While AI presents unique challenges, it holds immense potential to advance healthcare digital transformation. By addressing data quality, cost barriers, and organizational resistance, health systems can integrate AI solutions that enhance care delivery, boost efficiency, and improve patient outcomes.
Data and Technology Strategies Elevate Payer-Driven Patient Education Analytics platforms, omnichannel engagement, telehealth, and other technology and data innovations are transforming patient education initiatives within the payer space. Dr. Cathy Moffitt, a pediatrician with over 15 years of emergency department experience and now Chief Medical Officer at Aetna within CVS Health, emphasizes the crucial role of patient education in empowering individuals to navigate their healthcare journeys. “Education is empowerment; it’s engagement. In my role with Aetna, I continue to see health education as fundamental,” Moffitt explained on an episode of Healthcare Strategies. Leveraging Data for Targeted Education At large payers like Aetna, patient education starts with deep data insights. By analyzing member data, payers can identify key opportunities to deliver educational content precisely when members are most receptive. “People are more open to hearing and being educated when they need help right then,” Moffitt said. Aetna’s Next Best Action initiative, launched in 2018, is one such program that reaches out to members at optimal times, focusing on guiding individuals with specific conditions on the next best steps for their health. By sharing patient education materials in these key moments, Aetna aims to maximize the impact and relevance of its outreach. Tailoring Education with Demographic Data Data on member demographics—such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, and zip code—further customizes Aetna’s educational efforts. By incorporating translation services and sensitivity training for customer representatives, Aetna ensures that all communication is accessible and relevant for members from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, having an updated provider directory allows members to connect with healthcare professionals who understand their cultural and linguistic needs, increasing trust and the likelihood of engaging with educational resources. Technology’s Role in Mental Health and Preventive Care Education With over 20 years in healthcare, Moffitt observes that patient education has made significant strides in mental health and preventive care, areas where technology has had a transformative impact. In mental health, for example, education has helped reduce stigma, and telemedicine has expanded access. Preventive care education has raised awareness of screenings, vaccines, and wellness visits, with options like home health visits and retail clinics contributing to increased engagement among Aetna’s members. The Future of Customized, Omnichannel Engagement Looking ahead, Moffitt envisions even more personalized and seamless engagement through omnichannel solutions, allowing members to receive educational materials via their preferred methods—whether email, text, or phone. “I can’t predict exactly where we’ll be in 10 years, but with the technological commitments we’re making, we’ll continue to meet evolving member demands,” Moffitt added. 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 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 series Read more
Patient Trust in Healthcare Declined During COVID-19 Pandemic Patient trust in healthcare providers significantly declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend that some experts believe could threaten public health. New data published in JAMA Network Open outlines the negative impact the pandemic had on patient trust levels. Patient Trust Tanked in Healthcare During COVID. The study, which analyzed survey results collected between April 2020 and January 2024, revealed a 30 percentage point drop in self-reported patient trust. Factors such as age, gender (specifically female), lower educational attainment, lower income, Black race, and living in rural areas were associated with lower trust levels, according to the researchers. These findings come as the healthcare industry examines the broader implications of the pandemic. The focus on patient trust is crucial because of the significant role healthcare providers play in public health and the profound impact the pandemic had on societal attitudes. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, medicine and public health became politicized, with the internet amplifying public figures and even some physicians encouraging distrust in public health experts and scientists,” the investigators wrote. “As such, the pandemic may have represented a turning point in trust, with a profession previously seen as trustworthy increasingly subject to doubt.” The data, drawn from 24 waves of surveys involving more than 443,000 individuals over age 18, showed that healthcare professionals began the pandemic with high trust ratings—71.5% of individuals reported trust in physicians and hospitals. However, by January 2024, this number had fallen to 40.1%. The decline in trust could have serious repercussions for public health. Lower patient trust was linked to a reduced likelihood of receiving flu or COVID-19 vaccinations. Patient Trust Tanked in Healthcare During COVID “Our results cannot establish causation, but in the context of prior studies documenting associations between physician trust and more positive health outcomes, they raise the possibility that the decrease in trust during the pandemic could have long-lasting