HIStalk: Morning Headlines – July 18, 25

Senate Probes Pharma Payments to Telehealth Platforms

By Archyde Staff Writer

July 17, 2025
Headlines

A meaningful Senate examination is shedding light on the financial ties between major pharmaceutical companies and direct-to-consumer telehealth platforms. The inquiry reveals how these platforms, often operated or funded by drug manufacturers, appear to guide patients towards specific medications.

Recent findings suggest that companies like Eli Lilly and Pfizer have made substantial payments to these telehealth services. The core concern is whether these arrangements influence prescribing practices and steer patients toward the companies’ own products.

Healthcare Partnerships and Innovations Emerge

In other news, Ensemble Health Partners has announced a strategic revenue cycle management partnership with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.This collaboration will see Ensemble managing the revenue cycle operations for all six of Methodist Le Bonheur HealthcareS hospitals situated in Tennessee.

Concurrently, CareCloud has introduced a new AI-driven Electronic Health Record (EHR) system specifically designed for dermatology practices. This innovative EHR aims to optimize clinical workflows and elevate the standard of patient care through advanced charting capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main concern regarding pharmaceutical companies and telehealth?

The primary concern is that drug companies might be using their telehealth platforms to steer patients toward their own specific medications.

Which pharmaceutical companies are currently under scrutiny?

Eli Lilly and Pfizer are among the pharmaceutical companies whose payments to telehealth platforms are being investigated.

What kind of partnership has Ensemble Health Partners formed?

Ensemble Health Partners has entered into a strategic revenue cycle partnership with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.

What is the purpose of CareCloud’s new dermatology EHR?

CareCloud’s new dermatology EHR, powered by AI, is designed to streamline workflows and improve patient care within dermatology practices.

What are your thoughts on these developments in healthcare technology and pharmaceutical marketing? Share your insights in the comments below, and let us know if you’d like us to delve deeper into any of these stories!

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

What are the key improvements in Cerner Millennium 2025.2, and what challenges are smaller practices facing with its integration?

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Healthcare technology

The healthcare IT sector continues its rapid evolution. Here’s a breakdown of key headlines impacting hospitals, health systems, and healthcare professionals on July 18, 2025. This digest focuses on digital health, health tech news, healthcare innovation, and the practical implications for implementation.

EHR Updates & Interoperability Challenges

Cerner Millennium 2025.2 Rollout: Cerner’s latest update focuses heavily on improved clinical documentation and enhanced data analytics capabilities. early reports suggest a smoother transition than previous releases, but some smaller practices are still struggling with integration.

CommonWell Health Alliance Expansion: CommonWell has announced a partnership with several regional HIEs (Health Details Exchanges) too broaden interoperability and facilitate seamless health data exchange across state lines. This is a critical step towards achieving true nationwide interoperability.

FHIR standards Adoption: Increased pressure from regulatory bodies is driving faster adoption of FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standards. Hospitals are investing in API development to ensure compatibility and streamline data sharing with third-party applications.

Telehealth & Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Trends

RPM Reimbursement Policies: A recent CMS ruling clarifies reimbursement guidelines for remote patient monitoring,specifically for chronic conditions like heart failure and diabetes. This is expected to accelerate the adoption of RPM programs.

Virtual Care Expansion: Major health systems are expanding their telehealth services beyond simple video consultations to include remote physical therapy, mental health counseling, and chronic disease management.

AI-Powered Telehealth Platforms: Several companies are showcasing AI-powered telehealth platforms that utilize machine learning to triage patients, provide personalized recommendations, and assist clinicians with diagnosis.

Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Concerns

Ransomware Attacks on Hospitals: Unluckily, healthcare cybersecurity remains a notable concern. A major hospital network in the Midwest reported a ransomware attack this week,disrupting patient care and compromising sensitive data.This underscores the need for robust data security measures.

HIPAA Compliance Updates: The HHS Office for Civil Rights released updated guidance on HIPAA compliance,emphasizing the importance of data encryption and access controls.

Blockchain for Healthcare Data Security: Interest in blockchain technology for securing healthcare data is growing. Several pilot projects are underway to explore its potential for improving data integrity and preventing fraud.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning in Healthcare

AI-Driven Diagnostic Tools: New AI-powered diagnostic tools are showing promising results in areas like radiology and pathology,assisting clinicians in identifying diseases earlier and more accurately. Machine learning algorithms are being trained on vast datasets to improve their performance.

Predictive Analytics for Patient Risk: Hospitals are leveraging predictive analytics to identify patients at high risk of readmission or developing complications,allowing for proactive interventions.

AI in Drug Discovery: Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly using AI to accelerate the drug discovery process, identifying potential drug candidates and predicting their efficacy.

Google Tag Manager & Website Tracking for Healthcare

Implementing Google Tag Manager (GTM): For healthcare organizations focused on digital marketing and patient engagement, effectively tracking website activity is crucial. Google Tag Manager simplifies the process of adding and managing tracking codes (tags) without directly modifying website code. (See https://support.google.com/tagmanager/answer/15756616?hl=en for setup instructions).

HIPAA Compliant Analytics: When using website analytics tools, it’s essential to ensure HIPAA compliance.Data anonymization and secure data storage are critical considerations.

Conversion Tracking for Online Scheduling: Tracking online appointment scheduling conversions provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of digital marketing campaigns.

The Rise of Wearable Health Tech

Smartwatches & Fitness trackers: The integration of health monitoring features into wearable technology continues to expand. devices now track heart rate, sleep patterns, activity levels, and even blood oxygen saturation.

Data Integration with EHRs: Efforts are underway to seamlessly integrate data from wearable devices into electronic health records, providing clinicians with a more comprehensive view of patient health.

Consumer Health Data Privacy: Concerns about the privacy and security of consumer health data collected by wearable devices are growing, prompting calls for stricter regulations.