Benjamin Tingey

The healthcare system is at a breaking point. (Corporatization is eating it up) Corporate and government-led systems prioritize profits and bureaucracy over patient outcomes. And it leaves independent physicians struggling to maintain their autonomy. But physicians are not powerless. WE remain to be the bridge between patients and an increasingly convoluted system. It’s time to leverage that position and reclaim our role as patient advocates. 📌 Check out the 5 key strategies to strengthen independent practices and restore influence: 1) Shared Ownership of Vendors 2) Building Alliances for Strength in Numbers 3) Educating the Public 4) Innovating Through Independence 5) Claiming a Seat at the Table This isn’t just a fight for physician autonomy—it’s a fight for better healthcare for all. Where do you see healthcare going from this point? How do we fight corporatization? 🤔 #healthcare #corporatization #healthcaresystem #physicians #sharedownership #patientcare

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This 👂 podcast episode and insight’s from a16z Bio + Health's Julie Yoo spoke so clearly to the fundamental challenge facing both 🩺 clinicians and 🏥 healthcare systems.  There is a huge disconnect between supply, in the availability of clinicians, and demand, in the increasing volume and complexity of healthcare needs. -     36% of physicians plan to reduce their hours next year according to the AMA -     48% of physicians reported feeling burned out in a 2024 Medscape survey At the same time, the demographic baby boomer bubble and steady increase in the prevalence of major chronic disease, which consumes up to 90% of healthcare expenditures according to some estimates, is driving demand. With this context, Yoo points to a major opportunity for AI adoption in healthcare in 2025. Yeah, a VC hyping a wave of new AI companies that will replace the decades of training and experience of clinicians, the skeptic would say.  But Yoo is thoughtful in pointing to the role AI can play, and is already playing, through solutions such as ambient, autonomous scribe solutions (of which local star Abridge is leading the pack) in not replacing, but freeing up productivity for clinicians. There is so much unstructured context in both the complexity of disease and treatment options and the social/emotional considerations that we shouldn't be looking for AI to *replace* clinicians. But companies are getting better at finding the structured, repetitive and time-consuming places where AI tools can *help* clinicians. Nearly two-thirds of doctors cited bureaucratic tasks as the leading contributor to burnout. Rigorously trained-AI driven solutions can be a force multiplier for clinicians, and I’ve seen several interviews where nurses and doctors go as far as to say some of these solutions are ”restoring their joy in practicing medicine”. Our health is precious; and we rightly want any technology engaging with it to be developed thoughtfully and thoroughly tested. This requires top AI talent and diverse and realistic training data. Pittsburgh’s strengths in both areas is why we are an emerging hub for data-driven healthcare. #AIinhealthcare #clinicianburnout #healthinnovation #digitalhealth

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***From Best Practices to Next Practices*** Digital Health is an Emerging Determinant of Health says OCED's first-ever chapter on Digital Health in their annual Health-at-a-Glance report. Digital health readiness is considered a determinant of health as it influences health data usage, healthcare service delivery, and health outcomes through digital transformation. Countries with higher digital health readiness have better responses to health crises, improved resource utilization, lower costs, and enhanced patient experiences. Perhaps the most important point is featured in the image below, where the HUMAN FACTORS live. We have over-invested the last decade in the technologies and data systems to support Digital Health, however, we have heavily under-invested in the capacity and literacy building, community collaboration, transparent governance, and systems thinking that is required to take advantage of said technology and data. I liken it to 100 years ago, in 1924 when the automobile first arrived. At that time 95% of the world was still operating the horse and buggy, it took 40-50 years later to harness the power of the automobile to transport goods and services to every community. It's time we realize our healthcare system is the HORSE and BUGGY of this century... Here is a link to the copy of the chapter: https://lnkd.in/gzJ-GQbp #DigitalHealth #HealthTech #HealthData #HealthcareInnovation #HealthcareTransformation #DataSecurity #Interoperability #PatientEngagement #AIinHealthcare #PublicHealthImpact #digitalreadiness #communityimpact

