AH108 - Fixing Healthcare Interoperability and Modernizing Digital Workflows, with Brendan Keeler

How can interoperability, policy, and technology come together to solve some of healthcare's most stubborn challenges? On episode 108 of Astonishing Healthcare, host Justin Venneri sits down with Brendan Keeler, Interoperability Practice Lead at HTD Health and author of the popular Health API Guy Substack. Brendan shares his journey from working at Epic Systems to becoming a leading voice in healthcare interoperability, offering insights into the intersection of policy, technology, and workflows.Together, they explore the current state of interoperability in healthcare, the impact of CMS rulemaking on prior authorizations, and the challenges of modernizing entrenched systems of record. Brendan also highlights the importance of empathy in solving healthcare's complex problems and shares his thoughts on the future of digital identity and patient data access.Key TakeawaysInteroperability is about ubiquity, not just standards. While digital standards like FHIR and NCPDP are important, true interoperability requires widespread adoption across all stakeholders to ensure seamless data exchange.CMS rulemaking is driving change in prior authorizations. New regulations aim to digitize and standardize prior authorization processes, reducing manual burdens while potentially increasing overall transaction volumes.Modernizing healthcare infrastructure is a monumental challenge. Systems of record like EHRs and claims processing platforms are deeply entrenched, making change costly and complex. Leaders often opt for incremental improvements, such as layering AI on top, rather than full-scale replacements.Empathy is key to solving healthcare problems. Bridging the "empathy gap" by making complex issues like benefit design and regulation accessible to non-experts is essential for attracting talent and driving innovation.Digital identity is foundational for the future of healthcare. Strong identity verification systems unlock trust and enable secure, seamless data sharing between patients, providers, and payers, paving the way for better outcomes.Related ContentHow to obtain Rx data and what to do with itReplay - Unified Care Navigation: A Critical Component of the Future of Health Benefits DesignAH064 - Empowering Plan Sponsors: Data Access & Analysis, with Bridget MulvennaJudi Health Policy Update – It’s a Tangled Web of ProgressDisclaimerThis podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed are those of our guests, do not constitute professional advice, and may not represent Judi Health's/Capital Rx's position on any matters discussed. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the content; information is subject to change and may not be updated.