Think about it 💡
🧠 Elon Musk's Neuralink has achieved a significant milestone by successfully planting its brain-computer interface in a human noggin – a bold step towards making telekinesis a reality. The implant, comprising a chip and electrode arrays, aims to decode motion-related thoughts in the cerebral cortex, potentially enabling individuals to control computers through thinking. The details about the recipient remain as mysterious as Musk's tweets. Although "promising neuron spike detection" sounds like something out of a neat sci-fi flick, further data is needed for comprehensive understanding. Neuralink's wireless communication technology represents a practical advancement, though limitations in sorting neuron signals persist. While Musk's lofty goals, such as restoring eyesight or mobility, remain speculative, ongoing technological and scientific advancements continue to drive progress in the field of brain-computer interfaces.
📋 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have slapped some new rules on the table, putting AI in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans on a tight leash. In response to concerns over potential bias and patient harm, CMS has prohibited health insurers from relying solely on AI or algorithmic systems to determine patient care or coverage, emphasizing the importance of individual patient history and physician recommendations. Recent legal scuffles involving insurers like Humana and UnitedHealth underscored the risks associated with AI models overriding medical expertise. The CMS memo highlights MA organizations' responsibility to ensure AI compliance with coverage rules and nondiscrimination requirements, as emphasized by Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. With the healthcare industry buzzing about AI's potential, there's a growing chorus demanding more oversight to keep discrimination and bias in check.
Digital health derby 🏇
💸 The latest CB Insights’ State of Digital Health report is here. Turns out, Q4 '23 digital health funding was a tale of jockeying for the financial limelight. Care delivery & navigation tech stole the spotlight, flexing with an impressive $837 million, thanks to Headway's $125 million Series C round. Close behind, monitoring, imaging, & diagnostics tech cashed in a smooth $501 million. Surprisingly, health insurance & RCM tech, the dark horse of the race, clinched the top spot with the largest digital health deal — a whopping $175 million Series E round for Devoted Health. With a valuation soaring to $12.9 billion, Devoted Health is now the healthcare high roller, overshadowing sectors like health data & analytics and digital therapeutics & wellness tech in the funding game.
Neat News 🗞️
💸 UK-based Lilli secured over €9.5 million to help people to live safely and independently in their homes for longer. Neat.
💰 DeepLook Medical raised $1.7M for AI-driven cancer detection in dense breast tissue. Super neat.
🏈 AI can improve the health and safety of NFL players. Ultra neat.
Clean Content 🧼
💡 From discovery to organization-wide deployment: how Mankato Clinic chose Nabla Copilot.
🩺 Behold! Here are 8 traits of the finest physicians.
🎠 Will private equity ride in on its white horse to save digital health? Christina Farr discusses.
This is what you came for 🍑
🕯️ Forget about fancy dinners and rose petals—apparently, all you need for a steamy night is a good old-fashioned thank-you note. A study in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science revealed that both giving and receiving gratitude are linked to greater sexual connection in relationships over time. Turns out that regularly expressing appreciation towards your partner could lead to a more fulfilling sex life! Who would've thought manners could be so enticing?
Before you go, help us make the Healthcare Hoagie better for you (pretty please?)…
🙌 A massive shoutout to the brilliant minds who fueled the Hoagie this week - Ben Guarino, Chase DiBenedetto, the CB Insights and Femtech Insider teams, Christina Farr, Jack Kelly, Antonio L. Escárzaga, Paige Haeffele.
Byeeee,