public health implications,” the researchers explained. Conversely, higher levels of trust were associated with healthier behaviors, particularly the receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine, flu shots, and COVID-19 boosters. To address this issue, the healthcare sector should focus on reaffirming patient trust in physicians and hospitals. However, this may be a challenging task. A previous Cochrane review found that no intervention meaningfully changed trust in physicians, despite numerous efforts that generally had modest effects. “A better understanding of groups exhibiting particularly low trust, and the factors associated with that diminished trust, may be valuable in guiding future intervention development and deployment,” the researchers suggested. These findings contrast sharply with the early stages of the pandemic, including the COVID-19 vaccine rollout when public health experts touted doctors as among the most trusted COVID-19 messengers. The study could not pinpoint a specific reason for the loss of patient trust, noting that it was not linked to political affiliation nor fully explained by a lack of trust in science. This indicates that there was something particular about healthcare itself that contributed to the decline in trust during the pandemic. Further research is necessary to uncover more trends among individuals whose trust levels decreased during the pandemic, the researchers recommended. 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 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 series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more
As a pediatrician with 15 years of experience in the pediatric emergency department, Cathy Moffitt, MD, understands the critical role of patient education. Now, as Senior Vice President and Aetna Chief Medical Officer at CVS Health, she applies that knowledge to the payer space. “Education is empowerment. It’s engagement. It’s crucial for equipping patients to navigate their healthcare journey. Now, overseeing a large payer like Aetna, I still firmly believe in the power of health education,” Moffitt shared on an episode of Healthcare Strategies. At a payer organization like Aetna, patient education begins with data analytics to better understand the member population. According to Moffitt, key insights from data can help payers determine the optimal time to share educational materials with members. “People are most receptive to education when they need help in the moment,” she explained. If educational opportunities are presented when members aren’t focused on their health needs, the information is less likely to resonate. Aetna’s Next Best Action initiative, launched in 2018, embodies this timing-driven approach. In this program, Aetna employees proactively reach out to members with specific conditions to provide personalized guidance on managing their health. This often includes educational resources delivered at the right moment when members are most open to learning. Data also enables payers to tailor educational efforts to a member’s demographics, including race, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, and location. By factoring in these elements, payers can ensure their communications are relevant and easy to understand. To enhance this personalized approach, Aetna offers translation services and provides customer service training focused on sensitivity to sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, updating the provider directory to reflect a diverse network helps members feel more comfortable with their care providers, making them more likely to engage with educational resources. “Understanding our members’ backgrounds and needs, whether it’s acute or chronic illness, allows us to engage them more effectively,” Moffitt said. “This is the foundation of our approach to leveraging data for meaningful patient education.” With over two decades in both provider and payer roles, Moffitt has observed key trends in patient education, particularly its success in mental health and preventive care. She highlighted the role of technology in these areas. Efforts to educate patients about mental health have reduced stigma and increased awareness of mental wellness. Telemedicine has significantly improved access to mental healthcare, according to Moffitt. In preventive care, more people are aware of the importance of cancer screenings, vaccines, wellness visits, and other preventive measures. Moffitt pointed to the rising use of home health visits and retail clinics as contributing factors for Aetna members. Looking ahead, Moffitt sees personalized engagement as the future of patient education. Members increasingly want information tailored to their preferences, delivered through their preferred channels—whether by email, text, phone, or other methods. Omnichannel solutions will be essential to meeting this demand, and while healthcare has already made progress, Moffitt expects even more innovation in the years to come. “I can’t predict exactly where we’ll be in 10 years, just as I couldn’t have predicted where we are now a decade ago,” Moffitt said. “But we will continue to evolve and meet the needs of our members with the technological advancements we’re committed to.” Contact UsTo discover how Salesforce can advance your patient payer education, contact Tectonic today. 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 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 series Read more