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“So... Apple is entering the hearing space!” For the past two weeks, I've been flooded with messages asking how Apple's latest announcement will impact Concha Labs. Another consumer tech giant is stepping into the hearing space, but what does this really mean? With over 1.5 billion people affected by hearing loss globally, this is a massive market. Yet, like mental health, hearing loss is something people don’t talk about much. If you ask anyone who’s tried hearing aids, you’ll likely hear stories of frustration—they’re often disliked because of impersonal sound quality. For me, they were always too loud or too quiet, and I could never find the “right” fit. This isn’t new. Apple, like Bose before them, will likely face similar challenges in replicating the status quo. Despite their audio expertise, Bose entered the hearing aid space but exited due to the same hurdles. Bluetooth earpieces, with their short battery life and social awkwardness, also highlight how hard it is to create a practical, long-term solution. But here’s the good news: more attention on hearing health, thanks to Apple’s announcement and the OTC Hearing Aid Act, is a win for everyone. It’s sparking conversations about hearing loss—something I kept hidden for decades. Concha Labs' hearing aids are nearly invisible, like contact lenses. When I tell people I’m wearing our product, they’re always shocked because they don’t notice them, even with my hair up! (And this goes for the guys who wear them, too!) What’s clear to me is that while awareness is growing, real innovation comes from solving actual user pain points. That’s where Concha Labs comes in: we offer a fully personalized hearing experience, much like how Spotify revolutionized music personalization beyond iTunes. Our solution is designed for real-world usability—comfortable, discreet, personalized, and customizable in multiple sizes and colors. Created by people who were tired of the status quo (like me!), our Concha Sol hearing aids are made for those who want something better. So, if you’re tired of the same old hearing aids, let Concha Labs empower you to hear clearly. We promise, you’ll notice the difference. 😉 Amy www.conchalabs.com #hearing #hearingaids #apple #conchalabs #invisible #otchearingaids #startup

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DaVita Kidney Care and Fresenius Medical Care continue to disappoint patients by focusing on profits over genuine healthcare solutions. Their push for Value-Based Care is presented as “patient-centered,” yet it’s a hollow attempt to cut costs and increase revenue at the expense of those they claim to help. While they boast about “momentum” and “transformation,” their actions show little commitment to improving patient health or transparency in care VBC may sound promising, but it’s still in its infancy, lacking adequate data to prove its effectiveness for complex, chronic conditions like ESRD. DaVita and Fresenius use VBC as a tool to reward insurance companies, physicians, and themselves. The reality? VBC keeps patients on a cycle of #dialysis, endless doctor visits, and medications without pushing for what truly matters—transplant referrals and preventive care. These companies claim to prioritize patients, yet their emphasis on “value” and efficiency pushes critical preventive measures, like transplant education and early intervention, to the side. Instead, they have patients locked in a treadmill of costly treatments, minimizing genuine pathways to independence and health Both companies promote dialysis as the core solution, while remaining shockingly silent on transplants. DaVita and Fresenius fail to educate patients on the long-term benefits of kidney transplants, nor do they invest in campaigns to increase awareness around prevention. The few, carefully crafted narratives they release are more about optics than patient health. It’s evident these companies care more about keeping patients dependent on in-center or home dialysis, which generates ongoing revenue, rather than empowering them to seek alternatives that could improve their quality of life If DaVita and Fresenius were truly committed to “patient-centered care,” they would be transparent with patients about the risks of long-term dialysis and actively promote transplant options. Yet, they cling to VBC as a financial strategy, using it as an excuse to cut services, limit patient-provider interactions, and reduce the scope of treatments available. Patients are reduced to data points, with their worth measured not by their health outcomes but by the revenue they generate DaVita’s leaders pose for photos and push VBC as if it’s a groundbreaking approach, but the reality is that patients can see through this façade. Patients are becoming more informed about VBC, and they’re realizing that it prioritizes profits, not health. While these executives pat themselves on the back for “improving” healthcare, they’re really pushing patients deeper into dependence, keeping them from accessing real preventive care What’s even more disturbing is the lack of transparency and accountability from DaVita’s leadership. Patients, families, and advocates have raised legitimate concerns— Yet DaVita routinely ignores or censors these criticisms Misha Palecek Javier Rodriguez Andy Pate #NoMorePhotoOps

