time- and cost-efficient \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdrug-discovery-in-the-age-of-ai\u002F\">with the assistance of artificial intelligence\u003C\u002Fa> (AI).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52039\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_382-2-s.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-medium-font-size\">AI models, such as those developed by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.benevolent.com\u002F\">Benevolent AI\u003C\u002Fa>, can analyse \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fcouncils\u002Fforbesbusinesscouncil\u002F2024\u002F02\u002F29\u002Fai-is-rapidly-transforming-drug-discovery\u002F\">significant amounts of datasets\u003C\u002Fa> from scientific literature, clinical records and chemical databases in a more time efficient manner than humans can. From this information, they can precisely identify targets and how potential drugs will interact with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.schrodinger.com\u002F\">Schrödinger\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.google\u002Ftechnology\u002Fai\u002Fgoogle-deepmind-isomorphic-alphafold-3-ai-model\u002F\">Google DeepMind\u003C\u002Fa> have used AI for drug formulation. Their software predicts the behaviour of drug candidates and assess their safety and effectiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. New reimbursement models\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pharma companies can tap into the new healthcare experience that patients can have in the digital health era to offer more than just medication. By combining medication and technology packages, they can offer more enticing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Feurope\u002Fnews\u002Fitem\u002F13-11-2023-reimbursing-health-care-providers-for-the-use-of-digital-health-tools-is-key-to-accessing-new-technologies--study-shows\">reimbursement models\u003C\u002Fa> for both payers and providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-768x433.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26335\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy-512x289.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Faround-the-pill-strategy.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>There have been several examples of such innovative models in the past that combine pharmaceuticals with technology. GSK has worked with Propeller Health \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002F48885\u002Fgsk-ventures-into-connected-inhaler-space-with-propeller-health-deal\">on smart inhalers\u003C\u002Fa>. Partners Healthcare Center and Japanese drug maker Daichii-Sankyo \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fdepth-pharma%E2%80%99s-digital-health-initiatives-move-commercialization\">teamed up\u003C\u002Fa> to bring a connected wearable for patients with atrial fibrillation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital tools \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Feurope\u002Fnews\u002Fitem\u002F13-11-2023-reimbursing-health-care-providers-for-the-use-of-digital-health-tools-is-key-to-accessing-new-technologies--study-shows\">have been shown to improve\u003C\u002Fa> health outcomes while minimising financial costs. With such offerings, pharma companies can make their products stand out while being beneficial for both patients and insurance providers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Large language models for improved workflow and customer service\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Large language models (LLMs) have been popularised by tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Beyond the hype, the technology is a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-it-is-important-to-understand-multimodal-large-language-models-in-healthcare\">practical trend\u003C\u002Fa> in the pharma industry.  LLMs can boost a company’s efficiency by optimising internal operations and customer service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52139\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F08\u002F0821_generative-ai-cover-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Roche’s internal LLM tool, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fposts\u002Fdavedrodge_chatgpt-health-rochegpt-activity-7111805972209090561-ATUk\u002F\">Roche GPT\u003C\u002Fa>, assists the pharma company’s team in optimising repetitive tasks and share knowledge. The tool further supports their business by automating structured data extraction about therapies and patients from scientific articles and clinical test results. Pfizer has also deployed \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdigiday.com\u002Fmarketing\u002Fwith-charlie-pfizer-is-building-a-new-generative-ai-platform-for-pharma-marketing\u002F\">a similar tool\u003C\u002Fa> to help with its marketing efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>LLMs could further be used to improve customer service. With an LLM-powered chatbot, patients \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhy-it-is-important-to-understand-multimodal-large-language-models-in-healthcare\">can get answers to their queries\u003C\u002Fa> such as medication side effects in their native language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. Automation in the supply chain\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The pharma industry’s supply chain stands to gain a lot by embracing automation in its midst. For example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpharmaphorum.com\u002Frd\u002Freducing-drug-shortages-power-ai-pharma-supply-chain-management\">by integrating AI\u003C\u002Fa>, drug shortages can be averted. By analysing data from various sources, AI software can forecast potential disruptions and suggest adequate measures to ensure a steady supply of essential medication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-768x432.png\" alt=\"future of pharma\" class=\"wp-image-26469\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002Fpharma-future-small.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Automation in the supply chain does not only involve AI software but robotics is also part of the picture. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.densorobotics.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fmedical-pharmaceutical\u002F\">Denso Robotics\u003C\u002Fa>’ robots are capable of automating tasks in the manufacturing process. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fexoskeleton-technology\u002F\">Exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> are another example of robotics assistance. While not fully automating tasks, they augment manual factory workers’ ability to carry heavy loads and working in uncomfortable positions. In the future, we can even expect automated drone deliveries to be carried out within manufacturing sites and beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Digital therapeutics \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Using software as treatment might have sounded like a science fiction concept a decade or so ago, but this prospect is very real and promising with the advent of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-new-buzz-these-are-the-top-examples-of-digital-therapeutics\u002F\">digital therapeutics (DTx)\u003C\u002Fa>. DTx can be described as evidence-based software applications designed to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"pharmacy smart watch DTx\" class=\"wp-image-36065\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_290-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>The accessibility, privacy and minimal side effects that DTx provide have enticed pharma companies to invest in this trend. Pfizer has teamed with Sidekick Health to launch \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fposts\u002F67510798\">a DTx solution for atopic dermatitis\u003C\u002Fa>. Eli Lilly also partnered with Sidekick Health to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Feli-lilly-taps-sidekick-health-tailor-smartphone-apps-breast-cancer-patients\">develop apps to support\u003C\u002Fa> breast cancer treatment. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Other companies like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2021\u002F11\u002F16\u002F22785609\u002Fvr-chronic-pain-fda\">RelieVRx\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdtxalliance.org\u002Fproducts\u002Fhellobetter-chronicpain\u002F\">HelloBetter\u003C\u002Fa> integrate cognitive behavioural therapy principles in their apps to ease chronic pain. We share more promising DTx examples in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-new-buzz-these-are-the-top-examples-of-digital-therapeutics\u002F\">a dedicated article\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6. 3D bioprinting\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another scifi-like but promising trend in the industry is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-bioprinting-companies\u002F\">3D Bioprinting\u003C\u002Fa>. This technique involves the “printing” of living tissues, such as blood vessels, bones or skin, via the additive manufacturing technology of 3D printing. It requires living cells and a nurturing environment provided by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealth.howstuffworks.com\u002Fmedicine\u002Fmodern-technology\u002F3-d-bioprinting.htm#pt3\">a microgel\u003C\u002Fa>. The ability to print human tissues implies that the need for animal testing could be a thing of the past while demonstrating more accurate results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"TMF, bioprinting companies\" class=\"wp-image-21550\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F08\u002FOrganprinter-1.png 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Several companies have investigated 3D bioprinting over the years, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-bioprinting-companies\u002F\">with different rates of success\u003C\u002Fa>. However, the potential of the approach has caught the interest of major pharmaceutical players who have ongoing partnerships with 3D bioprinting companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Novo Nordisk and Aspect Biosystems \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aspectbiosystems.com\u002Fnews-resources\u002Fnovo-nordisk-partnership-to-develop-bioprinted-tissue-therapeutics-for-diabetes-and-obesity\">are collaborating\u003C\u002Fa> to develop bioprinted tissue therapeutics with the aim of developing treatments for diabetes and obesity. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Forganovo.com\u002Fabout\u002Fwho-we-are\u002F\">Organovo\u003C\u002Fa> uses its 3D bioprinting technology to create human models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This helps them better understand and develop drug therapies for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7. 3D printed drugs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While at a relatively nascent stage, 3D printed drugs have made strides since Spritam, the first 3D-printed prescription drug to treat symptoms of epilepsy, was \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Frobertszczerba\u002F2015\u002F08\u002F04\u002Ffda-approves-first-3-d-printed-drug\u002F#21226e315675\">approved by the FDA\u003C\u002Fa> in 2015. UK-based FabRx is already studying the efficacy and customisation of 3D printed drugs in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprinting.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffirst-3d-printed-pediatric-medicine-trials-to-begin-in-europe\u002F\">the first paediatric clinical trial\u003C\u002Fa> of such medications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36297\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-edited.png 1527w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>3D printing drugs is a promising trend for personalised medication based on individual patient’s needs. For example, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F3dprint.com\u002F261126\u002Fresearchers-3d-print-six-different-drugs-multi-layered-polypill\u002F\">multi-layered, 3D printed “polypills”\u003C\u002Fa> can contain several drugs in one pill to assist patients in medication adherence. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The ability to 3D print drugs can also decentralise drug manufacturing, bringing the production of medication closer to the point of care. Pharmacies could 3D print customised pills and improve medication access to underserved areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>8. \u003Cem>in silico\u003C\u002Fem> clinical trials\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fin-silico-trials-are-the-future\u002F\">\u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>clinical trials\u003C\u002Fa> promise to enable the conduction of experiments wholly via computer simulation, without the need for animal or human testing. By running drug trials on computer simulations of organs, this approach can be both time and cost effective while circumventing the side effects on live participants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png\" alt=\"in silico trials, synthetic data, artificial patient, TMF\" class=\"wp-image-24545\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F103_In-silico-clinical-trials.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>While this promise has yet to be fully realised, progress has been made towards it. The Wyss Institute \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwyss.harvard.edu\u002Ftechnology\u002Fhuman-organs-on-chips\u002F\">has developed organs-on-a-chip\u003C\u002Fa> to emulate the complex structures and functions of living human organs. Their technology has been leveraged by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Femulatebio.com\u002F\">Emulate Inc\u003C\u002Fa> for efficient drug development. The mathematical model of human physiology created by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhummod.org\u002F\">HumMod\u003C\u002Fa> has been used in \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fhummod.org\u002Fprojects\u002F\">several research projects\u003C\u002Fa>. Further envisioning a future trending towards \u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>trials, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vph-institute.org\u002F\">Virtual Physiological Human Institute\u003C\u002Fa> has been set up to encourage the effective adoption of \u003Cem>in silico \u003C\u002Fem>medical research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The future of the pharma industry relies on patient design\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These 8 trends hold tremendous potential for the future of the pharmaceutical industry. From personalised care to efficient supply chains, pharma companies integrating such approaches can consider their investments beyond ROI but also as investments in the future of the field thanks to the considerable ROV they represent. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, such endeavours will be in vain if companies don’t embrace patient design. This entails the involvement of patients at the highest level of decision-making processes. In the digital health age, patients are more empowered than ever and want to have their voices heard in matters that impact their health. This is exemplified by patient-led \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fopenaps.org\u002F\">DIY artificial pancreas\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.digitaltrends.com\u002Fcool-tech\u002Fdiy-medicine-expert-interview\u002F\">DIY medicine\u003C\u002Fa> movements. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why is Patient Design Essential in Healthcare? \u002F Episode 6 - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FhjPcpVaJ9xU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The FDA has even acknowledged the importance of patient design and has established its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fadvisory-committees\u002Fcommittees-and-meeting-materials\u002Fpatient-engagement-advisory-committee\">Patient Engagement Advisory Committee\u003C\u002Fa>. Pharma companies should adopt a similar approach and include patient input in their midst. For example, they can utilise platforms such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.antidote.me\u002F\">Antidote\u003C\u002Fa> to help patients find the right clinical trial while cutting costs incurred due to delays in finding participants. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Patients can give invaluable insights to companies with their experience as medication users and benefit the drug development process. It’s a win-win situation that begins by adopting the principles of patient design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":60,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>We share a collection of 8 major ones below, ordered from the most practical and promising to the least ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",16,36305,"closed","","standard",{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,69,5,70,71,72,73],7079,490,499,489,512,515,[],[],[],[78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90],1609,1613,1617,1625,1885,3201,3335,3341,4483,1599,4491,1607,4907,[92,53,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104],"post-58151","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tmf","category-future-of-pharma","category-health-insurance","category-healthcare-design","category-personalized-medicine","category-robotics","category-science-fiction",{"id":62,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":106,"media_type":107,"media_details":108,"post":136,"source_url":137},"Digital tools disrupting the supply chains of Pharma","image",{"width":109,"height":110,"file":111,"sizes":112,"image_meta":134},1920,1080,"2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02.png",{"medium":113,"large":119,"thumbnail":124,"medium_large":128,"1536x1536":129},{"file":114,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":118},"tmf_article_291_A-02-370x208.png","370","208","image\u002Fpng","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-370x208.png",{"file":120,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":123},"tmf_article_291_A-02-768x432.png","768","432","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-768x432.png",{"file":125,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":127},"tmf_article_291_A-02-150x150.png","150","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-150x150.png",{"file":120,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":123},{"file":130,"width":131,"height":132,"mime-type":117,"source_url":133},"tmf_article_291_A-02-1536x864.png","1536","864","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02-1536x864.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135},"0",17427,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_291_A-02.png",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":139,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[140,142],{"title":141},"\u003Cp>With the rapidly evolving pace of the healthcare landscape in the digital health era, pharmaceutical companies have to adopt new strategies and consider new investment opportunities to stay relevant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":143},"\u003Cp>We share 8 major trends, ranked based on their return-on-investment and return-on-vision; because a long-term vision is necessary to stay up-to-date in this space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":145,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":54},"8 Top Pharma Trends In The Digital Health and AI Era - The Medical Futurist",{"self":147,"collection":152,"about":155,"author":158,"replies":161,"version-history":164,"predecessor-version":168,"wp:featuredmedia":172,"wp:attachment":175,"wp:term":178,"curies":193},[148],{"href":149,"targetHints":150},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58151",{"allow":151},[27],[153],{"href":154},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[156],{"href":157},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[159],{"embeddable":41,"href":160},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[162],{"embeddable":41,"href":163},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=58151",[165],{"count":166,"href":167},7,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58151\u002Frevisions",[169],{"id":170,"href":171},58183,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F58151\u002Frevisions\u002F58183",[173],{"embeddable":41,"href":174},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F36305",[176],{"href":177},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=58151",[179,181,184,187,190],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":180},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=58151",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":183},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=58151",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":186},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=58151",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":189},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=58151",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":192},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=58151",[194],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":196,"date":197,"date_gmt":198,"guid":199,"modified":201,"modified_gmt":202,"slug":203,"status":52,"type":53,"link":204,"title":205,"content":207,"excerpt":209,"author":61,"featured_media":211,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":212,"categories":213,"tags":216,"project_category":217,"contact_email_category":218,"yst_prominent_words":219,"class_list":225,"better_featured_image":229,"acf":250,"yoast_meta":258,"_links":260},59501,"2025-11-12T12:44:05","2025-11-12T11:44:05",{"rendered":200},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=59501&_wpnonce=1614b52041&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-11-12T12:44:06","2025-11-12T11:44:06","ai-and-health-insurance-claims-a-hopeful-or-dystopian-future","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fai-and-health-insurance-claims-a-hopeful-or-dystopian-future",{"rendered":206},"AI And Health Insurance Claims: A Hopeful Or Dystopian Future?",{"rendered":208,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>The recent artificial intelligence (AI) boom has seen the technology applied in various sectors of healthcare. From \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fai-in-the-patient-journey-infographic\">triaging of patients\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ften-ways-technology-changing-healthcare\">drug design\u003C\u002Fa>, AI has been impacting the field in unconventional ways. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In a similar vein, the technology is increasingly being used to handle medical insurance claims. While the integration of AI in this space has some practical benefits, it does come with growing ethical concerns. To help make sense of it all, we dive into the AI-driven world of insurance claims in this article.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How AI assesses insurance claims\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The use of algorithms is not exactly a new phenomenon. Health insurance companies have been using such software, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fus-news\u002F2025\u002Fjan\u002F25\u002Fhealth-insurers-ai\">albeit simpler ones\u003C\u002Fa>, for years. With the advent of generative AI, more powerful systems have become available to process insurance claims from patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-768x432.png\" alt=\"AI medical coding doctor, hospital, clinic, man, laptop, computer\" class=\"wp-image-51069\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_365.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>The way they \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fshashankagarwal\u002F2024\u002F03\u002F28\u002Fthe-ai-revolution-in-medical-claims-processing\u002F\">generally work\u003C\u002Fa> involves a combination of AI techniques such as machine learning, optical character recognition (OCR) and natural language processing (NLP). It can look akin to the following process: \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>When the system receives a claim, it automates document verification and data entry. \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Once the claim passes through that stage, the system reads and extracts relevant information from unstructured documents such as claim forms and medical notes. \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>It can even cross-check with previous claims and policies for fraud detection. \u003C\u002Fli>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Based on its assessment, it can route it for payment, human review or issue an automated denial.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A common example of AI use in claims processing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fhow-artificial-intelligence-controls-your-health-insurance-coverage-253602\">is in prior authorisation\u003C\u002Fa>. This refers to cases where care is provided after clinicians receive payment approval from insurers. Companies use AI systems in such cases to determine the necessary care for the patient, such as the length of hospital stays. In case of a declined claim, patients can either appeal the decision, opt for a different treatment covered by the insurer or pay out of pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It should be noted that this is how an AI-driven insurance claims process is likely to work. Insurance companies have not revealed the exact process as they consider their algorithms as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fhow-artificial-intelligence-controls-your-health-insurance-coverage-253602\">trade secrets\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The practical benefits of integrating AI in claims processing\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the lack of transparency over how AI systems process health insurance claims, they can deliver practical benefits across the process if they are designed and governed adequately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Integrating AI in the claims processing cycle \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fshashankagarwal\u002F2024\u002F03\u002F28\u002Fthe-ai-revolution-in-medical-claims-processing\u002F\">lifts significant administrative burden\u003C\u002Fa>. By automating tasks such as data extraction and prior authorisation, the adjudication cycle is shortened. As a result, reimbursements are more timely, and patients have to wait less to receive a decision regarding their claims.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_437-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58553\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_437-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_437-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_437-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf_article_437-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>With data-driven decision-making, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fshashankagarwal\u002F2024\u002F03\u002F28\u002Fthe-ai-revolution-in-medical-claims-processing\u002F\">payers can benefit\u003C\u002Fa> from more optimised resource allocation. Their AI tools can further help in detecting fraudulent claims at scale and faster than with manual review alone. As a result, their service delivery and financial outcomes are enhanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>AI isn’t only used by insurers. The technology \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fus-news\u002F2025\u002Fjan\u002F25\u002Fhealth-insurers-ai\">can help patients\u003C\u002Fa> ensure correctly filled and formatted forms based on the specifications of individual insurers. The CEO of UnitedHealth Group highlights that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fus-news\u002F2025\u002Fjan\u002F25\u002Fhealth-insurers-ai\">most denials are a result of\u003C\u002Fa> wrongly filled or filed forms. He even estimates that 85% of denied claims could be avoided through technological assistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Ethical quandaries of automating insurance claims\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite the upside of utilising AI in health insurance claims processing, there are significant ethical and regulatory concerns that persist. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Due to the lack of transparency over the decision-making process of such tools, it is difficult, or even impossible, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fhow-artificial-intelligence-controls-your-health-insurance-coverage-253602\">for independent or regulatory bodies to evaluate\u003C\u002Fa> their safety, fairness and effectiveness. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-768x432.png\" alt=\"AI bias algorithm artificial intelligence people patients race population\" class=\"wp-image-41809\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002FAI-bias.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>The lack of oversight can lead insurance companies to prioritise financial gains over patient health. By automating coverage reviews, insurers require fewer human medical professionals that they need to bankroll. In more concerning cases, the companies can drag the claims process, especially in the case of appeals to denials, which \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpapers.ssrn.com\u002Fsol3\u002Fpapers.cfm?abstract_id=5045427\">can take years\u003C\u002Fa>, for patients with poor prognoses. Research further indicates that chronic patients and disadvantaged groups \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fhow-artificial-intelligence-controls-your-health-insurance-coverage-253602\">are more likely\u003C\u002Fa> to have their claims denied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Insurance companies UnitedHealth, Humana and Cigna \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fus-news\u002F2025\u002Fjan\u002F25\u002Fhealth-insurers-ai\">have faced class-action lawsuits\u003C\u002Fa> that allege their use of AI tools to withhold lifesaving care. One lawsuit alleges that UnitedHealth’s algorithm for predicting care \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fus-news\u002F2025\u002Fjan\u002F25\u002Fhealth-insurers-ai\">has a 90% error rate\u003C\u002Fa>, leading to 9 out of 10 denials being reversed upon appeal. A US Senate report \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fus-news\u002F2025\u002Fjan\u002F25\u002Fhealth-insurers-ai\">has also indicated\u003C\u002Fa> that the three largest providers of Medicare Advantage reject prior authorisation claims at high rates using technology and automation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The need for regulating AI in the insurance industry\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As a result of such concerning practices, some policymakers have begun to act. The US Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.federalregister.gov\u002Fdocuments\u002F2023\u002F04\u002F12\u002F2023-07115\u002Fmedicare-program-contract-year-2024-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare-advantage-program\">requires that\u003C\u002Fa> Medicare Advantage plans base decisions on individual patient needs, instead of relying on generic criteria. Some states \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fhow-artificial-intelligence-controls-your-health-insurance-coverage-253602\">have proposed laws\u003C\u002Fa> to restrict algorithmic decision-making in claims processing. California has even \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flegiscan.com\u002FCA\u002Ftext\u002FSB1120\u002Fid\u002F2927303\">passed a law\u003C\u002Fa> that requires physician supervision over the use of AI tools in insurance coverage. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While promising, such actions do not provide governance over the functioning and decision-making processes of the algorithms.  The FDA could be an adequate institution to monitor such factors. However, health insurance algorithms \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fhow-artificial-intelligence-controls-your-health-insurance-coverage-253602\">do not fall under\u003C\u002Fa> its scrutiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58589\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F03\u002Ftmf-fda-layoffs-2048x1151.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>To counter such limitations in the current state of the industry, patients and other companies have taken matters into their own hands, with the help of AI. Some generative AI tools have been developed to assist in the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fus-news\u002F2025\u002Fjan\u002F25\u002Fhealth-insurers-ai\">drafting of appeal letters\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One example is from Claimable Inc., whose tool \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nbcnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fus-news\u002Fai-helping-patients-fight-insurance-company-denials-wild-rcna219008\">can generate custom letters\u003C\u002Fa> with details of clinical research and other patients’ appeal history in similar contexts. Compiling such information can be time-consuming, but such tools can make the process much easier and cheaper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>AI in insurance claims: a necessary or an avoidable future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The scale of modern healthcare systems, with its millions of claims and cost pressures, makes automation an attractive solution going forward. In many cases, AI might be necessary to keep operations functioning and to minimise backlogs and manual errors. Well-designed AI systems can benefit the claims process with better efficiency and an improved patient experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, these benefits can only be realised if such systems are fairly implemented with human oversight. If insurers prioritise financial gains over valid clinical need, the future of AI in claims processing will be fraught with lawsuits and reduced trust in such systems. Conversely, if companies adopt an ethical, patient-centred approach, where human review is mandated for high-risk cases and where independent audits are permitted, we could experience a more established presence in the long term. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>AI is already changing health insurance claims processing, but its future impact will depend on how it is governed and implemented going forward. Done right, automation can reduce friction in the claims cycle; but done poorly, it can widen inequities. A positive future for AI in insurance claims will require a combination of regulatory oversight, patient-focused experiences and legal protections that will promote timely, equitable care rather than automated cost-saving practices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":210,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>The recent artificial intelligence (AI) boom has seen the technology applied in various sectors of healthcare. From triaging of patients to drug design, AI has […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",34111,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,214,5,215],504,800,[],[],[],[220,221,222,223,224],1833,2987,2991,2993,5559,[226,53,93,94,95,96,97,98,227,100,228],"post-59501","category-artificial-intelligence","category-healthcare-policy",{"id":211,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":230,"media_type":107,"media_details":231,"post":248,"source_url":249},"Federated learning",{"width":109,"height":110,"file":232,"sizes":233,"image_meta":247},"2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-1.png",{"medium":234,"large":237,"thumbnail":240,"medium_large":243,"1536x1536":244},{"file":235,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":236},"tmf_article_260-01-1-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-1-370x208.png",{"file":238,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":239},"tmf_article_260-01-1-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-1-768x432.png",{"file":241,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":242},"tmf_article_260-01-1-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-1-150x150.png",{"file":238,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":239},{"file":245,"width":131,"height":132,"mime-type":117,"source_url":246},"tmf_article_260-01-1-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-1-1536x864.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135},34041,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-1.png",{"subtitle":64,"key_takeaways":251,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},[252,254,256],{"title":253},"\u003Cp>The recent boom in artificial intelligence (AI) has led to its adoption in processing health insurance claims.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":255},"\u003Cp>While the level of automation the technology brings can have practical benefits, its implementation does present some persisting ethical and regulatory concerns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":257},"\u003Cp>If AI-driven claims processing is to become the norm in the future, the underlying concerns need to be addressed to favour timely, equitable care rather than cost-saving practices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":259,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":204},"AI And Health Insurance Claims: A Hopeful Or Dystopian Future? - The Medical Futurist",{"self":261,"collection":266,"about":268,"author":270,"replies":272,"version-history":275,"predecessor-version":279,"wp:featuredmedia":283,"wp:attachment":286,"wp:term":289,"curies":300},[262],{"href":263,"targetHints":264},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59501",{"allow":265},[27],[267],{"href":154},[269],{"href":157},[271],{"embeddable":41,"href":160},[273],{"embeddable":41,"href":274},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=59501",[276],{"count":277,"href":278},1,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59501\u002Frevisions",[280],{"id":281,"href":282},59503,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F59501\u002Frevisions\u002F59503",[284],{"embeddable":41,"href":285},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34111",[287],{"href":288},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=59501",[290,292,294,296,298],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":291},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=59501",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":293},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=59501",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":295},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=59501",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":297},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=59501",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":299},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=59501",[301],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":303,"date":304,"date_gmt":305,"guid":306,"modified":308,"modified_gmt":309,"slug":310,"status":52,"type":53,"link":311,"title":312,"content":314,"excerpt":316,"author":61,"featured_media":318,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":319,"categories":320,"tags":325,"project_category":345,"contact_email_category":350,"yst_prominent_words":351,"class_list":360,"better_featured_image":389,"acf":419,"yoast_meta":433,"_links":436},37393,"2025-01-28T08:55:59","2025-01-28T07:55:59",{"rendered":307},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=37393&_wpnonce=0a585fbf3d&status=auto-draft&type=post","2025-01-28T08:56:00","2025-01-28T07:56:00","top-medical-innovations-2022","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-medical-innovations-2022",{"rendered":313},"The Top 5 Medical Innovations To Look Out For In 2025",{"rendered":315,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>In general, digital health tends to bring the point of care to wherever the patient is. As more investment and research focus are diverted towards those relevant fields, this will help generate more innovations from those areas.