CHIME and HLTH hosted their third annual conference, ViVE 2024 from Feb. 25-28 in Los Angeles. Bringing together over 7,500 leaders from tech, health systems, payers, venture capital, and the public sector, there was no shortage of valuable ideas, insights and discussions. Here’s our guide to the ViVE 2024 “showstoppers” — the key sessions and announcements that highlighted a path to a more connected, efficient and consumer-centric industry.
Standout Sessions, Announcements, and Topics at ViVE 2024:
1. Health systems are driving change through their own innovation centers.
It’s no secret the healthcare industry is ripe for change and innovation. That’s why more health systems are creating innovation centers dedicated to driving clinical, operational and financial change forward. One standout session, “Health System’s Big Bet on Innovation,” took a look at this emerging trend.
The session was moderated by Linda Finkel, CEO of AVIA, and featured speakers Chris Waugh, VP and Chief of the Design & Innovation Office at Sutter Health; Michelle Stansbury, VP of Innovation & IT Applications at Houston Methodist; Rebecca Kaul, SVP and Chief of Innovation & Transformation at Northwell Health; and Sara Vaezy, EVP and Chief Strategy & Digital Officer at Providence.
The session gave attendees an inside look into the unique missions of four health system innovation centers and the challenges they’ve faced in reshaping healthcare delivery. Speakers highlighted the complexities of disrupting an established industry while emphasizing the importance of agile leadership and innovative problem-solving approaches, particularly while navigating an evolving landscape of digital health startups and new entrants.
2. It’s time to address data bias head on.
Data bias is a critical issue with profound implications in healthcare — it can lead to skewed decision-making and reinforce existing inequalities. In the session, “Addressing Data Bias through the Lens of Hidden Figures,” moderated by Andrea Daugherty, CISSP, Chief Digital Health Officer at SHI International, industry leaders discussed the prevalence of data bias and the importance of building a workforce dedicated to ethical programming, especially with the emergence of AI.
Speakers included Chani Cordero, CIO of San Antonio Military Medical Center; Dr. Zafar Chaudry, MD, MS, MIS, MBA, CITP, Senior Vice President, Chief Digital Officer & Chief Information Officer at Seattle Children’s; Mike Mosquito, MBA, CDH-E, CHCIO of Emerging Technology and Innovation at Northeast Georgia Health System; and Stuart James, MBA, NACD.DC, Vice President, IS Chief Operations Officer, and Deputy CIO at CHRISTUS Health.
The session explored how clinical decision support systems can combat bias through evidence-based, unbiased guidance. It also underscored the need for data consistency, real-time reporting, and thoughtful vendor selection to mitigate bias and improve care delivery.
3. The Change Healthcare cyberattack underscored the importance of privacy and security.
The recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a critical player in the U.S. healthcare system, sent shockwaves through the industry, highlighting the vulnerability of large healthcare organizations to cybercrime. With approximately 1 in 3 U.S. patients’ medical records at stake, the attack forced Change Healthcare to disconnect its information systems, disrupting vital data transactions for prescriptions and electronic payments.
The severity of the breach is underscored by the cyber criminals’ claim of exfiltrating 6TB of personal health data, raising concerns about potential future exploits on other systems beyond Change Healthcare.
In the aftermath of the attack, two key repercussions have emerged. First, providers are facing payment delays, significantly impacting near-term financial stability. Second, there is a heightened awareness among healthcare professionals about the importance of robust security programs, leading them to gravitate to trusted vendors who prioritize cybersecurity.
4. TEFCA holds promise, but there’s still work to do to achieve interoperability.
TEFCA (Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement) was also a hot topic at ViVE 2024, reflecting the industry’s push for enhanced interoperability. Discussions emphasized the need for sustainable business models supporting TEFCA implementation, alongside robust data privacy and security measures.
A significant stride was made through the partnership between MedAllies and Veradigm, facilitating TEFCA participation for up to 4,000 physician groups. However, challenges persist, with financial vulnerabilities and cybersecurity threats facing many QHINs. The sector’s regulatory landscape, as explored by Jill DeGraff in the session “Regulatory Mastery in Healthcare: Charting a Course for Interoperability with Regulations as Waypoints,” underscores the shift towards consumer-centric models.
HITAC recommendations and the ONC HTI-1 Final Rule prioritize FHIR-based standards and API-driven exchanges, safeguarding patient rights and fostering cost-free data access. Early adopters’ engagement with regulatory mandates showcases the industry’s commitment to advancing interoperability. As healthcare navigates these challenges, concerted efforts are needed to realize seamless data exchange and consumer-centric services.
5. Walgreens and b.well shared strategies to overcome data fragmentation.
Healthcare data fragmentation was a common theme. The session titled “The Connected Health Experience for Consumers,” led by Sarah Jones, Chief Outcomes Officer at b.well, and Kelly DeCanio, Lead of Product at Walgreens, shed light on this persistent issue and how dispersed health information hinders comprehensive care delivery and personalization.
