Transforming the Telehealth Experience for Patients and Clinicians | Amwell Files IPO…Google Cloud to Invest $100 Million

Amwell has filed to go public under the New York Stock Exchange symbol AMWL. Google Cloud's $100 million investment will be a concurrent private placement at the IPO price. The company didn't indicate a proposed size for the offering, nor did it give an anticipated price range, but it provided a placeholder amount of $100 million to calculate its registration fee. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs & Co., LLC, Piper Sandler, UBS Investment Bank, Credit Suisse and Cowen Berenberg are listed as underwriters for the IPO.

COVID-19 Unmasked: Mental Health | Valera Health Expands Telemental Health Services to Support CDPHP Members

Valera Health has officially expanded its telemental health services to members of the Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP). Members can now receive care in the comfort and safety of their own homes. First announced in 2019, CDPHP will employ Valera's digital tools and advanced data analytics to amplify the impact of clinical services and maximize patient engagement and outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the pandemic and social isolation can increase stress and anxiety, and these feelings are also known to increase the risk of suicide. The CDC recommends focusing on emotional well-being and seeking treatment via in-person or telehealth services.

The Core Principles on Virtual Care | Consumer Technology Association releases set of recommendations for efficient and effective use of virtual care tools

Titled the Guiding Principles on Virtual Care, the proposals were developed by various virtual care companies affiliated with CTA, including Livongo, Doctor on Demand, Validic and 98point6. Reports show that patients with access to their own health data are far more likely to engage with the information in ways that improve the quality of care and their overall healthcare experience. The above principles laid out by the CTA are based on concepts and best practices currently present and developing in the U.S. regarding the provision of virtual care and consumer protection.

Healthcare Consumerism

Over the past decade, patients have taken a more active role in educating themselves and directly managing their own health. And with more than 80 percent of consumers now researching their healthcare options, new technologies provide consumers new ways to engage in their own healthy living and in managing certain conditions. In other words, technology is empowering consumers to take control of their health. Uber Health, Lyft, Walmart Health, Amazon Care are just a few organizations entering the healthcare space.