Uncategorized
Subscribe to Uncategorized's Posts

Key Takeaways | Putting Employee Wellness Programs to Work

During this session, panelists discussed the unique opportunities and challenges of digital-health wellness programs that partner with employers and health plans in considering, adopting and operationalizing wellness programs across their employee populations. The panelists discussed a wide range of challenges and opportunities, including accessibility to employees, navigating the health plan regulatory landscape, and being mindful of budgetary constraints and the reality of rising health carecosts.

Session panelists:

  • Denise Bloch, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Regulatory and Compliance, SWORD Health
  • Tsion Lencho, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Cleo
  • Emily Taylor, Chief Financial Officer, Wondr Health
  • Sarah Raaii, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery
  • Moderator: Scott Weinstein, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery

Top takeaways included:

  1. Trends in employee health include looking for ways to drive healthcare costs down, which often involves adoption of employee wellness solutions, particularly digital-health wellness solutions.
  2. Employers are balancing the desire to find and adopt a “full-scale” solution that meets the unique needs of their workforce, while also considering budgetary constraints, the likelihood of employee utilization and the costs of implementing new benefits solutions.
  3. When implementing wellness programs, employers should be aware that they may be subject to the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), or other laws and regulations governing health plans (e.g., the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Cat (COBRA)) if the program involves the provision of medical care to employees. Employers and/or health plans may request compliance assistance from their digital-health wellness programs, and digital-health companies should tread carefully to avoid liability for such compliance.



read more

Top Takeaways | Successfully Deploying Digital Health in Value-Based Care

In this session, McDermott Will & Emery Partner Lisa Mazur moderated a panel that explored how digital health tools can support financial and clinical success under value-based care arrangements. Panelists also looked at how digital health companies can successfully demonstrate value within the value-based care framework and make themselves attractive partners to value-based care companies. The panel showcased perspectives from executives at digital health companies and companies participating in value-based care models that have successfully leveraged digital health tools.

Session panelists included:

  • Jessica Beegle, Chief Innovation Officer, LifePoint
  • Jamie Colbert, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President of Care Delivery, Memora Healt
  • Ashul Govil, MD, MBA, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Story Health
  • Maulik Majmudar, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder, Biofourmis
  • Kelsey P. Mellard, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sitka

Top takeaways included:

  1. Behind-the-scenes role. What do many successful digital health companies in the value-based care space have in common? They are operating behind the scenes, facilitating patient’s care with a trusted healthcare provider. The patient does not know they are interacting with a separate brand—rather, the companies position themselves as an extension of the local care team. This allows digital health companies to leverage the trust patients have with their physicians, increasing patient engagement as a result.
  2. Achieving provider buy-in. The panelists discussed several ways to achieve provider buy-in for digital health tools. A key theme was the ability of a digital health tool to integrate with providers’ existing systems and workflows. Clinicians do not want another portal to log into or another widget they are required to use. Rather, successful tools are those that are able to integrate into providers’ existing workflows and that improve those workflows as a result. Such integration requires a deep understanding of a provider’s operations and patient populations; the ability to leverage clinicians’ expertise; and engaging clinicians early during the design process and launch. The most successful digital health companies are those that are seen as a partner to providers, rather than simply being another vendor. Panelists also discussed how digital health companies need to be able to demonstrate value. While there are numerous ideas for digital health tools, successful tools will be those that deliver demonstrable outcomes.
  3. Successfully bridging the current fee-for-service world with value-based care. Successful digital health tools are those that can demonstrate value in both the fee-for-service (FFS) and value-based care models. Digital health companies must understand that for providers, the reality of the current system is organized around FFS. Successful companies are those that can meet providers where their systems are today, and work together towards value-based care. Panelists reflected that this requires a long view, flexible contracting models, and establishing progressive outcomes that can continue to be built upon.
  4. Value-based care: why now. The large penetration of Medicare Advantage (MA) is quickly changing the landscape. It provides digital health companies a large target audience that companies can meet, innovate around and innovate for, allowing companies to test their theses and adjust their models. Other accelerants [...]

    Continue Reading



read more

Key Takeaways | Women’s Health/Women+: Tapping into an Underserved Market

During this session, investors and business leaders discussed the future of women-focused care and the exciting opportunities in the rapidly growing sector of women/women+ health.

