Outcome Health settles with DOJ, pays $70 million. Former health unicorn ‘patient ed’ company Outcome Health entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ). In return for settling up with its advertisers, with a fund now at $70 million, it has overhauled its procedures, including third-party auditing and internal controls. That includes a near-complete change of management. A summary of its earlier problems is here. Release
It also looks like Teladoc is on the right path after last year’s financial and moral rocky patch and this year’s NCQA corrective action with Q3 revenue of $138 million, up 24 percent year-to-year, and nine-month revenue up 34 percent to $396.8 million. The year forecast is tracking with total revenue estimated at $149 million to $153 million and the losses pared down to between $5 to 9 million. Seeking Alpha
The news that Walgreens Boots is closing 40 percent of its US clinics–about 150–by end of year is perhaps a sign that the in-store ‘minute clinic’ is not producing the kind of traffic that’s wanted. They will retain the clinics run in partnership with healthcare providers. In August, Walgreens also announced the closure of about 200 stores, about 3 percent of their national total. Is this also a concession that CVS and its clinic strategy are edging out Walgreens? Often the two chains are located within minutes (sic) of each other. USA Today
A city hospital is an unlikely place for a health diagnostic kiosk, especially for employees, but Tampa General Hospital is trying out neighboring Clearwater’s OnMed stations in its locations. The station is connected to OnMed’s virtual clinic via high-definition video and multiple diagnostic tools. The station is also its own pharmacy, able to store up to 1,000 different medications, which are dispensed if prescribed by the doctor on the consult. Interestingly, employees quoted in the article seemed to like it as fast and convenient–and free for their use. Tampa General and OnMed plan to co-brand in the area and roll out about 20 for public use, at an estimated $65-75 per visit. Tampa Bay Times
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