Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1495274
24 INNOVATION CVS, Amazon, Optum: Health system CIOs on who will be the biggest disrupter of '23 By Naomi Diaz A s Amazon, CVS and Optum continue to utilize upstart companies that provide primary care, virtual care and in-home care to try to buy their way into the healthcare industry, health system CIOs told Becker's that they're betting on CVS and Optum to make the most disruption to the primary care arena in 2023. Optum, CVS and Amazon, oen referred to as the "retail healthcare" disruptors, are finding opportunity in the nationwide shortage of primary care physicians and are increasing their investments in concierge-style primary care practices. For example, CVS has made it clear that in 2023, it will continue to seek out partnerships with or acquire a stake in primary care companies. e company followed through by entering into an agreement to acquire Signify Health, a home health company, for about $8 billion. e deal, which brings Signify's nationwide value-based provider network with more than 10,000 clinicians into CVS Health's portfolio, is expected to close in the first half of 2023. As a result of this move, Darrell Bodnar, CIO of Whitefield, N.H.-based North Country Healthcare said he is betting on CVS to make the most disruption. "CVS-Aetna, Walgreens, Walmart, United-Optum and even Dollar General are looking at ways to capture this market and all the downstream revenue that will follow once these patient relationships develop. While I feel they will all make significant progress towards this in 2023, I think CVS may be the biggest disruptor in 2023 as it searches for a primary care acquisition," said Mr. Bodnar. "ey have great market share and following the Signify Health acquisition are in a good place." But, CVS isn't the only healthcare disruptor competing in the primary care space. Optum also has been making significant strides by buying multispecialty physician practices, with a focus on managing patients through home, virtual and on-site care. is is why Rich Rogers, senior vice president and CIO of Greenville, S.C. -based PrismaHealth sees Optum as primary care's biggest disruptor. "Optum is positioned to have the most significant impact in healthcare in 2023. In addition to their aggressive acquisition of primary care providers and services, Optum is positioned to be a disruptor with developing value-based care models," said Mr. Rogers. "ey bring established healthcare analytics capabilities, virtual solutions, pharmacy tools, and payer experience to the market. In addition, Optum has the financial means to figure out the secret sauce to successfully deliver new payment models." n 'What is the best hospital in the US?' ChatGPT's response By Laura Dyrda P eople are turning to ChatGPT for guidance in a variety of situations, including for healthcare needs. Medium reported earlier in February that ChatGPT listed questions about health and medicine, including symptoms and treatments, were among the most asked questions of the artificial intelligence-powered chat bot. When posed the question on Feb. 20 "What is the best hospital in the United States?" the artificial intelligence- powered chatbot offered 10 hospitals highly ranked by other sources and publications, with Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic as the first option. Here is the full response: "It is difficult to definitively say which hospital is the 'best' in the United States as this can vary depending on the specific needs and preferences of the patient, the medical condition being treated, and other factors. However, there are several hospitals in the United States that are consistently ranked highly by various organizations and publications, such as: • Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) • Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, Ohio) • Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, Maryland) • Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, Massachusetts) • New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell (New York City, New York) • UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles, California) • Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital (Stanford, California) • Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, Illinois) • UCSF Medical Center (San Francisco, California) • Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, Massachusetts) It is important to note that each hospital has its own strengths and weaknesses, and patients should conduct their own research and consult with their healthcare provider to determine the best hospital for their individual needs." When asked about the best hospital for cancer care, ChatGPT referenced the U.S. News & World Report 2021-22 rankings and noted: "It's important to keep in mind that the best hospital for cancer treatment for an individual patient may not be one of these hospitals and that patients should consult with their healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for their specific needs." n