Katie Adams

Atlantic Health System announced that it is adopting FeelBetter's technology for polypharmacy patient management. The health system is now using the startup's personalized medication management platform across its three ACOs.

Banner Health is deploying Qventus' perioperative technology across the entire organization following the success of an initial pilot. The software integrates with EHRs and uses machine learning to automate operating room scheduling processes and maximize surgical caseloads.

Two Chairs, a startup offering hybrid behavioral health care, closed a $72 million Series C funding round. The company's focus on measuring outcomes and dedication to care quality assurance are two key factors that differentiate it from other mental health startups, CEO Alex Katz said.

This week, the FTC ordered Cerebral to pay a $7 million fine, accusing the company of mishandling users’ sensitive health data and misleading consumers about cancellation policies. Experts agree that other virtual healthcare providers need to work on their legal and compliance strategies in order to avoid a similar fate.

Q1 2024 saw a significant rise in the number of hospital M&A deals compared to the past three Q1s. Experts believe this M&A activity will continue to climb throughout this year and next — motivated by both financial distress and hospitals’ desire to improve strategic business lines like value-based care and digital healthcare services.

Headspace is going toe-to-toe with the likes of Talkspace and BetterHelp by bringing its mental health services directly to consumers — starting with text-based mental health coaching.

More than 33,000 Providence employees filed a class-action complaint against the health system in 2021, alleging that it had been withholding their wages by denying them breaks and rounding down their working hours. Last week, Providence was ordered to pay more than $200 million in damages — a decision that “sends a message to healthcare corporations,” according to an attorney representing the workers.

Walgreens announced that it is expanding its specialty pharmacy offerings. Experts think that this move could yield several strategic benefits, given the higher profit margins associated with specialty medications compared to traditional drugs. They also think Walgreens' move could lead to greater competition, consolidation and innovation within the broader pharmacy industry.

Johns Hopkins Hospital teamed up with Healthy.io, a company that offers smartphone-based technology to improve wound care management for diabetic patients. The partners are conducting a 120-person study to measure the impact of the startup's technology.

Optum is shutting down its virtual care unit after a three-year run. Industry experts agree that the closure reflects broader trends in the telehealth market, in which saturation and differentiation challenges are leading some providers to struggle.