Healthcare AI Beyond the Buzzwords: Ambient, Generative, and Agentic Explained Presented by Greenway Health

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Featured Story   Pain Drug Biotech Finds a Way to the Public Markets The deal Ambros Therapeutics is set to become a public company through an all-stock merger with Nasdaq-listed Werewolf Therapeutics. The combined company will operate under the Ambros name, continuing late-stage development of its drug, neridronate, for a rare type of pain that currently has no FDA-approved treatments. Ambros will also raise $150 million in a private placement concurrent with the close of the reverse merger. The drug Ambros licensed North American rights to neridronate from Abiogen Pharma, the Italian company that developed it. Ambros has started a Phase 3 study testing the intravenously infused small molecule in complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1), a condition in which intense limb pain follows injury or trauma. Under Abiogen, neridronate is commercially available in Italy, where about 600,000 patients have been treated with it. Why this matters Pain from CRPS-1 typically does not respond to currently available pain drugs, including opioids. Ambros estimates that about 65,000 new U.S. patients are diagnosed with this type of chronic pain each year. These patients need a treatment option. With the private placement, Ambros estimates it will have enough capital to last into 2029. By then, the company expects it will have Phase 3 data that could support a submission seeking FDA approval. —By Frank Vinluan Sponsored   Healthcare AI Beyond the Buzzwords: Ambient, Generative, and Agentic Explained Presented by Greenway Health The future of healthcare AI is not simply a technology conversation. It is a trust conversation.  Learn more. Top Stories   This Week in Epic News: FTC Probe, AI Agents & More The skinny This week was a big one for Epic — the EHR giant hosted its annual conference at its headquarters in Wisconsin, even after it found itself in the Federal Trade Commission's crosshairs. The probe Reports emerged last Friday that the FTC has opened an antitrust investigation into Epic, with several people who work in or advise healthcare businesses saying they have been contacted by investigators as part of a probe into the company. Investigators are reportedly focused on how Epic grants or withholds access to patient data, as well as questioning whether employment agreements restrict Epic employees from joining competing healthcare companies. In a statement to MedCity News, Epic denied engaging in anticompetitive behavior. New tools & features Despite the regulatory drama, Epic used its annual event to forge ahead with its AI expansion. It unveiled Agent Factory, a platform that lets hospitals build and monitor their own AI agents, as well as Cosmos Curiosity, a predictive tool that draws on the company's massive de-identified patient database to flag risks like hospital readmission and help clinicians answer population-level health questions. Epic also unveiled a new AI tool that pulls together data to help clinicians prepare for appointments, along with expanded capabilities for Art, Emmie and Penny — its AI assistants for clinicians, patients and revenue cycle staff, respectively. — By Katie Adams SCAN, Costco Launch Medicare Partnership The skinny SCAN Health Plan and Costco are partnering to launch a suite of insurance products focused on seniors, the companies announced on Tuesday. The partnership SCAN is a non-profit Medicare Advantage insurer serving 460,000 members across California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico and Washington. This is Costco’s first comprehensive partnership with a Medicare plan, according to the announcement. Through the partnership, which was first reported on by the Wall Street Journal, the companies will sell jointly branded Medicare Advantage products in two states and a Medicare supplement in a third state, though the companies did not say which markets. These products are subject to regulatory approval. The companies may also bring offerings in the coming years that include a “re-invented pharmacy experience,” over-the-counter benefits, vision, audiology and more. Soundbite According to SCAN’s CEO, Costco is a trusted brand among seniors, which is why the insurer chose to partner with the company. “If you think about the kinds of things that seniors go to Costco for, they go there for groceries, they go there for over-the-counter supplies, they go there for pharmacy, they go there for vision, they go there for hearing aids,” said Dr. Sachin Jain, CEO of SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan, in an interview. “They have a high degree of trust in all of those categories of products. … I think we really want to take the things that Costco is already outstanding at and make them available through a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement chassis.” — By Marissa Plescia How 3D Models Can Prepare Surgeons for the Operating Room How it works It all starts with the patient. In some cases — particularly at specialty hospitals and pediatric facilities — a patient’s unconventional anatomy can introduce an added layer of complexity when a surgeon is mapping out an operation. This is where 3D modeling comes in. Using the patient’s medical images, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, 3D modeling specialists can develop a 3D computer model through a process called segmentation and reconstruction. Well-equipped specialists can turn any body part — from a tiny bone in the foot to the fluid filled ventricles in the brain — into a computer model within minutes or into a 3D print within a day. Once the surgeon has their model or print in hand, they can study their patient’s unique anatomical features up close and make bespoke decisions that best benefit that patient. In-house 3D printing Ideally, hospitals would have an in-house 3D printing service line to provide support across many departments. This type of model allows 3D printing specialists to work closely with physicians, facilitating ongoing, open communication and collaboration that leads to continuous improvement. Building a strong relationship allows for the creation of solutions that are customized to fit the doctor’s preferred technology medium. For example, some doctors may prefer a simple video of the 3D reconstruction, while others would rather manipulate native 3D information like a video game. The future Today, 3D modeling and printing technology can make a dramatic impact — even shortening some operations by 30-90 minutes. Looking ahead, that reduction will only grow as the technology is further integrated and becomes more advanced. At the end of the day, simplified, shortened procedures not only help surgeons, but result in both cost savings and less patient risk — making the benefits of 3D modeling in healthcare clear. While 3D modeling in healthcare isn’t new, like many technologies, it can be difficult to put into regular, practical, and effective use. Its future won’t just be defined by newer, emerging technologies, but by how well physicians and healthcare systems adapt to new processes. — By MedCity Influencer Justin Ryan Video   Video: What did UHC CEO say in unprecedented meeting with reporters? Debunked: UnitedHealthcare invited reporters and influencers to their Minnesota HQ. Why? Hear the exchange between MedCity editor and the UnitedHealthcare CEO.

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The Pulse of Innovation: How 3D Models Can Prepare Surgeons for the Operating Room Today, 3D modeling and printing technology can make a dramatic impact — even shortening some operations by 30-90 minutes. Looking ahead, that reduction will only grow as the technology is further integrated and becomes more advanced. Modernizing Payment Integrity in an Era of Systemic Fraud Gaps in reimbursement oversight and recovery will only widen, unless plans modernize how they detect, investigate, and recoup improper payments.

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