Promoting Drug Price Transparency, Augmented Reality, and More

Healthcare Transparency

• Real-time prescription drug benefit EHR integrations are promoting drug price transparency between providers and patients at Presbyterian Healthcare system.
• An opinion piece in The Boston Globe explained how price transparency gives patients more autonomy in medical decisions.

FDA Approvals

• The FDA approved DyAnsys’ wearable neurostimulator to treat pain associated with diabetic-related nerve damage. This system is adhered behind the ear, making it less invasive than other competitor’s products that require a small procedure.
• Enovis, a medical technology company, announced the launch of FDA-approved ARVIS (Augmented Reality Visualization and Information System). This system uses hands-free AR technology to help orthopaedic surgeons perform hip and knee surgery.

Value-Based Healthcare

• Leaders from NAACOS and the Primary Care Collaborative agreed with a recent New England Journal of Medicine perspective article, that argued Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations are key to meeting CMS’ goal of having all Medicare beneficiaries in alternative payment models.
• Athenahealth’s Vice President of Product Management explains how timely data exchange between payers and providers is an essential factor in a successful value-based care model.

Julie Barnes JD is the Founder and Principal of Maverick Health Policy. A former policy analyst, healthcare attorney, and Capitol Hill staffer, Ms. Barnes has more than two decades of experience helping the private sector navigate federal government activities that influences medicine.