Epic is advancing its AI capabilities within its electronic health record software to reduce clinician documentation burdens and enhance care delivery. At Epic's User Group Meeting, CEO Judy Faulkner detailed the deployment of AI tools like the MyChart in-basket augmented response technology, which drafts patient message replies, and ambient voice-powered charting tools in use across various healthcare settings. These AI integrations aim to mitigate clinician burnout, with future plans including automated order entries and diagnostic aids. Epic is also leveraging its Cosmos research database to support evidence-based treatment decisions and improve healthcare provider-payer communication.

Epic touts new AI applications to streamline charting and bring research insights to the point of care Fierce Healthcare

In a recent publication, Dr. Megan Jones Bell and her team outline four guiding principles for the responsible development of AI in mental health. Firstly, AI models need thorough ethical and performance-focused design and testing to reliably assist with clinical tasks. Secondly, these models must be trained to reflect diverse populations, addressing equity and preventing biased outcomes. Thirdly, privacy and safety must be prioritized, ensuring informed consent and adherence to data protection laws. Finally, continuous human oversight and feedback are essential throughout AI development to maintain accuracy, inclusivity, and appropriateness. These principles aim to harness AI's potential in expanding access to mental health resources while navigating inherent risks and limitations.

4 principles to guide AI in supporting mental health Google Blog

Epic's UGM 2024 conference featured several key innovations aimed at improving healthcare workflows. Epic has refined its integrated secure messaging system, allowing for direct ordering from test results and sending messages from radiology reports, with new features like image attachments and priority inbox filtering. The manual connection of related diagnoses is expected to ease physicians' documentation efforts. The Cosmos platform, particularly its "Lookalikes" feature, was highlighted for its potential in collaborative problem-solving among healthcare providers. AI developments, such as ambient documentation and In-Basket responses, were also discussed, though challenges remain in their consistent adoption. The conference showcased real-world success stories, including Saint Luke’s implementation of Epic's unified communications and the Compass Rose module linking medical teams with social services. Judy Faulkner’s executive address reaffirmed Epic’s commitment to its unique culture and ongoing support for smaller organizations and research via the Garden Plot program and Cosmos database. Overall, UGM 2024 emphasized innovation, integration, and community within the healthcare technology landscape.

Reflections on Epic’s UGM 2024: John’s Substack

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed new guidelines in its 2025 Physician Fee Schedule to include reimbursement for digital therapeutics used in behavioral health treatments. These guidelines propose three new HCPCS codes to cover the costs associated with digital mental health treatment devices that are FDA-cleared and used as part of a broader behavioral health treatment plan. Reflecting a careful approach, CMS aims to gather data on the use and effectiveness of these digital tools, which are seen as supplementary to ongoing treatment. Despite previous failures in the digital therapeutics market, CMS's move signals a growing adoption of technology in behavioral health, driven by both need and potential for improved clinical outcomes.

CMS Fee Schedule Calls for Digital Therapeutics Reimbursement Behavioral Health Business