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So to get ready for this new year full of digital health potentials, let’s take a peek at 5 fields to expect medical innovation and developments out of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1. Vocal biomarkers: identifying conditions from a conversation\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“\u003Cem>Computer, run a health check-up from my vocal input.” \u003C\u002Fem>This line might seem to have been lifted from a Star Trek script, but we are close to having such conversations with our computers. With A.I.-based techniques, symptom checker software can detect so-called “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvocal-biomarkers-new-opportunities-prevention\" target=\"_blank\">vocal biomarkers\u003C\u002Fa>”. By analysing a person’s voice recording, the algorithm can discern differences between vocal patterns characteristic of certain diseases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is the technology that startup \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sonaphi.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Sonaphi\u003C\u002Fa> is employing in its app that aims to detect potential COVID-19 infections based on vocal features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F094_A.I._in_mental_health-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26457\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F094_A.I._in_mental_health-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F094_A.I._in_mental_health-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F094_A.I._in_mental_health-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F094_A.I._in_mental_health-1-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F094_A.I._in_mental_health-1-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F094_A.I._in_mental_health-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Earlier during the pandemic, researchers and engineers from San Francisco \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F31\u002Fhospitals-artificial-intelligence-coronavirus\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">explored such potential\u003C\u002Fa> through the Cough for the Cure initiative. Other organisations like Cambridge University, Carnegie Mellon University and U. K. health start-up Novoic \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-54780460\" target=\"_blank\">have also been reported\u003C\u002Fa> to be working on similar projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We could thus see more such voice-tech apps to be released this year that might potentially help identify conditions beyond COVID-19. They could offer fast, accurate and cost-effective checkups remotely while alleviating the burden on hospitals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2. AI in diagnostics: the physician’s assistant\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For instance, with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-skin-care-top-8-dermatology-apps\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">dermatology apps\u003C\u002Fa> like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmiiskin.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">MiiSkin\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnet.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fpersonal-care\u002Fgoogle-will-now-help-you-identify-that-suspicious-mole-or-rash\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Google’s Derm Assist\u003C\u002Fa>, patients can keep track of their skin lesions; receive regular reminders to monitor any suspicious lesions; and get recommendations as to when to have a specialist investigate further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Clinicians as well will have A.I.-based tools to support diagnoses. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pathai.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">PathAI\u003C\u002Fa> is developing a system that uses digital pathology slides with A. I. technology to aid pathologists in making quicker and more accurate diagnoses. With deep learning techniques, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.enlitic.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Enlitic\u003C\u002Fa>’s software \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dotmed.com\u002Fnews\u002Fstory\u002F48925\" target=\"_blank\">can flag radiology images\u003C\u002Fa> with subtle suspicious signs earlier to speed up the workflow of practitioners and help save crucial time for patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002FAI-doctor-image-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28295\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002FAI-doctor-image-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002FAI-doctor-image-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002FAI-doctor-image-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F05\u002FAI-doctor-image.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now we even have companies like DeepMind using their \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fdeepmind-ais-protein-folding-prediction-achieves-unprecedented-accuracy-opening-doors-new\" target=\"_blank\">AI to predict protein structure\u003C\u002Fa>, a task that clinicians cannot accomplish themselves. This approach can help develop new cures for conditions with faulty proteins. Their AI \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Femea\u002Fdeepminds-ai-can-predict-aki-two-days-it-happens-according-new-research\" target=\"_blank\">previously helped predict\u003C\u002Fa> the risk of developing acute kidney disease 2 days before it manifests based on patients’ medical records and lab results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With such potential across clinical practice, we should not be surprised to see new A. I. tools coming to the aid of doctors and patients alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3. Chatbots: the new first contact point for primary care\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During the pandemic, smart algorithms \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-sober-state-of-artificial-intelligence-in-the-fight-against-covid-19\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">have also proven their worth\u003C\u002Fa> in assisting healthcare professionals to distinguish those who could have been infected with COVID-19 from those with less threatening conditions. Institutions like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nhs.uk\u002Fapps-library\u002Fcorona-helpuk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the NHS\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fnews-room\u002Ffeature-stories\u002Fdetail\u002Fwho-launches-a-chatbot-powered-facebook-messenger-to-combat-covid-19-misinformation\" target=\"_blank\">the WHO\u003C\u002Fa> deployed such tools to ease the pressure on overburdened healthcare systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But these little medical helpers have been under development for years and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-12-health-chatbots\u002F\">a n\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-12-health-chatbots\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">um\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-12-health-chatbots\u002F\">ber of those\u003C\u002Fa> are available on the market. These range from general symptom assessment \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fada.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Ada\u003C\u002Fa> to mental health monitoring app \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youper.ai\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Youper\u003C\u002Fa>. Fuelled by the pandemic, their adoption can be expected to rise and we will be able to see more chatbots being developed for more specific medical conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26459\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-512x288.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F012_health_chatbot-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the future, patients might even turn to such chatbots as their first contact point for primary care. Patients will then be connected to a doctor in case the automated assistant cannot respond to the raised issues confidently. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cstrong>At-home testing kits: lab tests at your doorstep\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the futuristic healthcare innovations that are the easiest to put into practice now is likely at-home testing. With a personal testing kit, one can measure a range of health parameters that used to be only available in laboratories. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>From \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fatlas-biomed-microbiome-test-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">microbiome analyses\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fi-got-my-whole-genome-sequenced-heres-what-i-learned\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">whole-genome\u003C\u002Fa> sequencing, such at-home lab tests provide crucial, personalised health information in a private and convenient manner; while lifting off additional pressure on healthcare institutions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28665\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-evolution-of-covid-19-rapid-tests-paves-the-way-for-at-home-lab-tests\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">rise of at-home lab tests has also been precipitated\u003C\u002Fa> by the need to identify COVID-19 infections quickly and effectively. In the near future, these tests could become as easy and accessible as pregnancy tests; cheap, simple enough to use at home, accurate and not requiring any technical knowledge. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5. Digital health insurance: revamping the industry\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the significant load of personalised health data that wearables and personal health sensors provide, such digital health technologies hold \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the potential to change health insurance\u003C\u002Fa> as we know it. For better or worse, health insurance companies are able to know more about the people they are investing in with quantifiable health parameters; and can revamp \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother\u002F\">a flailing industry\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some are already seizing the potentials of digital health in this sphere. Insurance firm \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hioscar.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Oscar Health\u003C\u002Fa> famously incentivised a healthy lifestyle by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-change-health-insurance-innovative-ventures\u002F\">rewarding U. S. custome\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-change-health-insurance-innovative-ventures\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">rs with Amazon gift cards\u003C\u002Fa> for achieving their daily goals as measured by Fitbit wearables. In Germany, at least \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.frontiers.health\u002Finterview-with-fredrik-debong\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">six health insurance companies\u003C\u002Fa> reimburse mySugr’s digital diabetes solution, which includes an app connected to blood glucose monitors for easier management of their condition; and this covers 15 million lives. We can expect to see similar approaches emerge in 2025.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, this presents a slippery slope as it can lead to a leakage of one’s privacy and lifestyle choices. With such insights, insurance companies can modify plans and benefits accordingly; and can charge premiums for those who are more at risk of some conditions or are not taking proper care of their health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-33931\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>This concludes our list of 5 areas in digital health that are worth keeping an eye on in 2025 and beyond. We will keep on reporting about developments along with those trends, so stay tuned for more!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":317,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>So to get ready for this new year full of digital health potentials, let’s take a peek at 5 fields to expect medical innovation and developments out of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",54827,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[321,214,322,323,5,70,324],6479,798,521,494,[326,327,328,329,330,331,332,333,334,335,336,337,338,339,340,341,342,343,344],6041,756,7485,6055,7487,6255,6363,821,266,317,6977,7223,7271,4709,7275,1511,7481,655,7483,[346,347,348,349],947,950,951,952,[],[80,352,353,221,354,222,355,356,357,358,359],1709,1883,2989,4691,4695,4747,1571,4763,[361,53,93,94,95,96,97,362,227,363,364,100,101,365,366,367,368,369,370,371,372,373,374,375,376,377,378,379,380,381,382,383,384,385,386,387,388],"post-37393","category-covid-19","category-digital-health-research","category-future-medicine","category-telemedicine","tag-covid-19","tag-insurance","tag-enlitic","tag-deepmind","tag-sonaphi","tag-nhs","tag-6363","tag-a-i","tag-google-2","tag-microbiome","tag-oscar-health","tag-miiskin","tag-pathai","tag-at-home-tests","tag-youper","tag-vocal-biomarkers","tag-innovations","tag-genome-sequencing","tag-ada-health","project_category-company","project_category-medical-professionals","project_category-patients","project_category-policy-makers",{"id":318,"alt_text":390,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":107,"media_details":391,"post":417,"source_url":418},"career doctor TMF",{"width":392,"height":393,"file":394,"filesize":395,"sizes":396,"image_meta":415},1280,720,"2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_401ai.png",1633636,{"medium":397,"large":403,"thumbnail":409,"medium_large":414},{"file":398,"width":399,"height":400,"mime-type":117,"filesize":401,"source_url":402},"tmf_article_401ai-370x208.png",370,208,98886,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_401ai-370x208.png",{"file":404,"width":405,"height":406,"mime-type":117,"filesize":407,"source_url":408},"tmf_article_401ai-768x432.png",768,432,454186,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_401ai-768x432.png",{"file":410,"width":411,"height":411,"mime-type":117,"filesize":412,"source_url":413},"tmf_article_401ai-150x150.png",150,28717,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_401ai-150x150.png",{"file":404,"width":405,"height":406,"mime-type":117,"filesize":407,"source_url":408},{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135,"keywords":416},[],54819,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_401ai.png",{"cta_type":420,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":421,"related_posts_footer":424,"related_posts":16,"key_takeaways":428},"subscribe",[422,423],37033,31417,[425,426,427],31317,36453,13949,[429,431],{"title":430},"\u003Cp>5 digital health and AI trends to look for this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":432},"\u003Cp>We always highlight trends and directions that might help every stakeholder of healthcare better see what to expect from the coming year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":434,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":435,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":311},"The Top 5 Medical Innovations To Look Out For In 2025 - The Medical Futurist","In order to get ready for the new year full of digital health potentials, we looked at 5 fields where we expect medical innovation and developments.",{"self":437,"collection":442,"about":444,"author":446,"replies":448,"version-history":451,"predecessor-version":454,"wp:featuredmedia":458,"wp:attachment":461,"wp:term":464,"curies":475},[438],{"href":439,"targetHints":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F37393",{"allow":441},[27],[443],{"href":154},[445],{"href":157},[447],{"embeddable":41,"href":160},[449],{"embeddable":41,"href":450},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=37393",[452],{"count":61,"href":453},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F37393\u002Frevisions",[455],{"id":456,"href":457},58429,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F37393\u002Frevisions\u002F58429",[459],{"embeddable":41,"href":460},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F54827",[462],{"href":463},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=37393",[465,467,469,471,473],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":466},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=37393",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":468},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=37393",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":470},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=37393",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":472},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=37393",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":474},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=37393",[476],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":478,"date":479,"date_gmt":480,"guid":481,"modified":483,"modified_gmt":484,"slug":485,"status":52,"type":53,"link":486,"title":487,"content":489,"excerpt":491,"author":493,"featured_media":494,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":495,"categories":496,"tags":497,"project_category":512,"contact_email_category":514,"yst_prominent_words":515,"class_list":522,"better_featured_image":539,"acf":559,"yoast_meta":566,"_links":568},13003,"2023-04-06T10:00:00","2023-04-06T08:00:00",{"rendered":482},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13003","2023-04-06T09:11:40","2023-04-06T07:11:40","the-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother",{"rendered":488},"5 Insights About The Future Of Health Insurance In The Digital Health Age",{"rendered":490,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The global health insurance market has been experiencing a declining growth rate in recent years; from 9% in 2014-2015 to 6-7% in subsequent years. The \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Freenitadas\u002F2019\u002F02\u002F04\u002Fthe-top-five-digital-health-technologies-in-2019\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forbes report\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that pointed this out also attributes this decline partly to the low adoption of digital solutions in this sector. But those very same solutions can \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-change-health-insurance-innovative-ventures\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">transform the market\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Already with futuristic technologies like clinical-grade personal health sensors, at-home genome sequencing kits and artificial intelligence, healthcare is receiving a much-needed overhaul that democratises access to quality care. The health insurance industry could also ride on those same waves of disruption to make the market relevant again in the digital health age.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But as these solutions make the landscape more data-focused, new issues about privacy and whether the new insurance systems the technologies help create will be used to discriminate against patients. We contemplate these aspects and more in this article exploring the influence of digital health on health insurance.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Healthcare is becoming globalised and so is health insurance\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital health \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">enables healthcare to be \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-makes-healthcare-globalised\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">truly globalised\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, allowing patients to have access to quality digital health services wherever they are (save for some shipping restrictions), even if the companies behind those services are headquartered in different countries or continents. Take for example U.K.-based Atlas Biomed. It ships its \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fatlas-biomed-microbiome-test-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at-home microbiome testing kits\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to patients in other countries. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same is possible with whole \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fi-got-my-whole-genome-sequenced-heres-what-i-learned\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">genome sequencing kits\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Dante Labs in Italy or Fitbit, headquartered in the U.S., and its \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-last-monarch-of-the-fitbit-dynasty-the-fitbit-versa-2-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fitness trackers\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Patients can adopt these devices and services and bring the data to their physician, even if the service would otherwise not be available through a local company.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01.png\" alt=\"Cross-border healthcare: medicine delivery to patient care\" class=\"wp-image-29589\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F195_tmf-01-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health insurance is also following a similar path. Global health insurance coverage is particularly enticing for those traveling regularly for work or digital nomads working on the go. Cigna, IMG, and GeoBlue are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.expatden.com\u002Fglobal\u002Fdigital-nomad-health-insurance\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some of the many providers\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of such globalised access to health insurance; and some even offer modular packages and home country coverage to best suit patients’ needs. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With more competition in the field, packages could become more interesting for payers who could find even better options from those international insurance companies than what they can find locally. This could further incentivise local competitors to innovate in this space.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. The divide between socialised medicine and private insurance\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Differences in the quality of care available can also be seen between and within types of national healthcare services. Countries with a socialised medical system provide basic healthcare access to everyone, but the cost to maintain such a system leaves little resources to invest in and adopt expensive medical innovations. They would also prove challenging to roll out nationwide as the system as a whole cannot afford them in all institutions. This results in, for example, having a patient checked by an oncologist within days, but that patient won’t receive precision treatment.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In countries with a private insurance system, patients are in a better position to have access to cutting-edge technologies; that is, as long as they are wealthy enough as only the privileged ones with good insurance plans can afford them. Such financial disparities can thus lead to biological consequences. For instance, in such a system, someone wealthy enough can live longer than someone who isn’t as they can purchase a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-bioprinting-overview\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bioprinted liver tissue\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to “fix” their malfunctioning liver and prolong their lifespan. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If not properly regulated, digital health technologies will only widen such divides.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>3. Health insurance is extremely data-based\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health insurance can prove to be a risky business. Investing blindly into people knowing only a few details about their lives and lifestyles might not prove profitable to make fully-informed decisions. Companies can obtain some rudimentary details of patients such as their gender, age and some basic lifestyle details; but without quantifiable and measurable health parameters, the value of the investment remains questionable. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As such, more data could help them make better decisions and this is possible with new technologies like personal health sensors. Some insurance companies already saw the potential in such approaches and put them into practice.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FWearables.png\" alt=\"future of cardiology\" class=\"wp-image-23303\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FWearables.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FWearables-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FWearables-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FWearables-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F03\u002FWearables-512x288.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insurance firm \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hioscar.com\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oscar Health\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> famously incentivised healthy lifestyle by rewarding U.S. customers with \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-change-health-insurance-innovative-ventures\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amazon gift cards\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for achieving their daily goals as measured by Fitbit wearables. In Germany, at least six health insurance\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.frontiers.health\u002Finterview-with-fredrik-debong\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> companies reimburse\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mySugr’s digital diabetes solution, which includes an app connected to blood glucose monitors for easier management of patients’ condition; and this covers 15 million lives. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2019, the German parliament even \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hlregulation.com\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F15\u002Fdigital-health-solutions-to-become-reimbursable-in-germany-milestone-for-patients-and-providers\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">passed a new law\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that covers reimbursement of digital health solutions for patients in statutory health insurance, which nearly 90% of the population is insured by. Such measures can promote the adoption of digital health technologies to assist patients with taking better care of their health with personalised metrics.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>4. The choice between privacy or Dr. Big Brother\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With such access to personal health metrics, it’s not a question of if insurance companies will use them but how they will use them. The more health data they have on you, the better investments they can make, thus they can provide more appropriate care. For instance, if someone’s genome test indicates a high risk for breast cancer, an insurance company can subsidise more regular mammograms. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The other side of the coin is that this approach leads to a leakage of your privacy and lifestyle choices so that insurance companies can modify your plans and benefits accordingly. They will inevitably not want to pay for the health coverage of those who never take care of their health. For example, if a patient with a high risk of breast cancer is also found to be a heavy smoker, this will \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ajmc.com\u002Fview\u002Fstudy-links-smoking-to-increased-risk-of-breast-cancer#:~:text=A%20study%20published%20in%20Breast,family%20history%20of%20the%20disease.\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increase their chances\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of developing the condition. The insurance company would be more cautious about offering coverage to such a patient and might even charge more premiums.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a dystopian scenario, companies will mandate that patients provide access to all of their health data, including those from their personal sensors from smartwatches to sleep monitors. Only then will they decide whether to provide insurance, change patients’ premiums or notify them about changing it based on lifestyle choices. The creation of such a “Dr. Big Brother” should be kept at bay by regulators while striving to keep a balance between maintaining a level of privacy and providing quality and personalised care.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>5. AI in insurance\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We’ve discussed \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fa-i-in-healthcare-insights-from-the-new-e-book\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AI’s potential\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in healthcare at length and, even though you might think it’s far-fetched, the technology also has its uses in health insurance. In particular, it can be used to improve health insurance companies’ performance. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30807\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F214_tmf-01-1-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealthcare.mckinsey.com\u002Fartificial-intelligence-health-insurance-smart-claims-management-self-learning-software\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McKinsey report\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, one in ten insurance claims is incorrect and the health insurer can challenge the claim’s amount. However, identifying those claims can be difficult since \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as many as \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.certifi.com\u002Fblog\u002Fai-use-cases-in-health-insurance\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">70% of claims\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are flagged as being unusual for review by administrative staff. Such laborious and repetitive tasks can be handled by smart algorithms to filter out the claims for staff review.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.infinx.com\u002Finternational\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Infinx\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">’s AI-driven software enables such streamlining of workflows in revenue cycle management for healthcare providers. Similarly, Certifi’s premium billing and payment solution processes are streamlined with \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.certifi.com\u002Fblog\u002Fai-use-cases-in-health-insurance\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the help of an AI.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Total privacy or equal healthcare?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today’s healthcare is financially unsustainable; patients don’t have access to the latest innovations and doctors are struggling to provide decent care with the equipment they have. We must upgrade health insurance systems to motivate each of us to live better by making use of emerging technologies. As more and more people turn to wearable sensors to help them live healthier lives, this is starting to happen.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Already some research shows that \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Finsurance-company-pushes-new-ecosystem-digital-healthcare\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">55% of patients\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are willing\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to share their personal data obtained through tech devices with insurers. That’s how insurance companies can tap into individual health data and turn their risky business into a profitable one while providing quality and personalised care to payers. With such an approach, those \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health insurance companies that make use of digital health solutions and offer a globalised service will be the ones to thrive in the near future.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With such developments, we need to avoid the creation of a Dr. Big Brother who watches our every movement, has access to minute details of our lives and thus impacts our personal decisions. We must at all costs avoid a scenario where someone would control what we eat, when we exercise and when we lie down to sleep. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Cstrong>Policy must thus ensure with some regulatory oversight that insurance companies don’t get uncomfortably close to our data about our personal health choices. In a controlled landscape, the option to share one’s health tracker data with their health insurer to promote a healthy lifestyle while having access to personalised care would be a healthy balance.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Csection id=\"main-section\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"container mt-4\">\n\u003Cdiv class=\"article-body \">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fsection>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Bertalan Mesko, PhD, the Director of The Medical Futurist Institute, launched The Medical Futurist to help individuals, companies, and governments understand how digital health technologies bring healthcare into the 21st century.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u003Cem>“Digital health technologies empower patients to become proactive in their life; empower medical professionals to do their job being supported by advanced technologies, and companies and policymakers to make better decisions about their future.” – Dr. Bertalan Meskó\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To support this transformation, Dr. Meskó and The Medical Futurist team is working relentlessly analyzing the latest trends in digital health and bringing insights to the 800,000+ readers and followers of our publications, along these principles:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>The Medical Futurist is a place to learn, not a place for advertising\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>. The Medical Futurist team is working to bring you unlimited access to reliable, neutral information, that is free from the influence of vendors and companies.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>Unlike many others, we keep 99% of The Medical Futurist content open for all readers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. We do this because we believe in information equality, where everyone deserves to read accurate news and thoughtful analysis.