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Healthcare is evolving, and Fullscript is leading the way! The current system too often prioritizes symptom management over root cause solutions, but Fullscript is proving that there’s a better way. 🌿💡 As an integrative pharmacist, I’ve always believed in treating the whole person—mind, body, and soul, and Fullscript’s platform offers exactly that. By empowering providers with tools that foster deeper connections and personalized care, Fullscript is paving the way for a healthcare system that is truly proactive and patient-centered. As providers, let’s continue working together to deliver healthcare that heals from the inside out. #HealthcareInnovation #WholePersonCare #FutureOfHealthcare

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#AHIPDigital peeps in Nashville: Looking forward to seeing you at 2:30 today in Room 101 A. We're covering culture, and how to change it to be customer centric. We'll talk about all sorts of things from why NPS is not the right metric to what steps to take to create long-term, real culture change at an organization. Because as we all know, #EXDrivesCX. Period.

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I did a ChatGPT roast of me as a Nurse Entrepreneur and it was pretty good, figured I would share it. Buckle up, Nurse Entrepreneur Extraordinaire—here it comes: Look at you, strutting into the care management world like a Florence Nightingale/Jeff Bezos hybrid, telling everyone, "I don’t just save lives; I optimize them for value-based billing!" You’re out here convincing providers to pay you while they do less work, and you make it sound like you’re doing them a favor. Genius! But let’s be real—how many of them actually understand the spreadsheets you throw at them? “Don’t worry, Doc. Just sign here, and I’ll turn your patients into metrics.” And let’s talk about your pitch to nurses: "You, too, can own a business like mine!" But the fine print? First, survive marketing headaches, convince providers you’re worth it, and pray you don’t lose your mind trying to make care plans sound sexy. Your social media captions? Oh, we see them: “Be your own boss!” Meanwhile, behind the scenes, you’re pulling all-nighters because someone forgot to document that one patient’s blood pressure log. But hey, credit where credit’s due—you’ve turned care management into an art form. You’ve got patients healthier, providers happier, and nurses believing they can rule the world... right after they learn what "RVU" means. Keep doing you, Nurse Boss. Just don’t forget: while you’re busy bridging the gap, someone’s gotta remind you to sleep, hydrate, and maybe—just maybe—enjoy a day off.

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A whirlwind of activity last week at the America's Physician Groups conference. Lots of solid insights shared by health system leaders. Some notable thoughts: +++ Artificial intelligence is intelligent in different ways: By now, we all know ai has a diverse set of use cases, incorporated in different applications and tools. But there are fundamental differences in how the intelligence itself is brought to life. Examples include: - Predictive AI, used to forecast future outcomes by leveraging historical data. Shout out to UCLA’s CKD/ESRD early intervention protocol (Joycee Berin) and Diagnostic Robotics’ intelligence care post-dicharge journeys (Kira Radinsky) - Protocolized AI, used to automating a user’s administrative load by using a set of detailed, pre-defined rule sets. Thanks to ARC for sharing their experience using Elaborate 's automated outpatient lab summaries (Manish Naik) - Generative AI, used to create new content. Great overview of ambient documentation at MGB as well as Cedars’ Sinai talking through its medical ontology model powering acute triage (Caroline Goldzweig) Across system leaders and experts, there was clear agreement that the first step to implementing intelligence intelligently is defining the ‘jobs to be done’. That way, internal and external stakeholders are clear on what they're solving for when they architect the solution.  +++ Scaling AI takes time and rigorous observation: Market leaders describe a phased pilot approach that allows clinicians to build confidence and system leaders to measure ROI before deploying systemwide. Loved hearing Rebecca Mishuris outline MGB’s novel approach of piloting two solutions against one another, to pressure test implementation, workflow, and value creation. +++ Proving ROI continues to be challenging: Lots of vendors using lots of different metrics to prove value, but the majority of leaders agreed that estimating the ROI of these new tools today is part science, part art. Demonstrating the ROI of the “soft” metrics around provider burnout and retention seemed to be a big opportunity, especially for investment in more efficient primary care and PCP wellbeing. After all, PCPs drive referrals to specialty-level care (and higher reimbursements) for health systems. Appreciated Anurang Revri's overview of how working team setup can also impact ROI estimates. +++ Value-based care = tools + humanity: VBC will require not only implementing tools to support clinical documentation, risk capture, upcoding, etc, but also humanizing interactions to engage patients. Countless examples, but one that made me smile was a depression focused chat bot responding in the following interaction: - Context: post-discharge check in Bot: Hi Freida, how are you feeling today after your surgery?  Patient: I’m having a tough time, am in a lot of pain.  Bot: Well, it can’t be that bad, I’m sure it will get better with a positive mindset!    🤣 🤣 🤣 Can't wait for next go-around!

