Healthcare Strategies

Exploring key telehealth policy considerations for 2025

The future of telehealth policy remains uncertain, with pandemic-era regulatory flexibilities set to expire by the end of the year, barring Congressional action. What is holding Congress back from extending or solidifying these flexibilities, and will those concerns influence telehealth legislation in 2025?
Featuring: Darryl Roberts, Vice President of Health Informatics at RELI Group
In today's episode, we'll cover…
The impact of telehealth flexibilities on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes  
Possible reasons why Congress has yet to act despite bipartisan support for telehealth access
Key pieces of legislation to watch for in 2025
References:
Spending Bill to Extend Telehealth, Hospital-at-Home Waivers for 2 Years (https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/news/366596488/Spending-Bill-to-Extend-Telehealth-Hospital-at-Home-Waivers-for-2-Years)
 
HHS: How the End of the PHE Will Impact Telehealth Flexibilities (https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/news/366596867/HHS-How-the-End-of-the-PHE-Will-Impact-Telehealth-Flexibilities)
 
What the NJ Lawsuit Adds to Out-of-State Telehealth, Licensure Debates (https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/answer/What-the-NJ-Lawsuit-Adds-to-Out-of-State-Telehealth-Licensure-Debates)
 
What the House subcommittee hearing tells us about telehealth’s future (https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/feature/What-the-House-subcommittee-hearing-tells-us-about-telehealths-future)
To learn more about telehealth policy, check out our site, Xtelligent Virtual Healthcare.
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Regulating and monitoring the online GLP-1 market

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) medications are revolutionizing weight loss and diabetes care, but behind the hype lies a growing web of regulatory gaps, telehealth expansion and online pharmacy risks. This episode unpacks the opportunities -- and dangers -- shaping the future of these life-changing drugs.
 
Featuring: Scott Roth, Chief Executive Officer, LegitScript
Gerard Olsen, Director of Research, LegitScript
 
In today’s episode, we'll cover…
The skyrocketing demand for GLP-1 medications and their influence on weight loss trends, including a 26% drop in bariatric surgeries
How telehealth and online pharmacies are reshaping access to GLP-1 drugs -- and the risks posed by rogue sellers and counterfeit products
The critical need for stronger regulatory enforcement and LegitScript's role in ensuring safety and transparency in the online healthcare market
 
To learn more about GLP-1 medications from all angles, check out our Pharma Life Sciences, Patient Engagement and Healthcare Payers sites.
 
To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.
 
References:
Metabolic bariatric surgery in the GLP-1 era (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2825349)
 
Risks of online semaglutide without prescription (https://www.techtarget.com/pharmalifesciences/news/366609735/Study-uncovers-risks-of-buying-semaglutide-online)
 
FDA updates on GLP-1 compounding policies (https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-clarifies-policies-compounders-national-glp-1-supply-begins-stabilize)
 

Improving community health center sustainability with health IT

Staffing shortages and rising operational costs are daunting challenges for community health centers, which are vital for serving underserved populations. How can the right technology investments help community health centers overcome these obstacles?
Featuring: Abby Sears, president and CEO of OCHIN
Jeff Lowrance, CEO of OSIS
In today’s episode, we’ll cover…
The top operational challenges community health centers face
How health IT innovation can transform healthcare delivery in underserved communities
The value of collaboration for tackling workforce shortages
and more!
To learn more about health IT, check out Health IT and EHR site.
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.
References:
Finances stymie patient data sharing, interoperability at FQHCs (https://www.techtarget.com/searchhealthit/news/366578868/Finances-Stymie-Patient-Data-Sharing-Interoperability-at-FQHCs)
 
Community health center access up by 1 million patients (https://www.techtarget.com/patientengagement/news/366599934/Community-health-center-access-up-by-1-million-patients)
 
Community Health Centers’ Progress and Challenges in Meeting Patients’ Essential Primary Care Needs (https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2024/aug/community-health-centers-meeting-primary-care-needs-2024-FQHC-survey)
 
 

Breaking down GLP-1 patient engagement strategies, challenges

As many patients decide whether to take glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists (or GLP-1s), providers face various new patient engagement challenges. What patient engagement strategies can providers pursue to achieve shared decision-making, even when their patients decide to take GLP-1 compounds? In this episode, we hear one local dietitian share her experience guiding patients through the decision to take GLP-1s and we'll also touch base with one of our senior staff members to get a more comprehensive perspective on patient engagement trends in this area.
 
Featuring: Kate, a local dietitian in the Boston area
Sara Heath, executive editor at Xtelligent Healthcare
 
In this episode, we'll cover
One dietitian’s experience with patient engagement on the topic of GLP-1s and weight loss
The need for robust care management in GLP-1 usage
How to respond when patients want to take/are taking a GLP-1 compound
and more!
 