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>For 2021, we commit to another year of high-impact reporting that helps people navigate the jungle of digital health and to see where it is heading. With no shareholders or billionaire owners, we set our own agenda and provide unbiased insights that are free from commercial and political influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":492,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>The global health insurance market has been experiencing a declining growth rate in recent years; from 9% in 2014-2015 to 6-7% in subsequent years. The […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,33931,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[214,5,70,215],[498,339,333,499,500,501,502,503,504,505,506,507,508,336,509,343,510,327,511],152,196,5403,347,6735,6971,6973,519,6975,1137,649,1463,6979,140,[346,348,349,513],953,[],[516,517,353,518,221,354,222,223,358,519,79,520,80,521],1631,1681,2621,3005,3825,3829,[523,53,93,94,95,96,97,227,100,101,228,524,379,373,525,526,527,528,529,530,531,532,533,534,376,535,383,536,367,537,385,387,388,538],"post-13003","tag-bioprinting","tag-data-2","tag-mysugr","tag-patient","tag-mckinsey","tag-cigna","tag-img","tag-gc4","tag-geoblue","tag-dante-labs","tag-fitbit","tag-atlas-biomed","tag-infinx","tag-amazon","project_category-researchers",{"id":494,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":540,"media_type":107,"media_details":541,"post":478,"source_url":558},"The health insurance industry could ride on the waves of disruption to make the market relevant again in the digital health age.",{"width":109,"height":110,"file":542,"sizes":543,"image_meta":557},"2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01.png",{"medium":544,"large":547,"thumbnail":550,"medium_large":553,"1536x1536":554},{"file":545,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":546},"tmf_article_260-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-370x208.png",{"file":548,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":549},"tmf_article_260-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-768x432.png",{"file":551,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":552},"tmf_article_260-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-150x150.png",{"file":548,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":549},{"file":555,"width":131,"height":132,"mime-type":117,"source_url":556},"tmf_article_260-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_260-01.png",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":560,"cta_type":420,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":564},[561,562,563],33895,33769,32801,[423,565],24759,{"yoast_wpseo_title":488,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":567,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":486},"Technology will soon offer the opportunity for truly personalized care, tailored to our genetic background and lifestyle. The future of health insurance would guarantee we each have access to it, while at the same time keeping Dr. Big Brother away from the privacy of our personal lives.",{"self":569,"collection":574,"about":576,"author":578,"replies":581,"version-history":584,"predecessor-version":588,"wp:featuredmedia":592,"wp:attachment":595,"wp:term":598,"curies":609},[570],{"href":571,"targetHints":572},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13003",{"allow":573},[27],[575],{"href":154},[577],{"href":157},[579],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[582],{"embeddable":41,"href":583},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13003",[585],{"count":586,"href":587},24,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13003\u002Frevisions",[589],{"id":590,"href":591},50485,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13003\u002Frevisions\u002F50485",[593],{"embeddable":41,"href":594},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F33931",[596],{"href":597},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13003",[599,601,603,605,607],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":600},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13003",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":602},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13003",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":604},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13003",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":606},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13003",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":608},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13003",[610],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":612,"date":613,"date_gmt":614,"guid":615,"modified":617,"modified_gmt":618,"slug":619,"status":52,"type":53,"link":620,"title":621,"content":623,"excerpt":625,"author":493,"featured_media":627,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":628,"categories":629,"tags":631,"project_category":647,"contact_email_category":648,"yst_prominent_words":649,"class_list":662,"better_featured_image":680,"acf":702,"yoast_meta":710,"_links":713},28625,"2022-07-14T10:00:00","2022-07-14T08:00:00",{"rendered":616},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=28625&_wpnonce=eea4ad047e&status=auto-draft&type=post","2022-07-13T17:05:55","2022-07-13T15:05:55","the-rise-of-at-home-lab-tests","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-rise-of-at-home-lab-tests",{"rendered":622},"The Rise Of At-Home Lab Tests",{"rendered":624,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>If I had to name which futuristic healthcare innovations are the easiest to put into practice now that can really make a difference in people’s lives today, I’d say one of those is definitely at-home testing. Having access to a wide range of analyses determining our lab markers and blood results without the wait at the doctor’s, at the lab, and without even meeting anyone… Sounds great. Not to mention that it’s already in the existing testing kits. We just need to use all these in a more systematic way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pregnancy tests or finger-prick diabetes tests, for example, were game-changers. They are easy to use and about 100 per cent accurate. A handful of other tests can do the same, delivering results with efficiency and ease. But there’s a vast difference between knowing if you’re pregnant or not and analysing your own genetic test results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although there was a lot of professional criticism towards taking tests at home, with the pandemic \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">all that has changed\u003C\u002Fa>. The pandemic led to a situation where it suddenly became advantageous to do certain lab tests at home to avoid exposure to the infection. On top of that, the pandemic also led to the development of interesting new testing methods, like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medgadget.com\u002F2021\u002F11\u002Fbreath-test-developed-for-covid-19.html\" target=\"_blank\">breathalysers\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.mit.edu\u002F2020\u002Fcovid-19-cough-cellphone-detection-1029\" target=\"_blank\">cough analysing phone apps\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.genengnews.com\u002Ftopics\u002Ftranslational-medicine\u002Finfectious-diseases\u002Fskin-patch-test-detects-covid-19-in-under-three-minutes\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">skin-patch tests\u003C\u002Fa>. Not all of these delivered the promise, but the field is buzzing. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Over-the-counter (OTC) tests vs direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is an important difference. OTC tests are like pregnancy or COVID tests we can buy pretty much everywhere, taking the test at home and getting an immediate reading. Direct-to-consumer tests, which represent the majority of the examples mentioned in the article are different: although we take the sample ourselves at home, the specimen is sent to a certified laboratory, where it is analysed by professionals with professional equipment, and we, consumers, will receive the results directly from the lab. The latter becomes available in a number of areas that previously required the physicians’ order to make the test happen, and us to go to a specific place where the test was administered. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">At-home science\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Over the past few years, I’ve tried and used many tests that used to be only available in laboratories: Microbiome test helped refine my diet. My whole \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fi-got-my-whole-genome-sequenced-heres-what-i-learned\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">genome sequencing\u003C\u002Fa> analysis and a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-does-a-brca-genetic-test-work\" target=\"_blank\">BRCA-focused genetic test\u003C\u002Fa> encouraged me to design a preventive plan with my primary care physician. She also took notes when I provided her with my medication sensitivity genetic test (\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmydna-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">MyDNA\u003C\u002Fa>) results. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I’ve tried the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftesting-food-gluten-home-nima-sensor-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Nima sensor\u003C\u002Fa> to search for gluten and peanut content in food just for the sake of trying the technology and did a celiac disease test (\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imaware.health\u002Fat-home-blood-test\u002Fceliac-disease-screening\" target=\"_blank\">Imaware\u003C\u002Fa>) to confirm that I am indeed not sensitive to gluten. I’m awaiting my results from \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffoodmarble.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">FoodMarble\u003C\u002Fa> on intolerance for fructose and lactose and even did \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoing-past-big-national-geographic-ancestry-test-review\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Genetic Ancestry\u003C\u002Fa> by National Geographic to find out about my ancestors and where they are coming from. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One can say I have vast knowledge about at-home testing and speak from experience. And I can say that many of these companies did not discover new tests or invent new technologies – but they built accessible, sleek and innovative technologies or devices to let people access testing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is testing at home reliable enough?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.everlywell.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">EverlyWell\u003C\u002Fa> and other companies like\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.letsgetchecked.com\u002Fus\u002Fen\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"> LetsGetChecked\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mylabbox.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">MyLabBox\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.23andme.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">23andme\u003C\u002Fa> provide tools to make lab tests at home, aiming to be faster and cheaper than official laboratories. On top of these advantages, many of these companies also provide support or treatment via telemedicine, so if you ever test positive, help is often included in the test price. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F11\u002F045_bloodtesting.gif\" alt=\"At-home tests\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After the fall of Theranos, testing companies had to fight for their trustworthiness and accuracy big time. We touched the base of their issues in an \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhere-does-blood-testing-stand-today\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">earlier article on blood testing\u003C\u002Fa>, but my original conclusion there, that “point-of-care, as well as home lab testing, will be the most significant advancement in the field – completely changing the methods used in primary care and diagnostics” is still a utopia instead of our everyday reality. So what’s missing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How will it make its way to clinical practice? \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although DTC tests might seem like a niche game for geeks, they in fact have profound benefits. A great example of how these might make their way to clinical practice \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.med-technews.com\u002Fnews\u002FDigital-in-Healthcare-News\u002Fpocdoc-to-roll-out-digital-cardiovascular-testing-across-sco\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">is the collaboration\u003C\u002Fa> between digital health platform PocDoc and pharmacy chain Dears in Scotland. The pharmacy chain – with over half a million customers per year – offers on-site cholesterol level testing via the PocDoc app and will prescribe the necessary drugs in real-time within 12 hours of testing on-site. As 1 in every 8 Scot is living with heart disease, making testing that easy – no need to make hospital appointments, no need to travel, no waiting for the results – can make a real difference. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">And so much more to come! \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The future of at-home testing will drastically change in the coming years. One exciting example is this microsensor that can perform \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medgadget.com\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Fmicrochip-nanosensor-detects-stress-hormone.html\" target=\"_blank\">real-time measurements of stress hormones\u003C\u002Fa> from one drop of blood. The technology aims to help patients measure the natural changes in cortisol levels and monitor trends over time, without having to send blood samples to a lab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros and Cons\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>At-home laboratory testing has its obvious advantages. One can have multiple important tests without even leaving the apartment. It’s private and convenient, moreover, such tests can remove a serious burden off the shoulders of healthcare systems. In the U.S., these can also become \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2017\u002F05\u002F07\u002Ffor-some-access-to-healthcare-could-start-with-at-home-lab-testing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">the first step\u003C\u002Fa> for uninsured Americans to finally access healthcare. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the other end, red tape from medical professionals is one of the hurdles for at-home tests. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F5809606\u002Fcovid-19-at-home-testing\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">They claim that\u003C\u002Fa> such tests are likely to be wrong simply because they are \u003Cem>tested\u003C\u002Fem> wrong. Many of these tests won’t require an FDA approval either, and that obviously adds to the uncertainty around them. Some have scientific issues where some experts \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statnews.com\u002F2018\u002F01\u002F23\u002Feverlywell-food-sensitivity-test\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">disagree with the testing methods and others don’t.\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Further, in some cases, test results must consider factors like age, family history or other health issues of the patient before evaluation. So you’d probably still need a doctor to help you understand the outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F04\u002FEmpowered-physician-and-patient.png\" alt=\"\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Theranos to home lab test kits\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Almost exactly 7 years ago, in June 2015, Julia Cheek, who was, in her words “probably the least qualified person \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inc.com\u002Fmatt-haber\u002Feverlywell-julia-cheek-covid-test-decision-making.html\" target=\"_blank\">to start a healthcare startup\u003C\u002Fa>” grounded a company focusing on at-home lab tests. Remember: this was the year when controversial blood-testing startup Theranos was named the ‘2015 Bioscience Company of the Year’ by the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bizjournals.com\u002Fphoenix\u002Fblog\u002Fhealth-care-daily\u002F2015\u002F10\u002Fthis-technology-firm-was-named-arizonas-bioscience.html\" target=\"_blank\">Arizona BioIndustry Association\u003C\u002Fa>. (At that time nothing was (publicly) known of the shortcomings of this firm.) The two companies at first seem similar in offering affordable lab tests for Americans. However, their disparities are bigger. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes has failed to deliver the technology she based her entire company on. A California jury \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Ftechnology\u002F2022\u002Fjan\u002F13\u002Felizabeth-holmes-sentence-september-fraud\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">found her guilty\u003C\u002Fa> on four charges of fraud and conspiring to defraud private investors. She is to be sentenced in September, facing up to 20 years in jail. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Cheek’s company, EverlyWell has \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fda.gov\u002Fnews-events\u002Fpress-announcements\u002Fcoronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-first-standalone-home-sample-collection-kit-can-be-used\" target=\"_blank\">received an FDA approval\u003C\u002Fa> for its COVID-19 test tools. The main difference? How the two tried to approach the same problem differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":626,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>One can have multiple important tests at home. It’s private, it’s convenient but is it reliable? Discover the laboratory in your bathroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",28631,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[321,630,323,5,72,324],491,[632,633,634,635,636,637,638,639,640,339,641,642,643,644,645,646],260,4715,851,4717,4719,550,1462,604,711,723,159,4711,758,236,4713,[347,348,349,513],[],[650,651,355,652,653,359,356,654,655,656,657,658,659,660,661],4165,4689,4745,4693,4765,4699,1727,4705,2903,3025,3151,3281,[663,53,93,94,95,96,97,362,664,364,100,103,365,665,666,667,668,669,670,671,672,673,379,674,675,676,677,678,679,386,387,388,538],"post-28625","category-empowered-patients","tag-genetics","tag-iamaware","tag-nima","tag-mydna","tag-brca","tag-theranos","tag-microbiome-test","tag-food-scanner","tag-national-geographic","tag-telemedicine","tag-blood-test","tag-lab-test","tag-food-allergy","tag-fda-2","tag-foodmarble",{"id":627,"alt_text":681,"caption":682,"description":683,"media_type":107,"media_details":684,"post":612,"source_url":701},"At-home lab tests","Test yourself at home – private and convenient.","One can have multiple tests at home. It’s private it's convenient but is it reliable?",{"width":109,"height":110,"file":685,"sizes":686,"image_meta":700},"2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-1.png",{"medium":687,"large":690,"thumbnail":693,"medium_large":696,"1536x1536":697},{"file":688,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":689},"177_tmf-01-1-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-1-370x208.png",{"file":691,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":692},"177_tmf-01-1-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-1-768x432.png",{"file":694,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":695},"177_tmf-01-1-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-1-150x150.png",{"file":691,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":692},{"file":698,"width":131,"height":132,"mime-type":117,"source_url":699},"177_tmf-01-1-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-1-1536x864.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F177_tmf-01-1.png",{"cta_type":420,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":703,"related_posts_footer":706,"related_posts":16},[704,705],24765,24762,[707,708,709],22457,28453,14102,{"yoast_wpseo_title":711,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":712,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":620},"The Rise Of At-Home Lab Tests - The Medical Futurist","It’s private, it's convenient but is it reliable? Discover the laboratory in your bathroom. At-home tests are becoming the new normal.",{"self":714,"collection":719,"about":721,"author":723,"replies":725,"version-history":728,"predecessor-version":732,"wp:featuredmedia":736,"wp:attachment":739,"wp:term":742,"curies":753},[715],{"href":716,"targetHints":717},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F28625",{"allow":718},[27],[720],{"href":154},[722],{"href":157},[724],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[726],{"embeddable":41,"href":727},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=28625",[729],{"count":730,"href":731},20,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F28625\u002Frevisions",[733],{"id":734,"href":735},46847,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F28625\u002Frevisions\u002F46847",[737],{"embeddable":41,"href":738},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F28631",[740],{"href":741},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=28625",[743,745,747,749,751],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":744},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=28625",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":746},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=28625",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":748},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=28625",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":750},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=28625",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":752},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=28625",[754],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":756,"date":757,"date_gmt":758,"guid":759,"modified":761,"modified_gmt":762,"slug":763,"status":52,"type":53,"link":764,"title":765,"content":767,"excerpt":769,"author":493,"featured_media":771,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":772,"categories":773,"tags":778,"project_category":784,"contact_email_category":786,"yst_prominent_words":787,"class_list":792,"better_featured_image":804,"acf":823,"yoast_meta":827,"_links":829},36835,"2021-11-17T10:00:00","2021-11-17T09:00:00",{"rendered":760},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=36835&_wpnonce=6f35ca4931&status=auto-draft&type=post","2021-11-22T02:28:27","2021-11-22T01:28:27","retail-providing-primary-care","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fretail-providing-primary-care",{"rendered":766},"Should Volkswagen, Walmart Or Best Buy Provide Primary Care?",{"rendered":768,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>In October 2021, \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.retaildive.com\u002Fnews\u002Fbest-buy-pushes-further-into-healthcare-with-current-health-acquisition\u002F608058\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Best Buy announced\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> it had acquired a UK-based remote care service. And that the company would keep on focusing on health services with a keen interest in serving senior citizens.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Only a few days later, fitness company \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fcrossfit-launch-fully-digital-primary-care-service\">\u003Cstrong>CrossFit declared\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> it would launch a fully digital primary care service in an attempt to provide an \u003Cem>“individualised approach to health\u003C\u002Fem>.” \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Tobacco company \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftheconversation.com\u002Fafter-buying-health-company-vectura-tobacco-giant-philip-morris-will-profit-from-treating-the-illnesses-its-products-create-168564\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cstrong>Philip Morris showed\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> similar interest this summer by buying health firm Ventura claiming they are getting ready to create a “\u003Cem>smoke-free future.\u003C\u002Fem>” \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Have all these companies lost their minds?! Suddenly everyone that produces technology or has empty retail space wants to get into healthcare. It’s obvious that retailers and other industries don’t want to miss out on this lucrative segment of the economy. But will we be better off with or without them in medicine?\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>Let’s find it out.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Healthcare is indeed a money-making business. The global health industry \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpolicyadvice.net\u002Finsurance\u002Finsights\u002Fhealthcare-statistics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">was worth $8.45 trillion\u003C\u002Fa> in 2018. Global healthcare spending could reach over \u003Cstrong>$10 trillion by 2022\u003C\u002Fstrong>. So it is clearly big business. But the thing is – it’s not a business. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Doing healthcare “right” is a complex and challenging task similar to taking off to the sunset on a galloping blind horse through a minefield. Due to regulations, the principles of evidence-based medicine and the huge responsibilities that come with developing healthcare solutions, it is so much more difficult than anyone would previously imagine. No wonder 150-year-old pharmaceutical companies with exceptionally skilled scientists and researchers sometimes have a hard time figuring out how to do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>At the same time, medicine is ripe for disruption, and tech companies have the ability, innovation and financial background to enter this industry – and even be successful in it.  This is why we extensively covered the journey of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Famazons-march-into-healthcare-a-2021-update\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fapple-in-healthcare-2021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-masterplan-for-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmicrosoft-in-healthcare-2021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Microsoft\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnvidia-in-healthcare-2021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NVIDIA\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fibm-in-healthcare-2021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IBM\u003C\u002Fa> into healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>But retail\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem> companies providing primary care service is something completely different than just selling certain healthcare products\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s as if your favourite cashier from Tesco could also test your blood. These companies (Best Buy, Walmart, CrossFit or, through the Oculus headset, Facebook and the others) wouldn’t just want to get a slice of the healthcare cake, and, say, offer accessibility to at-home lab tests or sell healthcare devices. They want to be a part of the solution. A part of healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>What’s worrying is how these companies have never had experience with healthcare before. Everybody wants to provide healthcare services as if it was a simple technological matter. But this is very different from Big Tech dedicating billions of dollars to set up their own branch of healthcare-related businesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Real-life examples of non-healthcare companies aiming to provide care\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.retaildive.com\u002Fnews\u002Fwalgreens-invests-1b-to-open-hundreds-of-primary-care-clinics\u002F581298\u002F\">Walgreens announced\u003C\u002Fa> in 2020 that it would open over 700 primary care clinics throughout the U.S. in the coming years, cooperating with VillageMD, having in-house doctors in the facilities instead of nurse practitioners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Pharmacy chain \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcaredive.com\u002Fnews\u002Fcvs-to-open-15k-healthhub-stores-in-next-2-years\u002F556128\u002F\">CVS Health aims to open\u003C\u002Fa> 1,500 HealthHub stores, in an attempt to make healthcare down to the local level; the chain already offers vaccinations and pharmacy-related matters, but also wants to provide primary care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhbr.org\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fcan-big-box-retailers-provide-local-health-care\">Best Buy also builds\u003C\u002Fa> on its 125,000 employees. This non-clinical workforce would, according to news, provide healthcare and support while the company focuses on remote care solutions. In 2018 \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.indigo9digital.com\u002Fblog\u002Fretailtrendshealthcare\">Best Buy was said\u003C\u002Fa> to have spent over 1 billion USD on healthcare-related acquisitions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As early as this year, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcare.crossfit.com\u002F\">CrossFit Precision Care\u003C\u002Fa> is said to launch in the U.S. (and is said to have a global rollout after the U.S. launch).  CrossFit-trained doctors and health coaches will guide patients towards a healthier lifestyle, but at the same time offer primary care solutions through telemedicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Based on all these, it is absolutely plausible that a few years from now, sitting in your car, with the push of a button you could ask for medical help; a dispatcher would then ask you to cough in the microphone, analyse your vocal biomarkers and connect you to a telemedicine service where you’d receive a few diagnostic solutions. Finally, the dispatcher would set your GPS to take you to the nearest pharmacy, or clinic, that’s in partnership with the car manufacturer. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35905\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Looking at the reasons\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are quite a few other companies that aim to try their luck in healthcare. What these companies don’t understand is that due to its sensitive nature, healthcare is a very special sector. You can’t just start providing primary care out of thin air. Even if you have amazing VR technology. There’s a complex regulatory system in place and a need for experience from qualified experts. You can’t just outsource telemedicine to a call centre at the other end of the world. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But why do companies like Best Buy or Crossfit think they could do so? Because for the man of the 21st century, healthcare looks almost like a purely technological question. These companies seriously believe that offering a technological solution is akin to providing quality healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cstrong>The thing is that if all we get from this healthcare-frenzy as patients and consumers is some more competition and innovation in medicine – we are all better off. Ultimately, we might as well benefit from this new trend\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":770,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>In October 2021, Best Buy announced it had acquired a UK-based remote care service. And that the company would keep on focusing on health services […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",36837,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,774,214,322,323,775,5,776,70,215,71,777,324],6261,488,496,497,[779,780,781,782,511,783],7119,7463,7465,7467,6905,[346,785,347,348],948,[],[358,79,788,789,353,790,791,359],1683,1723,2613,4449,[793,53,93,94,95,96,97,98,794,227,363,364,795,100,796,101,228,102,797,365,798,799,800,801,537,802,385,803,386,387],"post-36835","category-forecast","category-genomics","category-health-sensors-trackers","category-portable-diagnostics","tag-cvs","tag-best-buy","tag-crossfit","tag-philip-morris","tag-walmart","project_category-developers",{"id":771,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":107,"media_details":805,"post":756,"source_url":822},{"width":109,"height":110,"file":806,"sizes":807,"image_meta":821},"2021\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_300-01.png",{"medium":808,"large":811,"thumbnail":814,"medium_large":817,"1536x1536":818},{"file":809,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":810},"tmf_article_300-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_300-01-370x208.png",{"file":812,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":813},"tmf_article_300-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_300-01-768x432.png",{"file":815,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":816},"tmf_article_300-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_300-01-150x150.png",{"file":812,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":813},{"file":819,"width":131,"height":132,"mime-type":117,"source_url":820},"tmf_article_300-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_300-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F11\u002Ftmf_article_300-01.png",{"subtitle":64,"cta_type":420,"cta_color":64,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":824,"related_posts":16},[825,826,425],35721,36821,{"yoast_wpseo_title":828,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":764},"Should Volkswagen, Walmart Or Best Buy Provide Primary Care? - The Medical Futurist",{"self":830,"collection":835,"about":837,"author":839,"replies":841,"version-history":844,"predecessor-version":848,"wp:featuredmedia":852,"wp:attachment":855,"wp:term":858,"curies":869},[831],{"href":832,"targetHints":833},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F36835",{"allow":834},[27],[836],{"href":154},[838],{"href":157},[840],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[842],{"embeddable":41,"href":843},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=36835",[845],{"count":846,"href":847},23,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F36835\u002Frevisions",[849],{"id":850,"href":851},36925,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F36835\u002Frevisions\u002F36925",[853],{"embeddable":41,"href":854},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F36837",[856],{"href":857},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=36835",[859,861,863,865,867],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":860},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=36835",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":862},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=36835",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":864},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=36835",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":866},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=36835",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":868},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=36835",[870],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":872,"date":873,"date_gmt":874,"guid":875,"modified":877,"modified_gmt":878,"slug":879,"status":52,"type":53,"link":880,"title":881,"content":883,"excerpt":885,"author":493,"featured_media":887,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":888,"categories":889,"tags":891,"project_category":909,"contact_email_category":910,"yst_prominent_words":911,"class_list":916,"better_featured_image":936,"acf":956,"yoast_meta":961,"_links":964},36605,"2021-10-21T12:08:59","2021-10-21T10:08:59",{"rendered":876},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=36605&_wpnonce=a07fd44665&status=auto-draft&type=post","2021-10-25T23:53:13","2021-10-25T21:53:13","emerging-trends-in-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Femerging-trends-in-healthcare",{"rendered":882},"7 Emerging Trends in Healthcare",{"rendered":884,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>Recently, on The Medical Futurist, we amassed two vast collections of healthcare trends. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-top100-digital-health-companies-in-2021-by-the-medical-futurist\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">The TOP100 Digital Health Companies In 2021\u003C\u002Fa> assembled the most important companies in this field and put them onto one giant infographic. From startups through government authorities to prominent innovators, we determined four fields wherein these companies must excel: innovation, technology, business and dedication towards digital health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Our next compilation was an even bigger undertaking: creating the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhealthcare-trends-hype-cycle\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Hype Cycle Of The Top 50 Emerging Digital Health Trends\u003C\u002Fa> clearly indicated where a particular technology is at on its life cycle, and what Dr Meskó’s expectations are towards that technology. Our hype cycle shows 50 of the most promising digital health technologies the way we, at The Medical Futurist, see them today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F10\u002F0916_tmf_hype_cycle_header-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36455\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To delve even further into current trends, this time The Medical Futurist team have tried to collect those trends within digital health that are especially astonishing and forward-looking. These have the possibility to grow beyond average industry expectations and clearly move markets upwards, and healthcare further. Let’s have a look at these!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Field1: Niche telemedicine \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Description: \u003C\u002Fstrong>Telemedicine today is like a cup of tea – everyone can have one. But to build a telemedicine service that covers a well-defined niche area is something The Medical Futurist team stands by. This isn’t the average call between physicians and their patients, rather a follow-up option for remote care systems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>An excellent example is how telemedicine can be combined into therapy decisions. A \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.news-medical.net\u002Fnews\u002F20210922\u002FRemote-diabetes-management-using-CGM-and-telemedicine-visits-can-improve-glycemic-control.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study on continuous glucose monitoring\u003C\u002Fa> (CGM) and telemedicine visits for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes concluded that the use of telemedicine patient consults and remote monitoring of CGM and insulin data can significantly improve glycemic control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Example:\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercehealthcare.com\u002Fdigital-health\u002Fginger-and-headspace-plan-to-merge-to-scale-up-comprehensive-digital-mental-health\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>Ginger + Headspace\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cbr>The marriage of these two giants was in a way unavoidable. Merging a massive number of enterprise and health plan customers with combined booking systems equals a mental health megadeal – the first of its kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Field2: At-home lab tests\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Description: \u003C\u002Fstrong>Laboratory tests at the comfort of your home are such an attractive concept for patients that the field started growing even before the COVID-19 pandemic. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-rise-of-at-home-lab-tests\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">The Rise Of At-Home Lab Tests\u003C\u002Fa> can really make a difference in people’s lives today. Patients can have access to a wide range of analyses determining our lab markers and blood results. No need to meet anyone, go anywhere – and such solutions are already built in the existing testing kits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Example\u003C\u002Fstrong>: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imaware.health\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>imaw\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imaware.health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>a\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imaware.health\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>re\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cbr>The imaware platform provides over 20 different types of advanced home-based health tests. The company also offers telemed physician oversight, helping people take control over their health. During the pandemic, they \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffinance.yahoo.com\u002Fnews\u002Fwheel-imaware-deliver-first-clinician-150010016.