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I frequently chat with healthcare tech companies about their US product strategy, business model, and go-to-market (#GTM) strategy. Below and attached are the core tenets of the conversation and my advice. I haven't changed these slides in 5+ years, so let me know if you see anything that needs updating. To be successful in #healthcare technology business development and product development, you must understand what drives your client's #economic motives. For example, too often, companies are building products, messaging, and selling as if "reducing costs and improving outcomes" is a fundamental motive in all provider organizations. In reality, it's a tiny subset of the market. Morally, almost everyone nods their head in agreement. Economically, they don't. There are ~10 different behavioral economic environments in US healthcare.

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Oh, UnitedHealthcare, the gory grim reaper of American healthcare. The company that manages to turn human suffering into golden dividends for shareholders. $165 million in penalties? A slap on the wrist for a company that posts billions in profits annually while its patients—yes, actual humans—are left fighting for survival in the dystopian nightmare they dare to call "coverage." This settlement with Massachusetts isn’t justice. It’s a mosquito bite on the bloated carcass of their greed. UnitedHealthcare has perfected the art of deception. Denying claims, rejecting pre-authorizations, and intentionally delaying life-saving treatments aren't just occasional errors—they’re a business model. That $165 million fine? Chump change compared to the billions they rake in while patients rack up debt or die waiting for treatments. But hey, they’ve got shareholders to keep happy, right? Last year, they boasted $22 billion in profit. That’s $22 billion earned on the backs of families bankrupted by cancer, diabetics rationing insulin, and stroke victims denied rehab. Meanwhile, their executives earn salaries so obscene they could probably pay that $165 million fine with the loose change in their yachts’ cup holders. UnitedHealthcare, like every other mega-insurer, thrives in a system designed to shield them. Consumer protections exist, sure, but they’re no match for an industry with entire legal teams devoted to exploiting loopholes. Every denied claim, every dodged payout, every bankrupt patient is a line item on a spreadsheet designed to maximize profit margins. And they’re getting away with it. Let this be a warning to every insurer hiding behind bureaucracy and deceit: Patients are voters. And we're all starting to wake up. https://lnkd.in/e4JAVjYQ #PatientsOverProfits #AdvocacyMatters #StupidHealthInsurance

