The expensive health system in America is being challenged by tech companies and startups. These companies are providing treatment, diagnosis and health related services through digital health platforms, virtual clinics and AI based facilities. Amidst the rising costs of healthcare, patients are also now looking for new treatment options. Funding of startups has also increased. Venture capital funding of US digital health startups to increase by 35% to Rs 1.3 lakh crore in 2025. This is a sign of change in the public health system. However, such experiments have failed in the past. JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway together started an initiative named ‘Haven’ in 2018, which had to be closed within 3 years. Major reasons for increasing penetration of tech companies and startups in health services: 20% government expenditure on health, yet 33% people are unable to bear the cost. The American government spends about Rs 463 lakh crore on health services every year. This is one-fifth of America’s GDP, i.e. approximately 20 percent. Treatment is so expensive that about one-third (33%) of people either did not get treatment or postponed it due to exorbitant expenses in the last one year. The effect of increasing expenditure is also visible on health insurance. In America, most people under 65 years of age depend on private insurance. According to non-profit organization KFF, annual insurance premiums (cost of insurance) for families have increased by 50% since 2015. 45 percent of Americans do not trust the health system, now they are looking for alternatives. The trust of the American people in the health system is decreasing year by year. According to a survey report by Gallup, while patients had 75% trust in doctors at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, it has come down to 55% by 2025. That means 45% Americans do not trust the health system. Digital platforms are transforming the entire chain of primary health care, from doctor appointments to choosing an insurance company. Platforms like ‘Sesame’ and ‘One Medical’ are helping in taking cheap online doctor appointments. VC firm General Catalyst has acquired hospital and health care chain Summa Health. This company is digitally connecting the entire system from choosing insurance to treatment and bill payment. Now Virtual Clinic; Many startups which are also providing consultation and prescription of medicines are providing health services to the patients through new technology. Virtual clinics like ‘Hims and Hers’ and ‘Ro’ are providing online consultation and medicine prescription. ‘Prenuvo’ and ‘Function Health’ are offering full body MRI and blood tests for almost half the cost, 1,000 to 4,500 dollars (up to Rs 4 lakh), so that major diseases can be detected. AI – One fourth of users are asking at least one health related question. The role of generative AI has increased in the health sector. ChatGPT’s developers say more than a quarter of their nearly 800 million weekly users ask at least one health-related question. Dr. Nate Gross, who leads health care at OpenAI, says that generative AI is bringing a big improvement to the old way of scrolling the Internet. Now users can interact directly with software that gives them advice based on their symptoms, age and medical history.
Source link
[ad_3]
हेल्थकेयर सर्विसेज महंगी, स्टार्टअप्स सस्ते विकल्प दे रहे: अमेरिका में आधे खर्च में पूरे शरीर का एमआरआई स्कैन, ब्लड टेस्ट की सुविधा, ताकि बड़ी बीमारियों का शुरुआत में ही पता लग सके