The session highlighted Walgreens and b.well’s collaborative efforts to address these challenges by unifying fragmented healthcare data, services, and solutions on one FHIR-enabled platform. Jones and DeCanio detailed the key challenges Walgreens faced related to consumer informed consent, true personalization, and prescription fragmentation, “We’re looking forward to leveraging the data that 64% of individuals consented to share, allowing us to tailor personalized healthcare experiences. We’re thrilled to see growing engagement in our digital platform, with new users joining us every week. Up next is advancing federated identity and saying ‘buh bye’ to all those logins and passwords,” DeCanio said.
The session highlighted how b.well’s platform addresses these challenges, as well as early outcomes related to engagement, prescription consolidation, and closing care gaps. Looking ahead, Walgreens aims to further connect its assets via federated identity, increase consumer and provider access through interoperability, and drive consumer value in its digital experience. The session emphasized the importance of consumer-mediated interoperability in the healthcare industry, driven by consumer demand, regulatory considerations, and the shift towards value-based care.
6. Utilizing AI-enabled solutions in the years to come and what that means ethically.
The session titled “The Hospital’s Jetson Era” at ViVE 2024 explored the future of healthcare delivery within hospital settings, envisioning a landscape where hyper-personalized, digitized, and AI-enabled solutions seamlessly integrate into daily life. Moderated by Brian Kalis, Managing Director at Accenture Health, the panel featured insights from Andrea Fletcher, Chief Digital Strategy Officer at CMS; Charles Worthington, Chief Technology Officer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Jeff Terry, Founding CEO & Managing Principal at GE HealthCare Command Center; and Rebecca Stametz, VP of Digital Transformation at Geisinger.
The discussion highlighted the importance of forward-thinking design, patient-centric approaches, and innovative technology solutions in reshaping the future of healthcare delivery. In an interview about threats and opportunities at ViVE 2024, Kalis emphasized the necessity for more discussion about the responsible use of AI and the need for a strategy to be formulated for it’s effective and equitable deployment. “It is a complicated problem that really needs more investment, time, and attention to ensure that we are actually driving improvements for both patients and clinicians,” stated Kalis.
The future of healthcare lies not only in embracing cutting-edge technology, but also in crafting responsible approaches for its implementation, ensuring meaningful progress and impactful advancements for patients and clinicians alike. We agree that AI has great potential and can enable all healthcare workers, patients, and their caregivers to become more proactive in their healthcare journey, allowing clinicians to focus on treatment. By creating a framework that is built on the FHIR and CQL standards, we have the ability to expand the use of AI in healthcare safely for consumers.
7. Ecosystems, connected by integrated platforms, are the future of healthcare.
Although point solutions can be implemented faster, platforms are the long-term solution for scalable collaboration in healthcare. The discussion titled “The Platform: Who Will Get the Final Rose?” featuring b.well CEO Kristen Valdes, panelists defined platforms in the context of today’s healthcare industry and emphasized the shift from individual applications to integrated platforms as a strategy to address fragmentation and build connected ecosystems of care.
Ultimately the panel emphasized the need for collaboration, flexibility, and adherence to open standards in driving meaningful change in the healthcare industry. Valdes underscored the importance of holding the tech community accountable for solving communication incentives and highlighted the role of consumers in shaping the future landscape of healthcare platforms.
This panel was moderated by Scott Joseph, Forbes Contributor/Managing Director, Summit Health Advisors, and also included Neil Patel, Head of New Ventures at Redesign Health; Nicole Rogas, President at symplr; and Scott Arnold, EVP, Chief Digital & Innovation Officer at Tampa General Hospital.
8. b.well’s Series C Funding highlighted the industry’s commitment to a more consumer-centric healthcare system.
b.well Connected Health announced the completion of a $40 million Series C growth round led by Leavitt Equity Partners, with Andrew Clark joining their board of directors. Ryan Howells from Leavitt Partners and Hon Pak, MD, from Samsung also join the board, highlighting b.well’s commitment to solving healthcare fragmentation.
This announcement underscored b.well’s mission to prioritize consumers and enhance healthcare experiences through a scalable platform. The company’s recent integrations with Samsung and CLEAR also aim to give consumers greater control over their health data and streamline access to care. At ViVE, b.well CEO Kristen Valdes emphasized the importance of choice, transparency, and personalization in healthcare, expressing gratitude for the support of Leavitt Equity Partners and the expertise of Dr. Pak.
Key Takeaway: The industry embraced innovation, connectivity, and consumer-centric solutions at ViVE 2024.
ViVE 2024 illuminated key themes reshaping healthcare, including innovation, data bias, interoperability, cybersecurity, and consumer-centricity. Discussions emphasized the urgency for agile leadership and ethical programming to combat bias, fortify cybersecurity measures, and address data fragmentation. The transition towards integrated platforms highlighted scalability, interoperability, and collaboration as essential drivers of change. b.well’s Series C funding underscored the industry’s commitment to consumer-centric healthcare solutions.
Overall, ViVE 2024 provided insights into the evolving healthcare landscape, emphasizing the need for innovation, connectivity, and regulatory mastery to improve patient outcomes in a digital and consumer-driven era.
Ready to learn more about how b.well can help you address fragmentation? Contact us today.