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What I Learned from the HLTH Conference: Key Takeaways for the Future of Healthcare Attending the HLTH Conference was an eye-opener in many ways. Here are a few of my key takeaways that can reshape how we approach healthcare: Funding the Future: Sustainable funding models remain crucial. Whether through traditional routes like Medicaid (despite its fragmentation) or exploring alternative payment sources, it's clear that innovative payment models are essential to ensuring broad access to care. Outpatient SUD Treatment: 90% of substance use disorders (SUD) can be treated in outpatient settings. This shift could reduce healthcare costs and ease the burden on emergency rooms, where many addicts currently turn due to lack of primary care support. Technology and Wearables: The role of wearables and AI in healthcare is growing. Brainwave monitoring, biosensors in wearables for addiction management, and camera-based non-verbal emotion recognition are all promising advancements. Continued collaboration with tech leaders like Microsoft, Google, Samsung, and others is key to scaling these solutions. Workforce Challenges: By 2025, we could face a shortage of 3 million doctors, forcing healthcare to rethink delivery models. One solution? Empower patients to help each other—technology can facilitate this transformation. The Power of Partnerships: Engaging with partners, whether through foundations, tech companies, or local community-based programs, will be essential to overcoming healthcare’s biggest challenges. Collaboration is at the heart of progress. Looking forward to following up with the incredible individuals and organizations I met at HLTH and continuing to push forward in addressing some of healthcare's toughest issues! #HealthcareInnovation #HLTH2024 #WearableTech #AddictionRecovery #OutpatientCare #Partnerships #FutureOfHealthcare #DigitalHealth

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Here’s your recap of last week’s health IT news 🗞️ 👇 🤖 AI Clinician Assistant • Commure announced it will acquire Augmedix in a take-private deal. • Suki announced a partnership with Federally Qualified Health Centers and Community Health Centers, including Utah Navajo Health System, Inc., CenterPlace Health , and Access Health Louisiana. • OneHealth is partnering with healthPrecision / Medical Brain to support the former’s Modern Primary Care platform. 📈 Data & Analytics • Huma announced a $80M Series D that included pharma investors AstraZeneca and Leaps by Bayer, as well as the launch of its Huma Cloud Platform, a service that promises to help digital health products scale and launch their products more efficiently. • Intermountain Health partnered with NeuroFlow to better understand its Colorado patients’ behavioral health risks. 🔁 RCM • Medmetrix acquired HRSI - Healthcare Receivable Specialists Inc., accelerating development of its end-to-end solutions. • Thoughtful AI launched new “human-capable” AI agents for claims processing, patient eligibility verification, and payment posting and announced a $20M Series A. 📋 Patient Administration • XO Health Inc. is partnering with Kyruus Health to integrate its price transparency and directory tools. 💼 Provider and Practice Administration • West Tennessee Healthcare is implementing Qventus, Inc. 📱 Patient Support and Communications • Vizient, Inc has contracted with Mytonomy on behalf of its hospital and health system customers. • Tendo added FlyteHealth to its marketplace. • Epic offers a new integration with United Language Group allowing providers to dial-in an interpreter directly from the patient care workflow. ⚙️ Clinical Operations • Wolters Kluwer Health released an update to its UpToDate Pro software designed to support PCPs in prescribing, switching, and titrating antidepressant prescriptions. • Fullscript released two new studies demonstrating higher engagement and improved patient labs. 🍎 VBC • Guidehealth is now offering Story Health to its partner health systems. • Astrana Health is partnering with Elation Health to offer its EHR platform and billing technology to its customers. • Thyme Care closed a $95M series C, including healthcare funds such as CVS Health Ventures, Concord Health Partners, and more. 🧠 Food For Thought • A recent study found that Chat GPT-written patient portal messages were comparable in quality (and better on measures of empathy and communication style) to those drafted by healthcare professionals, according to PCP reviewers. We’re always interested to see physicians’ responses to GenAI solutions, as the tide turns toward greater acceptance of the technology. https://lnkd.in/gMX7ATX2 --- Want the latest healthcare tech news delivered to your inbox each week? Sign up here 📬 👉 https://lnkd.in/e2UJ3ckP

