Healthcare Strategies

Industry Perspectives: Using risk mapping to improve healthcare cybersecurity

Healthcare organizations dodge cyberattacks daily, even from service providers with multiple degrees of separation. What if there was a standard way to prioritize cybersecurity actions across the healthcare sector so that organizations can know their risk level and be more prepared? The Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) Cybersecurity Working Group is working on something that might do just that.
Featuring: Greg Garcia, executive director, Health Sector Coordinating Council Cybersecurity Working Group
In this episode, we'll cover
What risk mapping looks like for the healthcare sector
The HSCC's work on developing health sector risk maps
How healthcare stakeholders can build cyber resiliency by knowing their risk level 
and more!
References
What is a risk map?
Mitigating risk as healthcare supply chain attacks prevail
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.

Advancing reproductive choices for men

Despite decades of advancements in reproductive health, male contraception methods remain limited to condoms or vasectomies. This leaves few options for those seeking alternatives and leaves women shouldering the physical and hormonal burdens of birth control. Today, with 85% of men aged 18–45 actively seeking new family planning solutions, the demand for a long-acting, reversible alternative is greater than ever. 
 
As male contraception advances in the wake of the Dobbs decision reversal, this episode examines market prospects, regulatory hurdles, and the future of reproductive options for men. 
 
Featuring: Darlene Walley, Chief Executive Officer, NEXT Life Sciences  
 
In this episode, we will cover… 
The growing demand for male contraception in the wake of shifting reproductive rights policies. 
How Vasalgel technology works and why it's a reversible alternative to vasectomies. 
The regulatory approval pathway for Plan A as a medical device. 
The economic and public health impact of expanded contraceptive options for men. 
The role of strategic partnerships with organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Male Contraceptive Initiative in advancing male birth control. 
 
To stay up to date on the latest developments in male contraception, check out our Pharma Life Sciences sites.  
 
To watch video clips from the conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies. 
 
References: 
U.S. men's interest in new male contraceptives 
A reversible alternative to vasectomies 
Pipeline of male contraceptives 
 
 

Reflecting on the Change Healthcare cyberattack, one year later

The Change Healthcare cyberattack had widespread, unprecedented impacts across the healthcare sector in February 2024 and beyond. What has the sector learned since, and are providers better equipped to handle a similar incident today?
Featuring: Errol Weiss, chief security officer at the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Health-ISAC)
In this episode, we'll cover
Systemic security challenges that the Change Healthcare cyberattack exposed
Lessons learned in the year since the Change Healthcare cyberattack, and how the sector has improved its cybersecurity efforts
Ongoing cybersecurity risks to the healthcare supply chain
and more!
References
Health-ISAC's 2025 Health Sector Cyber Threat Landscape Report
American Hospital Association and Health-ISAC Joint Threat Bulletin: Russian Ransomware Gangs Disrupt Patient Care
Understanding the impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack on providers
10 largest healthcare data breaches of 2024
HPH Cybersecurity Performance Goals
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.
 

Unpacking claim denials in light of public backlash against payers

The public outcry against health insurers intensified after the shooting of a UnitedHealthcare CEO. What trends are driving Americans' dissatisfaction with payers and can payers recover the public's trust?
Featuring: Jacqueline LaPointe, executive editor at Xtelligent Healthcare
In today’s episode, we’ll cover…
Trends in claim denials
The driving factors behind payers' denials
The role of artificial intelligence in claims management, for better and for worse...
and more!
 
To learn more about claims management, check out our Rev Cycle Management and Healthcare Payers sites!
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.
 
References
Breaking down claim denial rates by healthcare payer
KFF: Consumer Survey Highlights Problems with Denied Health Insurance Claims
Trend Alert: Private Payers Retain Profits by Refusing or Delaying Legitimate Medical Claims

Sharing early lessons on SDOH data integration across health plans

Social determinants of health (SDOH) play a critical role in health outcomes, but standardized SDOH data collection is lacking. How is NCQA driving standardization through national SDOH quality measures?
 
Featuring: Rachel Harrington, PhD, AVP of health equity sciences, NCQA
Adrianna Nava, PhD, MPA, applied research scientist, NCQA
 
In today’s episode, we’ll cover…
Updates to NCQA’s SDOH quality measures
Current SDOH data collection challenges
The role policy plays in driving SDOH data standardization...
and more!
 
To learn more about SDOH data collection, check out our Health IT and EHR site and our Patient Engagement site.
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.
 
References
Charting new territory: the early lessons in integrating social determinant of health (SDOH) measures into practice
How Regenstrief and HL7 are driving SDOH data standards
Advocating for SDOH data standards to support health equity 
 

Why healthcare needs a patient-centered approach to AI use

AI has officially transcended buzzword status, with healthcare continuously diving deeper into its uses and applications. But as technology continues to proliferate healthcare, experts eye questions about the effects on patient experience and the industry's overall push for more patient-centered care. In this episode, we explore those questions and discuss how healthcare can embrace AI as a leading clinical decision support tool without losing site of its patient-centered goals.
 