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmllcmNlYmlvdGVjaC5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAG1jQsAdTtj-oa4oHC3ZiyaHDGUZTtEcJf3g--5g9jovJucUkhGaT3fWocGyAiyx0QspVA0Ep9f-FRBqXxOL4DRhmR-x9HaBBic7DpDkLLiwdd2FcizVuRNHOI2t06SnXjOWQNxEEsIkT-KdengC2Zn1peHKxaUQCudRbeKX_n6J\" target=\"_blank\">launched a collaboration\u003C\u002Fa> with virtual care company \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwheel.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Wheel\u003C\u002Fa> to deliver clinician-administered at-home COVID tests. They will surely have more ideas under their belt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F208_tmf-01-1-768x432.png\" alt=\"The post delivers at-home lab tests\" class=\"wp-image-30495\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F208_tmf-01-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F208_tmf-01-1-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F208_tmf-01-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F208_tmf-01-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>The Evolution Of COVID-19 Rapid Tests Paves The Way For At-Home Lab Tests – The pandemic brought light to a trend we discussed before. To reduce the exposure to risks such as an infection, at home lab tests are coming. It is a sector ripe for disruption that has yet to be penetrated by advanced technologies. And with the enhanced access to care that these technologies offer, additional concerns over their use will emerge that have to be tackled by policymakers in a timely manner.\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Field3: A.I.-guided ultrasound systems\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Description: \u003C\u002Fstrong>Artificial intelligence gives healthcare professionals without specialised training in ultrasound imaging the opportunity to be able to carry out diagnostic quality professional examinations. These devices are designed to provide diagnostic-quality imaging – just as good as the much bigger, heavier imaging machines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Example\u003C\u002Fstrong>: \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkosmosplatform.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Kosmos by EchoNous\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>I find this device fascinating. Kosmos is the only portable ultrasound benchmarked against cart-based machines, with A.I.-assisted full diagnostic imaging at the point of care. I \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002F_MvImEQhUzM\" target=\"_blank\">have tested this device\u003C\u002Fa> – and I did find it a blast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Field4: 3D printing of certain medications\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Description: \u003C\u002Fstrong>It was already over 6 years ago when the FDA approved the first-ever 3D printed drug. There haven’t been many others since, and it’s partly due to the fact that medications can be 3D printed for a specific purpose (e.g. to make the drug dissolve faster) and most purposes still don’t require the use of this technology. However, with technological innovation, we can expect to have 3D printers in pharmacies someday, printing our own, personalised medication in a matter of minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Example: \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fabrx.co.uk\u002Fabout\" target=\"_blank\">FabRx\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>UK-based FabRX aims to commercialise printed tablets in 5-10 years. They foresee that \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F3d-bioprinting-overview\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">3D printing\u003C\u002Fa> will become available in every major hospital in the next decade. As the head of the company \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frobotics-blockchain-redesign-pharma-supply-chain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">explained to The Medical Futurist\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cem>: “We envision a system where medicines are going to be prepared from raw materials in the same way you use a Nespresso machine to prepare coffee.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29169\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F07\u002F185_tmf-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>The present and the possible future of digital pills\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Field5: digital health insurance\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Description: \u003C\u002Fstrong>Already with futuristic technologies like clinical grade personal health sensors, at-home genome sequencing kits and artificial intelligence, healthcare is receiving a much-needed overhaul that democratises access to quality care. The\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> health insurance industry\u003C\u002Fa> could also ride on those same waves of disruption to make the market relevant again in the digital health age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Example: \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hioscar.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Oscar Health\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>Insurance firm Oscar Health famously incentivised healthy lifestyle by rewarding U.S. customers with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-change-health-insurance-innovative-ventures\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon gift cards\u003C\u002Fa> for achieving their daily goals as measured by Fitbit wearables, cleverly connecting a good product with a matching motivational tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Field6: medical transportation companies \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Description: \u003C\u002Fstrong>Some say transportation problems are the leading cause of inequalities in healthcare in the US. Ride-sharing apps are \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fride-hailing-platforms-solve-problems-transportation-healthcare\u002F\">already doing their share\u003C\u002Fa> of the job in non-emergency medical transportation, and these services continuously prove to be beneficial for patients and hospitals alike. Non-emergency medical transportation services mean a more reliable and affordable means of getting to the doctor’s office for many people in rural areas or in cities without appropriate infrastructure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Example\u003C\u002Fstrong>: \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.modivcare.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cstrong>Modivcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cbr>In order to avoid missing hospital appointments, Modivcare’s healthcare services provide medical transportation and care-centric solutions. The company addresses the social determinants of health, including non-emergency medical transportation, personal care, remote monitoring, medication management, and even nutrition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35905\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F02\u002Ftmf_article_289-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plus one – Field7: wireless health monitoring …for pets\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-for-pets\" target=\"_blank\">Digital health tools for pets \u003C\u002Fa>are surprisingly similar to the ones physicians who treat people face, and the digital transformation will also lead to (animal) patients living longer. Veterinarian care can expect the same trajectory of digital health technologies as we see in healthcare. In a strange way, the passion people have to keep their pets healthy will expose them to these new technologies enough so that they can start taking advantage of them in their own healthcare as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Example: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vetguardian.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cstrong>VetGuardian\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>An astonishing piece of design, VetGurdian is like a radar that tracks your pet’s vital signals from afar. In hospitals, we put all sorts of sensors on patients – but that would hardly work with energetic pets running and rolling around. Without a physical connection, the device can monitor and accurately track temperature, pulse, respiration and movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>In order to make use of all the great trends listed above, we as patients need to embrace this changing landscape of digital health provided to us already. These trends also stand out for the fact that the companies listed share the same kind of forward-looking mindset and innovative spirit, pushing themselves towards excellence for their vision – and our health.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Bertalan Mesko, PhD, the Director of The Medical Futurist Institute, launched The Medical Futurist to help individuals, companies, and governments understand how digital health technologies bring healthcare into the 21st century.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u003Cem>“Digital health technologies empower patients to become proactive in their life; empower medical professionals to do their job being supported by advanced technologies, and companies and policymakers to make better decisions about their future.” – Dr. Bertalan Meskó\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To support this transformation, Dr. Meskó and The Medical Futurist team is working relentlessly analyzing the latest trends in digital health and bringing insights to the 800,000+ readers and followers of our publications, along these principles:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>The Medical Futurist is a place to learn, not a place for advertising\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>. The Medical Futurist team is working to bring you unlimited access to reliable, neutral information, that is free from the influence of vendors and companies.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>Unlike many others, we keep 99% of The Medical Futurist content open for all readers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. We do this because we believe in information equality, where everyone deserves to read accurate news and thoughtful analysis.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>For 2021, we commit to another year of high-impact reporting that helps people navigate the jungle of digital health and to see where it is heading. With no shareholders or billionaire owners, we set our own agenda and provide unbiased insights that are free from commercial and political influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":886,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Recently, on The Medical Futurist, we amassed two vast collections of healthcare trends. The TOP100 Digital Health Companies In 2021 assembled the most important companies […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",34107,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[321,774,890,214,322,323,5,776,777,324],498,[892,893,894,333,895,896,897,898,899,900,901,336,902,903,904,641,905,906,907,908],130,7407,134,7409,6057,870,7411,7413,6339,7415,1018,7075,1130,7209,755,7355,7381,[346,785,347],[],[357,517,912,788,789,353,913,914,915,520,358,521,80,355,516],4749,2017,2405,3471,[917,53,93,94,95,96,97,362,794,918,227,363,364,100,796,797,365,919,920,921,373,922,923,924,925,926,927,928,376,929,930,931,674,932,933,934,935,385,803,386],"post-36605","category-3d-printing","tag-3d-printing-2","tag-modivcare","tag-ai","tag-vetguardian","tag-fabrx","tag-transportation","tag-ginger","tag-at-home-lab-tests","tag-headspace","tag-wireless-monitoring-pets","tag-ultrasound","tag-imaware","tag-trends","tag-emerging-trends","tag-health-insurance","tag-3d-printed-pills","tag-hype-cycle",{"id":887,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":937,"media_type":107,"media_details":938,"post":248,"source_url":955},"If We Had All The Money In The World In Healthcare…",{"width":109,"height":110,"file":939,"sizes":940,"image_meta":954},"2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_261-01.png",{"medium":941,"large":944,"thumbnail":947,"medium_large":950,"1536x1536":951},{"file":942,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":943},"tmf_article_261-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_261-01-370x208.png",{"file":945,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":946},"tmf_article_261-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_261-01-768x432.png",{"file":948,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":949},"tmf_article_261-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_261-01-150x150.png",{"file":945,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":946},{"file":952,"width":131,"height":132,"mime-type":117,"source_url":953},"tmf_article_261-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_261-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F04\u002Ftmf_article_261-01.png",{"subtitle":64,"cta_type":420,"cta_color":64,"related_books":957,"related_posts_footer":959,"related_posts":16},[704,958],24764,[426,960],36075,{"yoast_wpseo_title":962,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":963,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":880},"7 Emerging Trends in Healthcare - The Medical Futurist","Healthcare trends in digital health – 7 fields with amazing potential in medicine.",{"self":965,"collection":970,"about":972,"author":974,"replies":976,"version-history":979,"predecessor-version":983,"wp:featuredmedia":987,"wp:attachment":990,"wp:term":993,"curies":1004},[966],{"href":967,"targetHints":968},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F36605",{"allow":969},[27],[971],{"href":154},[973],{"href":157},[975],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[977],{"embeddable":41,"href":978},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=36605",[980],{"count":981,"href":982},9,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F36605\u002Frevisions",[984],{"id":985,"href":986},36669,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F36605\u002Frevisions\u002F36669",[988],{"embeddable":41,"href":989},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34107",[991],{"href":992},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=36605",[994,996,998,1000,1002],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":995},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=36605",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":997},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=36605",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":999},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=36605",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":1001},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=36605",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":1003},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=36605",[1005],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1007,"date":1008,"date_gmt":1009,"guid":1010,"modified":1012,"modified_gmt":1013,"slug":1014,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1015,"title":1016,"content":1018,"excerpt":1020,"author":493,"featured_media":1022,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1023,"categories":1024,"tags":1025,"project_category":1045,"contact_email_category":1046,"yst_prominent_words":1047,"class_list":1051,"better_featured_image":1072,"acf":1092,"yoast_meta":1097,"_links":1100},17682,"2021-09-23T10:00:00","2021-09-23T08:00:00",{"rendered":1011},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=17682","2021-09-26T23:35:29","2021-09-26T21:35:29","ride-hailing-platforms-solve-problems-transportation-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fride-hailing-platforms-solve-problems-transportation-healthcare",{"rendered":1017},"Could smartphones and ride-sharing apps solve transportation in healthcare?",{"rendered":1019,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ch5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Patients living in rural, suburban or urban areas with poor infrastructure often don’t have the proper means to get to the doctor’s appointment on time. In extreme cases, they have to wait even for emergency situations so much that they can call an ambulance and receive care in a hospital.\u003C\u002Fh5>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ridesharing companies like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpatientengagementhit.com\u002Fnews\u002Fuber-health-extends-medical-transportation-to-tx-medicaid-members\" target=\"_blank\">Uber\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lyft.com\u002Fblog\u002Fposts\u002Flaunching-lyft-pass-for-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">Lyft\u003C\u002Fa> offer \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Froutegenie.com\u002Fstarting-a-nemt-business-the-complete-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">non-emergency medical transportation services\u003C\u002Fa>, while start-ups, such as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.circulation.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Circulation\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmedical-transportation-startup-ride-health-snags-10m-funding\" target=\"_blank\">Ride Health\u003C\u002Fa> also promise to deal with the issue. Could smartphones and networked services solve transportation in healthcare?\u003C\u002Fh5>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is getting to the doctor such a hassle?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Wherever they live, in rural areas or in impoverished urban areas, people face the same issue in getting access to healthcare services: \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theatlantic.com\u002Fhealth\u002Farchive\u002F2015\u002F08\u002Fthe-transportation-barrier\u002F399728\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">transportation\u003C\u002Fa>. Some households don’t have a vehicle or share one among multiple family members. Moreover, for those who are disabled, obese or chronically ill, riding the bus or the subway can be a difficult undertaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>John Lewis former CRO of the startup Circulation that since had been acquired by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmodivcare.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Modivcare\u003C\u002Fa>, a platform that sets up transportation of any kind for patients to ensure they make it to their doctors’ appointment, told The Medical Futurist that “\u003Cem>transportation barriers are a leading cause of gaps in healthcare in the US. Each year, around 3.6 million patients miss at least one medical appointment due to lack of access to transportation.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Possible solutions: the US and CHWs\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Each state in the US has a\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fkff.org\u002Fmedicaid\u002Fstate-indicator\u002Fnon-emergency-medical-transportation-services\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"> “non-emergency medical transport”\u003C\u002Fa> (NEMT) benefit for people with Medicaid, covering a certain number of rides per month, and some Medicare Advantage plans also include a limited number of trips each year. Some states contract with local companies to provide rides; others enlist volunteers or hire taxis; and some even offer \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rand.org\u002Fblog\u002F2020\u002F05\u002Fnon-emergency-medical-transportation-in-the-time-of.html\" target=\"_blank\">ride-share NEMT services\u003C\u002Fa> like the above-mentioned \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-lyft-feature-lets-patients-call-their-own-rides-while-healthcare-clients-foot-bill\" target=\"_blank\">Lyft\u003C\u002Fa> (since 2016) and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.uber.com\u002Fus\u002Fen\u002Fbusiness\u002Findustries\u002Fhealthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Uber\u003C\u002Fa> (since 2018), and kept on doing so even during the pandemic, under CDC guidance. Several private insurers also have transportation benefits, but there might be certain preliminary conditions to meet, or may involve co-pays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There is also the system of \u003Cstrong>community health workers\u003C\u002Fstrong> (CHWs) helping patients navigate the healthcare system. CHWs, caregivers\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theatlantic.com\u002Fhealth\u002Farchive\u002F2015\u002F08\u002Fthe-transportation-barrier\u002F399728\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"> typically without health-care backgrounds\u003C\u002Fa>, will coordinate transportation for patients to and from appointments, motivate them to take their medications, and help them implement positive lifestyle habits. In 2020, nearly 60,000 \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bls.gov\u002Foes\u002Fcurrent\u002Foes211094.htm\" target=\"_blank\">CHWs were employed\u003C\u002Fa> in urban, rural, and tribal areas of the United States, but given the fact that they are often volunteers, they thus don’t appear as CHWs in statistics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Flh3.googleusercontent.com\u002FiIAhGmrVXQKqirnEQeMXIr783l2H9En0ViWrL_5X5kla5Mn-GVv0OYm5l25XjEFRQNpDVrTavlAMWuD_pTYKZRvh_2J2MknbtRQ3GgfNh6qQnXsW1RbrYMPKkr4MuYsFt4YKCkGq=s0\" alt=\"transportation in healthcare\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Europe: the government hand-in-hand with hospitals\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the old continent, it’s usually the government and medical facilities who are responsible for patient transportation. In the UK,\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.pantonium.com\u002Fwere-not-in-kansas-anymore-european-solutions-to-non-emergency-medical-transportation\u002F\"> when patient \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.pantonium.com\u002Fwere-not-in-kansas-anymore-european-solutions-to-non-emergency-medical-transportation\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">transport\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.pantonium.com\u002Fwere-not-in-kansas-anymore-european-solutions-to-non-emergency-medical-transportation\u002F\"> service (PTS) is required\u003C\u002Fa>, healthcare providers will connect their patients with an appropriate service provider. The government provides some regional PTS services through National Health Service ambulances. However, currently, small and large private businesses run most \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthwatch.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002F2021-08-02\u002Fyour-views-helped-improve-non-emergency-patient-transport-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">patient transport services in Britain\u003C\u002Fa>. Yet, the system has serious flaws wherein patients wait \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ageuk.org.uk\u002Flondon\u002Fnews--campaigns\u002Farchive\u002Fsick-of-waiting\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">long hours, miss appointments, etc\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In France,\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.pantonium.com\u002Fwere-not-in-kansas-anymore-european-solutions-to-non-emergency-medical-transportation\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"> patient transportation services are provided in three different ways\u003C\u002Fa>, by ambulance, by light medical vehicles (VSL) and by taxi. When a patient needs transport to or from a doctor or hospital, they can take a cab, VSL or ambulance, then make a claim to Social Security for the cost to be reimbursed. The patient’s facility or physician chooses whatever approved service with which they have contacts. In the past few years, this model has been attacked by the French government because of the spiralling costs of taxis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Yawning gaps to fill\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So far governments, healthcare providers and traditional businesses contracting with medical facilities for patient transportation could not give a comforting solution to the issues of getting patients to their doctor’s appointments on time. High costs, long waiting times, missed visits, poor communication, administrative affairs – the list of downsides is too long. Too many people experience transportation barriers in healthcare and a too big market niche, which cannot be left out of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, it was a difficult question whether ridesharing businesses, such as Uber or Lyft could disrupt healthcare the way they did with taxi services. As the latter was unreliable, inconvenient with high prices, while the entry barriers to the market were not that high, they swept the transportation landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although entry barriers are higher in healthcare-specific regulations, industry standards and costs -, ride-share services and startups considered it as worthy to enter the non-emergency healthcare transportation market, and offer reliable, cheap services.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Fuber-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36321\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Fuber-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Fuber-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Fuber.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Uber\u002FLyft for the elderly \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2019\u002F08\u002F16\u002Fhealth\u002Fuber-lyft-elderly.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Source: NYTimes.com\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rideshare moves into top gear\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fjohn-brownstein-611b8658\u002F?trk=eml_premium_newsletter_healthcare_Main_2018_0320_brownstein\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr. John Brownstein\u003C\u002Fa>, chief innovation officer at\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fbostonchildrenshospital\u002F?trk=eml_premium_newsletter_healthcare_Main_2018_0320_bostonchildrenshospital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Boston Children’s Hospital\u003C\u002Fa>, first came up with the idea that Uber could be used to fill gaps in patient transportation in late 2013. Brownstein left a comment in the app after a ride, and Uber called him back. Three years later, he co-founded\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fcirculation-inc.\u002F?trk=eml_premium_newsletter_healthcare_Main_2018_0320_Circulation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Circulation\u003C\u002Fa>. They\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2018\u002F3\u002F1\u002F17061862\u002Fuber-health-non-emergency-medical-transportation-hipaa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> partnered with Uber in 2016\u003C\u002Fa>, and\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.businesswire.com\u002Fnews\u002Fhome\u002F20171205005862\u002Fen\u002FCirculation-Lyft-Partner-Non-Emergency-Medical-Transportation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Lyft in 2017\u003C\u002Fa>, as well as local transportation providers such as wheelchair van fleets. “\u003Cem>We have had an extremely positive response to date. Patients appreciate the dramatic improvement in patient access, and respond favourably to the fact that we are bringing the modern conveniences they expect in everyday life to healthcare\u003C\u002Fem>”, said Circulation’s John Lewis in our 2018 interview. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The same year Circulation was acquired by \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.logisticare.com\u002F?__hstc=119760855.5fff4cf07ebaa76c4299043dc0006fdf.1632339501460.1632339501460.1632341429947.2&__hssc=119760855.3.1632341429947&__hsfp=396934178\" target=\"_blank\">LogistiCare Solutions\u003C\u002Fa> of The Providence Service Corporation. Together they manage the largest non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) programs and work for government agencies and managed care organizations under the umbrella of Modivcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Over \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.uber.com\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fuber-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">100 healthcare organizations in the US\u003C\u002Fa>, including hospitals, clinics, rehab centers, senior care facilities,\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.georgetownhomecare.com\u002Fsolving-senior-transportation-concerns-with-uber-health\u002F\" target=\"_blank\"> home care centers\u003C\u002Fa>, and physical therapy centers use Uber Health services.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lyft and start-ups eager to fill the niche, too\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Uber’s biggest competition in the US, Lyft doesn’t want to lag behind either. The ride-hailing service\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2018\u002F03\u002F04\u002Flyft-and-allscripts-want-to-make-it-easier-to-get-people-to-the-doctors-office.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> introduced its service to healthcare providers,\u003C\u002Fa> so doctors’ offices and hospitals could order transportation for people. It has since signed deals with several hospital systems and medical transportation companies. In May 2017,\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bcbs.com\u002Fnews\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fblue-cross-and-blue-shield-and-lyft-join-forces-increase-access-health-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Blue Cross Blue Shield Association announced a partnership with Lyft\u003C\u002Fa>, to provide the option to patients to get to their local pharmacies by car to pick up their prescriptions or to arrive at their primary care appointments on time. In March 2018, it partnered with\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.allscripts.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Allscripts\u003C\u002Fa>, a health IT platform provider. The company integrated Lyft’s platform into its own system, which will allow the doctors and hospitals that use Allscripts’ electronic health records to make pickup appointments for their patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Start-ups are also active. Beyond Circulation, there are a handful of companies offering similar services. Mindi Knebel\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedium.com\u002Fdreamit-perspectives\u002Fthis-startup-is-breaking-down-the-transportation-barrier-in-healthcare-f290b78dde6f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> discovered the problem of finding affordable transit\u003C\u002Fa> to access healthcare from both sides of her family living in rural Iowa and urban Chicago, so she co-founded\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fkaizenhealth.org\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Kaizen Health\u003C\u002Fa>. The startup partnered with Lyft and offers a wide range of vehicles. Another one, San Diego-based\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fveyo.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Veyo\u003C\u002Fa> currently provides rides for Medicaid beneficiaries in eight US states.\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ride-health.com\u002F\"> \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.saferidehealth.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SafeRide\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rideroundtrip.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Round Trip\u003C\u002Fa> or\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.ambulnz.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Ambulnz\u003C\u002Fa> also aim to take part in rebuilding the US medical transportation industry, while \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.docgo.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DocGo\u003C\u002Fa> is active in both the U.S. and in the U.K.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Besides these solutions, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhealthtechmagazine.net\u002Farticle\u002F2020\u002F12\u002Fwhat-know-about-autonomous-vehicles-healthcare\">autonomous vehicles\u003C\u002Fa> are also just around the corner – and they offer a promising new world in healthcare transportation. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Flh4.googleusercontent.com\u002FV6f1OiVIOSXnx6uxKCZoTDW7ZOTeIaeoEUpyWGyPB7tiP_n3t27kFcQbhmcDoUKvQXfMTaxpsS0CjcwG5QckiQoGYs1bB1o9vSgkcH_lgjCoOOsKSIdK26Gw82zcXDCo11wCif7B=s0\" alt=\"transportation in healthcare\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.keephealthcare.org\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the challenges in ride-hailing in healthcare?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There will be many more startups and platforms in the following years which aim to disrupt the healthcare transportation field in the US. There are even useful tips and recommendations about\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fsmallbusiness.chron.com\u002Fstart-nonmedical-transportation-company-13354.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> how to start a non-emergency medical transportation company\u003C\u002Fa> out there. Moreover, these companies might get to Europe in more numbers as well, against all the challenges the healthcare transportation landscape poses with regulations and traditional supplier companies. The reason is simple: they are reducing costs and improving care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, there are serious issues that all ride-hailing companies should take into account when entering healthcare. What happens in case of a medical emergency during a ride? From Uber, Lyft to Circulation, every one of the concerning businesses said they are focusing on non-emergency transportation. These drivers don’t provide medical attention during the ride to the hospital or doctor’s appointment. Nevertheless, as the number of ride-hailing services increases, the statistical chance of a medical emergency goes up, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Flh3.googleusercontent.com\u002FkR4r1dxKg9tAktZyo3ELc5zBZHQ3AMJY5bjIG7iKn1NnnVI412KoHr4bDb8jvDG4n_MueXKFoMjWZZRKTjAagBOVkxLWjASE50QS-2IOU8g8sPFWDkeoF3HnEPJRii0b3x4jvc9r=s0\" alt=\"Transportation in Healthcare\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: Ambulnz Youtube Channel\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overall, ride-hailing platforms seem to have found the niche where they could genuinely flourish while solving a painstakingly costly and insurmountable problem for patients. Non-emergency medical transportation services mean a more reliable and affordable means of getting to the doctor’s office for many people in rural or urban areas without appropriate infrastructure. The Medical Futurist hopes that their service will be a common practice in every corner of the world soon.\u003C\u002Fh5>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1021,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Patients living in rural, suburban or urban areas with poor infrastructure often don’t have the proper means to get to the doctor’s appointment on time. […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",36337,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[323,5,70,324],[1026,1027,1028,1029,1030,897,1031,1032,1033,1034,1035,1036,1037,1038,1039,1040,1041,1042,501,1043,1044],7357,7359,7361,7363,7365,246,7367,871,271,7369,872,275,7371,873,279,7373,874,6289,417,[346,348,513],[],[358,516,788,789,353,1048,1049,1050],1987,2119,2121,[1052,53,93,94,95,96,97,364,100,101,365,1053,1054,1055,1056,1057,924,1058,1059,1060,1061,1062,1063,1064,1065,1066,1067,1068,1069,527,1070,1071,385,387,538],"post-17682","tag-circulation","tag-kaizen-helth","tag-veyo","tag-ambulnz","tag-roundtrip","tag-future","tag-saferide","tag-uber","tag-health","tag-medical-transport","tag-lyft","tag-healthcare","tag-allscripts","tag-ride-hailing","tag-hospital","tag-providence","tag-medical-transportation","tag-nemt","tag-startup",{"id":1022,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1073,"media_type":107,"media_details":1074,"post":1007,"source_url":1091},"Ride-sharing platforms and startups to fill in in medical transportation",{"width":109,"height":110,"file":1075,"sizes":1076,"image_meta":1090},"2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_292-01.png",{"medium":1077,"large":1080,"thumbnail":1083,"medium_large":1086,"1536x1536":1087},{"file":1078,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1079},"tmf_article_292-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_292-01-370x208.png",{"file":1081,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1082},"tmf_article_292-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_292-01-768x432.png",{"file":1084,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1085},"tmf_article_292-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_292-01-150x150.png",{"file":1081,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1082},{"file":1088,"width":131,"height":132,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1089},"tmf_article_292-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_292-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Ftmf_article_292-01.png",{"subtitle":64,"cta_type":420,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1093,"related_posts_footer":1095,"related_posts":16},[1094,423],24761,[136,960,1096],35983,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1098,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1099,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1015},"Could smartphones and ride-sharing apps solve transportation in healthcare? - The Medical Futurist","Could ride-hailing platforms, such as Uber, Lyft or Circulation solve the problems of transportation in healthcare? The Medical Futurist explores the topic.",{"self":1101,"collection":1106,"about":1108,"author":1110,"replies":1112,"version-history":1115,"predecessor-version":1118,"wp:featuredmedia":1122,"wp:attachment":1125,"wp:term":1128,"curies":1139},[1102],{"href":1103,"targetHints":1104},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17682",{"allow":1105},[27],[1107],{"href":154},[1109],{"href":157},[1111],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[1113],{"embeddable":41,"href":1114},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=17682",[1116],{"count":6,"href":1117},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17682\u002Frevisions",[1119],{"id":1120,"href":1121},36359,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17682\u002Frevisions\u002F36359",[1123],{"embeddable":41,"href":1124},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F36337",[1126],{"href":1127},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=17682",[1129,1131,1133,1135,1137],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1130},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=17682",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":1132},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=17682",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":1134},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=17682",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":1136},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=17682",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":1138},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=17682",[1140],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":825,"date":1142,"date_gmt":1143,"guid":1144,"modified":1146,"modified_gmt":1147,"slug":1148,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1149,"title":1150,"content":1152,"excerpt":1154,"author":493,"featured_media":1156,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1157,"categories":1158,"tags":1160,"project_category":1175,"contact_email_category":1176,"yst_prominent_words":1177,"class_list":1187,"better_featured_image":1204,"acf":1224,"yoast_meta":1230,"_links":1233},"2021-08-24T10:00:00","2021-08-24T08:00:00",{"rendered":1145},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=35721&_wpnonce=7ec1f67adf&status=auto-draft&type=post","2021-09-16T12:59:35","2021-09-16T10:59:35","tech-giants-in-healthcare-2021-summary","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftech-giants-in-healthcare-2021-summary",{"rendered":1151},"Big Tech In Medicine: How Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Google, IBM & NVIDIA Disrupt Healthcare",{"rendered":1153,"protected":16},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>We’ve spent a good part of our summer writing about Big Tech and how these companies, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Famazons-march-into-healthcare-a-2021-update\">Amazon\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-masterplan-for-healthcare\">Google\u002FAlphabet\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmicrosoft-in-healthcare-2021\">Microsoft\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fapple-in-healthcare-2021\">Apple\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fibm-in-healthcare-2021\">IBM\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnvidia-in-healthcare-2021\">NVIDIA\u003C\u002Fa> have approached medicine and its trillion-dollar market possibilities. These six companies have the most projects in healthcare, and their presence is not negligible at all: they all have the power and the incentive to transform and help digitise this market.