Empower Your Healthcare Team with Salesforce Health Cloud Equip your healthcare team with comprehensive 360-degree views that help connect and engage every patient, member, employee, and partner. Explore Salesforce Health Cloud Explore Health Cloud Understanding the capabilities of this platform is the first step to transforming your organization’s patient management. Let’s explore what Health Cloud offers to various types of healthcare organizations. Introducing Salesforce Health Cloud: A CRM Solution for Patient Management Over 600 companies, including industry leaders like Lilly, Pacific Clinics, United Healthcare, Progyny, Stanley Healthcare, and Humana, trust Salesforce Health Cloud for their patient management needs. As the healthcare industry rapidly evolves, effective patient information management is essential. This insight looks into Salesforce Health Cloud’s capabilities, features, integration options, and benefits, including its security architecture. What is Health Cloud? Salesforce Health Cloud is a cloud-based technology designed specifically for the healthcare industry. It centralizes patient information, giving healthcare professionals a complete view of patient records, enabling more effective treatments and better patient care. Key Capabilities of Salesforce Health Cloud Salesforce Health Cloud is a robust platform offering key capabilities such as: Salesforce in the Healthcare Industry Salesforce is increasingly popular among healthcare organizations for several reasons: Salesforce Health Platform Features Salesforce Health Cloud offers three main sets of features: Salesforce Health Cloud Architecture The architecture of Salesforce Health Cloud includes: Salesforce Health Cloud Security Salesforce Health Cloud is designed to securely manage healthcare data, featuring: Revolutionizing Healthcare Delivery with Salesforce Health Cloud Salesforce Health Cloud is designed for healthcare organizations to automate processes and provide personalized patient care. Since its launch in 2016, Health Cloud has evolved to address the complexities of the healthcare industry, including the introduction of Customer 360 for Health, an AI-driven healthcare solution. Why Choose Salesforce Health Cloud? Salesforce Health Cloud connects healthcare teams to ensure that patients receive the right care, supported by multi-layered security to protect sensitive patient data. It integrates clinical and non-clinical patient data, streamlining workflows and enhancing patient satisfaction. Top Features of Salesforce Health Cloud Key features include Patient 360, Care Plans, Care Coordination, Health Timeline, and Einstein Analytics for Healthcare, among others. Salesforce has also introduced AI-powered innovations under the Patient 360 for Health initiative, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. Integration with MuleSoft Salesforce Health Cloud’s integration with MuleSoft allows organizations to connect with existing healthcare systems, ensuring accurate and up-to-date patient information, unlocking the full potential of their data, and improving decision-making. Conclusion Salesforce Health Cloud is more than just a platform—it’s a comprehensive solution for managing doctor-patient interactions, recordkeeping, and delivering personalized care. By leveraging Health Cloud, healthcare organizations can transform patient experiences, streamline processes, and ensure data security and compliance, positioning themselves for a brighter future in healthcare. 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 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 series Read more
Exploring the Global Medical Device Sales CRM Software Market: A Comprehensive Analysis The primary objective of this market research report turned Tectonic insight is to analyze the market environment and dynamics of the Global Medical Device Sales CRM Software Market. Of course at Tectonic we are partial to Salesforce. Travel into the Global Medical Device Sales CRM Software Market Venturing into the realm of the Global Medical Device Sales CRM Software Market reveals an enriching journey of exploration and discovery. This extensive research initiative explores deep into the nuances of the Medical Device Sales CRM Software industry, offering valuable insights on market trends, growth potentials, competitive dynamics, and the profound and continued influence of COVID-19. Through a detailed examination, the report constructs a structured narrative encompassing essential themes, methodologies applied, services provided, market valuation insights, and compelling reasons to attract investors to this narrative. Insights Enclosed in the Global “Medical Device Sales CRM Software Market” Report Medical Device Sales CRM Software Market Segmentation Methodologies & Tools Employed Market Valuation & CAGR Statistics The report details market value figures and Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGRs), reflecting specific reports analyzed and varying timeframes reviewed for precise statistical comparisons. Unpacking COVID-19’s Influence The report unveils how pandemic upheavals have impacted facets such as consumer behaviors, supply chain disruptions, and broader shifts in overall marketplace dynamics. Key Players in the Medical Device Sales CRM Software Market Force Manager, Salesforce, Netsuite, Veeva Multichannel CRM, HubSpot, Pipedrive, SPOTIO, LeadSquared, PatientPop, Thryv, Zoho CRM, ChannelTrace, AcuityMD, Solo Fire, Showpad, Penrod, ConnectSx, Zendesk Sell, HashMicro, Insightly, Creatio, MaximizerCRM. Investors’ Potential Benefits In conclusion, this exhaustive exploration into the multifaceted realm of the global Medical Device Sales CRM Software marketplace offers invaluable insights into industry dynamics. It paves an informed path for decision-making processes and strategic planning endeavors for stakeholders, whether from large corporations or small businesses. About Orbis Research Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) serves as a single point aid for all market research requirements, specializing in delivering customized reports tailored to clients’ needs. With a vast database of reports from leading publishers and authors worldwide, Orbis Research ensures accuracy and specialization in industries and verticals, enabling clients to map their specific market research needs effectively. 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 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 series Read more