Session panelists:

  • Ashley Antler, Former Vice President, Legal and Head of Regulatory Affairs, SimpleHealth
  • Kim Boyd, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Caire
  • Jessica Federer, Managing Partner, Supernode Ventures
  • Caroline Reignley, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery
  • Moderator: Stacey Callaghan, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery

Top takeaways included:

  1. Women’s health has historically been an under-resourced and underserved area of health. It wasn’t until 1993 that Congress required women and minorities to be included in clinical research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Centering men in clinical research and medical education has led to a real lack of understanding of how diseases affect women, and the healthcare system has not been built to account for the differences between men’s and women’s health.
  2. We are finally seeing research and data that is prompting developments and investments in women’s health. The 1993 NIH policy change kicked off the collection of data on women’s health—and 30 years later, that data is finally informing the development of new therapeutics and digital health solutions, as well as building awareness of the need for patient engagement, support and relevant platforms. Now that the therapeutics and digital solutions can be built, investments are needed to help women’s health companies and solutions come to market.
  3. Women’s health is much broader than fertility and menopause. For example, 80% of autoimmune patients and two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients are women, and women have significantly worse outcomes than men in the year following a heart attack. Neurological health, cardiology, mental health, autoimmune conditions and gastroenterology are all areas ripe for women’s health solutions and investments.
  4. Women’s health can be both mission-driven and business-driven. As the business case for fertility solutions has exploded, there is hope that the business case will be seen for other areas of women’s health. The business case for women’s health is simple: women make the majority of healthcare buying decisions in the United States. With the explosion of fertility businesses, investors are starting to realize that women’s health is not just impact investing—there is, in fact, real money to be made in the women’s health space. There are opportunities in new therapeutics and digital solutions, including digital add-ons to existing platforms and brick-and-mortar operations. At the same time, companies and employers are realizing that investing in women’s health solutions is a smart business decision; when women lack access to the care they need, there is a tangible impact on workforce productivity.
  5. Given the constrained capital market, digital health companies in the women’s health space are facing challenges similar to those of other digital health companies, while also facing unique regulatory pressures and concerns. For example, there are real concerns that there will be an attack on access to contraception. These regulatory fears can chill investment in a tight market, having an impact on investors and innovators who are otherwise willing to enter [...]

    Continue Reading



read more

Top Takeaways | Successfully Deploying Digital Health in Value-Based Care

In this session from the Value-Based Care Symposium 2023, McDermott Will & Emery Partner Lisa Mazur moderated a panel that explored how digital health tools can support financial and clinical success under value-based care arrangements. Panelists also looked at how digital health companies can successfully demonstrate value within the value-based care framework and make themselves attractive partners to value-based care companies. The panel showcased perspectives from executives at digital health companies and companies participating in value-based care models that have successfully leveraged digital health tools.

Access the full takeaway here.




read more

Final Episode | Markets Under Pressure Strategies for Restructuring and Risk Management

In this new video series, McDermott’s digital health team shares timely insights and strategies to help your organization stay ahead of the curve, addressing critical areas of workforce management, financing and the potential for restructuring.

Today’s market pressures increase the potential for broken financial covenants. In this episode, McDermott partners Dale Van Demark and Felicia Perlman discuss steps that digital health companies can take now to prepare for the possibility of restructuring and mitigate associated risks.


Explore the full series and their takeaways here.





read more

Episode Two | Managing Capitalization Structures and Investor Relationships in Today’s Digital Health Market

In this new video series, McDermott’s digital health team shares timely insights and strategies to help your organization stay ahead of the curve, addressing critical areas of workforce management, financing and the potential for restructuring.

In episode two, McDermott partner and digital practice co-head Lisa Mazur joins fellow partner Brian Gordon to review important considerations for navigating today’s market realities.


Explore the full series and their takeaways here.





read more

Episode One | Workforce Management Solutions in an Uncertain Economic Environment

In this new video series, McDermott’s digital health team shares timely insights and strategies to help your organization stay ahead of the curve, addressing critical areas of workforce management, financing and the potential for restructuring.

In episode one, Stephen Bernstein talks with McDermott partner Ellen Bronchetti about timely employment considerations for digital health companies.


Explore the full series and their takeaways here.





read more

Navigating Volatile Markets in the Digital Health Ecosystem | Introduction – What to Consider

In this new video series, McDermott’s digital health team shares timely insights and strategies to help your organization stay ahead of the curve, addressing critical areas of workforce management, financing and the potential for restructuring.

Watch the introduction where Stephen Bernstein, Co-Head of the Digital Health Practice, kicks off the series discussing what companies should be considering as they navigate today’s complex digital health ecosystem.

Explore the full series and their takeaways here.





read more

McDermott Earns “Elite” Firm Designation and 12th Consecutive Band 1 National Ranking from Chambers USA

International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce its Healthcare Group received its 12th consecutive national Band 1 ranking in the 2021 edition of Chambers USA. The team also earned Band 1 state-level healthcare rankings in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington, DC. Additionally, the Firm earned the national Spotlight Table ranking for the Privacy and Data Security: Healthcare category. Overall, the Firm saw a 25% increase in the number of new partners recognized, bringing the total to 37.

Chambers praised McDermott’s Health Industry Advisory practice, describing the team as “top-notch” and “very knowledgeable, responsive and practical.” Interviewees also drew attention to the Firm’s “incredible roster of clients.”

