Salesforce and Blue Shield of California are launching an AI-driven system to streamline healthcare approvals, aiming to cut down prior authorization wait times from weeks to, potentially, the same day. This partnership, leveraging Salesforce’s healthcare cloud, integrates patient data to streamline approvals while retaining clinician oversight, ensuring AI decisions are always reviewed by a human expert.
Clinicians spend about 28 hours per week on administrative tasks, mainly clinical documentation and communication. Medical and claims staff reported even higher administrative loads, with 34 and 36 hours spent weekly on tasks like documentation, communication, and prior authorization. Many respondents linked these demands directly to burnout, with 77% of claims staff, 81% of medical staff, and 82% of clinicians citing administrative burdens as significant contributors. Additionally, 78% of payer executives and 85% of provider executives noted that administrative work is a key driver of staffing shortages.
Essential Technologies for Value-Based Care Success As healthcare providers increasingly adopt value-based care, they must invest in the right technologies and resources to succeed in this model, which incentivizes high-quality, cost-effective care. Value-Based Care Technologies tie reimbursement to care quality, making providers accountable for patient outcomes while providing resources to enhance care. As of 2021, nearly 60% of healthcare payments were already tied to value-based models, according to the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (HCP LAN). While partnerships can initiate value-based care, providers must invest in the right technology to fully achieve the intended outcomes. Health Information Exchange (HIE) A robust health information exchange (HIE) is fundamental to value-based care, as it enables providers and payers to access high-quality data seamlessly. HIE allows healthcare professionals to share patients’ medical information electronically across organizations, promoting care coordination by giving providers a comprehensive view of patient needs. For patients, HIE enables more informed involvement in their care by making their health data accessible across specialists, labs, and pharmacies. While joining an HIE may involve new technology investments and workflow adjustments, it ultimately enhances provider access to critical health data. Population Health Management Tools Population health management tools help providers assess health outcomes within groups rather than focusing on individuals alone. These tools aggregate and analyze data, allowing practices to identify high-risk patients and create targeted interventions. This not only enhances health outcomes but can also reduce costs by avoiding expensive treatments. Patient engagement tools, such as telehealth and remote patient monitoring, are essential in population health management, especially for monitoring high-risk patients when in-person care is not feasible. Digital surveys integrated within patient portals can provide insights into social determinants of health, adding a broader context to patient needs. Data Analytics Data analytics transform healthcare data into actionable insights across four types: descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive. Providers can use these analytics to reduce hospital readmissions, predict diseases, and identify chronic illnesses. Data integration and risk stratification capabilities are especially valuable in value-based care, enabling providers to track patient health outcomes effectively and prioritize high-risk cases. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning AI and machine learning support many data analytics functions, helping identify patient needs and easing administrative burdens. Given staffing shortages and burnout—reported by 63% of physicians in 2021, according to the American Medical Association (AMA)—AI can automate tasks like documentation, charting, and scheduling, allowing providers to focus more on patient care. Additionally, AI-driven automation in revenue cycle management tasks, such as billing and coding, can reduce the administrative workload associated with value-based care. Price Transparency Technology Price transparency empowers patients to seek cost-effective care, a core principle of value-based models. When providers comply with transparency regulations, patients can better understand their costs and make informed decisions. For providers, leveraging price transparency tools ensures compliance and facilitates partnerships with payers by enabling more effective negotiation, which supports the overall goals of value-based care. As healthcare continues shifting to value-based models, investing in these technologies is critical for providers aiming for long-term success. While these tools rdo equire substantial investment, they are essential for improving patient outcomes, optimizing care quality, and ensuring sustainability in value-based care. When evaluating and choosing healthcare technology tools, contact Tectonic for help. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
