The trend of employers abandoning large insurance carriers for self-funded plans is becoming increasingly popular. This decision is often made in response to increasing premiums charged by larger national insurance carriers. Currently, 65% of covered employees are enrolled in a self-funded employer’s healthcare plan. Self-funded plans allow employers to have more control over healthcare costs and offer employees more personalized benefits. These self-funded plans come with various customized benefits, such as chronic disease management, musculoskeletal care, mental healthcare, and direct primary care. There are several companies, including point-solutions vendors, benefits brokers, and third-party administrators, that focus on providing services to these employers. These companies work together to ensure that employees receive quality care and effective benefits.
Read MoreWhile the labor market in the U.S is expected to continue improving, the U.S healthcare industry continues to face headwinds on the labor front, resulting in cost pressures and capacity constraints on health systems and providers. Marketplace staffing can be defined as platforms for “independent professionals to find work, and for organizations to engage this pool of talent.” Compared to traditional ways of recruitment and hiring, marketplace staffing allows for a cost-effective and flexible way for individuals to find jobs in their respective fields and for organizations to connect to these individuals and fill both part-time and full-time open positions. This model has gained traction in recent years in several industries. However, within healthcare, the model is only recently being applied broadly.
Read MoreMedical coding, the intricate process of translating healthcare diagnoses, procedures, services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes, plays a pivotal role in the vast and ever-changing landscape of the healthcare industry. The sector's complexity is further compounded by continuous healthcare innovation, evolving clinical procedures and services, the introduction of new FDA-approved medical devices and drugs, the global pandemic, and other transformative movements, rendering effective management a critical challenge. Amidst the challenges and complexity, investment opportunities emerge, presenting a compelling investment thesis for exploration.
Read MoreHospice care is a specialized approach to healthcare that focuses on providing comfort, support, and dignity to individuals with terminal illness and their families. This form of care is designed to be a 6-month plan agreed upon by the patient, and/or family if given the right to make medical decisions on their behalf, focused on providing comfort when curative treatment is deemed no longer possible. This form of care delivers patients and families with the emotional and physical support needed at the end of life.
Read MoreThis investment thesis report delves into the booming market of fertility care, emphasizing the increasing rates of infertility particularly in the United States. It explores the lifestyle and environmental causes of infertility and highlights the challenges faced by couples seeking fertility treatments, with a focus on the prohibitive costs associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF). The paper subsequently discusses the disparities in insurance coverage for fertility treatments across states and employers, the recent consolidation of fertility clinics, and the largely overlooked issue of male factor infertility. Contextual factors, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in individuals identifying as LGBTQ+, and the legal implications of the Dobbs Supreme Court ruling, are also considered. Finally, the report touches on investment areas and opportunities in the fertility market, underscoring the need for innovation, inclusivity, and proactive approaches to reproductive care.
Read MoreClinical trial sites are exploring new technology innovations to simplify and fix the many challenges faced by clinical trials today. Advanced technology for clinical trials would lead to many benefits, including faster recruitment, higher patient retention rates due to improved patient experience, advanced data collection, and virtual patient observation. Perhaps the most valuable benefit from advancing technology, however, is the implementation of decentralized clinical trials, clinical trials executed through telemedicine and technology different from the traditional clinical trial model.
Read MoreThe increasing attention of AI in corporate communications and rising public interest make clear that AI in healthcare is not just a transient trend but a necessity for a more efficient, personalized, and accessible future. As AI becomes integrated into more healthcare processes, it is critical to maintain a focus on patient safety by creating regulatory policies to maintain integrity and ensure accurate data.
Read MoreInformation technology has taken the expanding healthcare industry by storm. As IT has become fully integrated into the modern world, healthcare providers have become increasingly reliant on exciting IT innovations that are transforming healthcare processes. Countless healthcare IT startups have attempted to develop strong market positions selling services to providers, but only few have reached $100 million or more in annual recurring revenue (ARR).
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