Clients provided similarly impressive remarks, noting our team’s deep bench strength and specialties. “McDermott is the best – they have the deepest knowledge and the most subspecialists” and “the firm consistently produces high-value work. It does a great job quickly analyzing and reporting out on regulatory and legislative changes.” One interviewee recognized “McDermott’s healthcare practice is unparalleled. It has experts on every corner of the industry.”

This year was particularly important and challenging for the health industry. Our passion and dedication to help clients achieve and surpass their business goals, while delivering the highest level of care – no matter the state of the healthcare landscape – was most important to us.  “We are honored that Chambers USA again recognized our unwavering commitment to clients,” said Eric Zimmerman, global lead of McDermott’s Health practice. “After the challenges over the last year, these accolades feel particularly gratifying, because they reflect that we successfully served our clients on the front lines of the COVID-19 response as they advanced their missions and kept their businesses moving forward.”

Of the 37 Chambers USA recommended healthcare lawyers, 12 were ranked in Band 1, including  Bernadette BroccoloStephen W. BernsteinIra Coleman, Charles Buck, John M. Callahan,  Gary Scott DavisChristopher M. JedreyJames F. OwensMichael W. PeregrineKerrin SlatteryJerry J. Sokol and Eric Zimmerman. Additional lawyers were recognized across eight states, including seven lawyers who were added to the rankings for the first time and six who advanced from the previous year.

McDermott Will & Emery is the nation’s leading health law firm. The Health Industry Advisory group is the only health practice to receive top national rankings from U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms,” Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US, and Law360. The practice was also recognized by Chambers as “Health Team of the Year” in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019. McDermott has also held the top spot in PitchBook’s League Tables as the most active firm for healthcare private equity since 2017.

Read the full details about the Firm’s rankings and editorial commentary.

ABOUT CHAMBERS USA

Chambers USA rankings and editorial commentary are based on independent research, and interviews with clients and other purchasers of legal services. Chambers & Partners is one of the premier directories for legal services and in a survey of 20,000 in-house counsel over half [...]

Continue Reading




read more

Digital Health at Scale: The Payor Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed efforts by health insurers to expand reimbursement for telehealth services and digital health tools, and develop and invest in their own digital health technology. Health insurers, who increasingly play a hybrid role of payor, innovator and provider, have a vested interest in helping consumers manage chronic diseases and engage in preventive care from home, both during the public health emergency and after.

Joined by leaders from Humana, Oscar, and Medorion, we discussed the role of health insurers in the evolving digital health market, reimbursement pathways for digital tools and innovative partnerships between technology companies and health insurers. Click here to listen to the webinar recording, and read on for highlights from the program.

PROGRAM INSIGHTS

  • COVID-19 has accelerated the integration of digital health into the traditional health insurance framework. Pre-COVID-19, health insurers were using digital health tools to help their members find providers, access care and manage health conditions. COVID-19 has hastened health plans’ efforts toward vertical integration of digital health technology. Health insurers at the forefront of this effort are focused on creating a consumer-centric, digitally enabled and fully integrated healthcare ecosystem to enhance the member experience, bend the cost curve and carve out an essential (and expanded) role for themselves in the future of healthcare. As consumer behavior continues to change as a result of COVID-19, health insurers will have to be responsive to the way their members are getting care and interacting with the healthcare system.
  • Health insurers are uniquely situated to leverage digital health technologies. Data-driven technology is only as good as the data behind it. Due to the critical role health insurers play in paying for healthcare services, they have insight into member patterns of care and utilization that can be used to target interventions, influence member decision-making and improve health. Investments in digital tools and analytics, as well as strategic partnerships with technology companies, will allow for increased leverage of this valuable data, improved integration of member health information and enhanced member engagement.
  • Interoperability with existing health IT systems is crucial to break down barriers to digital health implementation. Healthcare has been grappling with data interoperability challenges for decades. To scale and make the information from digital tools actionable as part of a larger care plan, digital health platforms must also be interoperable with existing health IT systems. Interoperability will also allow insurers to gather a more complete picture of a member’s longitudinal health data and enable them to better support member health.
  • Health insurers and their legal teams will need to remain nimble amidst the rapidly changing regulatory environment. Keeping up with changing regulations during the COVID-19 public health emergency while planning to scale up in terms of technology implementations is a delicate balance. Though federal, state and local agencies appreciate that digital health tools and telemedicine have much potential in terms of patient care, health insurance companies remain vigilant of privacy and security risks and continue to be constrained in their [...]

    Continue Reading



read more

STAY CONNECTED

TOPICS

ARCHIVES

2021 Chambers USA top ranked firm
LEgal 500 EMEA top tier firm 2021
U.S. News Law Firm of the Year 2022 Health Care Law