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Category: Healthcare

There are 3 posts published under Healthcare.

What do You Think is Going to Disrupt the Technology World Most in 2014 and Why?

The following answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched StartupCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

 

1. Wearable Tech

 

They are not only the next obvious horizon for consumer technology, but also smart watches, Google Glass and the like will force the tech world to re-approach the human-technology interface that we’ve relied on for so long — keyboards. Many ways of interacting with technology are being tried for novelty (Siri, for example), but it will only become crucial as wearable takes off in late 2014.

 

Brennan White ( https://twitter.com/bpw ), Watchtower ( http://www.watchtoweranalytics.com )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Same-Day Delivery

 

Amazon is doing it. Wal-Mart is in on it. Even eBay is joining up. Same-day delivery will have as much impact on changing consumers’ habits and eliminating the need for social contact and traditional errand running as the miracle of the Internet has had in the last 20 years.

 

Ty Morse, Songwhale ( http://www.songwhale.com )

 

ty morse

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. 3D Printing Advancements

 

I think advancements in 3D printing will be the most disruptive technology to come out in 2014. It will allow first world countries to produce goods at a much lower cost without having to pay taxes and tariffs. If developing countries lose income because they are losing manufacturing contracts, will they continue to respect our intellectual property laws?

 

Nikki Robinson ( http://twitter.com/glossglam ), Gloss and Glam ( http://www.glossandglam.com )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Privacy-Enhancing Technologies

 

Privacy has been an ongoing issue since the Internet has existed. With more data available than ever, and cases of service providers or government agencies sharing private information, privacy-enhancing technologies are growing in importance. We are reaching a peak in privacy issues, and I believe 2014 will be a pivotal year for services to aid in enhancing users’ privacy.

 

Phil Chen ( https://twitter.com/nethacker ), Givit ( http://www.givit.com )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Healthcare Automation

 

Healthcare will be big in 2014 with new legislation adding complexity and requiring more care. Disruption will come from new digital health tools that deliver the care and efficiently pay for it.

 

Neil Thanedar ( http://www.twitter.com/neilthanedar ), LabDoor ( http://www.labdoor.com )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Mobile Payments

 

More and more big brands, such as Starbucks, are integrating payment in their mobile apps. I think whoever cracks the code on simple mobile payments across many brands or apps is going to win big. Because everyone is so connected through their mobile devices now, adding a payment option will make the connection even greater and more valuable to brands because of the intelligence it will provide.

 

Sarah Schupp ( https://twitter.com/sarah_schupp ), UniversityParent ( http://www.universityparent.com )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. TV on the Internet

 

Netflix has started to make its own content, and cable as we know it will change. Because this content is released in seasons, not episodes, consumer demand for entertainment will no longer be on a linear schedule. Widespread Internet-TV consumption will be made possible via expanding fiber optic networks, and it will allow advertisers to become more dynamic to a specific viewer’s preferences.

 

Ben Rubenstein ( http://www.twitter.com/yodle ), Yodle ( http://www.yodle.com )

 

ben rubenstein

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Self-Driving Cars

 

I think you’ll begin to see self-driving cars take root in 2014. Transport trucks, taxi cabs and, finally, consumer-level cars will all be driverless within the next 10 years. However, this next year you’ll see the first steps occur in the consumer space in California.

 

Liam Martin ( http://www.twitter.com/vtamethodman ), Staff.com ( http://www.staff.com )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Virtual Reality for Gaming

 

Gaming technology is evolving fast because it’s such a competitive industry. With the new consoles having the ability to track almost any motion and interaction with the game in real life, it’s only a matter of time until the technology incorporates vision into the experience and literally puts you in the game.

 

Russ Oja, Seattle Windows and Construction, LLC ( http://www.windowseattle.com )

 

russ

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The Importance of Online Desktop and the Involvement of Cloud Computing in the US Healthcare System

Virtual desktops are not a new technology. They have been around for a few years now. However, with the advances in cloud computing, the virtual desktop infrastructure is now moving towards hosting data in the cloud rather than on local data centres.

 

The role of online cloud desktops is increasingly important for sectors like health care and medical recording keeping. Online cloud desktops do not require upfront infrastructure development as the backend technology is outsourced. Also known as “Desktop as a Service” or DaaS, online cloud desktops score over traditional virtual desktop setups by reducing costs and complexities. Perhaps a significant advantage lies in the security framework of cloud computing. In the case of a failure, cloud hosted desktops can secure data and get back online much faster.

 

Remarkable Remote Access Software:

 

The benefits of cloud computing are harnessed by remote access software. The remote access software can now be housed in USB drives which allows for multiple desktop accesses from one central location. In other words, “headless” computers can allow for centralized access and control. With advanced features and connectivity options, remote access software creates the backbone of any successful cloud computing system. Online cloud desktops coupled with remote access software provide for a sustainable and scalable health care solution.