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbig-tech-in-healthcare-heatmap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"564\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Fbigtech_infographic-1-1-768x564.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-36219\"\u002F\u003C\u002Fa srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Fbigtech_infographic-1-1-768x564.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Fbigtech_infographic-1-1-1536x1129.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F09\u002Fbigtech_infographic-1-1.png 1469w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cfigcaption>Big Tech In Healthcare – heatmap\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, all of these companies have something peculiar and very unique to give. Amazon’s distribution network can change the way we think of pharmacies in the future. Microsoft can bring steadiness, reason and predictability. Apple’s design and seamless approach make us see systems as flawless organisms. Google’s in-depth knowledge of A.I. and its practical use in cure. IBM bringing its power and history onto the field of machine learning and quantum computing. And last but not least, a relative newcomer, NVIDIA knowing how to manufacture systems and practical implementations.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>In this closing part of the series, we give you a final summary and analysis on where we think Tech Giants are heading – and if you want to read more about these companies and what they have already done and achieved in healthcare, we recommend you to get your copy of our e-book, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Ftech-giants-in-healthcare\">Tech Giants In Healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tech Giants in Healthcare - Updated with COVID-19! The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FXX6-kzy2XK4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Famazons-march-into-healthcare-a-2021-update\">\u003Cstrong>Amazon’s Dive Into Healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With its thorough knowledge of online sales and distribution, it was inevitable that one of the milestones of this tech giant’s steps in healthcare will include the disruption of pharma distribution chains. As we wrote in our related article, in 2017, when Amazon received drug distribution licenses in over 10 U.S. states, the news sent traditional players in the pharmaceutical market into a frenzy. Amazon’s pharm plans further expanded when it bought startup online pharmacy PillPack for nearly $1 billion in 2018, ultimately selling over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, and its own line of OTC drugs. And, of course, this isn’t all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What Amazon is betting on\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>Providing telehealth services for its employees and later to other customers primarily in the U.S.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Using its supply chain to quickly deliver medications\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Using Alexa for chatbot-based medical services\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What I expect\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Amazon will make further use of its vast knowledge of online shopping trends and behaviour and will keep on providing what people need, from medicine to wearables. It might encounter some difficulties in areas they know less; but as it is already active in the most profitable segment of medicine (pharma manufacturing and sales), it can maintain its profitability. So no Amazon hospital, but yes to fields that can be built with data from e-commerce.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How Amazon Could Revolutionise Healthcare - A Future Bit From The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FppB7OOzcoTc?start=1&feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fapple-in-healthcare-2021\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Apple’s Venture in Health\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Producing a device every 6th people has in their pocket worldwide, it seems clear how Apple can reach the field to play on. Not to mention another health tool: Apple \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.statista.com\u002Fstatistics\u002F524830\u002Fglobal-smartwatch-vendors-market-share\u002F\">holds the largest share\u003C\u002Fa> of the global smartwatch shipment market. In the first quarter of 2020, that accounted for a substantial 47.9% share of the market. The company has been heavily leveraging the popularity of its smartwatch for its healthcare plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Through Apple Watch, the company has built an excellent pathway to electronic health records, too. Apple’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.apple.com\u002Fen-us\u002FHT203037\">Health app\u003C\u002Fa> aims to bridge patients and doctors, and all the data in-between. Users can share their health data collected by the Health app directly to EMRs, like Cerner, which is already supporting this feature. Seamlessly sharing patient healthcare data from an Apple device to an EMR and this being viewable by a doctor or caregiver represent a major step in facilitating digital health approaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What Apple is betting on\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>Using the Apple Watch for consumer health and research\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Connecting the Apple Health app to selected third-party services\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What I expect\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Apple will keep on working on expanding the health features of its devices, Apple Watch and iPhones included. Even more, I think some of the new features introduced in the next iPhones will be more health- than tech-related! Apple-owned clinics? The news was out but the company retreated, keeping a clear portfolio.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35099\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-masterplan-for-healthcare\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Google’s Masterplan for Healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Of all these tech giants, Google is the one that knows what \u003Cem>exactly\u003C\u002Fem> people want. Even more: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2019\u002F11\u002F15\u002Fgoogle-tweaks-its-algorithm-to-change-search-results-wsj.html\">some say\u003C\u002Fa> it can even direct that will. And people sure want health: 7% of all Google searches (an astounding 70,000 per minute) is health-related around the world. The search giant has repeatedly successfully transferred its in-depth knowledge of algorithms in the field of medicine, particularly since it acquired DeepMind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After a successful pilot in supporting cancer research, Google put its A.I. and its cloud computing expertise to use in partnerships. May 2021 HCA Healthcare and Alphabet’s Google Cloud announced a collaboration to develop algorithms to mine insights in patient records from the provider to improve efficiency and patient outcomes; and also this year the giant introduced its dermatology app supporting skin cancer monitoring and diagnosis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Google had some missteps along the way, too, from Google Glass to launching-relaunching, now shutting down again its Google Health branch. But don’t give up on Google in healthcare: if the company want in, it will be in. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What Google\u002FAlphabet is betting on\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>Scrapping Google Health and giving more space to small-scale projects with more autonomy\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Improving A.I. for medical and research purposes with DeepMind\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Investing into a ton of startups and directions through Verily and GV\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What I expect\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Through its investment funds GV and Gradient Ventures, Google is successfully keeping its fingers on the pulse of healthcare-related startups and ideas. It keeps being a driving force behind health- and A.I.-related investments. Google sure learned how \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=QfQ2r0zvyoA\">information is everything\u003C\u002Fa>, and already built an empire on top. Also, it’s easy to expect to see more A.I.-related medical breakthroughs from them.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002F0823_google_infographic-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35717\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002F0823_google_infographic-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002F0823_google_infographic-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002F0823_google_infographic-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002F0823_google_infographic-01-2048x1152.png 2048w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002F0823_google_infographic-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Google In Healthcare – An Infographic (2021)\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmicrosoft-in-healthcare-2021\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Microsoft Makes a 16-billion Dollar Bet On Healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Microsoft has always focused on the enterprise side of anything it entered into. Throughout 2020, the company strengthened its healthcare-related partnerships with organisations and research institutes. By delivering its computing know-how and the fact that most medical professionals are familiar with the way Microsoft’s computers are built and operate, the tech giant only needs to keep being good at what it already knows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Last October, Microsoft launched Cloud for Healthcare, a new, healthcare-centric cloud. It integrates the company’s existing services like Microsoft Teams, Azure IoT and its Healthcare Bot. These tools aim to assist with collaboration among staff and carry out telemedicine consultations. In April 2021 Microsoft acquired A.I.-powered speech-technology company, Nuance. The company’s software can listen and transcribe doctor-patient conversations into organized medical notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What Microsoft is betting on\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>Cloud computing\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Health IT services (doesn’t sound sexy, but it makes healthcare work)\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What I expect\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>For me Microsoft is just like a liked uncle in the family: you can always count on him showing up at family gatherings, bringing flowers and a set of old jokes. Microsoft might not be a forerunner in healthcare, but what it promises, the company will surely deliver. So I expect it to be a poised partner for hospitals and health institutions\u002Funiversities, providing its massive knowledge and infrastructure to support research and development. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35453\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Microsoft In Healthcare, 2021\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fibm-in-healthcare-2021\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>IBM’s Moonshot Ambition In Healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For over a century, tech company IBM was known for its innovation and client focus. But in recent years, its glory in innovation has faded. The company tried to build a stronghold in artificial intelligence with Watson, but the program is currently scrapped, as “\u003Cem>physicians were hesitant to adopt artificial intelligence.\u003C\u002Fem>” So after having spent years developing the branch and having invested considerable resources into it, IBM abandoning these efforts altogether comes as a surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In quantum computing, IBM took the lead but is in a tight race with other tech giants like Google. IBM is also trying to stay on board with being at the forefront of the use of blockchain in a medical setting, co-operating for example with Moderna, and having enterprise-level customers like the State of New York for a blockchain-secured health certificate app.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What IBM is betting on\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>Trying to rebrand IBM Watson as a healthcare A.I.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Seeing the future in quantum computing\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What I expect\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>IBM seems to be keeping a straightforward path with the eyes on the prize. The company does not attempt to enter fields it lacks the knowledge on, which I consider a good (and financially stable) thing. Once again, I don’t expect to have IBM hospitals or clinics, but healthcare institutions, using all IBM has to offer in federated learning, blockchain and quantum computing. Which is, quite a lot.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_284-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35515\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_284-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_284-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_284-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_284-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>IBM In Healthcare, 2021\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnvidia-in-healthcare-2021\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cstrong>NVIDIA, From Gaming To Medicine\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Who would’ve thought NVIDIA has been active in healthcare for over a decade – the company helped bring innovative diagnostic imaging, robotic surgery and patient monitoring devices to the market. The processor unit manufacturer launched its A.I. platform, Clara in 2018, designed to augment medical imaging and genomics. It followed up a year later with a toolkit for radiologists, Clara A.I., to help with the classification of images. In 2019, the tech giant also started to explore federated learning in healthcare, the privacy-focused A.I. training method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>NVIDIA, too, thought speech recognition technology would grow in importance in the future. Their software can help transcribe and better organise information from telemedicine visits. But probably their most important added value in healthcare will be the Cambridge-1 supercomputer the company is building in the UK. The UK’s most powerful supercomputer will aid in A.I. research in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What NVIDIA is betting on\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>Using its supercomputers and chips to improve drug design, genomics research and chatbots, among others\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>What I expect\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>NVIDIA seems incredibly focused in its approach towards healthcare. The company uses its strengths in data, machine learning and hardware manufacturing, and builds these all into its vision for healthcare, which is efficient, fast and entirely high-tech. Honestly, I can share their enthusiasm. We can expect NVIDIA to be a leader in the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare – maybe not the data-driven, but more the creative part of the field\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F190_tmf-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"Gamification in healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-29397\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F190_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F190_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F190_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F08\u002F190_tmf-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Gaming In Healthcare – Death Stranding’s delivery guy\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>With this, we have finished this round of talking about Big Tech in medicine. Their weight, level of involvement, size of investment and even their approach vary, but they all make waves in healthcare. Given their background, they all focus on the technological side of medicine, and here’s the only bit I’m missing from their side: patient centricity. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>But just as healthcare is complex and requires as much technology as empathy and care, I’m sure patient focus and even involvement will inevitably come.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>For now, I am only sure that we’ll hear more about these companies in healthcare. As news of their endeavours is coming out almost every day, their steps will not go unnoticed. I’m also looking forward to having my forecasts challenged!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1155,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>We’ve spent a good part of our summer writing about Big Tech and how these companies, Amazon, Google\u002FAlphabet, Microsoft, Apple, IBM and NVIDIA have approached […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",35723,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[68,774,214,322,323,69,775,5,776,777,1159,324],799,[1161,1162,1163,1164,1165,1166,1167,1168,1169,1170,1171,1172,1173,334,1174],281,6203,862,6733,6763,6931,7279,1056,7305,569,7335,142,7337,5039,[346,347,349,513],[],[1178,789,353,1179,1180,1181,1182,1183,358,1184,1185,1186,788],1715,2347,2351,2355,2739,2935,3305,1595,4363,[1188,53,93,94,95,96,97,98,794,227,363,364,99,795,100,796,797,1189,365,1190,1191,1192,1193,1194,1195,1196,1197,1198,1199,1200,1201,1202,374,1203,385,386,388,538],"post-35721","category-security-privacy","tag-ibm","tag-big-tech","tag-nvidia","tag-cloud-computing","tag-federated-learning","tag-nvidia-clara","tag-alphabet","tag-watson","tag-nuance","tag-microsoft","tag-google-cloud","tag-apple","tag-azure","tag-tech-giants",{"id":1156,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":1205,"media_type":107,"media_details":1206,"post":825,"source_url":1223},"Tech giants in healthcare - 2021",{"width":109,"height":110,"file":1207,"sizes":1208,"image_meta":1222},"2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_286-01.png",{"medium":1209,"large":1212,"thumbnail":1215,"medium_large":1218,"1536x1536":1219},{"file":1210,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1211},"tmf_article_286-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_286-01-370x208.png",{"file":1213,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1214},"tmf_article_286-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_286-01-768x432.png",{"file":1216,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1217},"tmf_article_286-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_286-01-150x150.png",{"file":1213,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1214},{"file":1220,"width":131,"height":132,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1221},"tmf_article_286-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_286-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_286-01.png",{"subtitle":64,"cta_type":420,"cta_color":64,"related_books":1225,"related_posts_footer":1226,"related_posts":16},[1094,423],[1227,1228,1229],35019,14157,20749,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1231,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1232,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1149},"Big Tech In Medicine: How Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Google, IBM & NVIDIA Disrupt Healthcare - The Medical Futurist","Tech giants in healthcare: we looked at how these companies, Amazon, Google\u002FAlphabet, Microsoft, Apple, IBM and NVIDIA have approached medicine.",{"self":1234,"collection":1239,"about":1241,"author":1243,"replies":1245,"version-history":1248,"predecessor-version":1251,"wp:featuredmedia":1255,"wp:attachment":1258,"wp:term":1261,"curies":1272},[1235],{"href":1236,"targetHints":1237},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F35721",{"allow":1238},[27],[1240],{"href":154},[1242],{"href":157},[1244],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[1246],{"embeddable":41,"href":1247},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=35721",[1249],{"count":586,"href":1250},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F35721\u002Frevisions",[1252],{"id":1253,"href":1254},36235,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F35721\u002Frevisions\u002F36235",[1256],{"embeddable":41,"href":1257},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F35723",[1259],{"href":1260},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=35721",[1262,1264,1266,1268,1270],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1263},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=35721",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":1265},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=35721",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":1267},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=35721",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":1269},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=35721",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":1271},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=35721",[1273],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1275,"date":1276,"date_gmt":1277,"guid":1278,"modified":1280,"modified_gmt":1281,"slug":1282,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1283,"title":1284,"content":1286,"excerpt":1288,"author":61,"featured_media":1290,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1291,"categories":1292,"tags":1293,"project_category":1307,"contact_email_category":1308,"yst_prominent_words":1309,"class_list":1311,"better_featured_image":1326,"acf":1348,"yoast_meta":1353,"_links":1355},34813,"2021-06-22T10:00:00","2021-06-22T08:00:00",{"rendered":1279},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=34813&_wpnonce=5fc9ceb20a&status=auto-draft&type=post","2021-06-28T13:06:56","2021-06-28T11:06:56","amazons-march-into-healthcare-a-2021-update","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Famazons-march-into-healthcare-a-2021-update",{"rendered":1285},"Amazon’s Dive Into Healthcare: A 2021 Update",{"rendered":1287,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ch5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do the publishing, film and healthcare industries have in common? They are all fields that tech giant Amazon ventures into. But even though healthcare is the latest the company got involved in – at least publicly -, Amazon is making leaps in the field. We explored those leaps at length in our dedicated e-book, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftech-giants-in-healthcare-new-e-book\u002F#\" target=\"_blank\">Tech Giants In Healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. For a deeper dive and a bigger picture of its long-term plans, we would recommend you to get a copy.\u003C\u002Fh5>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>With this article, we are kicking off a new series that provides a snapshot of what a given tech company is working on that is relevant to healthcare.\u003C\u002Fstrong> We will focus more on their most recent developments so that you can consider these articles as supplements to the e-book. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We’re starting with Amazon: exploring what the company has been focusing on in recent months. As Sandeep Unni, senior director at technology analyst Gartner, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhy-amazons-push-into-healthcare-could-be-its-most-important-project-yet\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">recently told ZDNet\u003C\u002Fa>: \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\u003Cp>“\u003Cem>If anyone can break into spaces as entrenched in healthcare, it’s probably someone like Amazon\u003C\u002Fem>.” \u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So let’s explore Amazon’s recent healthcare bets and contemplate what might come next for them given those recent developments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Aiming to disrupt the pharmaceutical industry\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When in 2017 Amazon \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thestreet.com\u002Finvesting\u002Fstocks\u002Fhere-s-why-amazon-s-next-big-market-could-be-in-the-pharmacy-business-14166157\" target=\"_blank\">received drug distribution licenses\u003C\u002Fa> in over 10 U. S. states, the news sent traditional players in the pharmaceutical market into a frenzy. The company had already sold over-the-counter medications in the U.S. before. Now it could sell prescription drugs online, further disrupting the distribution chain. Through private label drug manufacturer Perrigo Amazon \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.investopedia.com\u002Fnews\u002Famazon-launches-its-own-line-overthecounter-drugs\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">also produces its own line of OTC drugs\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Amazon’s pharmaceutical plans further expanded when it acquired startup PillPack for \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2018\u002F6\u002F28\u002F17515176\u002Famazon-pillpack-walgreens-pharmacy-market\" target=\"_blank\">nearly $1 billion in 2018\u003C\u002Fa>. PillPack is itself an “online pharmacy” that delivers medicine directly to its clients. This was a clear indication of its commitment to break into the remote healthcare industry; a commitment that was put on display recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34583\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Ftmf_article_270-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Last November, Jeff Bezos’ company expanded its remote pharmaceutical service further when it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F17\u002F21571091\u002Famazon-pharmacy-store-launch-home-delivery-prescription-medication\" target=\"_blank\">launched Amazon Pharmacy\u003C\u002Fa> in the U.S. The service \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F17\u002Famazon-pharmacy-free-prescription-delivery-for-prime-members.html\" target=\"_blank\">allows clients to\u003C\u002Fa> order a “mix of generic and brand-name drugs”; and even lets them connect to a pharmacist online for any relevant queries. Launching it in 45 states and accepting most insurance plans, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F17\u002F21571091\u002Famazon-pharmacy-store-launch-home-delivery-prescription-medication\">\u003Cem>The V\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cem>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F17\u002F21571091\u002Famazon-pharmacy-store-launch-home-delivery-prescription-medication\" target=\"_blank\">e\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F11\u002F17\u002F21571091\u002Famazon-pharmacy-store-launch-home-delivery-prescription-medication\">\u003Cem>rge \u003C\u002Fem>called it\u003C\u002Fa> Amazon’s “\u003Cem>biggest push into the healthcare industry yet.\u003C\u002Fem>”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Amazon’s bet on remote care\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, remote pharmaceutical services aren’t the only remote component of health that Amazon is looking into. In fact, the tech giant might be more interested in this remote and digital component of the industry as a whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This March, Amazon Care, the company’s telehealth branch, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.seattletimes.com\u002Fbusiness\u002Famazon\u002Famazons-telehealth-arm-quietly-expands-to-21-more-states\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">expanded into 21 more states\u003C\u002Fa> in the U.S. Previously, the service was only available to Amazon’s own customers; but the company announced that Amazon Care will also expand to other companies across the U.S. in the summer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F01\u002FAmazon-Care-768x448.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25835\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F01\u002FAmazon-Care-768x448.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F01\u002FAmazon-Care-512x299.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F01\u002FAmazon-Care.png 1201w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Famazon.care\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Amazon could very well tie in its telehealth services with its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F8\u002F27\u002F21402493\u002Famazon-halo-band-health-fitness-body-scan-tone-emotion-activity-sleep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon Halo fitness band\u003C\u002Fa>, which debuted in early access last August. It can measure sleep and activity levels, as well as monitor the user’s voice tone to analyse their emotional state during the day. And more features are being pushed onto the device. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This June, Amazon announced the “Movement Health” feature that uses a smartphone camera and A. I.-based software to create custom workouts to improve the user’s stability, mobility, and posture based on their fitness level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This consumer-facing approach isn’t new for Amazon. It also equipped its iconic Alexa-powered devices, like the Echo and Dot, with health-related extensions. For example, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.zdnet.com\u002Farticle\u002Fwhy-amazons-push-into-healthcare-could-be-its-most-important-project-yet\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">users can ask the digital assistant for advice\u003C\u002Fa> regarding breastfeeding and first aid. Moreover, Alexa also helps in diagnosis and improves \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmhealthintelligence.com\u002Fnews\u002Famazon-adds-drug-information-to-its-mhealth-platform-for-alexa\" target=\"_blank\">medication management\u003C\u002Fa> and adherence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Recent turbulences\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Despite being a newcomer to the market, Amazon has made steady strides in a clear attempt to become a leader. But the company’s path hasn’t been such a smooth one. In fact, at the beginning of the year, one of its major partnerships fell through. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Amazon, together with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and J.P. Morgan Chase, set up the health care company Haven \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnn.com\u002F2019\u002F03\u002F06\u002Fbusiness\u002Famazon-berkshire-jpmorgan-health-care\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">three years ago\u003C\u002Fa>. This venture aimed to provide healthcare services and insurance at a lower cost to these companies’ employees. It also included the potential to expand to other firms as well. However, the companies parted ways in January, with Amazon forging ahead with its Amazon Care program and J.P. Morgan Chase setting up \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Fafter-haven-dissolves-jpm-goes-it-alone\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">its own healthcare business unit\u003C\u002Fa> with similar aims as Haven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another glaring failed approach to healthcare Amazon took was \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-57287151\" target=\"_blank\">the ‘wellness chamber’\u003C\u002Fa> they introduced in May for stressed staff. The tiny booth lets Amazon employees follow guided well-being activities in an extremely confined space. News site \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vice.com\u002Fen\u002Farticle\u002Fwx5nmw\u002Famazon-introduces-tiny-zenbooths-for-stressed-out-warehouse-workers\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Motherboard \u003C\u002Fem>described\u003C\u002Fa> it as a “\u003Cem>coffin-sized booth in the middle of an Amazon warehouse\u003C\u002Fem>.” We can expect more such failures from Amazon. But we can also expect it to keep treading towards its healthcare vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Famazon-mindfulness-coffin-booth-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34815\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Famazon-mindfulness-coffin-booth-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Famazon-mindfulness-coffin-booth-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Famazon-mindfulness-coffin-booth.jpg 976w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The future of Amazon’s healthcare vision\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the steps that the company has taken so far, we can expect Amazon to further push where it has the supply chain and the experience to support the process; whether it’s for telehealth or drug delivery. They might even combine the latter with their \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2016\u002F12\u002F14\u002F13952240\u002Famazon-drone-delivery-launch-uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">drone delivery plans\u003C\u002Fa> to accentuate Amazon Pharmacy’s radical approach to drug delivery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If patients express interest in their telehealth approach, providers will listen. Perks they offer to Amazon Prime subscribers might make their offer more enticing. For Amazon Pharmacy, Prime members will be getting free, two-day delivery on orders as well as discounts when paying without insurance. A similar model for Amazon Care isn’t unlikely, which can turn the company into an important telehealth provider. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now that Amazon has been rolling out its Amazon-branded fitness tracker, anything that can be sent to patients remotely might fall into their area of interest. We’ll see more wearables coming from the company and maybe even at-home lab tests. In fact, in March, Amazon \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Frachelsandler\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F26\u002Famazon-gets-emergency-fda-approval-for-at-home-covid-19-test-kit\u002F?sh=31b9d5b849d2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">received emergency FDA approval\u003C\u002Fa> for its at-home COVID-19 testing kit; and it \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2021\u002F6\u002F15\u002F22535453\u002Famazon-covid-test-consumers-available\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">became publicly available\u003C\u002Fa> to U.S. customers in June.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Amazon is betting heavily on healthcare with moves that aim to make it a leader. However, it’s not dismissing the need for competition altogether. “\u003Cem>What we don’t want to see is a handful of big entities, big companies, big healthcare systems dominating a sector\u003C\u002Fem>;\u003Cem>“\u003C\u002Fem> Amazon Vice President \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.beckershospitalreview.com\u002Fhealthcare-information-technology\u002Famazon-exec-says-it-respects-healthcare-legacies-but-competition-is-a-good-thing.html\">Dr. Babak Parviz said\u003C\u002Fa>. “\u003Cem>So a healthy sector will have large companies, many mid-sized companies, and many, many startup companies\u003C\u002Fem>.