References
Patient education tips for GLP-1, weight loss drug treatment (https://techtarget.com/patientengagement/feature/Patient-education-tips-for-GLP-1-weight-loss-drug-treatment)
 
Is care management missing from the GLP-1 drug discourse? (https://www.techtarget.com/patientengagement/feature/Is-care-management-missing-from-the-GLP-1-drug-discourse)
 
To learn more about patient engagement, check out our Patient Engagement site.
To learn more about GLP-1s, visit our Pharma Life Sciences site.
And to watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Exploring gaps in GLP-1 research, care, and coverage

GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, have gained attention for their significant health impacts and anti-obesity effects. However, there continues to be a lot of unknowns surrounding these medications, their long-term impacts, and access.
Featuring: Dr. Lydia Alexander, an obesity medicine specialist, lifestyle specialist, president of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA), Chief Medical Officer at Enara, and a medical chef.
In today’s episode, we’ll cover
The significant progress made in GLP-1 research, care delivery, and insurance coverage
Filling research gaps in GLP-1 care through longitudinal studies examining long-term medication effects and potential adverse reactions
Tips for providers managing patients on GLP-1 medications and patient-focused approaches to obesity management
And more!
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @Healthcare Strategies
Resources:
Are compounded “DIY” peptides the answer to the GLP-1 shortage?
Exploring FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists
Addressing muscle loss associated with GLP-1 medication use

Understanding new NY hospital cybersecurity regulations

General hospitals in New York State are subject to new cybersecurity regulations. What do these regulations entail, and what inspired them? How can hospitals in other states prepare for similar cybersecurity requirements?
Featuring: Jill McKeon, associate editor, Healthtech Security, Xtelligent Healthcare
Kelsey Waddill, managing editor & multimedia manager at Xtelligent Healthcare
In this episode, we’ll cover
The provisions of New York State's hospital cybersecurity regulations
Why these regulations could be a sign of what's to come for the sector
Cybersecurity best practices to prepare for future state or federal requirements
and more!
References
Understanding the nuances of the healthcare cybersecurity regulatory landscape
Top free resources for improving healthcare cybersecurity
Proposed bill calls for minimum healthcare cyber standards
To learn more about healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Healthtech Security site.
To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.

Using a data-driven approach to human-centered SDOH work

Note: we're taking a quick break next week (10/28) but will be back 11/4 with more conversations.
A good population health strategy requires a breadth of health data to make it work. Across social determinants of health data, patient data and data from non-traditional sources, healthcare organizations and professionals can design interventions tailored to better support chronic disease management and, ideally, prevention.
But how can healthcare providers and their insurer counterparts make effective use of that data to promote better outcomes? And at what point do patient engagement and an empathic human touch need to balance out SDOH data?
 
Featuring: Roy Beveridge, MD, senior strategic advisory at Avalere Health, and Sarah Ahmad, CEO of CAQH
 
In today's episode, we'll cover…
The need for tailored healthcare approaches
The role of health data analytics tools
The marriage of information and human touch in a digitized population health space
And more!
 
To learn more about SDOH data and population health, check out our Patient Engagement site and our 2024 Payer + Provider Virtual Summit.
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @Healthcare Strategies.

Building a generative AI-ready healthcare workforce

Generative AI adoption is of increasing interest within the healthcare industry. How can healthcare leaders ensure that their workforce has the appropriate AI literacy needed to support successful AI integration in clinical settings?
Featuring: Melissa Knuth, vice president of planning at OSF HealthCare
In today's episode, we'll cover…
How generative AI use can improve patient experience and empower the healthcare workforce
Strategies to design and scale an enterprise-wide educational initiative to improve healthcare workers' AI literacy
The role that industry partnerships play in bolstering healthcare AI efforts
And more!
To learn more about AI in healthcare, check out our site, Healthtech Analytics.
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @Healthcare Strategies.
References
https://newsroom.osfhealthcare.org/building-an-ai-prepared-workforce/
https://www.techtarget.com/healthtechanalytics/feature/Exploring-generative-artificial-intelligence-in-healthcare
 

Keeping health equity at the center of connected healthcare

Note: Healthcare Strategies will be taking a quick break next week, but will return 10/14 with more great conversations!
Connected healthcare models are proliferating, with technologies like telehealth, remote patient monitoring and AI transforming care delivery; however, health inequities stand in the way of progress in this arena. How can healthcare providers advance connected healthcare efforts without compromising health equity?
Featuring: Arianne D. Dowdell, vice president and chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer at Houston Methodist
In today’s episode, we’ll cover…
Collaborative approaches to achieving health equity
The role of digital health tools in furthering health equity and where they are falling short
What the conversation around health equity is missing post-pandemic
To learn more about health equity, check out our sites, Xtelligent Virtual Healthcare and Xtelligent Patient Engagement.
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies

Implementing cyber hygiene best practices in healthcare

Good cyber hygiene is critical to successfully mitigating cyber threats in healthcare. What strategies can healthcare organizations employ to train employees on the tenets of cyber hygiene and prevent data breaches in an increasingly digitally connected healthcare environment?
Featuring: Kyle Murphy, vice president, editorial, Xtelligent Healthcare
Jill McKeon, associate editor, Healthtech Security, Xtelligent Healthcare
In this episode, we’ll cover
Top strategies for employee cybersecurity training in healthcare
Common social engineering tactics used against the healthcare sector
Best practices for crafting a secure password
and more!
References
Best practices for password security, cyber hygiene
Understanding barriers to cyber resilience in healthcare
Security awareness and training crucial to preventing healthcare phishing attacks
Common types of social engineering, phishing attacks in healthcare
To learn more about cyber hygiene and healthcare cybersecurity, check out our Healthtech Security site.
To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.