🔥The heat is on

What’s in for today:

• How summer heat affects healthcare use and spending

• AI in healthcare: Startups

• Uber caregiver?

LET’S TALK!

How much?

Did you know that extreme heat causes over $1 billion in additional healthcare costs each year? A study discovered that from 2016 to 2020, approximately 234,000 extra visits to the emergency department occurred nationwide on days with extreme heat. High temperatures can result in various heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. This rise in emergency department visits and hospitalization due to heat-related illnesses amounts to $1 billion.

Another study found that during the heat wave from June 26 - 29, 2021, there was a significant increase in heat-related emergency department visits in Portland and Seattle. Specifically, Portland saw an increase from 0 to 8 ED visits per 100,000 enrollees, while Seattle’s rate increased from less than 7 to 10 per 100,000 enrollees. Additionally, Seattle experienced a significant rise in ED visits due to volume depletion and electrolyte imbalance from 17 to 32 per 100,000 enrollees.

Heat and smoke

Extreme heat can also lead to wildfires, which can result in breathing problems for many individuals. With temperatures rising each year, 2023 has been noted as the hottest year since global records began in 1880. This increase in temperature has resulted in more heat waves, wildfires, and smoke. A study using satellite and monitoring data from 2006 to 2019 found these events have a combined impact on hospitalizations for heart and lung problems, with significant differences in various areas. Lower-income communities and those with higher proportions of racial/ethnic minorities are especially affected, highlighting the need for policies addressing hazards and environmental justice.

Why should you care?

Summer will get hotter every year. With the increased demand for healthcare services, patients will experience longer wait times and crowded emergency rooms. Being proactive about health during the summer can minimize the need for emergency care.

It’s important to understand how dangerous excessive heat can be so we can take steps to protect ourselves. Learning about heat-related illnesses and how to stay cool can help lower our risks of getting sick. By staying informed and taking precautions, we not only look out for ourselves but also help keep our community healthy. This can take some pressure off our local healthcare systems. ensuring critical resources are available for those who need them most.

Fun Fact: An easy way to tell if you are drinking enough water to avoid dehydration is the color of your urine. Here’s an interesting photo I took in the bathroom at Death Valley.

TRACKING: AI IN HEALTHCARE

• Abridge uses AI to automate medical records from conversations between patients and physicians. The company’s enterprise-grade AI saves clinicians about 70+ hours a month on documentation. Plus, it integrates directly with EPIC.

• Cohere Health uses AI to expedite the health insurance approval process. The company’s AI tool can save administrative hours by reducing the time it takes to complete prior authorization.

• Memora Health provides a platform that uses AI to simplify complex clinical workflows. The company’s tools offer virtual AI-based care coordination by sending text messages to communicate with patients. This helps automate tasks such as appointment reminders, answering common patient questions, and collecting data about symptoms and post-procedure recovery.

INDUSTRY NEWS

🩺Uber is introducing a new service called Uber Caregiver. Starting this summer, users who depend on caregivers for their daily needs can add them to their profiles. This will allow caregivers to book rides for the people they care for and order medical supplies and groceries on their behalf.

🏥Publix Pharmacy customers can now access $25 virtual care visits. This service is available to anyone 18 years or older for common health conditions like sinus infections and allergies. Patients may also use it to refill certain medications. To get started, you can visit their website publix.com/easycare 

🥼Amazon Clinic has been rebranded as Amazon One Medical’s Pay-per-visit telehealth services. Customers have the option to access care on a pay-per-visit basis or through a monthly or annual membership. Prime members will pay $9 per month for the membership plan, while other customers will pay $199 annually. Additionally, messaging visits cost $29, while video visits cost $49.