Healthcare + AI: Is AI the Solution to the Medicare Debate?, AI Takes on Surgical Site Infections, Microsoft and Kintsugi Partnering on New Health Tools

At Healthcare + AI, we explore the latest trends and insights in healthcare and AI. Everything you need. Nothing you don’t. Find more on our site.

Today’s Features:

• Is AI the Solution to the Medicare Debate?

• Open Source Models are Coming for AI

• Microsoft and Kintsugi Partnering on a New Chapter in Healthcare AI

• AI Takes on Surgical Site Infections

• Doctors Interested in AI, but Want More Training

Is AI the Solution to the Medicare Debate?

In short, no. No, it’s not. But it’s a start, and a conversation worth having. To start, AI is reshaping Medicare Advantage plans by pushing the envelope on value-based payments. The focus is shifting towards optimizing financial outcomes, sometimes at the expense of patient care. As AI tools become integral, the healthcare landscape faces new ethical challenges.

- There has been a 20% increase in AI-driven payment models in Medicare Advantage in the last year.

- 15% of plans now use AI to assess patient risk scores.

- $210 billion projected savings by 2025 due to AI efficiencies.

What They’re Saying: “The distinction between value-based care and value-based payment isn’t merely semantic — it represents a crucial fork in the road for healthcare delivery. As AI and other technologies become more prevalent in healthcare, we must ensure they’re deployed in service of improving patient care rather than merely optimizing revenue. The future of Medicare Advantage, and potentially the broader Medicare system, may depend on our ability to maintain this critical focus on actual patient care over payment optimization.” - Dr. Jay Anders, Chief Medical Officer of Medicomp Systems

Why It Matters: The promise of AI is to enhance healthcare, but there's mounting concern about its impacts on patient well-being.

What's Next: Stakeholders are calling for regulations to ensure AI aligns with patient-centered care. Read More

Learn AI in 5 minutes a day

What’s the secret to staying ahead of the curve in the world of AI? Information. Luckily, you can join 1,000,000+ early adopters reading The Rundown AI — the free newsletter that makes you smarter on AI with just a 5-minute read per day.

Sign up to start learning.

Open Source Models are Coming for AI

The latest buzz at the Global Developers Conference is all about large AI models and the call for open source solutions. The tech community is rallying for more accessible AI tools to drive innovation, particularly in healthcare.

- 2025 is the year experts predict widespread use of AI agents.

- Healthcare and financial services are leading sectors for AI-driven innovation.

- Open source models could accelerate AI development exponentially.

Why It Matters: Open source AI models could democratize access and spur growth in critical sectors like healthcare, potentially revolutionizing diagnostics and personalized medicine.

What's Next: Keep an eye on upcoming collaborations between tech giants and open source communities. This could lead to new, more efficient AI tools in the near future. Read More

Microsoft and Kintsugi Partnering on a New Chapter in Healthcare AI

Microsoft's Pegasus Program is getting a new partner: Kintsugi. This collaboration aims to push forward the boundaries of healthcare AI, focusing on innovative solutions to long-standing challenges in the medical field.

Kintsugi, known for its advanced AI solutions, is poised to make significant strides in the industry with Microsoft's backing. The Pegasus Program is Microsoft's initiative to nurture and advance emerging tech companies that show promise in their respective fields.

- Microsoft Pegasus Program aims to support over 20 startups annually.

- Kintsugi has raised nearly $8 million in funding to date.

- The global healthcare AI market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2026.

In Their Words: “Being part of Microsoft’s Pegasus program reflects our shared commitment to addressing critical gaps in mental health care. This partnership will help us refine our platform, deepen its integration with healthcare workflows, and extend its impact on patient care. We’re excited to work closely with Microsoft’s teams to bring our solutions to a broader audience and improve outcomes for millions of patients worldwide.” - Grace Chang, Founder and CEO of Kintsugi

Why It Matters: This partnership could lead to breakthroughs that improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare processes, making medical care more efficient and accessible.

What's Next: Kintsugi will begin integrating its technologies with Microsoft's resources, enabling them to expand their reach and capabilities. The Details

AI Takes on Surgical Site Infections

Interesting new twist in the ongoing search for new AI applications in healthcare: Predicting surgical site infections before they happen. Researchers are focusing on multimodal machine learning to help healthcare professionals make better decisions. But the challenge of bridging communication gaps between AI and humans remains.

By the Numbers:

- Surgical site infections affect up to 5% of patients undergoing surgery.

- Multimodal AI models analyze data from various sources like images, text, and clinical data.

- Effective AI can potentially lower infection rates by significant margins.

Why It Matters: Preventing infections not only saves lives but also reduces healthcare costs significantly. If AI can accomplish even one of these goals successfully, then expect to see more development dollars flowing toward the technology.

What's Next: Expect more research into AI explainability and trust to improve collaboration between AI systems and healthcare workers. The goal is to develop AI tools that are as transparent and reliable as possible for clinical use. Read More

Doctors Interested in AI, but Want More Training

Primary care physicians are keen on using AI in healthcare, but they’re not all in just yet. They're asking for more training to feel confident in the tech. Concerns about trust and malpractice risks are front of mind.

By the Numbers:

- 70% of PCPs are interested in AI tools, according to a recent survey.

- But only 30% feel confident using them without additional training.

- Check this out: 50% worry about malpractice risks tied to AI.

Why It Matters: As AI advances in healthcare, physician buy-in is crucial for successful implementation. Expect healthcare providers to push for more comprehensive AI education programs. Regulatory bodies may also step in to set training standards.