Managed Care Technology Survey 2019

February 18, 2019

MHE Publication, Managed Healthcare Executive February 2019 Issue, Volume 29, Issue 2

We asked healthcare industry leaders to tell us about how their organizations are using technology-from big data to remote monitoring devices. Here’s what they said.

Is your organization on pace with the biggest healthcare technology trends? Here’s your chance to find out. During the fourth quarter of 2018, 100 executives from provider organizations, benefit management organizations, health plans, long-term care organizations, and more took Managed Healthcare Executive’s annual Technology Survey. Their responses reveal the top technology trends and challenges you should be watching.

Other responses include: “Updating technology with EHR/PM systems,” “Resources to keep pace with IT needs,” and “Keeping up with consumer tech needs for health navigation.”

There is an accelerating abundance of data being generated in healthcare every day. Having a clear strategy using this data to generate actionable insights is critical to achieve better results. It’s not surprising that many organizations represented in the survey see continued opportunity in this space and likely are balancing that with data privacy concerns. At the same time it’s encouraging, in an era of increased personalization, consumerism, and fast-growing technology capabilities to see the number as high as it is.

-Kevin Ronneberg, MD, vice president and associate medical director for health initiatives, HealthPartners

There is a lot of excitement in healthcare around the potential of wearables and other remote monitoring devices but few organizations have been able to successfully implement these technologies due to factors like the cost associated with the necessary infrastructure to collect and monitor the streams of data. I think it takes a strong partnership, whether that is payer/provider or provider/third-party, to really drive the potential of these technologies within the healthcare sector.

-Cynthia Hundorfean, president and CEO, Allegheny Health Network

Undoubtedly, those of us in the industry acknowledge that these tools are important and what we have today is not enough. We need to do more. We need better tools and we need to invest in (and promote) a broader understanding by our constituents of how their true cost is actually determined.

-Hundorfean

Costs of healthcare is a critical issue to American consumers, especially low-income consumers. Helping members understand their out-of-pocket costs is one more way that plans that focus on the low-income population can address not just members healthcare needs but their financial security needs as well.

-Murray, MPA, founding chief executive officer, Association for Community Affiliated Plans

Other responses include: “Proprietary field case management information system,” and “Updated RIS (Radiology Information System).”

For us to achieve the healthcare Triple Aim of better affordability, better health outcomes, and a better customer experience, we need to be able to turn data into actionable insights in real time. Emerging technologies-like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics-help us understand what the massive amounts of data are telling us. But more importantly, they can provide insights that can be acted upon for the benefit of individuals. This is definitely a good trend.

-Mark Boxer, executive vice president and global chief information officer, Cigna

Other responses include: “Compliance with Meaningful Use Stage 3,” “Anti-fraud technology,” and “RIS improvements.”

Download Issue : Managed Healthcare Executive February 2019 Issue