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I always read Rock Health's digital health reports as they give a nice pulse feel for what is happening in the digital health funding space. Good to see funds raised in H1 2024 suggest funding in the sector seems to have stabilized at 2023 levels. Its no surprise the report emphasis the buzz around AI and healthcare. There have been clear winners in the AI healthcare space in the area of process and cost optimization and the R&D space. The impact of AI in care and treatment delivery is so far much more muted. One area I never though to look at AI was in its ability to bring together multiple healthcare pathways and digital point solutions into a more holistic seamless experience for the patient. There is a clear trend away from using stand alone digital health point solutions, and could AI address this challenge by facilitating the efficient integration of disparate processes and technology into unified care programs. I can see this happening with digital health products but this will be more tricky to do with physical care programs involving clinicians and HCPs. “AI is helping us combine multiple parts of the care journey, across all care experiences. In the future, benefits navigation, clinical guidance, and care delivery won’t be delivered by separate companies or point solutions within the healthcare ecosystem. They’ll be features that work in concert within products, and they’ll happen in under 90 seconds for a seamless patient experience.” – Glen Tullman, CEO, Transcarent and Managing Partner, 7wireVentures

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You have to admit that the headline "Digital health resilience leads to brilliance" by Rock Health is a bit cheesy but when you look at the amount raised and number of deals, the future sounds more optimistic in H1 of 2024 than in the H1 of 2023. If you look at the Leading Value Propositions and Clinical Indications table you can see a #1 Treatment of disease at $1.1B. In the Clinical Indications the top 4 investments are in #mentalhealth, #cardiovascular, #oncology and #weightmanagement & #obesity. The upcoming trend of Food-as-Medicine or Food Care shows strength with $200M investment in Foodsmart. "The digital health sector continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability. Funding momentum (especially at the early stage) and the tapering of transition measures like unlabeled rounds hint that we might be returning to more “normal,” sustainable venture patterns." Read the whole report by clicking on the link below. #digitalhealth #mentalhealth #obesity #weightmanagement #AI #foodasmedicine https://lnkd.in/gPmX8dFn

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Excited to announce the launch of my new website and blog! 🖥️📝 After reconnecting with previous colleagues, I've finally found the time to embark on this new venture. As I navigate this new chapter, I welcome your input on topics that would be beneficial to you. Feel free to share your suggestions! #NewBeginnings #WebsiteLaunch #FirstBlogPost

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***From Best Practices to Next Practices*** This article from Jon Warner and Jomo Kenneth Starke discusses the shift from Return on Investment (ROI) to Return on Value (ROV) in healthcare, emphasizing a holistic approach that includes innovation, impact, and investment returns. ​ ROV considers qualitative factors alongside financial gains, guiding organizations to align investments with their missions. ​ It encourages long-term perspectives, justifying patient capital for incremental value creation. ​ Challenges in quantifying non-financial returns are acknowledged, but the benefits of ROV outweigh them. ​ This framework aids in strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and partnership formation to maximize value for individuals and society. ​ #Healthcare #ReturnOnValue #Innovation #PatientOutcomes #Collaboration #nextgen #valueovervolume https://lnkd.in/gihZBhSY

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Resistance to change is often about loss. Loss of control. Loss of financial benefit. Loss of relevance. These fears all come into play, sometimes separately but often all at once. Yes, change aversion is inherently human, but overcoming it is possible. But success is highly unlikely with a passive approach. Change management is skill unto itself and after representing and driving change at a number of healthcare and software organizations both big and small, I’ve come to realize the importance of understanding the root causes of change resistance (by key stakeholder), and proactively managing the change journey with empathy and intentionality. This post from Benjamin Schwartz, MD, MBA is a great reminder of this major tripping point for those striving to drive change in healthcare. Worth a read. #innovation #changemanagement #healthcare

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What does the future hold for retail medicine and virtual care? Walmart is the latest to announce their health center closure. https://lnkd.in/geZpMTkS. This following Optum news, VillageMD closing in Nevada, Teladoc Health problems, etc. What comes next? This is another in a long line of examples that technology and even consumer willingness are not enough when the reimbursement environment does not support particular care models. Are we getting ready to lose all the lessons painfully learned during the pandemic? Or will new virtual care models emerge following this round of closures?

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