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is the sector turning into a healthy one as Dr. Parviz envisions? To find out, we will explore the developments of Amazon’s big tech competitors in healthcare in our subsequent entries of this new series of articles.\u003C\u002Fh5>\n\n\n\n\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\u002F>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dr. Bertalan Mesko, PhD, the Director of The Medical Futurist Institute, launched The Medical Futurist to help individuals, companies, and governments understand how digital health technologies bring healthcare into the 21st century.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u003Cem>“Digital health technologies empower patients to become proactive in their life; empower medical professionals to do their job being supported by advanced technologies, and companies and policymakers to make better decisions about their future.” – Dr. Bertalan Meskó\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To support this transformation, Dr. Meskó and The Medical Futurist team is working relentlessly analyzing the latest trends in digital health and bringing insights to the 800,000+ readers and followers of our publications, along these principles:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>The Medical Futurist is a place to learn, not a place for advertising\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>. The Medical Futurist team is working to bring you unlimited access to reliable, neutral information, that is free from the influence of vendors and companies.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: #e71d3299;\">\u003Cstrong>Unlike many others, we keep 99% of The Medical Futurist content open for all readers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. We do this because we believe in information equality, where everyone deserves to read accurate news and thoughtful analysis.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>For 2021, we commit to another year of high-impact reporting that helps people navigate the jungle of digital health and to see where it is heading. With no shareholders or billionaire owners, we set our own agenda and provide unbiased insights that are free from commercial and political influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1289,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>What do the publishing, film and healthcare industries have in common? They are all fields that tech giant Amazon ventures into. But even though healthcare […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",34785,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[774,214,322,323,69,5,776,70,1159,324],[1294,1295,1296,1297,1298,1299,641,1300,339,1301,1174,1302,511,326,1303,1304,1305,1306],6909,6911,7187,637,7227,4471,7229,7231,7233,7235,7237,6453,6675,[346,785,347,348,349,513],[],[914,1183,915,520,358,79,80,788,789,353,1310],2353,[1312,53,93,94,95,96,97,794,227,363,364,99,100,796,101,1189,365,1313,1314,1315,1316,1317,1318,674,1319,379,1320,1203,1321,537,366,1322,1323,1324,1325,385,803,386,387,388,538],"post-34813","tag-berkshire-hathaway","tag-jp-morgan-chase","tag-jeff-bezos","tag-telehealth","tag-babak-parviz","tag-remote-care","tag-amazon-pharmacy","tag-amazon-prime","tag-wellness-chamber","tag-haven","tag-halo","tag-amazon-care","tag-alexa",{"id":1290,"alt_text":1327,"caption":1328,"description":64,"media_type":107,"media_details":1329,"post":1346,"source_url":1347},"Amazon's March Into Healthcare","Amazon's March Into Healthcare: A 2021 Update",{"width":109,"height":110,"file":1330,"sizes":1331,"image_meta":1345},"2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01.png",{"medium":1332,"large":1335,"thumbnail":1338,"medium_large":1341,"1536x1536":1342},{"file":1333,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1334},"tmf_article_275-01-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-370x208.png",{"file":1336,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1337},"tmf_article_275-01-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-768x432.png",{"file":1339,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1340},"tmf_article_275-01-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-150x150.png",{"file":1336,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1337},{"file":1343,"width":131,"height":132,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1344},"tmf_article_275-01-1536x864.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135},34743,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01.png",{"cta_type":420,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":1349,"related_posts_footer":1350,"related_posts":16},[1094,958],[1351,562,1352],12808,17093,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1354,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1283},"Amazon's Dive Into Healthcare: A 2021 Update - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1356,"collection":1361,"about":1363,"author":1365,"replies":1367,"version-history":1370,"predecessor-version":1374,"wp:featuredmedia":1378,"wp:attachment":1381,"wp:term":1384,"curies":1395},[1357],{"href":1358,"targetHints":1359},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34813",{"allow":1360},[27],[1362],{"href":154},[1364],{"href":157},[1366],{"embeddable":41,"href":160},[1368],{"embeddable":41,"href":1369},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=34813",[1371],{"count":1372,"href":1373},19,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34813\u002Frevisions",[1375],{"id":1376,"href":1377},34923,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F34813\u002Frevisions\u002F34923",[1379],{"embeddable":41,"href":1380},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F34785",[1382],{"href":1383},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=34813",[1385,1387,1389,1391,1393],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1386},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=34813",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":1388},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=34813",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":1390},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=34813",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":1392},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=34813",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":1394},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=34813",[1396],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1398,"date":1399,"date_gmt":1400,"guid":1401,"modified":1403,"modified_gmt":1404,"slug":1405,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1406,"title":1407,"content":1409,"excerpt":1411,"author":493,"featured_media":1413,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1414,"categories":1415,"tags":1416,"project_category":1424,"contact_email_category":1425,"yst_prominent_words":1426,"class_list":1429,"better_featured_image":1438,"acf":1466,"yoast_meta":1474,"_links":1477},22071,"2018-10-13T10:36:08","2018-10-13T08:36:08",{"rendered":1402},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F","2022-05-25T18:21:18","2022-05-25T16:21:18","is-crowdfunding-the-grim-future-of-health-insurance","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fis-crowdfunding-the-grim-future-of-health-insurance",{"rendered":1408},"Is Crowdfunding The Grim Future Of Health Insurance?",{"rendered":1410,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2018. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A growing number of people, mostly Americans, are forced to use crowdfunding sites to ask for money to cover medical expenses. While in many cases, the option is a potential source of hope binding people together for a good cause that would otherwise be lost due to financial reasons, the phenomenon also shows the desperate state of a healthcare system where victims of terrible illnesses have to “commodify” themselves on online donation forums. Should it stay that way? Should we fear for a dark future of health insurance in some parts of the world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The patchwork called crowdfunding\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Kickstarter, GoFundMe, Indiegogo, Crowdcube or FundRazr – crowdfunding platforms, which help finance an unimaginably broad range of projects from innovative solutions such as the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kickstarter.com\u002Fprojects\u002F713418541\u002Fzapbox-experience-mixed-reality-for-just-30\">ZapBox mixed reality headset and content\u003C\u002Fa> as well as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kickstarter.com\u002Fprojects\u002Fzackdangerbrown\u002Fpotato-salad\">the guy raising money for his potato salad\u003C\u002Fa>. According to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS0277953617305166#bib72\">Massolution (2015)\u003C\u002Fa>, a US research firm, \u003Cstrong>there are over 1250 crowdfunding platforms around the world, having raised $16.2 billion in 2014, up 167% from $6.1 billion the previous year – and the sum is continuously going upwards.\u003C\u002Fstrong> This progress is generated from growing uptake in North America and Europe as well as significant growth in Asia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The method of crowdfunding is appealing and straightforward: the project initiator kicks off an idea on a platform which transmits the message to the potential funders. Depending on the packaging of the concept, which presumes digital literacy and marketing skills, and the broader social network of the fundraiser, the project gets funded to a certain extent in a specific scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the case of personal causes, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ft.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fb99a81be-f591-11e7-88f7-5465a6ce1a00\">the founders of GoFundMe, the sector leader, initially envisaged helping users pay for holidays and weddings\u003C\u002Fa>, The Financial Times notes in its article. But by 2009, they began to notice people were using the site more to cope with crises, including medical emergencies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-22072\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-platforms.png\" alt=\"future of health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-22072\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-platforms.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-platforms-768x381.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-platforms-512x254.png 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.cuttingedgecapital.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Crowdfunding – Band-Aid for cancer?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After a while, crowdfunding websites started to take notice of the growing numbers of medical campaigns. Although the genre shows up to a larger and larger extent also in the UK, Australia or Canada, in countries with public healthcare systems, these fundraising projects generally aim for financing treatments outside of the national care schemes’ scope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, in the US, where healthcare coverage does not come as general and natural for everyone, any injury or severe illness can wreck entire families. The Financial Times noted that the average cost of hospital stays for cancer patients in 2015 was $31,390, according to government figures — about half that year’s median household income. More than a quarter of adults in the US reported that they or someone in their household \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.kff.org\u002Freport-section\u002Fthe-burden-of-medical-debt-section-1-who-has-medical-bill-problems-and-what-are-the-contributing-factors\u002F\">had trouble paying their medical bills\u003C\u002Fa> over the previous year, according to a 2016 Kaiser Family Foundation\u002FNew York Times survey. Moreover, \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC3273528\u002F\">medical expenses are the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States, according to a study that\u003C\u002Fa> indicated about 62% of personal bankruptcies in 2007 were reportedly due to medical bills, even though most of those people had insurance — up from about 46% in 2001.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>No wonder that \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2018\u002F01\u002F16\u002Famericans-without-health-insurance-up-more-than-3-million-under-trump.html\">growing numbers of the American uninsured\u003C\u002Fa> as well as people without comprehensive health insurance packages, with medical conditions going beyond their insurance limits or with high deductibles turn to \u003C\u002Fstrong>crowdfunding\u003Cstrong> sites out of desperation.\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ft.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fb99a81be-f591-11e7-88f7-5465a6ce1a00\">The Financial Times says\u003C\u002Fa>, YouCaring has helped its users raise more than $900 million since 2011, and its momentum is building, with roughly $400 million coming in over the past year. The company told FT that close to half of its 350,000 active campaigns are related to healthcare and the fastest-growing category is fundraisers for cancers. It even \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.buzzfeednews.com\u002Farticle\u002Fannehelenpetersen\u002Freal-peril-of-crowdfunding-healthcare\">helped ease the burden on bankruptcies\u003C\u002Fa>: a \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fonlinelibrary.wiley.com\u002Fdoi\u002F10.1002\u002Fhast.645\u002Fabstract\">study published in 2014 estimated\u003C\u002Fa> that 4% of would-be bankruptcies have been prevented by healthcare crowdfunding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, Dr. Ida Hellander, director of health policy for the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.pnhp.org\u002F\">Physicians for a National Health Program\u003C\u002Fa>, a US nonprofit organization which advocates for universal healthcare, is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC3273528\u002F\">saying that it’s not even Band-Aid\u003C\u002Fa>. “It shows how desperate people are, the magnitude of the crisis and the fact that the political will is not there to help people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-22073\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"870\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health.jpg\" alt=\"future of health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-22073\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health-512x512.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.twitter.com\u002FBuzzFeedNews\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Organized begging?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Arthur Caplan, \u003Cstrong>the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.huffpost.com\u002Fentry\u002Fhealth-care-crowdfuding_n_5953d33de4b05c37bb7b3f39\">founding director of New York University’s division of medical ethics, went even further in telling HuffPost that crowdfunding is\u003C\u002Fa> “a Band-Aid that doesn’t really cover what I’ll call ‘hemorrhaging wounds.’” He added that it cannot be the solution to access problems in healthcare, as these platforms only offer solutions to certain people in particular cases.\u003C\u002Fstrong> In fact, in 2015, Nerdwallet found that about \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nerdwallet.com\u002Fblog\u002Floans\u002Fmedical-debt-crowdfunding-bankruptcy\u002F\">40 percent of crowdfunding campaigns\u003C\u002Fa> on major platforms were medical in nature, however, only 11 percent were fully funded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>That phenomenon could go down to a wide variety of reasons. While \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS0277953617305166#bib60\">Snyder et al. (2016)\u003C\u002Fa> suggest that “compared to the experience people have when giving or considering donations to a large charitable organization, an individual’s medical crowdfunding initiative can feel much more personal and compelling, leading to giving that would not have occurred otherwise,” the downside is that people in need have to commodify their misery online. They have to tell a compelling story with which they can “ask for money” – and the peoples of the Internet will select the ones “worthy” of their attention and gratitude. While mutual aid or universal coverage provides care no matter who you are and what you are suffering from, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.buzzfeednews.com\u002Farticle\u002Fannehelenpetersen\u002Freal-peril-of-crowdfunding-healthcare\">crowdfunding is entirely contingent on the ability to craft a compelling narrative\u003C\u002Fa>. Above mentioned Arthur Caplan even called the method “organized begging”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>No matter how horrible that sounds, the dynamics of selecting the campaigns for donations show for example \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS0277953617305166#bib3\">adverse selection\u003C\u002Fa> as well as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS0277953617305166#bib9\">herding behavior\u003C\u002Fa>. That means people with extended social networks can transmit their message to a wider audience – and if these friends and relatives also happen to be from the wealthier parts of society, the campaign might become even more successful. Thus, no matter how often you hear that online platforms are inherently egalitarian – \u003Cstrong>in cases such as crowdfunding, the biases of society towards the not-so-well-off, minorities, migrants, non-English speakers, etc., who usually happen to be those who lack the resources to tell their stories the most, will reappear.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-22074\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health-2.jpg\" alt=\"future of health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-22074\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health-2.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health-2-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-Health-2-512x288.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.abcnews.go.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Who is worthy for help?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Not to speak about the specific nature of medical crowdfunding campaigns. While these online donation initiatives can truly organize the charitable side of people, and in many cases, it can help the elderly, disabled, children and their families live through incredible hardships, the system could appear as biased towards specific goals and specific diseases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the sunny side, in several cases, it successfully advocated for rare conditions. For instance, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Fscience\u002Farticle\u002Fpii\u002FS0277953617305166#bib67\">GoFundMe’s largest campaign to date raised more than $2 million from over 37,000 donors around the world\u003C\u002Fa> to support a young girl with a rare neurological condition, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.sciencedirect.com\u002Ftopics\u002Fmedicine-and-dentistry\u002Fsanfilippo-syndrome\">Sanfilippo Syndrome\u003C\u002Fa> Type A, an autosomal recessive disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, as surreal and heartbreaking to say this as it is, \u003Cstrong>the most convincing campaigns are usually the ones where people struggle against diseases like cancer, genetic disorders, and other afflictions ostensibly out of the victim’s control. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Furl?q=https:\u002F\u002Fwww.buzzfeednews.com\u002Farticle\u002Fannehelenpetersen\u002Freal-peril-of-crowdfunding-healthcare&source=gmail&ust=1539159122807000&usg=AFQjCNE-0wN0Po2EpfzgqiaexJykTADPlA\">BuzzFeedNews says\u003C\u002Fa> that such conditions are often referred to as “faultless”, while it’s way harder to find backers for “blameworthy” diseases — addiction and mental health in particular — that are popularly conceived as either the fault of the victim or somehow under their control.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The magazine found that there are rarely campaigns for adult heart disease, or “getting my life together as a single mom” — both are viewed as the result of “choices” instead of “needs.” If there’s already a hierarchy of affliction and need in society, then crowdfunding often works to exacerbate it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-22075\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-2.jpg\" alt=\"future of health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-22075\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-2.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-2-768x356.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FCrowdfunding-2-512x238.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.inc.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How to crowdfund your kid’s medical expenses?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>That’s how it could happen that the above title emerged on the website, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.todaysparent.com\u002Fkids\u002Fkids-health\u002Fhow-to-crowdfund-your-kids-medical-expenses\u002F\">todaysparent.com\u003C\u002Fa>, teaching worried and penniless mothers and fathers how to tell a compelling story, how to stay engaged and willing to share as much as possible delicately balancing on the sad, funny and awe-inspiring parts of the journey through healthcare towards complete healing.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For introverted people as well as people sensitive about their privacy, the procedure to put themselves or their kids on the “charity market” in front of a massive amount of people, in return for money is challenging – to say the least. Claudia Koziner, the mother of Isabella Masucci, a two-year-old toddler with brain cancer, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ft.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fb99a81be-f591-11e7-88f7-5465a6ce1a00\">told The Financial Times\u003C\u002Fa>, that by launching their YouCaring campaign, they stepped over boundaries they would have never imagined – for example by telling the entire world that there’s a problem they are facing. “So we’ve amassed a good amount of money through the YouCaring site and for that we’re grateful, but should it have to be that way?”, she commented. It’s a heartbreakingly tricky question that she posed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-22077\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"579\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FHow-To-Crowdfund.jpg\" alt=\"future of health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-22077\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FHow-To-Crowdfund.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FHow-To-Crowdfund-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FHow-To-Crowdfund-512x341.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.theoutline.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How to avoid the dystopic scenario of relying even more on crowdfunding for health?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftonic.vice.com\u002Fen_us\u002Farticle\u002Fkzq4k3\u002Fcrowdfunding-is-the-sad-dark-future-of-healthcare\">Vice Tonic noted\u003C\u002Fa>, by 2026, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbo.gov\u002Fpublication\u002F52849\">Congressional Budget Office estimates\u003C\u002Fa>, 22 million people could lose their insurance. Others may be stuck with policies that are functionally worthless. It’s clear that this will contribute to the boom cycle for medical crowdfunding, with more people turning to the kindness of strangers in the hope of getting out of medical debt or funding urgently needed procedures. Is there anything else to do in the long run than urge politicians to change healthcare policies and opt for broader health coverage for the US population?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What if health insurance premiums depended more on lifestyle data monitored continuously than any other factor including money? What if a healthy way of life could not only ensure in itself longevity and better chances in prevention, but also better coverage when it comes to injuries, cancer or genetic disorders.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-22078\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FPhilips-Diabetes.jpg\" alt=\"future of health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-22078\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FPhilips-Diabetes.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FPhilips-Diabetes-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FPhilips-Diabetes-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002FPhilips-Diabetes-512x288.jpg 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Philips diabetes self-care app with an integrated virtual community. Source: www.philips.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Could the solution come from health data?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In return of another type of privacy waiver – the offering of health data – compared to the need for crafting powerful narratives on crowdfunding sites, health insurance companies offered benefit packages rewarding healthy lifestyle choices and ultimately lower costs for any intervention or treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As the number of wearables, trackers, and sensors skyrockets – it’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother\">predicted that 245 million wearable devices will be sold in 2019\u003C\u002Fa> – health insurance companies might want to leverage on that data. The process already started: Last month John Hancock \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.johnhancock.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fjohnhancock\u002Fnews\u002Finsurance\u002F2018\u002F09\u002Fjohn-hancock-leaves-traditional-life-insurance-model-behind-to-incentivize-longer--healthier-lives.html\">announced\u003C\u002Fa> that all of its life insurance policies would incorporate the company’s Vitality Program. Under this program, customers can earn points by exercising regularly, purchasing nutritious foods, getting annual health screenings, and completing other activities. To get points for exercise, customers must share their gym records or data generated by a wearable activity tracker with the insurance company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hioscar.com\u002F\">Oscar Health\u003C\u002Fa>, a New York-based health insurance company with more than 40,000 users, has employed technology, design, and data to humanize healthcare since 2013. Their patients in the US \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2015-09-03\u002Ffor-health-insurance-startup-oscar-cute-ads-only-go-so-far\">get Amazon gift cards as rewards\u003C\u002Fa> for achieving their daily goals as measured by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fitbit.com\u002Feu\u002Fhome\">Fitbit\u003C\u002Fa> wearables. As a great success for the innovative health insurance start-up, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2017\u002F06\u002F15\u002Fcleveland-clinic-and-oscar-partner-on-health-plan-in-ohio.html\">in June 2017 Cleveland Clinic and Oscar announced\u003C\u002Fa>, they are teaming up on a new health plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Could these new insurance schemes make up for the lack of universal health coverage substantially? Could digital health data and giving up part of our privacy eliminate the need for the use of crowdfunding and put a healthcare story in front of a much bigger audience than health insurance companies?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s a tough question with seemingly no right answers in the short term. Crowdfunding, while innovative in nature, cannot replace a more comprehensive solution. Just as Band-Aids cannot cure cancer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1412,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>A growing number of people, mostly Americans, are forced to use crowdfunding sites to ask for money to cover medical expenses. While in many cases, the option is a potential source of hope binding people together for a good cause that would otherwise be lost due to financial reasons, the phenomenon also shows the desperate state of a healthcare system where victims of terrible illnesses have to “commodify” themselves on online donation forums. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",22082,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[5,70],[1031,1417,1418,906,327,1419,1420,1421,1422,1423],304,686,828,191,1084,207,229,[],[],[788,789,353,1427,221,354,222,223,358,1428],2923,1583,[1430,53,93,94,95,96,97,100,101,1058,1431,1432,933,367,1433,1434,1435,1436,1437],"post-22071","tag-medical","tag-health-data","tag-digital-health-insurance","tag-crowdfunding","tag-medical-expenses","tag-digital-health","tag-ethics",{"id":1413,"alt_text":1439,"caption":64,"description":1440,"media_type":107,"media_details":1441,"post":1398,"source_url":17},"TMF, future of health insurance","TMF",{"width":897,"height":71,"file":1442,"sizes":1443,"image_meta":1464},"2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2.png",{"medium":1444,"large":1447,"thumbnail":1450,"medium_large":1453,"large_old_512x288":1454,"thumbnail_old_150x150":1458,"medium_old_370x208":1459,"medium_large_old_768x432":1460,"large_old_512x288_old_512x288":1461},{"file":1445,"width":399,"height":400,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1446},"041_crowdfounding_V2-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-370x208.png",{"file":1448,"width":405,"height":406,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1449},"041_crowdfounding_V2-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-768x432.png",{"file":1451,"width":411,"height":411,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1452},"041_crowdfounding_V2-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-150x150.png",{"file":1448,"width":405,"height":406,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1449},{"file":1455,"width":72,"height":1456,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1457},"041_crowdfounding_V2-512x288.png",288,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F10\u002F041_crowdfounding_V2-512x288.png",{"file":1451,"width":126,"height":126,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1452},{"file":1445,"width":115,"height":116,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1446},{"file":1448,"width":121,"height":122,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1449},{"file":1455,"width":1462,"height":1463,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1457},"512","288",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135,"keywords":1465},[],{"related_posts":1467,"related_posts_footer":1470,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16},[1468,478,1469],16532,13151,[1471,1472,1473],17336,13229,13916,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1475,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1476,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1406},"Is Crowdfunding The Grim Future Of Health Insurance? - The Medical Futurist","Many people are forced to use crowdfunding sites to ask for money to cover medical expenses. Should we fear for a grim future of health insurance?",{"self":1478,"collection":1483,"about":1485,"author":1487,"replies":1489,"version-history":1492,"predecessor-version":1495,"wp:featuredmedia":1499,"wp:attachment":1502,"wp:term":1505,"curies":1516},[1479],{"href":1480,"targetHints":1481},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F22071",{"allow":1482},[27],[1484],{"href":154},[1486],{"href":157},[1488],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[1490],{"embeddable":41,"href":1491},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=22071",[1493],{"count":1372,"href":1494},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F22071\u002Frevisions",[1496],{"id":1497,"href":1498},46486,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F22071\u002Frevisions\u002F46486",[1500],{"embeddable":41,"href":1501},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F22082",[1503],{"href":1504},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=22071",[1506,1508,1510,1512,1514],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1507},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=22071",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":1509},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=22071",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":1511},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=22071",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":1513},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=22071",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":1515},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=22071",[1517],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1519,"date":1520,"date_gmt":1521,"guid":1522,"modified":1524,"modified_gmt":1525,"slug":1526,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1527,"title":1528,"content":1530,"excerpt":1532,"author":493,"featured_media":1534,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1535,"categories":1536,"tags":1537,"project_category":1544,"contact_email_category":1545,"yst_prominent_words":1546,"class_list":1552,"better_featured_image":1560,"acf":1589,"yoast_meta":1595,"_links":1598},20673,"2018-06-07T16:49:35","2018-06-07T14:49:35",{"rendered":1523},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=20673","2022-05-25T17:46:47","2022-05-25T15:46:47","swedish-speed-camera-lottery-healthy-living","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fswedish-speed-camera-lottery-healthy-living",{"rendered":1529},"The Swedish Speed Camera Lottery And Healthy Living",{"rendered":1531,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2018. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Stockholm experimented with rewarding compliance while punishing free-riders: if you drove at or under the speed limit, you would be entered into a lottery where the prize fund came from fines that speeders paid. The so-called speed camera lottery is the perfect solution for facilitating behavior change on the roads. But could social gamification improve healthy living and make healthcare systems more sustainable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The Fun Theory Put In Practice\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Kevin Richardson \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002F2010\u002F12\u002Fswedish-speed-camera-pays-drivers-to-slow-down\u002F\">entered into Volkswagen’s The Fun Theory competition in 2010 with his idea about the speed camera lottery\u003C\u002Fa>. The concept was so powerful that a year later, Stockholm put it to the test temporarily. When your car passed by a specific crossing, a camera snapped a photo of it and measured its speed. \u003Cstrong>If the driver was above the speed limit, a fine was imposed. However, the money was used to enrich a unique fund – the lottery prize for obedient drivers\u003C\u002Fstrong>. If you were not a speeder, you could participate in the lottery, and you had the chance to win some money from those who didn’t follow traffic rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s simple and brilliant. \u003Cstrong>Sticks and carrots on an entirely new level. It punishes free-riders and rewards behavior benefiting the entire community through a fun game\u003C\u002Fstrong>. No wonder that Sweden was eager to put the idea to the test. In the trial case, 24,857 cars passed the cameras, and the average speed limit was reduced from 32 km\u002Fh to 25 km\u002Fh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Speed Camera Lottery - The Fun Theory\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FiynzHWwJXaA?start=80&feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How would you imagine the concept in healthcare?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.politico.com\u002Fmorningehealth\u002F\">Politico’s eHealth site\u003C\u002Fa> chose \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002FBerci\u002Fstatus\u002F999207605204537344\">the message I tweeted\u003C\u002Fa> a few days ago the eHealth tweet of the day contemplating about speed lottery and its potential place in healthcare. \u003Cstrong>What if a nudge towards healthy lifestyle would mean rewarding the right steps and punishing unhealthy choices?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The idea generated a heated discussion: many expressed their frustration about the possibility of punishing unhealthy lifestyles, many pointed to the question whether lifestyles are a result of choice or circumstances; and how would you draw a line to decide who is “under the limit”. What could be done with addictive substances such as smoking or alcohol?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These are all relevant and thoughtful issues which need careful consideration. However, \u003Cstrong>the basic idea is to draw up a system which rewards healthy lifestyle choices and makes unhealthy living less desirable in a certain way. The latter results, in fact, in severe and lethal illnesses and costs healthcare systems billions of dollars. So, while I beware of using punishments, there must be a way of making healthcare more sustainable.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fwearables.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19025\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fwearables.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fwearables-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fwearables-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The cost of unhealthy living\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While it is difficult to measure health and disease in numbers, as they affect the given person as well as the entire community, \u003Cstrong>there are powerful statistics estimating material costs to healthcare systems caused by consequences of unhealthy living. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, look at smoking. Researchers at the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cancer.org\u002Flatest-news\u002Fdiseases-linked-to-smoking-cost-the-world-422-billion-in-health-related-expenses.html\">World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Cancer Society found that\u003C\u002Fa> in 2012, the world spent about $422 billion on health care expenses attributable to smoking. Moreover, healthcare costs are only part of the picture. When healthcare expenses are combined with productivity losses due to illnesses, the total economic impact was $1.436 trillion in 2012. That equals about 1.8% of the world’s annual gross domestic product (GDP). Another \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC4862676\u002F\">study from 2016 detailed that\u003C\u002Fa> in spite of the steady decline of the prevalence of smoking in the US, the total economic cost of the addiction in the US is estimated at more than $300 billion a year. However, a 10% relative reduction in smoking prevalence between a state and the national average in one year was followed by an average $6.3 billion reduction in healthcare expenditure the following year!