Several startup software companies are launching innovative new products in an effort to bring health care delivery into the digital realm, the New York Times' "Bits" reports.
At the Health 2.0 Conference in San Francisco this week, several of the companies showcased their latest technologies. Descriptions of some of the new applications are provided below.
- Hello Health: The service allows patients to communicate with their physicians via instant messaging tools. The program saves patient conversations and provides receipts after filing insurance claims.
- ReachMyDoctor: The program collects health histories in a single location and allows a patient's care team to discuss treatment plans through a group chat tool. Patients also can submit questions to their physician and schedule appointments online.
- RelayHealth: The tool allows both patients and physicians to add health data to an electronic record. Physicians also can use the service to write electronic prescriptions and share medical data with colleagues.
- VisionTree: The Web-based application allows patients to fill out medical histories, request prescription refills and schedule appointments online (Miller [1], "Bits," New York Times, 10/6).
Administration Support for Health IT Startups
During the Health 2.0 conference, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra said the Obama administration supports policy changes that could spur innovation among startup health IT companies.
For example, Chopra said the administration supports new policies on:
- Cyber-security;
- Hospital readmissions;
- Medical education subsidies;
- Mobile health care;
- Patient data rights;
- Patient privacy; and
- Veterans' health care (Miller [2], "Bits," New York Times, 10/6).