As telehealth becomes more widespread, it has the potential to reshape care delivery by making healthcare more accessible and patient-centered. The integration of virtual care into the broader healthcare system is vital, necessitating collaboration among providers, payers, and technology developers, according to Eve Cunningham, MD, Chief of Virtual Care and Digital Health at Providence. However, the sector faces challenges, including regulatory and reimbursement issues, that must be addressed to ensure equitable access, she said during a fireside chat at MedCity News’ INVEST Digital Health conference. The importance of data analytics in evaluating and improving virtual care services was also underscored, demonstrating its role in enhancing patient outcomes moving forward.

Telehealth Revolution: Transforming Patient Care for a New Era MedCity News

Skyrocketing administrative costs stemming from prior authorization requirements, claim audits, and other payer policies are now account for more than 40 percent of total expenses for hospitals, according to the American Hospital Association, which is calling for reforms to streamline insurance processes and reduce the burdens on providers. Discussions among healthcare leaders emphasize the need for simpler billing practices, improved communication with insurers, and policies that prioritize patient care over paperwork. By addressing these systemic issues, the goal is to allocate more resources towards direct patient care and enhance the overall quality of healthcare delivery.

Healthcare Leaders Warn: Insurer Demands Compromise Patient Care Quality AHA

At the MWISE conference, cybersecurity experts emphasized the increasing threat of ransomware attacks and the need for organizations to adopt proactive defense strategies. Allan Liska from Mandiant highlighted the importance of understanding the financial motivations behind these attacks and encouraged organizations to strengthen their security measures to deter attackers. Brett Callow from Emsisoft stressed the necessity of collaboration among organizations to share threat intelligence and improve overall cybersecurity, particularly as ransomware groups increasingly target critical infrastructure. The discussion also addressed evolving attack methods, such as double extortion, complicating the decision-making processes for affected organizations.

Cybersecurity Experts Urge Proactive Defense Against Rising Ransomware Threats CyberScoop

As generative AI becomes more interwoven in the fabric of IT strategy, organizations face both opportunities and challenges. Flexential warns that while the technology can improve cybersecurity practices by enhancing threat detection and response, it also presents risks, such as facilitating sophisticated cyberattacks like phishing. The potential misuse of generative AI underscores the urgent need for employee training to identify fraudulent communications and necessitates a reassessment of current security protocols to ensure AI systems are secure and not vulnerable to exploitation. Ultimately, a proactive approach, including regular evaluations and best practices, is essential for protecting sensitive data in this evolving landscape.

Generative AI: Enhancing Cybersecurity While Raising New Security Risks CIODive