Precision Medicine

Also called personalized medicine, this evolving field makes use of an individual’s genes, lifestyle, environment and other factors to identify unique disease risks and guide treatment decision-making.

IBM names chief health officer for Watson Health Unit

IBM has appointed Kyu Rhee, MD, chief health officer for the Watson Health Unit, according to Fortune. 

ePA pilot helps Medicare patients get fewer high-risk meds

A pilot program found that Medicare beneficiaries were 57 percent less likely to receive prescriptions that may cause potential health risks through the use of electronic prior authorization (ePA).

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CMS seeks comments on survey regarding inpatient rehabilitation facilities

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a request for information on Nov. 20 asking healthcare providers for their assistance in designing and developing a survey on patient and family experiences with inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

Senate committee OKs bill to extend telemedicine coverage to SNFs

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed the Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015 (S. 1916).  

USDA funds rural telemedicine efforts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $23.4 million in 75 projects across 31 states and the Western Pacific to expand distance learning and telemedicine in rural areas. 

Greenway offers customers CommonWell Alliance functionality

The sixth most popular EHR vendor announced the ability of its customers to use CommonWell Health Alliance services to exchange clinical information from its system with other alliance participants at no cost.

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Market report focuses on impact, performance of value-based care firms

KLAS published its inaugural market report on value-based care (VBC) this week, surveying more than 100 healthcare executives about the impact of hiring VBC firms for consultations or managed-care services. 

New innovation marketplace aims to disrupt traditional healthcare decision-making

Lucro is a new marketplace that aims to accelerate decision-making for healthcare leaders, helping them discover, compare and collaborate with peers around innovative solutions.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.