Rural healthcare is in dire need of investment and resources. Enter private equity. But experts say PE deals need to be scrutinized. Mary Bugbee, a research and campaign coordinator at a nonprofit financial watchdog organization called Private Equity Stakeholder Project, talks with Anastassia Gliadkovskaya about the pros and cons of PE in rural settings.  

Also on the podcast, Senior Editor Paige Minemyer caught up with Margaret-Mary Wilson, M.D., to discuss her career journey and how it impacts her perspective on caring for patients. Wilson entered the fold at UnitedHealth Group nearly 15 years ago after becoming a physician in her native Nigeria and treating patients in the U.K. and the U.S. 

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• PitchBook: After a hot 2022, PE healthcare deals expected to decline in coming months. But a rebound is possible
• Private equity owns at least 130 rural hospitals, and other revelations in a sweeping new report on PE in rural healthcare
• 2023 forecast: Amid dwindling COVID relief funds, rural hospitals face a 'fiscal cliff'
• Private equity acquisitions targeted large, high-margin hospitals over 15-year period
• Amid travel nursing rate spikes, a 'record-breaking' number of PE investments deserves scrutiny: report
• Fierce Healthcare's 2022 Women of Influence Awards
• Meet the executive leading UnitedHealthcare's social determinants strategy
• Industry Voices—Lack of diversity stymies culturally competent care. Let's change it

"Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major weak point in healthcare is the patient handoff, where it is key to accurately exchange patient information between caregivers, such as medications the patient is on or symptoms they are experiencing. Fierce Healthcare’s Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Subha Airan-Javia, M.D., a Penn Medicine physician and founder and CEO of CareAlign, about how to address this crisis. 

Also, Annie Burky talks with attorney Sunny Levine, who specializes in the law of health tech regulatory compliance, about what telemedicine companies—in particular telepsychiatry firms—will face with the looming end of the public health emergency. Without any regulatory changes, remote care will roll back to prepandemic standards, significantly hurting access to key medications.

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• Here are 6 ways the ONC's new rules for opening health record access will impact the industry
• Oracle Cerner unveils new tech capabilities: Virtual nursing, tools to streamline charting, billing and data integration
• Elation Health teams with workflow management startup to automate administrative tasks in medical practices
• Experts sound alarm on 'preventable public health crisis' as virtual prescribing for opioid use disorder now in limbo
• JPM23: Teladoc revises its Q4 to sunnier projections while shining a light on BetterHelp and digital 'whole-person approach'
• CVS Health goes live with virtual care service with a focus on primary care, mental health
• White House plans to end COVID emergency declarations May 11

"Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, marginalized populations within the U.S. have shown poorer health outcomes than their white counterparts. Zocalo Health is a new population health company serving Latino communities in California and Texas. Fierce's Annie Burky spoke with Sarah Lopez, M.D., Zocalo's chief medical officer, about how population health systems and value-based care can address the needs of marginalized populations.

Also in this episode, we take a glimpse into the Fierce JPM Week event, which was held last month. Listen in on a panel as industry experts discuss how payers can stay ahead of the competition in the face of the growth of exchanges in the Affordable Care Act.

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• These startups are trying to reach communities often marginalized in healthcare. Here's how they do it
• Subconscious race, gender bias toward providers may impact the body's response to treatments, study finds
• Headspace doubles down on personalized mental health care, snaps up BIPOC-focused Shine
• Fierce JPM Week

"Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The past year has challenged hospitals and health systems in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic and macroeconomic pressures brought a flood of operational challenges for healthcare provider organizations. And most of the financial relief offered by the government has run dry. Industry leaders believe that these challenges will likely continue into 2023. Fierce Healthcare's Dave Muoio chats with Lisa Goldstein, senior vice president at the consulting firm Kaufman Hall, about what hospital leaders will need to focus on in the new year.

Also in this episode, Anastassia Gliadkovskaya interviews Mark Friedberg, the senior vice president of performance measurement and improvement at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. They discuss alternatives to the fee-for-service payment model like values-based care. 

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• JPM 2022: CMS, BCBS leaders share strategies to tackle health inequities long-term
• From telehealth to Medicare cuts: Here are the health policies in Congress' $1.7T omnibus
• EmpiRx touts savings from value-based approach to behavioral health therapy management
• 2023 forecast: 7 immediate and long-term priorities for hospital leaders
• 'It's finally here': States have long sought Medicaid eligibility redetermination deadline

"Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference earlier this month, Fierce hosted its annual JPM Week event. And, last week, an expanded program was streamed during our virtual event. So, today’s episode takes you inside a couple of those sessions.

First up, a panel on what big retailers have to gain by moving into healthcare. Forrester’s Natalie Schibell, VillageMD’s Tim Barry and primary care doctor Katherine Gergen Barnett, M.D., discuss what these changes will mean for primary care doctors and patients. Also, hear from Ramita Tandon about how Walgreens can impact drug research.

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• Retailers, payers and startups could capture 30% of primary care market by 2030: report
• Dollar General pilots mobile clinics as it targets a bigger presence in healthcare
• Avanlee Care joins forces with Walmart, uses technology to support millions of unpaid caregivers
• Walgreens plots 'aggressive' strategy to build out healthcare services, CEO Roz Brewer says
• Walgreens' VillageMD inks $9B deal to buy Summit Health, marking largest physician deal of the year
• Pharmacy retail giant Walgreens looks to disrupt the clinical trials business
• Fierce JPM Week

"Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey and managing editor Querida Anderson with editor-in-chief Ayla Ellison and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, hospitals were stretched thin.  So, the government encouraged hospitals to delay non-essential, elective surgeries. That meant that at the peak of the pandemic, thousands of cancer surgeries were delayed and many screening facilities closed temporarily. Julie Gralow, the chief medical officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, talks with Anastassia Gliadkovskaya about how the healthcare system can support communities in times of crisis.   