The Salesforce Winter ’25 release introduces groundbreaking updates tailored to the life sciences industry. Whether you’re in pharmaceuticals, biotech, or medical devices, these innovations aim to streamline operations, enhance patient care, and strengthen stakeholder relationships. Let’s explore the key enhancements: Quote and Agreement Automation Salesforce’s advancements in Quote and Agreement Automation simplify pricing and contractual negotiations for life sciences organizations. Key benefits include: These updates not only improve operational efficiency but also reduce errors and compliance risks, helping organizations stay ahead in a highly regulated industry. Financial Assistance Programs Navigating financial support for patients can be challenging, but Salesforce is making it easier. The Winter ’25 release enhances tools for managing financial assistance programs, ensuring eligible patients get the support they need. Key features include: By easing the financial burden on patients, these updates strengthen trust and foster better patient-provider relationships. Participant Recruitment and Enrollment Recruiting and enrolling participants for clinical trials is now more efficient with Salesforce’s new AI-driven tools. Notable improvements include: These updates not only shorten recruitment timelines but also enhance the overall trial experience for participants. Patient Program Outcome Management Tracking patient outcomes is vital for life sciences companies, and Salesforce’s Patient Program Outcome Management tools deliver powerful capabilities. Features include: These tools empower organizations to make data-driven decisions, improving program effectiveness and elevating patient care. Pharmacy Benefits Verification Verifying patient benefits is often a time-consuming task. The Winter ’25 release introduces automation to streamline this process. Key highlights: By simplifying benefits verification, this update enhances efficiency for providers and ensures a smoother experience for patients. Why It Matters for Life Sciences The Winter ’25 release is a leap forward for the life sciences industry, offering tools that: From automating quotes and agreements to improving patient support and trial management, these updates empower organizations to focus on delivering exceptional care and innovation. Ready to Transform Your Salesforce Experience?Tectonic is here to help you unlock the full potential of these enhancements. Whether you’re looking to optimize patient care, streamline operations, or improve outcomes, we’ll guide you every step of the way. Contact Tectonic today to get started! Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
As artificial intelligence gains momentum in healthcare, it’s critical for health systems and related stakeholders to develop robust AI governance programs. AI’s potential to address challenges in administration, operations, and clinical care is drawing interest across the sector. As this technology evolves, the range of applications in healthcare will only broaden.
Healthcare IT advancements, especially electronic health records (EHRs), have made it easier to gather and store data, which, in turn, fuels population health initiatives and improves patient outcomes. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality highlights that using health IT tools can significantly enhance chronic disease management by promoting efficient care delivery, information-sharing, and patient education. However, selecting and adopting the right analytics tools remains challenging. Here are five essential data analytics tools that healthcare providers can leverage for effective chronic disease management.
managing healthcare data is complex and resource-intensive. Health informatics addresses this challenge by merging health data with IT systems to streamline healthcare operations and analytics.
Beyond the 72-hour reporting requirement, which took effect on October 2, 2024, hospitals must implement key cybersecurity measures, such as multifactor authentication and a robust incident response plan, by October 2025. These regulations currently apply only to general hospitals, excluding other healthcare facilities like nursing homes and diagnostic centers.
Improving communication among care teams can help patients avoid repeated lab tests, unnecessary appointments, and medication errors, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Poor care coordination can result in negative health outcomes, increased emergency room visits, poor care transitions, and higher costs for patients.
