Page 228 - Mployee Wellness Programs News Today

Based on some independent research that my company commissioned with more than 200 companies, we came to several conclusions that are highlighted in the article. Broadly, however, it signals the false sense of (cyber)security that many companies are currently harboring.

These past two years have emphasized the importance of technology more than ever before. As more seniors embrace the benefits of technology, SNFs and long-term care centers have a responsibility to their residents to implement life-changing and life-saving smart tech that's revolutionizing senior care.

Through the partnership, AARP members are able to purchase prescription and over-the-counter hearing aids through UnitedHealthcare Hearing. They'll also be able to receive free hearing tests.

Compared to other areas of healthcare, behavioral health has been slow to adopt VBC models — even though they will further expand access to behavioral health services, remove barriers to care, and improve the quality of mental health and substance use care.

To Zocdoc CEO Oliver Kharraz, it’s helpful to think about telehealth like an e-scooter, because virtual care is just one tool in the toolbox. For example, you wouldn’t use an e-scooter to get to the airport, but you might use it to visit a friend who lives a mile away. Similarly, you wouldn’t use telehealth to get a colonoscopy, but you might use it for a follow-up visit with your gastroenterologist.

Uncertainty, benefits navigation, cost and innovation are some of the key challenges ahead for those in the employee health benefits space. Executives made these comments last week during the HLTH conference in Las Vegas.

Merck is acquiring Imago BioSciences, a clinical-stage biotech whose lead drug is in development for myelofibrosis and other blood cancers. The deal gives the pharmaceutical giant a small molecule that could provide an alternative to a class of drugs that introduce dangerous side effects.

When asked if they had heard about their state returning to Medicaid renewals once the public health emergency ends, 62% said they haven't heard anything, a new report found. Only 5% said they've heard a lot about it.

There are currently 97 global digital health companies that are considered unicorns. But getting caught up with the idea of digital health unicorns isn’t very sustainable, according to Emilly Melton, managing partner at Threshold Ventures. Instead of focusing too much on their valuations, she recommended that startups simply focus on getting the capital they need in order to reach the next stage of inflection.

MedCity News interviews CEOs of public companies, entrepreneurs, VCs and payers who had a range of varying answers to the question. But one common theme emerged: everyone, currently, has a vise-like grip on expenditure.