Also this week, reporter Robert King and Editor-in-Chief Ayla Ellison talk about the Fierce 15 honorees, and how they are trying to change the world by changing the healthcare industry. 

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• Industry Voices—Addressing breakdowns in the cancer care journey
• People with disabilities much more likely to delay care during COVID-19, study finds
• Transcarent unveils latest bet with new cancer care program
• Doctors report patients' health declining due to delayed or inaccessible care during COVID-19 pandemic
• Fierce Healthcare's Fierce 15 of 2023

"Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even with the pandemic waning, telehealth is here to stay. But is virtual care the golden ticket to a reimagined health system? Katherine Barnett, M.D., at Boston Medical Center looked into how telehealth exacerbates health inequities—calling it “digital redlining.” In this episode, Annie Burky talks with Barnett about the future of virtual care and health equity. 

Also this week, Anastassia Gliadkovskaya interviews Jerrica Kirkley, M.D., the co-founder and chief medical officer of Plume. They talk about the impact of anti-trans legislation on healthcare and what providers can do to break down barriers to care for gender-diverse populations.

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• These startups are trying to reach communities often marginalized in healthcare. Here's how they do it
• YouTube, KFF and others team on health equity educational video
• Industry widely sees equity as important, but lacks concrete steps to address it, survey finds
• To reach homeless individuals in need, NYC Health + Hospitals expands tele-behavioral health to shelters, mobile street clinics
• LGBTQ+ care providers calling for advocacy, education to push back against anti-transgender efforts
• At least 24 hospitals, providers have been targeted online and offline over gender-affirming care, report says
• In new executive order, Biden seeks to protect LGBTQ+ access to affirming care, expand provider training
• DOJ must investigate and prosecute those behind children's hospital harassment campaign, medical groups say
• Fierce JPM Week

"Podnosis" is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2021 was a hot year for digital health funding. This year, though, the startup ecosystem had a reality check. Yet, 23 healthcare startups became unicorns, crossing the $1 billion valuation threshold. Senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemeyer have the rundown. 

Also this week, Anastassia Gliadkovskaya interviews Rhonda Medows, president of population health management at Providence. They talk about how health systems are thinking differently about care delivery, realizing that addressing people's health takes a lot more than just reacting to medical concerns and emergencies.

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• 10 healthcare companies that hit $1B valuations in 2022
• People with disabilities much more likely to delay care during COVID-19, study finds
• Providence to spend $50M to reduce health disparities, starting with COVID-19 care gaps
• Sustained population health improvement requires healthcare industry culture shift, experts say
• Fierce JPM Week

Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When COVID-19 struck, healthcare administrators were forced to create tech-driven experiences. Now that we have a “new normal," demand is higher than ever for techie solutions like virtual care services. Senior editor Paige Minemyer interviews Rajeev Ronanki, chief digital officer of Elevance Health, on what health plans should be doing to provide a more personal patient experience.

More than 83 million people in the U.S. live in areas where there’s a shortage of primary care physicians. And the demand for primary care is almost certainly going to increase. So, what do we do? In this episode, Fierce Healthcare’s writer Frank Diamond put that question to Hoangmai (Mai) H. Pham, M.D., president and CEO of the Institute for Exceptional Care.

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• Anthem, CloudMedx launch digital tool to help employers, public health officials track impact of COVID-19  
• Anthem-backed Hydrogen Health rolls out virtual primary care services for insurers, employers
• Industry Voices—Achieving digital transformation without adding to digital fatigue
• Anthem hits more than 12M registered members on its Sydney app
• Hybrid payment model touted as lifeline for primary care physicians: study
• HCSC teams with Teladoc to roll out virtual primary care next year
• Primary care docs need 27 hours a day to provide guideline-based care, study finds
• Fierce JPM Week

Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The interviews are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The healthcare industry is grappling with rising drug prices. The expectation is, though, that the wave of biosimilars launching next year will make a dent in healthcare costs. Paige Minemyer interviews Alan Lotvin, M.D., president of CVS Health’s Caremark pharmacy benefit manager, about biosimilars’ potential. 

Also in the episode, Heather Landi talks to Jennifer Schneider, M.D., about how rural communities are facing a healthcare access crisis and what can be done about it. Schneider is the CEO of Homeward, a technology-enabled healthcare provider delivering care to rural America.

To learn more about topics in this episode:

• CVS: Specialty drugs accounted for 52% of pharmacy spend in 2020
• How CVS Caremark kept specialty drug trend to an industry low in 2021
• Industry Voices—Leveraging biosimilars for lower specialty drug costs
• Rural America is fertile ground for healthcare innovation, experimentation, tech leaders say
• ViVE 2022: Former Livongo execs launch rural healthcare startup Homeward with $20M investment 
• Startup Homeward inks partnership with Rite Aid to provide primary care in rural communities
• Launched just 5 months ago, Homeward clinches $50M, inks major Medicare Advantage partnership
• GAO: Fewer providers in rural, underserved areas join advanced alternative payment models

Podnosis is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey with managing editor Querida Anderson and senior editors Heather Landi and Paige Minemyer. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists. Like and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.