Primary care in the United States urgently needs a redesign, as rural hospital closures and a shortage of providers are severely limiting access for nearly one-third of the population. While advanced technologies like virtual care have helped expand primary care access, there is still a strong preference for in-person visits. To address this, healthcare providers must create a hybrid care model that integrates both virtual and in-person services to better meet patient needs. Hackensack Meridian Health, a New Jersey-based health system, has embraced an AI-based solution to establish this hybrid care model. Through a partnership with K Health, the system aims to create a seamless patient journey that fluidly transitions between virtual and in-person care as needed. According to Dr. Daniel Varga, chief physician executive at Hackensack Meridian Health, the need for this partnership became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted in-person care across New Jersey. “Before the pandemic, we did zero virtual visits in our offices,” Varga said. “By early 2020, we were doing thousands per day, and we realized there was real demand for it, but we didn’t have the skill set to execute it properly.” With the support of K Health, Varga believes the health system now has the technology and expertise to integrate AI-driven virtual care into its network of 18 hospitals. However, successful implementation requires overcoming technology integration challenges. The AI-Powered Virtual Care Solution The partnership between Hackensack Meridian Health and K Health has two key components, Varga explained. The first is a 24/7 AI-driven virtual care service, and the second is a professional services agreement between K Health’s doctors and the Hackensack medical group. The AI system used in the virtual care platform is built to learn from clinical data, distinguishing it from traditional symptom-checking tools. According to K Health co-founder Ran Shaul, the AI analyzes data from patients’ EHRs and symptom inputs to provide detailed insights into the patient’s health history, giving primary care providers a comprehensive view of the patient‘s current health concerns. “We know about your chronic conditions, your recent visits, and whether you’ve followed up on key health checks like mammograms,” Shaul explained. “It creates a targeted medical chart rather than a generic symptom analysis.” In addition, K Health’s virtual physicians and Hackensack Meridian’s medical group are integrated, sharing the same tax ID and EHR system, which ensures continuity of care between virtual and in-person visits. Varga highlighted that this integration allows for seamless transitions between care settings, where virtual doctors’ notes are readily available to in-person providers the following day. “If a patient sees a virtual doctor at 2 a.m., I have the 24/7 notes right in front of me the next morning in the office,” Varga said. The service is accessible to all patients, including new patients and those recently discharged from Hackensack Meridian Health’s inpatient services who require follow-up care. Overcoming Challenges in Implementation Deploying an AI-driven virtual care system across 18 hospitals presents significant challenges, but Hackensack Meridian Health has developed several strategies to ensure smooth implementation. First, the health system provided training to all 36,000 team members to familiarize them with the platform. Additionally, a dedicated team was created to enhance collaboration between the traditional medical group and the virtual care team. One major focus was connecting hospitals and 24/7 virtual care services to ensure continuity of care for patients leaving emergency departments or being discharged from inpatient care. “Many patients don’t have a primary care doctor when they leave the hospital,” Varga explained. “With this virtual service, we can immediately book a virtual appointment for them before they leave the ED.” Provider Hybrid Care Models provide better patient care, follow-up, and outcomes. The system also offers language accessibility, with patients able to interact with the platform in Spanish and request Spanish-speaking clinicians. This feature is part of the health system’s broader strategy to break down barriers to care access and improve health equity. Improving Access and Health Equity-Provider Hybrid Care Model Shaul noted that the convenience of scheduling virtual appointments at any time helps patients who would otherwise struggle to see a doctor due to work schedules or long travel distances. The virtual care service also addresses the needs of patients with limited English proficiency, allowing them to access care in their native language. By connecting patients who lack a usual source of care with primary care providers through the virtual platform, Hackensack Meridian Health aims to close care gaps. Access to primary care is critical for improving health outcomes, yet the number of Americans with a regular source of care has dropped by 10% in the past 18 years. This decline disproportionately affects Hispanic individuals, those with lower education levels, and the uninsured. Varga emphasized that the virtual care service aligns with Hackensack’s goal of meeting patients where they are—whether virtually, in their hospitals, or at brick-and-mortar medical offices. “The reason we have such a geographically diverse spread of sites is that we believe in meeting patients where they are,” Varga said. “If that means a virtual visit, we’ll meet them there. If it means the No. 1 ranked hospital in New Jersey, we’ll meet them there. And if it’s a medical office, that’s where we’ll meet them.” Salesforce and Tectonic can help your provider solution offer the same diversity. Contact us today! Heath and Life Sciences are winning a competitive edge with Salesforce for better patient outcomes. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its