Embracing the Era of Agentic AI: Redefining Autonomous Systems A new paradigm in artificial intelligence, known as “Agentic Artificial Intelligence,” is poised to revolutionize the capabilities of the known autonomous universe. This cutting-edge technology represents a significant leap forward in AI-driven decision-making and action, promising transformative impacts across various industries including healthcare, manufacturing, IT, finance, marketing, and HR. Agents are the way to go! There is no two ways about this. Looking into the progression of the Large Language Model based applications since last year, its not hard to see that the Agentic Process (agents as reusable, specific and dedicated single unit of work) — would be the way to build Gen AI applications. What is Agentic AI? Agentic Artificial Intelligence marks a departure from traditional AI models that primarily focus on passive observation and analysis. Unlike its predecessors, which often require human intervention to execute tasks, Agentic AI systems possess the autonomy to initiate actions independently based on their assessments. This allows them to navigate much more complex environments and undertake tasks with a level of initiative and adaptability previously unseen. At least outside of sci-fy movies. Real-World Applications of Agentic Artificial Intelligence Healthcare In healthcare, Agentic AI systems are transforming patient care. These systems autonomously monitor vital signs, administer medication, and assist in surgical procedures with unparalleled precision. By augmenting healthcare professionals’ capabilities, these AI-driven agents enhance patient outcomes and streamline care processes. Augmenting is the key word, here. Manufacturing and Logistics In manufacturing and logistics, Agentic AI optimizes operations and boosts efficiency. Intelligent agents handle predictive maintenance of machinery, autonomous inventory management, and robotic assembly. Leveraging advanced algorithms and sensor technologies, these systems anticipate issues, coordinate complex workflows, and adapt to real-time production demands, driving a shift towards fully autonomous production environments. Customer Service Within enterprises, AI agents are revolutionizing business operations across various departments. In customer service, AI-powered chatbots with Agentic Artificial Intelligence capabilities engage with customers in natural language, providing personalized assistance and resolving queries efficiently. This enhances customer satisfaction and allows human agents to focus on more complex tasks. Marketing and Sales Agentic Artificial Intelligence empowers marketing and sales teams to analyze vast datasets, identify trends, and personalize campaigns with unprecedented precision. By understanding customer behavior and preferences at a granular level, AI agents optimize advertising strategies, maximize conversion rates, and drive revenue growth. Finance and Accounting In finance and accounting, Agentic AI streamlines processes like invoice processing, fraud detection, and risk management. These AI-driven agents analyze financial data in real time, flag anomalies, and provide insights that enable faster, more informed decision-making, thereby improving operational efficiency. Ethical Considerations of Agentic Artificial Intelligence The rise of Agentic AI also brings significant ethical and societal challenges. Concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and job displacement necessitate robust regulation and ethical frameworks to ensure responsible and equitable deployment of AI technologies. Navigating the Future with Agentic AI The advent of Agentic AI ushers in a new era of autonomy and innovation in artificial intelligence. As these intelligent agents permeate various facets of our lives and enterprises, they present both challenges and opportunities. To navigate this new world, we must approach it with foresight, responsibility, and a commitment to harnessing technology for the betterment of humanity. 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 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 series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more
