A new report from the American Hospital Association’s Center for Health Innovation explores how retail companies and tech giants like Apple and Google will drive transformative change in delivery. healthcare services in 2023 and beyond.
WHY IT IMPORTANT
With billions of dollars invested in the past year, such as CVS Health’s purchase of Signify Health, the AHA report highlights retail healthcare companies that have gained significant market share in the healthcare sector. primary care, critical care, virtual care and home health services.
The AHA researchers said in the report that they have also expanded their reach to pharmaceutical benefit management, behavioral health and other areas.
One example is Amazon. While the company is in the process of buying primary care provider One Medical for $3.9 billion — a transaction the Federal Trade Commission could move to block — the online giant is close to here launched RxPass.
The new service allows Amazon Prime users in 42 states to pay $5 monthly for 50 generic drugs.
Amazon is also driving innovation that will increase access to next-generation digital diagnostics and therapies. AWS has partnered with GE Healthcare on artificial intelligence solutions and is supporting a number of digital health startups through the Healthcare Accelerator program.
According to the report, Amazon may look to scale its primary care operations to compete with large retailers and may seek to expand its relationships with hospitals and health systems.
The online retailer has launched Amazon Clinic, a message-based virtual care service available in 32 states to treat more than 20 common health conditions.
Meanwhile, CVS Health’s integrated care strategy is taking root, and leaders are taking calculated steps to further refine the portfolio, AHA researchers said.
This retailer leveraged its ownership of Aetna to encourage the use of CVS Health services. It is connecting consumers with CVS care teams and expanding virtual home health and mental health services.
The AHA advises hospitals, health systems, suppliers and payers to monitor retail chain engagement this year.
The company plans to spend $3 billion to implement further digital innovations to improve the customer experience, the researchers said.
According to the AHA report, Walgreens is also expected to have a pivotal year with a “holistic approach” to healthcare.
With a $5.2 billion investment in primary care provider VillageMD, control over CareCentrix serving patients with complex or chronic conditions, and other investments, the company hopes Its healthcare operations will benefit as it continues to build its primary care presence.
Meanwhile, Apple and Google are looking outside the primary care market with their forays into healthcare. The AHA says the tech giants will use their technology to build partnerships with payers, health systems and others.
The question is, “Are patients willing to consistently share the personal health data they collect and possess?”
TREND TO BIGGER WOMAN
Steady and often rapid advances by major retailers in healthcare delivery challenge traditional healthcare providers.
“The end result is that hospitals and health systems are stuck eight balls in this transition – in terms of convenient geography, the chain,” said Laura Kreofsky, vice president of strategy at Pivot. advanced supply, skilled staff and marketing of the right size.” Point Consulting, a healthcare consulting firm.
In May she said Healthcare IT News that health systems need to move into a proactive posture, where they have inherent competitive advantages to leverage in their digital transformation.
“CIOs and other leaders will have to be farsighted and willing to explore partnerships and platforms at a scale and speed that just two or three years ago seemed unthinkable,” she said. can imagine”.
ON PROFILE
“As these companies implement their respective strategies, they all share some common aspirational goals in contributing to care delivery,” the AHA researchers said in the new report. more accessible, coordinated and affordable”.
Andrea Fox is the senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: [email protected]
Healthcare IT News is a publication of HIMSS Media.
