Brief Humor: ChatGPT Explains How MedTech Can Work Better with Payers

The AI service ChatGPT answers some questions about medtech and payers.

In the United States, health insurers are often reluctant to pay for new technologies. Explain why this is the case, and please give a detailed answer. Then, explain some ways that medical technology companies can achieve more favorable decisions from the health insurers.

Health insurers are often reluctant to pay for new technologies because of a combination of factors, including:

1. Cost concerns: New medical technologies tend to be expensive, and health insurers are concerned about the impact on their bottom line. They want to ensure that the technology is cost-effective and provides value for money before they agree to cover it.
2. Uncertainty around efficacy: There is often a lack of long-term data on the effectiveness of new technologies, and health insurers want to be sure that the technology actually works before they agree to pay for it.
3. Limited evidence of clinical effectiveness: New technologies may not have been fully tested or validated in a clinical setting, and health insurers want to be sure that the technology is safe and effective before they agree to cover it.

To achieve more favorable decisions from health insurers, medical technology companies can:

1. Conduct rigorous clinical trials: By providing robust evidence of the safety and efficacy of the technology, medical technology companies can increase the likelihood of health insurers covering it.
2. Demonstrate cost-effectiveness: By demonstrating that the technology provides value for money and is cost-effective, medical technology companies can make a stronger case for coverage.
3. Build partnerships with health insurers: By working closely with health insurers, medical technology companies can better understand their concerns and make a stronger case for coverage.
4. Engage with patient advocacy groups: By engaging with patient advocacy groups, medical technology companies can increase public awareness and understanding of the technology, which can increase pressure on health insurers to cover it.

Please explain more with details and specific examples how "build partnerships with insurers" can be achieved.

Building partnerships with health insurers can be a powerful way for medical technology companies to achieve more favorable decisions on coverage. Here are some specific ways that medical technology companies can build partnerships with health insurers:

1. Engage in open and transparent communication: Medical technology companies should be open and transparent with health insurers about their technology, its capabilities, and any potential limitations. This can help build trust and understanding between the two parties, making it more likely that health insurers will consider covering the technology.
2. Demonstrate the value of the technology: Medical technology companies should work to demonstrate the value of their technology to health insurers. This may include providing data on the clinical outcomes and cost savings associated with the technology. For example, a medical device company could provide data showing that their device results in fewer complications and shorter hospital stays compared to traditional treatments, reducing overall healthcare costs.
3. Offer flexible payment models: Medical technology companies can work with health insurers to develop flexible payment models that are mutually beneficial. For example, a company might offer to provide the technology for a lower up-front cost in exchange for a share of the cost savings generated by the technology. This can help health insurers feel more comfortable covering the technology, as they are able to manage their costs more effectively.
4. Participate in pilot programs: Medical technology companies can work with health insurers to participate in pilot programs. These programs allow the technology to be tested in a real-world setting, providing valuable data on its effectiveness and safety. This can help build confidence in the technology among health insurers and make it more likely that they will cover it.
5. Collaborate on patient education and outreach: Medical technology companies can work with health insurers to educate patients and the general public about the benefits of the technology. This can help increase demand for the technology, making it more likely that health insurers will cover it.

Building partnerships with health insurers is a long-term process that requires patience, persistence, and strong communication skills. However, by taking these steps, medical technology companies can increase the likelihood that their technology will be covered and make a positive impact on patient care.

Ai pic from Canva.

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Health technology assessments, also known as HTA's, are often highly critical of new medical technologies.   Explain why this is so, and offer paths to improvement for the medical technology companies.  You [the AI] are an expert in the field, and will include common reasons, but also provide an emphasis on less common and more insightful aspects of the issues.

Health technology assessments (HTAs) are often critical of new medical technologies for several reasons:

1. Lack of evidence: HTAs often require robust evidence of the safety and efficacy of new technologies. If a technology has not been extensively tested or has limited data on its effectiveness, HTAs may be more skeptical of its value.
2. Cost concerns: HTAs are often concerned about the cost of new technologies and whether they provide value for money. They may require data on the cost-effectiveness of the technology and whether it is cost-competitive with existing treatments.
3. Ethical concerns: HTAs may consider ethical issues related to new technologies, such as the impact on patient autonomy or the distribution of healthcare resources.
4. Limited long-term data: HTAs may be concerned about the long-term effects of new technologies, especially if there is limited data on the technology's safety and efficacy beyond the short term.

To improve the chances of a more favorable outcome in HTA evaluations, medical technology companies can:

1. Conduct rigorous clinical trials: By providing robust evidence of the safety and efficacy of the technology, medical technology companies can increase the likelihood of a positive HTA evaluation.
2. Address cost concerns: Medical technology companies can work to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of their technology and provide data on the cost savings it generates.
3. Address ethical concerns: Medical technology companies can be proactive in addressing ethical concerns related to their technology, such as by providing data on patient autonomy or the equitable distribution of healthcare resources.
4. Engage in open and transparent communication: Medical technology companies can be open and transparent with HTAs about their technology and its capabilities, addressing any concerns that HTAs may have.
5. Collaborate with stakeholders: Medical technology companies can work with stakeholders, such as patient advocacy groups, healthcare providers, and payers, to build a broad coalition of support for their technology.

In addition to these common approaches, medical technology companies can also consider less common and more insightful paths to improvement. For example:

1. Consider alternative evaluation methods: Medical technology companies can consider alternative evaluation methods, such as real-world evidence or patient-reported outcomes, that can provide a more comprehensive picture of the technology's impact.
2. Engage with HTAs early in the development process: Medical technology companies can engage with HTAs early in the development process to understand the criteria that HTAs use to evaluate technologies and to ensure that their technology meets these criteria.
3. Foster a culture of innovation: Medical technology companies can foster a culture of innovation that encourages continuous improvement and the development of new technologies that address unmet medical needs.

Overall, to improve the chances of a favorable outcome in HTA evaluations, medical technology companies should be proactive, engage in open and transparent communication, and work to build broad support for their technology.

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Bonus:  ChatGTP promises more "factuality" on January 31, 2023.

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Use of the word "factuality" 1800-2019:

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