Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Employees Slow To Adopt Work-Provided Telemedicine Options
Chicago Tribune: More Employers Are Offering Telemedicine, But Why Aren't Workers Using It?
This fall, employees in Chicago and across the country might notice their employers touting so-called telemedicine — in which health care is delivered remotely via phone, video or other technologies — as they gear up for insurance open enrollment. Telemedicine often is offered in addition to or as part of traditional insurance benefits, and some telemedicine companies bypass employers entirely, offering it directly to consumers. So far, employees haven't warmed to the idea, either because they don't understand it, don't know it's available or because they're skeptical of getting a doctor's opinion via telephone. (Schencker, 10/7)
Nashville Tennessean: Bitcoin Platform Piques Interest In How To Transfer Health Care Data
The underlying technology behind the digital currency Bitcoin is piquing interest in corners of Nashville's health care sector, thanks to its potential to upend the way data is shared. Blockchain, a distributed database that records transactions, can be tough for people to grasp, but with understanding often comes a sense of excitement about the possibilities, experts said. It's a way to securely transfer things of value — such as data or currency — without a middleman, said Corey Todaro, director of research and analytics at Martin Ventures. (Fletcher, 10/7)