HCG Delivers Personalized Patient Care with Salesforce Read more at: CXO Today HCG Providing Patient-Focused Personalized Care With Salesforce Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd (HCG), a renowned network of 25 hospitals, is elevating patient care through Salesforce. With a 360-degree patient view, HCG connects with patients on a more personal level, delivering proactive support at every step of their journey. HCG’s commitment to value-based, precision medicine is clear, attracting over 200,000 patients annually. Unified Patient View for Personalized Care Previously, HCG faced challenges with siloed patient information and a rudimentary CRM system. “Without a single source of truth on patients, it was difficult for our medical, surgical, and support teams to collaborate,” says Vineesh Ghei, Chief Sales Officer, HCG. Today, Salesforce provides a unified patient view, capturing every case history, treatment plan, and patient preference, enabling teams to personalize patient care effectively. Enhanced Efficiency with Automation Salesforce Sales Cloud captures initial patient interactions, streamlining responses and tracking conversations. “Our response time to patient enquiries has reduced from 45 minutes to 23 minutes,” notes Ghei. Sales productivity has also improved with automated task prioritization and activity tracking. Additionally, partner management processes have been automated, enhancing engagement. Swift Service Query Resolution Patient journeys are orchestrated on Salesforce Service Cloud, integrating outpatient consultations, inpatient processes, and discharge planning. Integration with HCG’s appointment booking and cloud telephony systems ensures patient details are readily available to agents, enabling resolution of over 90% of queries in under five minutes. This comprehensive view allows service agents to provide proactive, personalized support. Contextual Communications for Long-Term Wellness Using Salesforce Marketing Cloud Engagement, HCG segments patients and delivers personalized communications relevant to their treatment stages. “Every patient’s journey is deeply personal,” says Stuti Jain, Head of Brand, Digital, and Communications, HCG. “Our communications are prioritized to add value to their journey.” HCG maintains connection with patients post-visit, supporting them through recovery. Data-Driven Decision Making By integrating data from Health Information Systems, Electronic Medical Records, and other platforms, HCG leverages operational intelligence to enhance decision-making. Insights from dashboards and reports improve patient satisfaction and care quality. Marketing Cloud Intelligence helps optimize campaigns, engagement channels, and team performance. Expanding Digital Transformation HCG plans to unlock additional Salesforce features, such as AI-driven call center operations with Einstein. Further integrations with lab and radiology systems and patient care apps will expand the Patient 360 view. “Our goal is to become an oncology knowledge company, up-to-date on treatment protocols and patient needs,” says Dey. Jain adds, “When people think of cancer care, they should think of HCG.” HCG’s integration of Salesforce is setting a new standard in personalized cancer care, ensuring patients receive the best possible support and treatment throughout their journey. 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 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 series Read more
As technology evolves, cross-channel marketing will become even more sophisticated, leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics to deliver hyper-personalized and proactive customer experiences. Businesses that adopt this approach will stay ahead of the curve, fostering stronger customer relationships and achieving long-term success.
A recent survey conducted by Kyruus Health and shared with HealthPayerIntelligence reveals that consumers are demanding more accurate online provider data from payers to enhance access to care. Healthcare solutions from Tectonic and Salesforce improve patient care and trust by improving data accuracy. The survey, fielded by Wakefield Research in April 2024, involved 1,000 healthcare consumers. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) had private health insurance, with Medicare being the second most common form of coverage (18%). The participants represented an even distribution across U.S. regions and age groups, with 57% identifying as women. Payers have historically struggled to maintain up-to-date provider directories, and this survey highlights the significant impact of these challenges. About 30% of consumers reported skipping care due to inaccurate provider information, with 70% of them seeking this data online. Consumers primarily rely on health plan websites or apps for provider information, with 32% naming these platforms as their first resource. Medicaid enrollees were particularly dependent on their plan’s digital resources, with 64% turning to these tools first. Besides health plan websites and apps, consumers also used general internet searches, provider or clinic websites, and healthcare information sites like WebMD. Social media platforms were also popular for care searches, with 77% of users turning to Facebook and 61% to YouTube. The survey also revealed that payers often fail to provide accurate cost predictions. Only 32% of respondents said their health plans offered accurate cost information. Price transparency tools are particularly important to younger generations, with 76% of Millennials and 80% of Gen Z respondents using these tools. However, 40% of Baby Boomers were unsure if their plans even offered such tools. Among those who did use them, 34% found that the tools presented incorrect provider data, with 45% of Gen Z reporting this issue. Inaccurate provider information can lead to significant negative consequences for consumers, including delays in accessing care, difficulties contacting preferred providers, and higher costs. Some consumers even reported accidentally receiving out-of-network care or forgoing care altogether due to these inaccuracies. These experiences not only hinder access to care but also damage consumer trust in their healthcare providers and payers. Overall, 80% of respondents said that inaccurate provider data affected their trust, with 27% losing trust in their health plans and 22% losing trust in their providers. The survey results underscore a clear call to action. Over 60% of consumers, and nearly 75% of Gen Z specifically, want their health plans to provide more accurate data. Tectonic has decades of experience applying Salesforce solutions to health care providers and payers. To address these concerns, the report recommends that health plans take three key steps: First, engage with members through appropriate channels, including social media. Second, unify and validate their provider data to ensure accuracy. Third, introduce self-service capabilities within their digital platforms to empower consumers. Reach out to Tectonic today if your organization needs help applying these three steps. 