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although the study has its limitations, and we are only looking at smoking, while alcohol, drug abuse or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Four-laziness-kills-healthcare-technology-helps\u002F\">laziness have similar adverse effects on the sustainability of healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>; it shows the impact that \u003Cstrong>a positive change could cause in terms of benefits for an entire society. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The question is how could we arrive at this transformation? \u003C\u002Fstrong>What if we follow the laissez-faire principle and let people completely freely decide whether or not they want to take care of their own health? How do we arrive at a fair healthcare system where members of the community who are living healthily and visit the doctor fewer times do not have to pay extra for people with bad habits causing illnesses? What if we used specific rewards or punishments for a gentle push in the direction of healthy lifestyles and indirectly to sustainable healthcare systems? And what if we let technology lead healthcare on a more sustainable path?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-20674 size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fhealthcare-costs.jpg\" alt=\"healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-20674\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fhealthcare-costs.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fhealthcare-costs-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fhealthcare-costs-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fhealthcare-costs-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fhealthcare-costs-445x250.jpg 445w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.healthline.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Healthcare and the tragedy of the commons\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The well-known game theoretical dilemma shows the conflict of self-interest and the common good. Imagine there is a meadow for a community of ten farmers. Everyone has one cow and lets it graze on the beautiful green field. One farmer decides to put two cows on the area so that he can have more milk and more meat. Everyone else follows his example as everyone wants to have more resources. In the end, the meadow runs out of grass as it cannot fill so many bellies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although that’s the parable for the need of regulations, the parallel fits the problem of unsustainability of healthcare running into conflict with individual choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, what if we still chose the laissez-faire and let people live without any influence on their choices when it comes to lifestyle. \u003Cstrong>Some would argue that humans are rational beings so if they know that something does harm to their bodies, they will change their behavior in the long run without intervention. The effects may take decades or even generations, but change might come naturally\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.goldmansachs.com\u002Four-thinking\u002Fpages\u002Fmillennials\u002F\">Goldman Sachs found in their research about millennials\u003C\u002Fa> that they have a different attitude towards health than previous generations. Attitudes towards smoking or (in a less visible extent but also in the case of) drinking changed in the last decades. 69 percent of 12\u003Csup>th\u003C\u002Fsup> graders disapproved in 1998 if an adult smoked one or more packs of cigarettes a day. In 2013, this percentage increased to 83 percent. It is generally visible that they are exercising more, eating smarter and smoking less than the previous generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002Fmillennials-health-preferences.jpg\" alt=\"Millennials' Health Preferences\" class=\"wp-image-14916\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002Fmillennials-health-preferences.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002Fmillennials-health-preferences-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002Fmillennials-health-preferences-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002Fmillennials-health-preferences-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F01\u002Fmillennials-health-preferences-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However\u003Cstrong>, it might not be enough or fast enough for creating sustainable healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003Cstrong>systems\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Without technology and some “nudge” towards a healthy lifestyle, the next or the over next generation coming after millennials might arrive at living a completely healthy lifestyle in the future on average, but that might happen too late. It might come out of necessity –healthcare systems will go bankrupt by that time following the current trajectory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Healthcare with its sticks and carrots\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine a scenario where you would be rewarded for living a healthy life while somehow punished if not doing so – all the while considering your own environment, your own personality, your own goals. \u003Cstrong>What if insurance companies motivated people to stay healthy with health technologies indirectly making healthcare more sustainable\u003C\u002Fstrong>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2015-09-03\u002Ffor-health-insurance-startup-oscar-cute-ads-only-go-so-far\">Oscar Health has already done that\u003C\u002Fa> in the US. Their patients get Amazon gift cards as rewards for achieving their daily goals as measured by a Fitbit activity tracker. However, much more could be done, as data about sleep quality, physical activity, stress and blood pressure is pouring on companies like rain. \u003Cstrong>Could that data be used for nudging people to live healthier lives? If the answer is yes, how would you avoid the dystopian scenario where choosing a big steak instead of something more suitable for your customized diet or being too lazy to exercise would mean higher insurance premiums\u003C\u002Fstrong>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-20676\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffinancial-benefits-of-healthy-living.jpg\" alt=\"healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-20676\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffinancial-benefits-of-healthy-living.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffinancial-benefits-of-healthy-living-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffinancial-benefits-of-healthy-living-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Ffinancial-benefits-of-healthy-living-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Source: www.simplifiedlife.com\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine that insurance companies can access the data coming from patients’ devices, and they can offer more personalized therapies and plans based on the data. They can reward those people who live a truly healthy life, although people who choose to keep on smoking and not doing exercise supported by an unhealthy diet, would have to pay more to contribute equally to healthcare costs. This way, living an unhealthy life would remain a personal right, but it would also become a luxury to balance out the huge costs they add to the healthcare system. Sounds manageable and fair, right? However, \u003Cstrong>who decides the meaning and “standards” of a healthy lifestyle? What would happen to personal freedom in this scenario\u003C\u002Fstrong>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Let technology take good care of it?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For 2017, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.idc.com\u002Fgetdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS43598218\">total wearable device shipments reached 115.4 million units\u003C\u002Fa>, up 10.3% from the 104.6 million units shipped in 2016. It is predicted that 245 million wearable devices will be purchased in 2019. And this is just the beginning. Digital tattoos might measure data and notify the user when medical supervision is needed without the user’s active participation. Smart algorithms might browse patients’ health data to discover new correlations and long-term consequences. They might build predictive personal paths based on collected health data for several years ahead. So, what if we let technologies build solutions for making healthcare more sustainable instead of us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Data analytics, health sensors, wearables, narrow artificial intelligence – digital health tools will gather actively and passively so much data about patients and communities that decision-makers might feel the need to base lifestyle choices and the reorganization of healthcare systems entirely on the power of that data. Neutral, objective, quantitative information would mean the basis for recommendations on healthy living. \u003Cstrong>What if algorithms reducing lifestyle questions to simple computational problems told you how to live and how to live well? Would that be the right path to go down for the future?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fworkstation-web-analytics-information-and-development-website-s.jpg\" alt=\"amazing technologies changing dermatology\" class=\"wp-image-16273\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fworkstation-web-analytics-information-and-development-website-s.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fworkstation-web-analytics-information-and-development-website-s-768x551.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fworkstation-web-analytics-information-and-development-website-s-512x367.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fworkstation-web-analytics-information-and-development-website-s-348x250.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While The Medical Futurist believes that healthcare could benefit from some form of social gamification, the devil is in the details. We must somehow find the balance between the common good as well as personal freedom to avoid unsustainability of healthcare on the long run all the while keeping people out of a “health-authoritarian” society powered by technologies. How should we do that? The Swedish speed lottery flashed a particular example. Any other ideas out there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Feepurl.com\u002FZejiT\">\u003Cb>Subscribe To The Medical Futurist℠ Newsletter\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>News shaping the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Advice on taking charge of your health\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Reviews of the latest health technology\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n",{"rendered":1533,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>Stockholm experimented with rewarding compliance while punishing free-riders: if you drove at or under the speed limit, you would be entered into a lottery where the prize fund came from fines that speeders paid. The so-called speed camera lottery is the perfect solution for facilitating behavior change on the roads. But could social gamification improve healthy living and make healthcare systems more sustainable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n",20684,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[5,776,70],[1037,1538,1539,1540,1541,327,1542,1543,1422],289,355,453,529,764,206,[],[],[358,788,1547,1548,353,1549,1550,1551],1693,1729,3189,5457,5715,[1553,53,93,94,95,96,97,100,796,101,1064,1554,1555,1556,1557,367,1558,1559,1436],"post-20673","tag-innovation","tag-personalized-medicine","tag-wearables-2","tag-healthy-lifestyle","tag-healthcare-system","tag-digital",{"id":1534,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":107,"media_details":1561,"post":1519,"source_url":1588},{"width":897,"height":1562,"file":1563,"sizes":1564,"image_meta":1586},459,"2018\u002F06\u002Fphoto-20.jpg",{"medium":1565,"large":1569,"thumbnail":1573,"medium_large":1576,"large_old_512x270":1577,"medium_old_458x242":1581},{"file":1566,"width":399,"height":400,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1568},"photo-20-370x208.jpg","image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fphoto-20-370x208.jpg",{"file":1570,"width":405,"height":1571,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1572},"photo-20-768x405.jpg",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fphoto-20-768x405.jpg",{"file":1574,"width":411,"height":411,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1575},"photo-20-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fphoto-20-150x150.jpg",{"file":1570,"width":405,"height":1571,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1572},{"file":1578,"width":72,"height":1579,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1580},"photo-20-512x270.jpg",270,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fphoto-20-512x270.jpg",{"file":1582,"width":1583,"height":1584,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1585},"photo-20-458x242.jpg",458,242,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fphoto-20-458x242.jpg",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135,"keywords":1587},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F06\u002Fphoto-20.jpg",{"related_posts":1590,"related_posts_footer":1593,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16},[1591,1592,1468],20908,17868,[478,1007,1594],16907,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1596,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1597,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1527},"The Swedish Speed Camera Lottery And Healthy Living - The Medical Futurist","Speed camera lottery improved riders' behavior in Sweden. Could social gamification improve healthy living and make healthcare systems more sustainable?",{"self":1599,"collection":1604,"about":1606,"author":1608,"replies":1610,"version-history":1613,"predecessor-version":1617,"wp:featuredmedia":1621,"wp:attachment":1624,"wp:term":1627,"curies":1638},[1600],{"href":1601,"targetHints":1602},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F20673",{"allow":1603},[27],[1605],{"href":154},[1607],{"href":157},[1609],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[1611],{"embeddable":41,"href":1612},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=20673",[1614],{"count":1615,"href":1616},18,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F20673\u002Frevisions",[1618],{"id":1619,"href":1620},46435,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F20673\u002Frevisions\u002F46435",[1622],{"embeddable":41,"href":1623},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F20684",[1625],{"href":1626},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=20673",[1628,1630,1632,1634,1636],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1629},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=20673",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":1631},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=20673",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":1633},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=20673",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":1635},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=20673",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":1637},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=20673",[1639],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1471,"date":1641,"date_gmt":1642,"guid":1643,"modified":1645,"modified_gmt":1646,"slug":1647,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1648,"title":1649,"content":1651,"excerpt":1653,"author":493,"featured_media":1655,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1656,"categories":1657,"tags":1658,"project_category":1662,"contact_email_category":1663,"yst_prominent_words":1664,"class_list":1669,"better_featured_image":1674,"acf":1702,"yoast_meta":1703,"_links":1705},"2018-02-28T19:15:31","2018-02-28T17:15:31",{"rendered":1644},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=17336","2022-05-19T12:29:20","2022-05-19T10:29:20","getsafe-personalizes-insurance-digital-health","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgetsafe-personalizes-insurance-digital-health",{"rendered":1650},"Getsafe Personalizes Insurance Through Digital Health",{"rendered":1652,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2018. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>German InsurTech venture, Getsafe, launched its digital health insurance platform. In short, it lets users personalize health coverage on their smartphones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Flexible life companion covering changing risks\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Christian Wiens, CEO of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hellogetsafe.com\u002Fen-de\">Getsafe\u003C\u002Fa> said in his blog post announcing the launch that it’s worth thinking of their innovation “\u003Cem>as a flexible life companion that reliably covers all the relevant – and often changing – risks in members’ lives, from birth to death\u003C\u002Fem>“.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The digital platform is only available for the start-up’s already existing clients. It offers six insurance modules that can be personalized for each and every user to fit their lifestyles. To stay up-to-date, the company promises to modify their products every 2-3 months, which is incredibly fast compared to the rest of the industry. Moreover, Getsafe takes a proactive approach in incentivizing members to stay healthy and prevent diseases. For example, they set reminders for routine exams and help find appointments at doctors’ offices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fgetsafe_insurance.png\" alt=\"health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-17337\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fgetsafe_insurance.png 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fgetsafe_insurance-768x576.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fgetsafe_insurance-512x384.png 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fgetsafe_insurance-333x250.png 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Health insurance is transforming rapidly\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Heidelberg-based start-up was founded in 2015 as a mobile insurance manager for over 20,000 customers and is gradually evolving into an insurance company. They launched their Fair by Design insurance model in December 2017, which adopts the Lemonade business model. To explain in a nutshell, they keep a flat 20 percent fee of a customer’s premium and set aside the remaining 80 percent to pay claims.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Currently, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-change-health-insurance-innovative-ventures\u002F\">health insurance scene is a dynamic setting which is transforming at a rapid speed\u003C\u002Fa>. The chance to accumulate medical data better, as well as the advancement of technologies, enable health insurance companies to move from the 100-year-old concept of reactive care to preventive medicine. As Getsafe’s example also shows, the future points to simple, fast and highly personalized insurance plans based on information from the healthcare system and data from health sensors, wearables, and trackers. Innovative solutions such as Getsafe, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hioscar.com\u002F\">Oscar Health\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Falan.eu\u002F\">Alan\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcoya.com\u002Fmission\">Coya AG\u003C\u002Fa> will thrive everywhere soon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthemedicalfuturist.us8.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe?u=5b42ebb547c75ff669a6572d3&id=efd6a3cd08\">\u003Cb>Subscribe To The Medical Futurist℠ Newsletter\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>News shaping the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Advice on taking charge of your health\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Reviews of the latest health technology\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n",{"rendered":1654,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>German InsurTech venture, Getsafe, launched its digital health insurance platform. In short, it lets users personalize health coverage on their smartphones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",17341,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[5],[1419,1031,1659,1034,1037,1538,1660,1539,1661,906,327],829,313,425,[],[],[1665,221,223,358,915,1666,1667,517,788,1668,789,1548,353],1979,1593,5179,1721,[1670,53,93,94,95,96,97,100,1433,1058,1671,1061,1064,1554,1672,1555,1673,933,367],"post-17336","tag-insurtech","tag-medicine","tag-technology-2",{"id":1655,"alt_text":1675,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":107,"media_details":1676,"post":1471,"source_url":1701},"health insurance",{"width":897,"height":1677,"file":1678,"sizes":1679,"image_meta":1699},629,"2018\u002F02\u002Fihealth-opener_headcase-design.jpg",{"medium":1680,"large":1683,"thumbnail":1687,"medium_large":1690,"large_old_512x370":1691,"medium_old_346x250":1694},{"file":1681,"width":399,"height":400,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1682},"ihealth-opener_headcase-design-370x208.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fihealth-opener_headcase-design-370x208.jpg",{"file":1684,"width":405,"height":1685,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1686},"ihealth-opener_headcase-design-768x555.jpg",555,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fihealth-opener_headcase-design-768x555.jpg",{"file":1688,"width":411,"height":411,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1689},"ihealth-opener_headcase-design-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fihealth-opener_headcase-design-150x150.jpg",{"file":1684,"width":405,"height":1685,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1686},{"file":1692,"width":72,"height":399,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1693},"ihealth-opener_headcase-design-512x370.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fihealth-opener_headcase-design-512x370.jpg",{"file":1695,"width":1696,"height":1697,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1698},"ihealth-opener_headcase-design-346x250.jpg",346,250,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fihealth-opener_headcase-design-346x250.jpg",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135,"keywords":1700},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fihealth-opener_headcase-design.jpg",{"related_posts":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16},{"yoast_wpseo_title":1704,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1648},"Getsafe Personalizes Insurance Through Digital Health - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1706,"collection":1711,"about":1713,"author":1715,"replies":1717,"version-history":1720,"predecessor-version":1724,"wp:featuredmedia":1728,"wp:attachment":1731,"wp:term":1734,"curies":1745},[1707],{"href":1708,"targetHints":1709},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17336",{"allow":1710},[27],[1712],{"href":154},[1714],{"href":157},[1716],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[1718],{"embeddable":41,"href":1719},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=17336",[1721],{"count":1722,"href":1723},12,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17336\u002Frevisions",[1725],{"id":1726,"href":1727},46181,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17336\u002Frevisions\u002F46181",[1729],{"embeddable":41,"href":1730},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F17341",[1732],{"href":1733},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=17336",[1735,1737,1739,1741,1743],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1736},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=17336",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":1738},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=17336",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":1740},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=17336",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":1742},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=17336",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":1744},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=17336",[1746],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1468,"date":1748,"date_gmt":1749,"guid":1750,"modified":1752,"modified_gmt":1753,"slug":1754,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1755,"title":1756,"content":1758,"excerpt":1760,"author":493,"featured_media":1762,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":41,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1763,"categories":1764,"tags":1765,"project_category":1771,"contact_email_category":1772,"yst_prominent_words":1773,"class_list":1782,"better_featured_image":1789,"acf":1816,"yoast_meta":1821,"_links":1823},"2017-10-31T15:00:20","2017-10-31T13:00:20",{"rendered":1751},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=16532","2022-05-18T08:07:03","2022-05-18T06:07:03","technologies-change-health-insurance-innovative-ventures","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-change-health-insurance-innovative-ventures",{"rendered":1757},"Technologies Change Health Insurance: The Most Innovative Ventures",{"rendered":1759,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2017. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The accumulation of medical data enables health insurance companies to move from the 100-year-old concept of reactive care to preventive medicine. The future points to simple, fast and highly personalized insurance plans based on information from the healthcare system and data from health sensors, wearables, and trackers. Here is the changing health insurance scene and its most innovative solutions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Health insurance systems are unsustainable partly due to costly chronic diseases\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>According to \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fhealth\u002Fhealthcarecostsunsustainableinadvancedeconomieswithoutreform.htm\">OECD predictions\u003C\u002Fa>, exceeding budgets on health spending remains an issue for OECD countries. Maintaining today’s healthcare systems and funding future medical advances will be difficult without major reforms. Public expenditure on health and long-term care in OECD countries is set to increase from around 6 percent of GDP today to almost 9 percent in 2030 and 14 percent by 2060.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, in 2011 \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reuters.com\u002Farticle\u002Fus-disease-chronic-costs\u002Fchronic-disease-to-cost-47-trillion-by-2030-wef-idUSTRE78H2IY20110918\">a study of the World Economic Forum estimated that\u003C\u002Fa> the global economic impact of the five leading chronic diseases — cancer, diabetes, mental illness, heart disease, and respiratory disease — could reach $47 trillion over the next 20 years. The estimated cumulative output loss caused by the illnesses, which together already kill more than 36 million people a year and are predicted to kill tens of millions more in the future, represents around 4 percent of annual global GDP over the coming two decades, the study said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fchronic-disease-statistics.gif\" alt=\"health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-16533\"\u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These are conditions mostly due to bad lifestyle choices: excessive use of tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy food and no sports. With the aging of the population in Western countries, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC4339086\u002F\">the shift in the burden of disease toward chronic conditions has further accelerated\u003C\u002Fa>. Even in the developing world, increases in the prevalence of chronic disease are outstripping reductions in acute infectious diseases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These phenomena push governments and private companies to change the financial structure of healthcare systems as well as the hundred-year-old idea of treating acute diseases instead of concentrating on prevention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Health data multiplies through disruptive technologies \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Technologies that allow collecting and storing data and connecting systems make it possible to move from reactive care towards preventive and personalized care, and it will be more and more so in the future. The spread of electronic medical records, the connectivity of data systems and big data analytics help collect, store and analyze more and more health data. Moreover, piles of data will be augmented with information stemming from health sensors, wearables, and trackers – which enable data collection about lifestyle choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The latter is very important. While we already generate mountains of health data, its majority has nothing to do with what we choose to do for our health on a daily basis. Measuring blood pressure or taking a pulse may be routine practice, and it could even be registered in the healthcare system, but there is no way to know whether patients are looking after themselves outside of official care. Whether they keep a lifestyle appropriate to their personal health risks or ignore the doctor’s recommendations altogether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"527\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F12\u002Finsurance-data-with-wearables.jpg\" alt=\"Insurance Data with Wearables - Medical Technologies of 2017\" class=\"wp-image-14592\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F12\u002Finsurance-data-with-wearables.jpg 790w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F12\u002Finsurance-data-with-wearables-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F12\u002Finsurance-data-with-wearables-512x342.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F12\u002Finsurance-data-with-wearables-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Around a \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.wareable.com\u002Fwearable-tech\u002F245-million-wearable-devices-sold-2019-1606\">hundred million\u003C\u002Fa> wearable units to measure health parameters were sold in 2015. It is predicted that 245 million wearable devices will be sold in 2019. While it is still considered an emerging marketplace, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fjulianmitchell\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F10\u002Fthis-startup-is-leading-a-digital-health-revolution-cutting-premiums-and-improving-results\u002F#3cbf04fe62f5\">digital preventative medicine currently stands as an $8 billion industry\u003C\u002Fa>. And this is just the beginning. Digital tattoos will measure data and notify the user when medical supervision is needed without the user’s active participation. When A.I.-based algorithms start to browse patients’ health data, they will discover new correlations and long-term consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What will health insurance make of personalised health data?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It is no question that this immense amount of health data will be utilized by health insurance companies. The question is rather how they will do it. Will they leverage on data to make premiums higher for high-risk patients or to reduce their business risks by alerting patients about bad lifestyle choices? What will happen to patients’ private data? \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-health-insurance-preparing-for-dr-big-brother\u002F\">Should we prepare for Dr. Big Brother\u003C\u002Fa>? How will the relationship between employers, employees and health insurance companies change in the light of easily obtainable personal fitness and health data?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Beyond all these valid questions, we also have to acknowledge that health insurance companies and large employers with employee wellness programs are still struggling with how to capitalize on disruptive technologies. According to a survey of the US data analytics company, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthmine.com\u002F\">HealthMine\u003C\u002Fa>, 83 percent of consumers say they use digital health tools; but only 22% say health plans are utilizing the data to give guidance. The findings are based on a survey of 750 insured consumers who have sponsored health insurance. Moreover, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fhitconsultant.net\u002F2017\u002F05\u002F17\u002Fhealthmine-survey-digital-health-data\u002F?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=gplus\">one of their reports revealed\u003C\u002Fa> that most health plan members believe their plan’s communications are impersonal and centered around bills rather than healthcare guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fhealth-data-at-risk.jpg\" alt=\"Health Insurance\" class=\"wp-image-16535\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fhealth-data-at-risk.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fhealth-data-at-risk-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fhealth-data-at-risk-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fhealth-data-at-risk-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fhealth-data-at-risk-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Insurance companies and employers partnering with digital health \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In spite of the initial difficulties, many health insurance companies and huge international firms committed to workplace health and wellness are making steps towards including digital health into their solutions. In September 2017, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fcontent\u002Ffujitsu-taps-fitbit-employee-wellness-and-more-digital-health-deals\">Fujitsu decided that Fitbit’s wearable devices and services will be soon incorporated into the company’s corporate wellness program\u003C\u002Fa>. The program will offer 10,000 employees a chance to earn redeemable fitness points using the Fitbit Charge 2 and a cloud-based data system, thereby making it one of Fitbit’s largest corporate wellness agreements in Japan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Insurance firm Collinson Group has partnered with digital health company \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.babylonhealth.com\u002F\">Babylon Health\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fdigitalhealthage.com\u002Finsurance-firm-offers-free-gp-access-with-babylon-health-partnership\u002F\">give its customers free global video or telephone access to a doctor anytime anywhere\u003C\u002Fa>. Users of the babylon app can also access a symptom checker and prescriptions can be issued to nearby pharmacies if possible. In 2016, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fhighmark-offer-quartets-behavioral-health-app-service-members\">Highmark Health Plan announced a partnership\u003C\u002Fa> with connected behavioral health company \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.quartethealth.com\u002F\">Quartet Health\u003C\u002Fa> providing mental health services. Members can use Quartet Health to communicate with a psychiatrist via video or phone, participate in online treatment programs to help manage conditions, view resources, and health information to learn about cognitive conditions and connect with peers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Reimbursing digital health solutions\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The practice of insurance companies giving reimbursement for preventive and reactive digital health solutions also seems to be spreading throughout the industry. In Germany, Berlin-based \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fcaterna.de\u002Fen\u002F\">Caterna Vision Therapy\u003C\u002Fa> rolled out \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002F31549\u002Fcaterna-offers-prescribable-reimbursed-eye-strengthening-gaming-app-in-germany\">the first mobile medical app to be prescribed to patients by physicians in 2014\u003C\u002Fa>. Caterna’s online program for children with amblyopia, a visual impairment condition, is reimbursed by health insurance provider Barmer GEK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In another quite encouraging case from 2016, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Frewalk.com\u002Fcommercial-health-insurance-company-becomes-first-to-implement-medical-policy-finding-powered-exoskeletons-medically-necessary\u002F\">a US health insurance plan implemented a medical policy with ReWalk Robotics’ powered exoskeletons in its coverage,\u003C\u002Fa> saying that these devices for ambulation in patients with lower limb disabilities are considered medically necessary when certain patient-specific medical criteria have been met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.omadahealth.com\u002F\">Omada Health\u003C\u002Fa>, a Silicon Valley start-up established in 2011, developed a program called Prevent, which is \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Ffortune.com\u002F2016\u002F04\u002F22\u002Fomada-digital-health-diabetes\u002F\">reimbursed by the US Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)\u003C\u002Fa>. It aims to help prevent chronic conditions such as type-2 diabetes. CMS estimated that diabetes prevention programs such as Prevent can save nearly $2,650 per beneficiary over 15 months!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ReWalk Exoskeleton from ReWalk Robotics\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FcBzwbbTPJg0?start=42&feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The most innovative health insurance start-ups and solutions\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Yet, there are many insurance companies who go one step further and choose to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbinsights.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fhealth-insurance-corporates-investing-startups\u002F\">invest heavily in digital health start-ups\u003C\u002Fa> betting on their even more widespread use in the future. This strategy could prove to be fruitful in the future, as they are combining insurance companies’ expertise with innovative solutions. But this is just one business model next to many on the buzzing health insurance market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Disruptive start-ups or companies with new healthcare solutions are ready to transform the stage, as well, while huge international enterprises might lag behind caught up in their own workflows. Here, I collected the most promising start-ups and innovative solutions of the health insurance scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hioscar.com\u002F\">Oscar Health\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Oscar is a New York-based health insurance company with more than 40,000 users that has employed technology, design, and data to humanize healthcare since 2013. The venture was founded with the vision of “\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.the-digital-insurer.com\u002Fdia\u002Foscar-health-health-insurance-startup-wants-revolutionise-healthcare\u002F\">changing the user interface of health insurance\u003C\u002Fa>”. This means health care plans and benefits that are easy to understand, tools such as smartwatches and fitness monitors that save you time and discounted health insurance premiums. Oscar is already available in New York, New Jersey, Texas, and California.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Falan.eu\u002F\">Alan\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The first French digital health insurance start-up was launched in 2016 – the first one on the country’s stagnant market for decades! One of its founders, Jean-Charles Samuelian, on the venture’s own blog wrote that their “objective is to modernise health insurance by focusing heavily on improving user experience while providing an excellent price-quality ratio health plan”. The monthly price depends on the salary as well as other factors as age, and the insured will not be locked into long-term contracts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the company wants to completely cut out paperwork – it operates entirely without paper. You can send documents using your smartphone and pay online. Employees get their own dashboard. Alan automates all the paperwork for your accountants and sends data directly to your payroll provider. In September 2017, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2017\u002F09\u002F14\u002Falan-launches-mobile-app-for-its-health-insurance-service\u002F\">they launched a mobile app\u003C\u002Fa>, and with its help, users can send Alan their bills, inform the insurer about their state and contact the company directly. A huge step for insurance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"772\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Falan-health-insurance.jpg\" alt=\"Health insurance\" class=\"wp-image-16537\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Falan-health-insurance.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Falan-health-insurance-768x681.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Falan-health-insurance-512x454.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Falan-health-insurance-282x250.jpg 282w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcoya.com\u002Fmission\">Coya AG\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Berlin-based Coya AG adopts a customer-first approach and a tech-driven insurance business model. The start-up \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pehub.com\u002F2017\u002F09\u002Fgerman-digital-insurance-startup-nets-10-mln\u002F\">aims to launch its services in Germany in 2018\u003C\u002Fa> and has already filed a license application with German regulator Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) to become a fully licensed and regulated European insurer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It is a hopeful future player on the German market, it already raised a seed investment of over $10 million from leading global investors including Valar Ventures (the venture fund backed by Peter Thiel). \u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-16539\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fweb.im_.embrace-insurtech-says-aon.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"661\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fweb.im_.embrace-insurtech-says-aon.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fweb.im_.embrace-insurtech-says-aon-768x508.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fweb.im_.embrace-insurtech-says-aon-512x338.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002Fweb.im_.embrace-insurtech-says-aon-378x250.jpg 378w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fprovatahealth.com\u002F\">Provata Health\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Portland, US-based venture, established in 2013, is not a health insurance company, but rather helps workplaces streamline their wellness programs to reduce insurance premiums, thus healthcare costs as well as create a healthier workplace. The company’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fjulianmitchell\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F10\u002Fthis-startup-is-leading-a-digital-health-revolution-cutting-premiums-and-improving-results\u002F#3cbf04fe62f5\">digital health program is based on $46 million in funding\u003C\u002Fa> from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health for clinical trials conducted by Provata physicians to test the effectiveness of their intervention paradigm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Provata offers team-based digital healthcare programs for companies where there hasn’t been any wellness initiative or where the workplace health plan did not bring the coveted results. One of their main tools is the inclusion of colleagues as teams in the wellness program which greatly increases engagement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Provata Health - Digital Wellness Platform\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FejKNIKYS8zw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Technology will soon offer the opportunity for truly personalized care, tailored to our medical background and lifestyle data. The future of health insurance should guarantee we each have access to it, while at the same time it should guarantee to keep the privacy of our personal lives intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthemedicalfuturist.us8.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe?u=5b42ebb547c75ff669a6572d3&id=efd6a3cd08\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Furl?q=https:\u002F\u002Fthemedicalfuturist.us8.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe?u%3D5b42ebb547c75ff669a6572d3%26id%3Defd6a3cd08&source=gmail&ust=1533905489195000&usg=AFQjCNHUJqcWO3Q6NY-CAB79u_3w3GjHZQ\">\u003Cb>Subscribe To The Medical Futurist℠ Newsletter\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003Cli>News shaping the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Advice on taking charge of your health\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Reviews of the latest health technology\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1761,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>The accumulation of medical data enables health insurance companies to move from the 100-year-old concept of reactive care to preventive medicine. The future points to simple, fast and highly personalized insurance plans based on information from the healthcare system and data from health sensors, wearables, and trackers. Here is the changing health insurance scene and its most innovative solutions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n",16544,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[323,5,70],[327,1661,1766,1540,499,1767,1543,1768,1422,1769,1031,1770,1034,1418,1037,906,1660],757,522,524,530,685,[],[],[354,1774,222,223,79,1775,80,1776,788,1777,1547,1778,789,1779,353,519,1427,1780,221,1781],3015,2995,2997,2999,3001,3003,3009,3013,[1783,53,93,94,95,96,97,364,100,101,367,1673,1784,1556,525,1785,1559,1786,1436,1787,1058,1788,1061,1432,1064,933,1672],"post-16532","tag-chronic-illness","tag-gc3","tag-trackers","tag-big-data","tag-healthcare-data",{"id":1762,"alt_text":64,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":107,"media_details":1790,"post":1468,"source_url":1815},{"width":897,"height":1791,"file":1792,"sizes":1793,"image_meta":1813},431,"2017\u002F10\u002F8-technologies-1-smartphone.png",{"medium":1794,"large":1797,"thumbnail":1801,"medium_large":1804,"large_old_512x254":1805,"medium_old_458x227":1809},{"file":1795,"width":399,"height":400,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1796},"8-technologies-1-smartphone-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F8-technologies-1-smartphone-370x208.png",{"file":1798,"width":405,"height":1799,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1800},"8-technologies-1-smartphone-768x380.png",380,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F8-technologies-1-smartphone-768x380.png",{"file":1802,"width":411,"height":411,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1803},"8-technologies-1-smartphone-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F8-technologies-1-smartphone-150x150.png",{"file":1798,"width":405,"height":1799,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1800},{"file":1806,"width":72,"height":1807,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1808},"8-technologies-1-smartphone-512x254.png",254,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F8-technologies-1-smartphone-512x254.png",{"file":1810,"width":1583,"height":1811,"mime-type":117,"source_url":1812},"8-technologies-1-smartphone-458x227.png",227,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F8-technologies-1-smartphone-458x227.png",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135,"keywords":1814},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F10\u002F8-technologies-1-smartphone.png",{"related_posts":1817,"related_posts_footer":1818,"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16},[1519,1471,478],[1819,1591,1820],20686,21494,{"yoast_wpseo_title":1822,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":64,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1755},"Technologies Change Health Insurance: The Most Innovative Ventures - The Medical Futurist",{"self":1824,"collection":1829,"about":1831,"author":1833,"replies":1835,"version-history":1838,"predecessor-version":1842,"wp:featuredmedia":1846,"wp:attachment":1849,"wp:term":1852,"curies":1863},[1825],{"href":1826,"targetHints":1827},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F16532",{"allow":1828},[27],[1830],{"href":154},[1832],{"href":157},[1834],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[1836],{"embeddable":41,"href":1837},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=16532",[1839],{"count":1840,"href":1841},27,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F16532\u002Frevisions",[1843],{"id":1844,"href":1845},45767,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F16532\u002Frevisions\u002F45767",[1847],{"embeddable":41,"href":1848},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F16544",[1850],{"href":1851},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=16532",[1853,1855,1857,1859,1861],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1854},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=16532",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":1856},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=16532",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":1858},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=16532",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":1860},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=16532",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":1862},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=16532",[1864],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},{"id":1866,"date":1867,"date_gmt":1868,"guid":1869,"modified":1871,"modified_gmt":1872,"slug":1873,"status":52,"type":53,"link":1874,"title":1875,"content":1877,"excerpt":1879,"author":493,"featured_media":1881,"comment_status":63,"ping_status":63,"sticky":16,"template":64,"format":65,"meta":1882,"categories":1883,"tags":1884,"project_category":1892,"contact_email_category":1893,"yst_prominent_words":1894,"class_list":1896,"better_featured_image":1905,"acf":1933,"yoast_meta":1934,"_links":1937},14390,"2016-11-08T17:07:53","2016-11-08T15:07:53",{"rendered":1870},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=14390","2021-12-06T01:14:42","2021-12-06T00:14:42","the-driverless-car-for-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-driverless-car-for-healthcare",{"rendered":1876},"The Driverless Car Is a Great Opportunity for Healthcare",{"rendered":1878,"protected":16},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\"> \u003Ctbody> \u003Ctr> \u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\"> \u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2016. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp> \u003C\u002Ftd> \u003C\u002Ftr> \u003C\u002Ftbody> \u003C\u002Ftable> \u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The latest developments in the car industry point towards the realization that within years we will travel by driverless cars everywhere. These automated vehicles also have a huge potential in revolutionizing healthcare. Let me show you how.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Will learning how to drive become an obsolete skill?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.slate.com\u002Farticles\u002Ftechnology\u002Ffuture_tense\u002F2016\u002F08\u002Ftesla_says_autopilot_is_saving_lives_should_we_believe_it.html\">Heading home to his daughter’s fourth birthday celebration, 37-year-old attorney, Joshua Neally suffered a pulmonary embolism in his moving car on a highway in July\u003C\u002Fa>. For his greatest luck, the car was a new Tesla Model X with an autopilot function. It enabled the car to drive to the nearest hospital, while he suffered in the driver’s seat. Neally reached the hospital, manually parked the Tesla – and survived the incident due to the quick healthcare service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It is inevitable that automation is the future. In spite of the fact, that there are many controversies around Tesla’s new developments due to such unfortunate car crashes, as the death of Joshua Brown driving a Tesla on autopilot. (As some point out, he was driving rather recklessly – \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.slate.com\u002Fblogs\u002Fmoneybox\u002F2016\u002F07\u002F01\u002Ftesla_autopilot_crash_victim_joshua_brown_was_watching_a_movie_when_he_died.html\">he was apparently watching a Harry Potter movie at the wheel\u003C\u002Fa>).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002F15-1.jpg\" alt=\"Driverless Car \" class=\"wp-image-13671\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002F15-1.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002F15-1-768x523.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002F15-1-512x348.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002F15-1-367x250.jpg 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And not such a distant one, for that matter. According to some estimates, driverless cars might hit the roads as early as 2020-2025. We can only grasp dimly what a huge change it entails! Can you imagine that you might not have to teach your kid how to drive because it will become an obsolete skill? Can you imagine not saying at a dinner party: “I’m sorry I cannot drink, I’m driving”, because you will get home after a couple of beers safely and without a penalty for “impaired driving” with your driverless car anyway?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine what huge possibilities the developments in the vehicle and car industry has for the future of medicine! What if, after the dinner party, your own car will suggest you to take on autopilot because it measured the level of alcohol in your blood through a built-in sensor? What if it also tells you, you’d better drink a glass of water and not tell your wife why you are late again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The Dream of Driverless Driving\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>People have had a special relationship to their means of transportation for centuries. Just think about the horses, one of the smartest animals on the planet! They know the way home, they pay attention to their environment, and they signal dangers. With the appearance of cars, these special “features” seem to be lost, while the yearning for them has not disappeared. Do you remember the 1968 movie, The Love Bug? When the cute VW Beetle, Herbie comes to life and helps a race car driver win a championship? Or the popular 1980s series, the Knight Rider, where David Hasselhoff had a very special vehicle, KITT?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although it seems to be quite impossible currently to have such a relationship between a car-owner and the car, the dream about the smart vehicle has never ceased to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.engineering.com\u002FDesignerEdge\u002FDesignerEdgeArticles\u002FArticleID\u002F12665\u002FThe-Road-to-Driverless-Cars-1925--2025.aspx\">The first driverless cars appeared as early as in the 1920s\u003C\u002Fa>. Since the introduction of an early model by \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.engineering.com\u002FLinkClick.aspx?link=http%3a%2f%2fwww.americanradiohistory.com%2fArchive-Radio-News%2f20s%2fRadio-News-1925-11-R.pdf&tabid=6067&portalid=0&mid=429\">Houdina Radio Control in 1925\u003C\u002Fa>, which was controlled by a second car following close behind, the technology went a long way. The first autonomous cars of the type we know today were developed in the late 1970s and 1980s. Self-contained vehicles equipped with the necessary sensors, processors, and outputs to theoretically drive themselves through typical traffic without special external inputs. The pioneer of the project was Ernst Dickmanns, with whose help in 1995 as part of the EUREKA PROMETHEUS project the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.engineering.com\u002FLinkClick.aspx?link=http%3a%2f%2fwww.dyna-vision.de%2f&tabid=6067&portalid=0&mid=429\">VAMP autonomous vehicle\u003C\u002Fa> drove nearly 2000 km at up to 130 km\u002Fh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dickmann's autonomous cars, 1980s\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F_HbVWm7wdmE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Where do we stand today with driverless car developments? \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the last ten years, autonomous car research has continued to shift from universities to manufacturers. Companies including BMW, Volkswagen, and GM have begun testing their own self-driving vehicles. During the years, the most well-known project became the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.engineering.com\u002FLinkClick.aspx?link=https%3a%2f%2fwww.google.com%2fselfdrivingcar%2f&tabid=6067&portalid=0&mid=429\">Google Self-Driving Car project\u003C\u002Fa>, initiated in 2009. By September 2016, Google’s cars have already driven more than 3 million kilometers in autonomous mode. They only had 13 accidents, all caused by a driver in another vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But other companies are also speeding up their developments to be able to compete in the fierce race. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.businessinsider.com\u002Fcompanies-making-driverless-cars-by-2020-2016-10\u002F#bmw-will-introduce-its-self-driving-cars-in-china-in-2021-5\">At least 19 companies\u003C\u002Fa> ranging from Tesla and Google through social, ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft until traditional car companies, such as Toyota, BMW or Volvo announced that they are working on (semi)-autonomous vehicles. Car companies are taking two different strands when it comes to driverless cars. They either experiment with semi-autonomous features which they will roll out over time, or they are working on completely driverless cars, which they will release later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"870\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-graphic.png\" alt=\"Driverless Cars\" class=\"wp-image-14428\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-graphic.png 788w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-graphic-768x848.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-graphic-464x512.png 464w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-graphic-227x250.png 227w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 788px) 100vw, 788px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theguardian.com\u002Fcommentisfree\u002F2016\u002Fsep\u002F25\u002Fuber-self-driving-cars-pittsburgh-how-driverless-cars-could-change-our-future-lyft-john-zimmer\">In September, Uber started\u003C\u002Fa> \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fuk.businessinsider.com\u002Fuber-driverless-car-in-pittsburgh-review-photos-2016-9\">offering rides\u003C\u002Fa> in self-driving cars in Pittsburgh, a notoriously demanding urban environment. The company teamed up with Volvo to fulfill \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Ffeatures\u002F2016-08-18\u002Fuber-s-first-self-driving-fleet-arrives-in-pittsburgh-this-month-is06r7on\">Uber’s objective to replace its more than 1 million human drivers with robots\u003C\u002Fa> – as quickly as possible. Habitants of Pittsburgh are already able to summon self-driving cars from their mobile phones. Humans in the driver’s seats supervise the vehicles at the moment – but not for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So far, the biggest obstacles to development seem to be regulatory agencies and the fact that people are not quite familiar with the boundaries of automated driving. Although there are promising signs for change. Five American states and the District of Columbia (Nevada, Florida, Michigan, Virginia, and California) have already passed legislation allowing the operation of autonomous cars on their highways. In September, the US government issued \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.nytimes.com\u002F2016\u002F09\u002F21\u002Fbusiness\u002Fin-backing-autonomous-cars-us-tells-automakers-to-figure-it-out.html?_r=1\">new federal guidelines\u003C\u002Fa> that are clearly designed to speed up the development of self-driving cars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fuber-s-autonomous-taxis-patrol-the-streets-of-pittsburgh.jpg\" alt=\"Uber in Pittsburgh - Driverless Car\" class=\"wp-image-14393\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fuber-s-autonomous-taxis-patrol-the-streets-of-pittsburgh.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fuber-s-autonomous-taxis-patrol-the-streets-of-pittsburgh-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fuber-s-autonomous-taxis-patrol-the-streets-of-pittsburgh-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fuber-s-autonomous-taxis-patrol-the-streets-of-pittsburgh-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fuber-s-autonomous-taxis-patrol-the-streets-of-pittsburgh-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How will the latest developments in the car industry help healthcare?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Today, we can only measure health parameters and vital signs at the so-called point-of-care. This can be a physician’s office, the clinic, the hospital or a clinical laboratory. You have to go there, wait patiently in front of the doctor’s office and eventually someone will examine your symptoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, with the revolution taking place in portable diagnostics, algorithms and sensors, the act of measuring health parameters and vital signs becomes more convenient, mobile and cheaper. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwill-the-medical-tricorder-from-star-trek-become-real\u002F\">Do you remember the medical tricorder from Star Trek\u003C\u002Fa>? It will become a reality soon as such devices as Viatom Checkme already have hit the market. Besides, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fartificial-intelligence-will-redesign-healthcare\u002F\">Artificial Intelligence is waiting in line to redesign medicine\u003C\u002Fa> and our whole understanding of healthcare. And don’t forget how many \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-healthcare-wearables\u002F\">healthcare wearables and tiny sensors\u003C\u002Fa> are already available to the public. They measure your blood pressure, your heart rate, or whether your food contains gluten. Their list is getting longer day by day to ensure a healthy lifestyle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"549\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffitness-trackers-and-sensors.jpg\" alt=\"Fitness Trackers and Sensors - Laziness Kills Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-14266\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffitness-trackers-and-sensors.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffitness-trackers-and-sensors-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffitness-trackers-and-sensors-512x323.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Ffitness-trackers-and-sensors-397x250.jpg 397w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Thus, trends are pointing towards actively using the time someone spends with doing sports, working or only performing such basic activities as eating for measuring vital signs. The GP or any other doctor can use this information in case it is needed. And this results in shortening the waiting time and making healthcare more effective. Driverless cars fit perfectly into this picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) Driverless cars as points-of-care\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Felon-musk-masterplan-in-digital-health\">The car will be a place to measure vital signs passively\u003C\u002Fa> and store our data in clouds. Then it will either notify the patient if there is something wrong or keep a finger on our pulse on the long-term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"670\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-car-w-logo.jpg\" alt=\"The Car of the Future as a Clinic - Driverless Car\" class=\"wp-image-14439\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-car-w-logo.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-car-w-logo-768x591.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-car-w-logo-512x394.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-car-w-logo-325x250.jpg 325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>German car manufacturer, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.newseveryday.com\u002Farticles\u002F46991\u002F20160905\u002Fmercedes-cars-personnel-assistants-future.htm\">Mercedes thinks the future involves driverless cars\u003C\u002Fa> acting as personal assistants of the owners. They also believe such vehicles must incorporate health sensors. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fboston.cbslocal.com\u002F2013\u002F01\u002F15\u002Ffuture-cars-will-monitor-drivers-health\u002F\">Mercedes-Benz salesman Rob Tinkham described\u003C\u002Fa> how one of their cars can already tell if the driver has become too tired to drive. He added that the seat belt, the steering wheel or practically anything the driver might touch, can be used as a biometric sensor to gain information about the driver. It could help detect a drop in blood sugar or an imminent heart attack. This information will become increasingly valuable as the population continues to age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also, living an unhealthy life will become a luxury. Insurance companies will catch every bad decision affecting our health with the obtained huge amount of data sets analysed by AI such as IBM Watson. I believe that driving a traditional car will be possible, but insurance companies will put a high price on them. Compared to driverless cars, which never have an accident and notify their users about every health-related occurrence, driving a vehicle will count as sumptuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fstem-driverless-car.jpg\" alt=\"STEM-driverless-car\" class=\"wp-image-14236\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fstem-driverless-car.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fstem-driverless-car-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fstem-driverless-car-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F10\u002Fstem-driverless-car-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>2) Fewer accidents\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Well, let’s be honest, as the statistics show, we are bad drivers. We get tired, make bad decisions and have accidents. \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.who.int\u002Fmediacentre\u002Ffactsheets\u002Ffs358\u002Fen\u002F\">The World Health Organization estimates\u003C\u002Fa> that without any action road traffic injuries will become the fifth leading cause of worldwide death by 2030, accounting for 3.6% of the total. Currently, 1.25 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes and between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.emergingrnleader.com\u002Fthe-impact-of-driverless-cars-on-the-healthcare-system\u002F\">More than two million of the car accidents in the US involve injuries where patients are seen in emergency rooms and often admitted to hospitals\u003C\u002Fa>. Emergency rooms could lose millions of patients a year. Hospitals would have hundreds of thousands fewer people who needed to stay overnight, if driverless car technology was introduced in the near future. Both trauma and rehabilitation centers could experience significant changes in patient volume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Imagine how many lives could be saved and how much time we could spend on useful skills and activities, if we let robots drive instead. We would not have to learn how to drive, would not waste time on driving, trying to park our vehicles or nagging other people because of their driving skills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-14395\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"691\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fcross-road-metropolis-mumbai.jpg\" alt=\"Cross Road, Metropolis - Driverless Cars\" class=\"wp-image-14395\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fcross-road-metropolis-mumbai.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fcross-road-metropolis-mumbai-768x610.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fcross-road-metropolis-mumbai-512x407.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fcross-road-metropolis-mumbai-315x250.jpg 315w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>India, Mumbai\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3) More freedom for the elderly and disabled\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Driverless cars have the power to keep an aging and\u002For disabled population independent in their homes for longer periods of time – even if they cannot drive. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2016-03-02\u002Fgoogle-thinks-self-driving-cars-will-be-great-for-stranded-seniors\">With more than 43 million people in the US now 65 and older, and 10,000 more hitting that mark every day\u003C\u002Fa>, aging Americans are a natural target market for self-driving vehicles. Mobility needs — getting to the doctor or the grocery store, seeing family and friends — become paramount for seniors. Especially since \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Ft4america.org\u002Fdocs\u002FSeniorsMobilityCrisis.pdf\">79 percent live in suburbs and rural areas\u003C\u002Fa>. In Japan, the number of the aging population is also soaring, and elderly disproportionately cause and get injured in traffic accidents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Google and Toyota noticed the societal changes and are responding to the needs with driverless cars. “For the first time in history, older people will be the lifestyle leaders of a new technology,” said Joseph Coughlin, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s AgeLab in Cambridge. “Younger people may have had smartphones in their hands first, but it’s the 50-plus consumers who will be first with smart cars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also, when nurse leaders plan for the follow-up care of high risk patients,  \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.emergingrnleader.com\u002Fthe-impact-of-driverless-cars-on-the-healthcare-system\u002F\">this technology could be very powerful in ensuring that patients keep their appointments\u003C\u002Fa>. For example, the hospital can send them a car to pick them up. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Farticles\u002F2016-03-02\u002Fgoogle-thinks-self-driving-cars-will-be-great-for-stranded-seniors\">It will become easy since automakers and technology companies are using AI to help teach the cars\u003C\u002Fa> not only to avoid collisions and read traffic signs, but also to respond to different types and needs of passengers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"569\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-for-the-elderly.jpg\" alt=\"Driverless Cars for the Elderly - Driverless Car\" class=\"wp-image-14396\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-for-the-elderly.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-for-the-elderly-768x502.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-for-the-elderly-512x335.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002Fdriverless-cars-for-the-elderly-382x250.jpg 382w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I truly believe driverless cars are the future. Car manufacturers should involve as many healthcare-related innovations into automated cars as possible. They would miss a huge opportunity from their part to make the life of millions easier, more comfortable and simply better, if they did otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cp>[subscribe image=”false” type=”article-horizontal”]Subscribe to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cb>The Medical Futurist℠ Newsletter\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>News shaping the future of healthcare\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Advice on taking charge of your health\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Reviews of the latest health technology\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>[\u002Fsubscribe]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":1880,"protected":16},"\u003Cp>THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2016. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",14438,{"_acf_changed":16,"footnotes":64},[323,5],[1538,1885,1661,1540,1767,1886,1887,1888,1889,1031,1890,1037,1891],591,585,586,587,588,589,590,[],[],[1428,1895],2165,[1897,53,93,94,95,96,97,364,100,1554,1898,1673,1556,1785,1899,1900,1901,1902,1058,1903,1064,1904],"post-14390","tag-portable-diagnostics","tag-car-industry","tag-vehicles","tag-cars","tag-driverless-car","tag-autopilot","tag-tesla",{"id":1881,"alt_text":1906,"caption":64,"description":64,"media_type":107,"media_details":1907,"post":1866,"source_url":1932},"Driverless cars",{"width":897,"height":1908,"file":1909,"sizes":1910,"image_meta":1930},300,"2016\u002F11\u002FDriverless-Car-Image-0033.jpg",{"medium":1911,"large":1914,"thumbnail":1918,"medium_large":1921,"large_old_512x177":1922,"medium_old_458x158":1926},{"file":1912,"width":399,"height":400,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1913},"Driverless-Car-Image-0033-370x208.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002FDriverless-Car-Image-0033-370x208.jpg",{"file":1915,"width":405,"height":1916,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1917},"Driverless-Car-Image-0033-768x265.jpg",265,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002FDriverless-Car-Image-0033-768x265.jpg",{"file":1919,"width":411,"height":411,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1920},"Driverless-Car-Image-0033-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002FDriverless-Car-Image-0033-150x150.jpg",{"file":1915,"width":405,"height":1916,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1917},{"file":1923,"width":72,"height":1924,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1925},"Driverless-Car-Image-0033-512x177.jpg",177,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002FDriverless-Car-Image-0033-512x177.jpg",{"file":1927,"width":1583,"height":1928,"mime-type":1567,"source_url":1929},"Driverless-Car-Image-0033-458x158.jpg",158,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002FDriverless-Car-Image-0033-458x158.jpg",{"aperture":135,"credit":64,"camera":64,"caption":64,"created_timestamp":135,"copyright":64,"focal_length":135,"iso":135,"shutter_speed":135,"title":64,"orientation":135,"keywords":1931},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F11\u002FDriverless-Car-Image-0033.jpg",{"cta_type":64,"cta_color":64,"subtitle":64,"related_books":16,"related_posts_footer":16,"related_posts":16},{"yoast_wpseo_title":1935,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":1936,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":1874},"The Driverless Car Is a Great Opportunity for Healthcare - The Medical Futurist","The driverless car is the future. These automated vehicles also have a huge potential in revolutionizing healthcare. Let me show you how.",{"self":1938,"collection":1943,"about":1945,"author":1947,"replies":1949,"version-history":1952,"predecessor-version":1955,"wp:featuredmedia":1959,"wp:attachment":1962,"wp:term":1965,"curies":1976},[1939],{"href":1940,"targetHints":1941},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14390",{"allow":1942},[27],[1944],{"href":154},[1946],{"href":157},[1948],{"embeddable":41,"href":580},[1950],{"embeddable":41,"href":1951},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=14390",[1953],{"count":1722,"href":1954},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14390\u002Frevisions",[1956],{"id":1957,"href":1958},37333,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F14390\u002Frevisions\u002F37333",[1960],{"embeddable":41,"href":1961},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F14438",[1963],{"href":1964},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=14390",[1966,1968,1970,1972,1974],{"taxonomy":11,"embeddable":41,"href":1967},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=14390",{"taxonomy":182,"embeddable":41,"href":1969},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=14390",{"taxonomy":185,"embeddable":41,"href":1971},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=14390",{"taxonomy":188,"embeddable":41,"href":1973},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=14390",{"taxonomy":191,"embeddable":41,"href":1975},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=14390",[1977],{"name":39,"href":40,"templated":41},[],[],1787036472794]