 

Rapid Technology:

 

Cloud computing underpins the rapid technological advances seen in network management over the last few years. Premised on innovation and rapid change, cloud computing is the future of all record keeping systems. While security and privacy issues may prevail, these can be sorted out to ensure seamless, quick and efficient access to crucial and sensitive medical records of patients or allied information.

 

The Electronic Medical Recording System:

 

Electronic Medical Recording systems are slowly moving towards cloud based setups. Resource pooling, on demand access, rapid elasticity and broad network access ensure that cloud based record keeping is here to stay. With the ease of use and advantages it offers over traditional methods of medical recording keeping, the online cloud desktop is going to play a vital role in the future. Around 15% of US healthcare system is using cloud based services to allow multiple device data access. The availability of medical records instantaneously improves the efficiency of doctors as well due to easy comparisons with past records.

 

Healthcare Recording Systems:

 

The use of cloud computing to further enhance the US healthcare recording system is a given. Some of the concerns that are raised include that of data security and privacy of patient records. It is suggested that patients be made aware of their data records shifting to a cloud setup. The Health Information and Management Systems Society or HIMMS is global non-profit organization working on integrating information technology with healthcare systems. Organizations like HIMSS can play a significant in role in establishing the importance of online desktop and cloud computing within the US healthcare system. With a dedicated focus on technology interventions in the healthcare systems, the future of health services is bound to change for the better. These developments will significantly reduce waiting lines, delays, medical emergencies and costs to hospitals and other institutions. Cloud computing will usher in a new phase for the medical fraternity and provide a long lasting healthcare solution.

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Can Healthcare Catch up in a World of Digital Payments?

Healthcare reform has delivered new potential benefits for patients. However, it has also forced hospitals to tighten their operations or face big losses.

Fortunately, other industries show us that the application of proven online and mobile payment strategies can reduce these pressures while benefitting patients.

 

Historically, hospitals offset regulatory revenue pressures through a reliance on public payers and private health insurers for revenue. But as public money becomes less predictable and private insurers shift the cost burden to individual patients, hospitals must re-examine their payment and collections philosophies.

Overall, five major trends are converging to put stress on the traditional revenue mix for hospitals and their financial outlook.

 

1. Growing patient out-of-pocket responsibilities. As part of the consumer driven healthcare trend, health insurers are shifting a greater portion of costs to patients through high deductible health plans and higher co-pays. For hospitals with legacy payment platforms, this has led to extended payment times, increased overhead for larger patient collection efforts, and a greater risk for bad debt from non-paying patients.

 

2. Medicare payments based on quality of care. Medicare reimbursements are a key source of revenue for hospitals. New health reform legislation links these Medicare reimbursements to patient care and satisfaction through Value Based Purchasing (VBP). This means that higher patient satisfaction scores result in a higher percentage of Medicare reimbursements. Similarly, low scores could result in financial penalties. Medicare payment rates will also be tied to hospital readmissions so that reimbursements can be cut if a discharged patient must return to the hospital because of a complication.

 

3. Uncertain Medicaid funding. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that states would not be required to expand their Medicaid programs as originally mandated by the health reform act. Medicaid covers people with limited income, and the bill was aimed at expanding coverage for more uninsured single adults. This ruling means that hospitals that were expecting their patients to pay more for coverage may now face higher than expected costs to treat the uninsured.

 

4. Lower rates from commercial health plans. In anticipation of the federal health insurance exchanges that become effective January 2014, large health plans have begun to pressure hospitals and health systems to agree to lower rates. In some cases, insurers have asked hospitals to cut current rates by more than half. While this strategy will help keep premiums attractive for new customers shopping for plans, it could further strain hospital revenues.

 

5. Experimental payment models. In addition to these already significant revenue burdens, the federal government and many private health insurers are rolling out new payment models that introduce more uncertainty into hospital revenue streams. Bundled payments and Accountable Care Organizations are the hot, new thing in healthcare reimbursement. However, they force hospitals to work harder to capture savings because they require better coordination between the doctors and hospitals that treat the same patient. While the concept is promising from a patient perspective, none of these models has been around long enough to demonstrate savings.

 

While some of these new changes hold the promise of positive change for patients, they all create significant financial and administrative hurdles for hospitals. And even as patients win small gains, insurers will continue to push high deductible plans, which will force individuals to more closely manage their medical care and their medical bills. In response, some forward thinking hospitals and medical providers are exploring the application of online and mobile bill pay technology as a way to resolve their financial pressures and give patients greater control over their healthcare financials.

 

For those hospitals, online and mobile bill pay trends in other industries can act as a model for how to best apply these technologies in healthcare. Utility providers, retailers, and others show us that the convenience of online and mobile bill pay can help shrink payment cycles for hospitals, reduce bad debt, and increase patient loyalty – effectively mitigating many of the economic pressures they are navigating now. Innovative hospitals have an opportunity to engage their patients through self-serve payment plans, prompt payment discounts, and hospital loyalty programs. This is a powerful vision for the future of the healthcare industry where both hospitals and patients win.

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