Featuring: Prashila Dullabh, vice president and senior fellow in Health Sciences at NORC at the University of Chicago
 
In today's episode, we'll cover…
The risks of omitting patient-centricity from healthcare's AI conversations
The research going into deploying AI with a patient-centered lens
How patients might feel about use of AI in healthcare
…and more!
To learn more about patient-centered care and healthcare's embrace of AI, check out our Xtelligent sites: Patient Engagement, Healthtech Analytics and Health IT.
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.
 
References:
Enhancing Patient Engagement through Shared Decision-Making 
What Are the Top Challenges of Clinical Decision Support Tools?

Prioritizing SOGI data collection to improve health equity

Sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data is key for improving health outcomes among sexualand gender minority (SGM) patients. How can healthcare organizations effectively navigate challenges --like bias and discrimination -- to improve SOGI data collection?
Featuring: Carey Candrian, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School ofMedicine and a 2024 Health and Aging Policy Fellow
In today's episode, we'll cover:
The implications of missing SOGI data on care delivery and quality
The challenges health systems face that prevent them from routinely collecting SOGI data
Strategies to improve SOGI data collection and health equity for LGBTQIA+ patients
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
SOGI Data Missing in Over 60% of Adult EHR Records, Study Finds
University of Colorado: CU Researcher Issues a Call for More Data to Improve Care for LGBTQ Patients

2025 predictions: GLP-1s, telehealth, AI, employer health plans, and more

2025 promises to be an interesting year in healthcare with many possibilities, challenges and unknowns. A few of our editorial staff members got together to discuss the trends we will be watching in the new year, from telehealth flexibilities to artificial intelligence guardrails, and from employers' cost-cutting efforts to the future of reproductive health.
Featuring: Shania Kennedy, assistant editor of Healthtech Analytics at Xtelligent
Veronica Salib, associate editor of Pharma Life Sciences at Xtelligent Healthcare
Anuja Vaidya, senior editor of Virtual Healthcare and special events lead at Xtelligent Healthcare
Kelsey Waddill, multimedia manager and managing editor of Healthcare Payers at Xtelligent Healthcare
In today’s episode, we’ll cover…
The focal points of GLP-1 research in the coming year
GLP-1 coverage expectations
AI trends in 2025
Telehealth market shifts
Reproductive healthcare evolution since the overturn of Roe v. Wade
...and more!
To learn more about 2025 healthcare industry predictions, check out our Xtelligent sites: Healthtech Analytics, Healthcare Payers, Pharma Life Sciences, and Virtual Healthcare.To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.
 
Thank you to Dr. Sanjula Jain, Melissa Knuth, and Dr. Stephanie Page who spoke with us earlier in the season and whose insights we included in this episode.
References
GLP-1 general impact overview
CDC unintended pregnancy data
Vasectomy data from the University of Florida Health
Planned Parenthood data on vasectomy reversals
HR managers see value in GLP-1 coverage
Employer coverage rates of GLP-1s for weight loss
Exploring generative AI in healthcare
Introducing the role of Chief Analytics Officer
Telehealth volumes data from Trilliant Health
Leveraging RPM at home for cancer care
Vendor uses wearables to assess impact of GLP-1s on Parkinson's disease
 
 

Understanding pharmacists’ role in contraceptive access

As the reproductive health landscape continues to evolve, access to contraception and prescriptions for contraception are increasingly critical tools for preventing unplanned pregnancies. In some states, pharmacists at retail pharmacies can play a critical role in contraceptive access by providing counseling and prescriptions for some birth control methods.
Featuring: Dr. Mollie Scott, a pharmacist, the regional associate dean of the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, and Chair of the Department of Pharmacotherapy at Mountain Area Health Education Center.
In today’s episode, we’ll cover
The role pharmacists play in prescribing and medication management
Policies and regulations for pharmacists’ prescribing
The benefits and drawbacks of pharmacists prescribing contraception
Advocacy tips for pharmacists hoping to change contraception prescribing laws in their state
And more!
To watch video clips from our podcast, subscribe to our YouTube channel, @HealthcareStrategies.
 
Note: The Healthcare Strategies team will be on break for 12/30/24, but make sure to tune in for our first episode of the new year (publishing 1/6/25) where we cover major trends for 2025!
 
Resources:
Clinical Pharmacists Are a Major Contributor to Quality Patient Care
 
Understanding the widespread impacts of pharmacy deserts
 
Limited Access to Female Contraceptives: A Public Health Crisis
 
Assessing the Expected Impacts of OTC Hormonal Birth Control Pills

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
 
HHS: How the End of the PHE Will Impact Telehealth Flexibilities
 
What the NJ Lawsuit Adds to Out-of-State Telehealth, Licensure Debates
 
What the House subcommittee hearing tells us about telehealth’s 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.