DrChrono, a digital health company that works with EHRs, is teaming up with Cognition IP to help it draft five patent applications. The new patents will primarily be focused on machine learning technology. The pair are also going to be working on pushing through two patents that have been stalled for years.
“It was crucial to work with a partner that had a deep understanding of healthcare and machine learning,” Daniel Kivatinos, cofounder and COO of DrChrono, said in a statement. “We wanted to ensure that our intellectual property was patented and protected and Cognition IP helped us do just that by successfully expanding our portfolio.Investing in machine learning is critical to the future of our healthcare platform used by thousands of medical practices.”
Virtual care company Pager announced that it is launching in South America. It inked a deal with insurer Seguros SURA in Colombia. As part of the deal, Pager will provide its members with a virtual care team. Patients will be able to chat, call and video chat their doctor or care team. The services include triage, telemedicine, appointment setups, transportation and follow up care. The service is already available in all 50 US states but this deal marks the first international launch for the company.
“Convenient and cost-effective access to healthcare is a global issue” Walter Jin, chairman and CEO of Pager, said in a statement. "The partnership between Seguros SURA Colombia’s efficient health clinics and Pager’s technology platform will showcase the next generation model for the future of healthcare. Pager and Seguros Sura Colombia collaboration shows that our consumer-first approach to healthcare transcends geographical borders.”
Yale School of Medicine is teaming up with Foretell Reality in an effort to measure the effects of VR therapy on cancer patients. Specifically, the group is looking at the levels of anxiety and depression in cancer patients.
“A major factor in this study is the convenience for patients to enter a VR-based chat room, something that is especially useful for people with rare diseases or those who live in rural areas” Dr. Asher Marks, sssistant professor of pediatrics (Hematology / Oncology) and director of pediatric Neuro-Oncology, said in a statement. “The VR technology offered by Foretell Reality allows users to jointly partake as avatars in a shared experience which cannot be replicated over a conference call or video chat. Additionally, patients in the study are presented the option to remain anonymous during the VR group session, giving them a unique opportunity to communicate with others in a way they may otherwise not be comfortable with.”
UPMC Health Plan will be employing VirtualHealth’s HELIOS care management and coordination platform for one of its programs focused on long-term services and supports for patients eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, the companies announced. The tool automates caseload assignments and task management for care managers, while also assisting with assessment, planning and authorization.
“Forward-looking health plans understand that HELIOS will position them for success through a true whole-person, member-centered approach to care management,” Adam Sabloff, CEO and founder of VirtualHealth, said in a statement. “We are honored that UPMC Health Plan plans to utilize HELIOS to enhance its members’ care and experiences in its Community HealthChoices program.”