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 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 series Read more
Bridging the Interoperability Gap: TEFCA’s Role in Payer-Provider Data Exchange The electronic health information exchange (HIE) between healthcare providers has seen significant growth in recent years. However, interoperability between healthcare providers and payers has lagged behind. The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) aims to address this gap and enhance data interoperability across the healthcare ecosystem. TEFCA could drive payer-provider interoperability with a little help from the world of technology. TEFCA’s Foundation and Evolution TEFCA was established under the 21st Century Cures Act to improve health data interoperability through a “network of networks” approach. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) officially launched TEFCA in December 2023, designating five initial Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs). By February 2024, two additional QHINs had been designated. The Sequoia Project, TEFCA’s recognized coordinating entity, recently released several key documents for stakeholder feedback, including draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) for healthcare operations and payment under TEFCA. During the 2024 WEDI Spring Conference, leaders from three QHINs—eHealth Exchange, Epic Nexus, and Kno2—discussed the future of TEFCA in enhancing provider and payer interoperability. ONC released Version 2.0 of the Common Agreement on April 22, 2024. Common Agreement Version 2.0 updates Common Agreement Version 1.1, published in November 2023, and includes enhancements and updates to require support for Health Level Seven (HL7®) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®) based transactions. The Common Agreement includes an exhibit, the Participant and Subparticipant Terms of Participation (ToP), that sets forth the requirements each Participant and Subparticipant must agree to and comply with to participate in TEFCA. The Common Agreement and ToPs incorporate all applicable standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the Qualified Health Information Network Technical Framework (QTF). View the release notes for Common Agreement Version 2.0 The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common AgreementTM (TEFCATM) has 3 goals: (1) to establish a universal governance, policy, and technical floor for nationwide interoperability; (2) to simplify connectivity for organizations to securely exchange information to improve patient care, enhance the welfare of populations, and generate health care value; and (3) to enable individuals to gather their health care information. Challenges in Payer Data Exchange Although the QHINs on the panel have made progress in facilitating payer HIE, they emphasized that TEFCA is not yet fully operational for large-scale payer data exchange. Ryan Bohochik, Vice President of Value-Based Care at Epic, highlighted the complexities of payer-provider data exchange. “We’ve focused on use cases that allow for real-time information sharing between care providers and insurance carriers,” Bohochik said. “However, TEFCA isn’t yet capable of supporting this at the scale required.” Bohochik also pointed out that payer data exchange is complicated by the involvement of third-party contractors. For example, health plans often partner with vendors for tasks like care management or quality measure calculation. This adds layers of complexity to the data exchange process. Catherine Bingman, Vice President of Interoperability Adoption for eHealth Exchange, echoed these concerns, noting that member attribution and patient privacy are critical issues in payer data exchange. “Payers don’t have the right to access everything a patient has paid for themselves,” Bingman said. “This makes providers cautious about sharing data, impacting patient care.” For instance, manual prior authorization processes frequently delay patient access to care. A 2023 AMA survey found that 42% of doctors reported care delays due to prior authorization, with 37% stating that these delays were common. Building Trust Through Use Cases Matt Becker, Vice President of Interoperability at Kno2, stressed the importance of developing specific use cases to establish trust in payer data exchange via TEFCA. “Payment and operations is a broad category that includes HEDIS measures, quality assurance, and provider monitoring,” Becker said. “Each of these requires a high level of trust.” Bohochik agreed, emphasizing that narrowing the scope and focusing on specific, high-value use cases will be essential for TEFCA’s adoption. “We can’t solve everything at once,” Bohochik said. “We need to focus on achieving successful outcomes in targeted areas, which will build momentum and community support.” He also noted that while technical data standards are crucial, building trust in the data exchange process is equally important. “A network is only as good as the trust it inspires,” Bohochik said. “If healthcare systems know that data requests for payment and operations are legitimate and secure, it will drive the scalability of TEFCA.” By focusing on targeted use cases, ensuring rigorous data standards, and building trust, TEFCA has the potential to significantly enhance interoperability between healthcare providers and payers, ultimately improving patient care and operational efficiency. 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 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 series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more