Salesforce has unveiled Connected Assets, a robust suite of capabilities in Manufacturing Cloud, designed to offer manufacturers a comprehensive, real-time perspective on connected asset data. This includes data on service history, asset status, customer records, and telematics, allowing manufacturers to monitor asset health and performance while proactively addressing maintenance needs to reduce downtime and boost customer satisfaction. Enhanced AI Capabilities for Connected AssetsConnected Assets integrates Salesforce’s advanced AI to empower teams with actionable insights. Sales, customer service, and field teams can now receive real-time alerts and quickly access asset history and health, enabling faster, data-driven support and the delivery of more personalized offers. AI-driven insights and recommendations based on asset condition, service history, and performance data enhance the ability of manufacturers to predict maintenance needs and provide proactive support, including on-site recommendations to field technicians. Innovative Features for Optimized Asset Management Salesforce PerspectiveAchyut Jajoo, SVP and GM of Manufacturing and Automotive, states, “The manufacturing industry is embracing a historic transformation toward AI-enabled modernization. Connected Assets and our sector-specific AI tools in Manufacturing Cloud empower our customers to lead with improved customer experiences, optimized asset performance, and new revenue-generating services. With Agentforce, our customers will soon be able to leverage autonomous agents to monitor connected asset data at scale, enabling them to focus on strategic, high-value initiatives.” Real-World ApplicationKawasaki Engines exemplifies Connected Assets in action, using Manufacturing Cloud to enhance customer relationships by offering proactive support and minimizing equipment downtime. “Salesforce’s Connected Assets will enable us to deliver exceptional service, keeping our customers satisfied and our products operating efficiently,” says Tony Gondick, Senior Manager of IT Business Strategy at Kawasaki Engines. Extending Across IndustriesBeyond Manufacturing Cloud, Connected Assets is also being introduced to Salesforce’s other industry clouds, such as Energy & Utilities, Communications, and Media, allowing a wide range of sectors to tap into the benefits of connected asset management, minimize downtime, and generate new value. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
One effective way to accomplish this is by using the Document Matrix element in Discovery Framework–based OmniScripts. This approach allows you to streamline the assessment process and ensure that the advisor uploads the correct documents.
How Ambient AI is Enhancing the Patient-Provider Relationship Ambient AI is transforming the patient-provider experience at Ochsner Health by enabling clinicians to focus more on their patients and less on their screens. While some view technology as a barrier to human interaction, Ochsner’s innovation officer, Dr. Jason Hill, believes ambient AI is doing the opposite by fostering stronger connections between patients and providers. Researchers estimate that physicians spend over 40% of consultation time focused on electronic health records (EHRs), limiting face-to-face interactions. “We have highly skilled professionals spending time inputting data instead of caring for patients, and as a result, patients feel disconnected due to the screen barrier,” Hill said. Additionally, increased documentation demands related to quality reporting, patient satisfaction, and reimbursement are straining providers. Ambient AI scribes help relieve this burden by automating clinical documentation, allowing providers to focus on their patients. Using machine learning, these AI tools generate clinical notes in seconds from recorded conversations. Clinicians then review and edit the drafts before finalizing the record. Ochsner began exploring ambient AI several years ago, but only with the advent of advanced language models like OpenAI’s GPT did the technology become scalable and cost-effective for large health systems. “Once the technology became affordable for large-scale deployment, we were immediately interested,” Hill explained. Selecting the Right Vendor Ochsner piloted two ambient AI tools before choosing DeepScribe for an enterprise-wide partnership. After the initial rollout to 60 physicians, the tool achieved a 75% adoption rate and improved patient satisfaction scores by 6%. What set DeepScribe apart were its customization features. “We can create templates for different specialties, but individual doctors retain control over their note outputs based on specific clinical encounters,” Hill said. This flexibility was crucial in gaining physician buy-in. Ochsner also valued DeepScribe’s strong vendor support, which included tailored training modules and direct assistance to clinicians. One example of this support was the development of a software module that allowed Ochsner’s providers to see EHR reminders within the ambient AI app. “DeepScribe built a bridge to bring EHR data into the app, so clinicians could access important information right before the visit,” Hill noted. Ensuring Documentation Quality Ochsner has implemented several safeguards to maintain the accuracy of AI-generated clinical documentation. Providers undergo training before using the ambient AI system, with a focus on reviewing and finalizing all AI-generated notes. Notes created by the AI remain in a “pended” state until the provider signs off. Ochsner also tracks how much text is generated by the AI versus added by the provider, using this as a marker for the level of editing required. Following the successful pilot, Ochsner plans to expand ambient AI to 600 clinicians by the end of the year, with the eventual goal of providing access to all 4,700 physicians. While Hill anticipates widespread adoption, he acknowledges that the technology may not be suitable for all providers. “Some clinicians have different documentation needs, but for the vast majority, this will likely become the standard way we document at Ochsner within a year,” he said. Conclusion By integrating ambient AI, Ochsner Health is not only improving operational efficiency but also strengthening the human connection between patients and providers. As the technology becomes more widespread, it holds the potential to reshape how clinical documentation is handled, freeing up time for more meaningful patient interactions. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
In need of help to implement requisite configuration updates to establish a usable data model for data segmentation that supports best practices utilization of Marketing Cloud features including Contact Builder, Email Studio and Journey Builder.