Modernizing Public Health using Salesforce Client is the largest tribally-operated health care system in the United States, with almost 160 full-time providers and over 2,200 health services employees. Committed to improving patient access, this Tribal Nation has invested substantially in technology, building new facilities and expanding existing locations. The primary hospital and nine health centers are dedicated to providing world-class patient care. Salesforce Health Services Modernization “The Gadugi Portal and Salesforce technology is helping us get to our citizens quicker by streamlining the application process, and enabling us to have updated records that are online and easily accessible to our citizens to truly help them recover in their greatest time of need” Client Implemented – Case Study: Salesforce Health Services Modernization The Problem: The Solution: The Results: Ready to explore a Salesforce implementation with Health Cloud, MuleSoft, and Experience Cloud for your government or public sector entity? Contact Tectonic today. 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 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 series Read more
Generative AI’s Growing Role in Healthcare: Potential and Challenges The rapid advancements in large language models (LLMs) have introduced generative AI tools into nearly every business sector, including healthcare. As defined by the Government Accountability Office, generative AI is “a technology that can create content, including text, images, audio, or video, when prompted by a user.” These systems learn patterns and relationships from vast datasets, enabling them to generate new content that resembles but is not identical to the original training data. This capability is powered by machine learning algorithms and statistical models. In healthcare, generative AI is being utilized for various applications, including clinical documentation, patient communication, and clinical text summarization. Streamlining Clinical Documentation Excessive documentation is a leading cause of clinician burnout, as highlighted by a 2022 athenahealth survey conducted by the Harris Poll. Generative AI shows promise in easing these documentation burdens, potentially improving clinician satisfaction and reducing burnout. A 2024 study published in NEJM Catalyst explored the use of ambient AI scribes within The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG). This technology employs smartphone microphones and generative AI to transcribe patient encounters in real-time, providing clinicians with draft documentation for review. In October 2023, TPMG deployed this ambient AI technology across various settings, benefiting 10,000 physicians and staff. Physicians who used the ambient AI scribe reported positive outcomes, including more personal and meaningful patient interactions and reduced after-hours electronic health record (EHR) documentation. Early patient feedback was also favorable, with improved provider interactions noted. Additionally, ambient AI produced high-quality clinical documentation for clinician review. However, a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA) cautioned that ambient AI might struggle with non-lexical conversational sounds (NLCSes), such as “mm-hm” or “uh-uh,” which can convey clinically relevant information. The study found that while the ambient AI tools had a word error rate of about 12% for all words, the error rate for NLCSes was significantly higher, reaching up to 98.7% for those conveying critical information. Misinterpretation of these sounds could lead to inaccuracies in clinical documentation and potential patient safety issues. Enhancing Patient Communication With the digital transformation in healthcare, patient portal messages have surged. A 2021 study in JAMIA reported a 157% increase in patient portal inbox messages since 2020. In response, some healthcare organizations are exploring the use of generative AI to draft replies to these messages. A 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open evaluated the adoption of AI-generated draft replies to patient messages at an academic medical center. After five weeks, clinicians used the AI-generated drafts 20% of the time, a notable rate considering the LLMs were not fine-tuned for patient communication. Clinicians reported reduced task load and emotional exhaustion, suggesting that AI-generated replies could help alleviate burnout. However, the study found no significant changes in reply time, read time, or write time between the pre-pilot and pilot periods. Despite this, clinicians expressed optimism about time savings, indicating that the cognitive ease of editing drafts rather than writing from scratch might not be fully captured by time metrics. Summarizing Clinical Data Summarizing information within patient records is a time-consuming task for clinicians, and errors in this process can negatively impact clinical decision support. Generative AI has shown potential in this area, with a 2023 study finding that LLM-generated summaries could outperform human expert summaries in terms of conciseness, completeness, and correctness. However, using generative AI for clinical data summarization presents risks. A viewpoint in JAMA argued that LLMs performing summarization tasks might not fall under FDA medical device oversight, as they provide language-based outputs rather than disease predictions or numerical estimates. Without statutory changes, the FDA’s authority to regulate these LLMs remains unclear. The authors also noted that differences in summary length, organization, and tone could influence clinician interpretations and subsequent decision-making. Furthermore, LLMs might exhibit biases, such as sycophancy, where responses are tailored to user expectations. To address these concerns, the authors called for comprehensive standards for LLM-generated summaries, including testing for biases and errors, as well as clinical trials to quantify potential harms and benefits. The Path Forward Generative AI holds significant promise for transforming healthcare and reducing clinician burnout, but realizing this potential requires comprehensive standards and regulatory clarity. A 2024 study published in npj Digital Medicine emphasized the need for defined leadership, adoption incentives, and ongoing regulation to deliver on the promise of generative AI in healthcare. Leadership should focus on establishing guidelines for LLM performance and identifying optimal clinical settings for AI tool trials. The study suggested that a subcommittee within the FDA, comprising physicians, healthcare administrators, developers, and investors, could effectively lead this effort. Additionally, widespread deployment of generative AI will likely require payer incentives, as most providers view these tools as capital expenses. With the right leadership, incentives, and regulatory framework, generative AI can be effectively implemented across the healthcare continuum to streamline clinical workflows and improve patient care. 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 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 series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more
Industries solutions shape Salesforce to the needs of your business, reducing the need for you to customize things yourself. Salesforce Industries summer 24 release notes. Consumer Goods Cloud streamlines delivery and distribution processes with Direct Store Delivery and Van Sales. Optimize service operations in the field with Field Service for Industries. Health Cloud integrates with Milliman Care Guidelines (MCG) to bring industry-standard assessments to Integrated Care Management. Loyalty Management gives marketing managers greater flexibility with Global Promotions Management. Manufacturing Cloud helps manufacturers streamline the process of recovering costs on defective parts from suppliers with Warranty Supplier Recovery. Salesforce for Education helps students plan their degrees better with Intelligent Degree Planning. We also have plenty of changes for Automotive Cloud, Salesforce for Nonprofits, Public Sector Solutions, Industries common features, and much more. Salesforce Industries Summer 24 Release Notes 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 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 series Read more
Dealing with highly configurable products poses challenges in the sales process for both buyers and sellers, particularly evident in industries like medical devices or manufacturing equipment. Custom products lack visualization, adjustable pricing complicates financial reporting, and complex billing requirements may discourage customers. Now is the time to Expand the Salesforce CPQ Toolbox. Even with exceptional sales representatives, the failure to provide product information quickly and accurately can result in the loss of leads and longstanding customers. Amid the industry’s abrupt shift due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some companies have successfully navigated hurdles by adopting new and innovative digital sales platforms, as indicated by McKinsey survey results. Salesforce Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) appears well-suited for the remote sales era, making the B2B sales experience immediate and immersive. Integration with various platforms can further simplify the process and enhance customer relationships and financial visibility. Visual Configurators Augmented Reality Automated Billing Accounting Platform Integration Leveraging CPQ and integrating with these platforms can transform the sales process, providing accurate product visuals, immediate quoting, and streamlined billing systems, meeting customer expectations in an evolving market. Contact Tectonic today to explore CPQ, Salesforce Revenue Cloud, and product configuration tools. Like2 Related Posts 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 series Read more Salesforce Government Cloud: Ensuring Compliance and Security Salesforce Government Cloud public sector solutions offer dedicated instances known as Government Cloud Plus and Government Cloud Plus – Defense. Read more PII Explained Personal Identifiable Information (PII) is defined as: Any representation of information that permits the identity of an individual to whom Read more Best CPQ for Salesforce Many businesses, once they select the best Salesforce CPQ tool for their business, turn to an implementation partner like Tectonic Read more