Einstein Copilot for Healthcare – Salesforce has introduced a new AI-powered healthcare assistant within its CRM system, marking its latest move to expand into the healthcare industry. As AI development accelerates, tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon Web Services, and Salesforce are capitalizing on the opportunity to integrate AI and cloud technologies into healthcare to streamline administrative and operational tasks. Salesforce’s healthcare-specific AI tool, Einstein Copilot, is a conversational assistant that leverages an organization’s private data to provide relevant responses. Einstein Copilot enables healthcare providers and care teams to digitally capture and summarize information from both clinical and nonclinical sources, update patient records, and automate manual workflows. Key Features of Einstein Copilot Providers can use Einstein Copilot to generate patient summaries that include medications, diagnoses, social determinants, assessments, clinical service requests, and care gaps. A care manager can also ask the assistant to find an in-network provider based on location, specialty, and insurance coverage, and auto-fill referral forms using natural language prompts. The AI assistant can also trigger workflows for tasks such as sending referrals, scheduling appointments, and updating care plans. Salesforce expects Einstein Copilot to be HIPAA-compliant by summer 2024, with Copilot: Health Actions slated for general availability in winter 2024. Digitizing Health Assessments Salesforce is adding a feature called Assessment Generation that allows healthcare organizations to digitize standardized health assessments. These can be automatically populated into Salesforce Health Cloud, filled out electronically, and tracked for progress over time. Reducing Administrative Waste Salesforce cites research from McKinsey & Co. showing that administrative costs account for nearly a quarter of U.S. healthcare spending, with a potential savings of up to $320 billion. By integrating AI and CRM tools, Salesforce aims to reduce the operational burden on healthcare providers and improve patient outcomes. Amit Khanna, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Health at Salesforce, highlighted the value of these innovations: “These new data, AI, and CRM features reduce the administrative and operational burden for healthcare providers, leading to better outcomes for patients. With Salesforce’s trusted AI, healthcare organizations excited about generative AI—but wary of clinical and security concerns—can confidently integrate these innovations into their workflows.” Early Adopters and Impact Healthcare providers including Baptist Health South Florida and HarmonyCares are already leveraging Salesforce to personalize patient interactions and create unified patient views. HarmonyCares, which operates across 14 states with over 150 primary care providers, has used Salesforce’s AI-driven field service platform to streamline patient scheduling. The company reported a 50% increase in self-scheduling efficiency since adopting the platform and plans to expand its use of Salesforce Health Cloud for care management and engagement. Kristin Darby, Chief Information Officer at HarmonyCares, emphasized the benefits of AI in healthcare: “AI will dramatically improve our ability to quickly synthesize patient needs and preferences, enabling us to offer a more personalized experience with greater accuracy.” However, the integration of AI in healthcare is not without skepticism. A recent survey revealed that 69% of individuals are uncomfortable with AI being used to diagnose them, though more than half are open to its use in nonclinical tasks like scheduling and billing. Salesforce’s Healthcare Journey Salesforce first launched Health Cloud in 2015 to help providers manage patients by aggregating data from electronic medical records, devices, and wearables. In 2022, the company expanded this offering with Customer 360 for Health, a unified platform that combines real-time data from Data Cloud, Einstein AI, and automation tools like Flow to streamline processes such as prior authorizations, intake, and patient scheduling. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Salesforce Enhances Service Cloud with AI-Driven Intelligence Engine Data science and analytics are rapidly becoming standard features in enterprise applications, Read more
