# Cost Barriers * **Definition:** Cost barriers refer to the financial obstacles that prevent individuals or organizations from accessing healthcare services or technologies, often due to high out-of-pocket expenses, lack of insurance coverage, or overall affordability issues. * **Taxonomy:** CTO Topics / Cost Barriers ## News * Selected news on the topic of **Cost Barriers**, for healthcare technology leaders * 918 news items are in the system for this topic * Posts have been filtered for tech and healthcare-related keywords | Date | Title | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | 5/8/2025 | [**Hospital Asset Management Market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 414.18 ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hospital-asset-management-market-is-expected-to-generate-a-revenue-of-usd-414-18-billion-by-2032--globally-at-30-60-cagr-verified-market-research-302450001.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 5/8/2025 | [**Hospital Asset Management Market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 414.18 ...**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hospital-asset-management-market-expected-141500478.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 4/22/2025 | [**Improving Interoperability Between Healthcare Providers and Systems to Enhance Care ...**](https://www.healthcareittoday.com/2025/04/22/improving-interoperability-between-healthcare-providers-and-systems-to-enhance-care-coordination-and-data-sharing/) | [[Healthcare IT Today]] | | 4/7/2025 | [**Overcoming efficiency and cost barriers for large-area quantum dot photovoltaics through ... - Nature**](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-025-01746-4) | [[Nature]] | | 3/20/2025 | [**What CFOs Can Do If HHS Layoffs Prevail - HealthLeaders Media**](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/cfo/what-cfos-can-do-if-hhs-layoffs-prevail) | [[HealthLeaders Media]] | | 3/7/2025 | [**AI In Media Market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 82.45 Billion by 2032 ... - PR Newswire**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai-in-media-market-is-expected-to-generate-a-revenue-of-usd-82-45-billion-by-2032--globally-at-25-8-cagr-verified-market-research-302395592.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 3/4/2025 | [**Couchbase Unveils Edge Server to Help Organizations Solve Real-World Edge Application ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/couchbase-unveils-edge-server-to-help-organizations-solve-real-world-edge-application-challenges-302390079.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 2/27/2025 | [**Caregility Unveils Next-Gen Virtual Care Coordination and AI-Powered Innovation at HIMSS 2025**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/caregility-unveils-next-gen-virtual-162000526.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 2/26/2025 | [**Telehealth, Right Here, Right Now: Calling on Congress to Vote for America's Health and Well-being**](https://www.healthpopuli.com/2025/02/26/telehealth-right-here-right-now-calling-on-congress-to-vote-for-americas-health-and-well-being/) | [[Health Populi]] | | 2/13/2025 | [**Vial Adaptors for Reconstitution Drug Market to Reach USD 4,146.27 by 2032, Growing at a ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vial-adaptors-for-reconstitution-drug-market-to-reach-usd-4-146-27-by-2032--growing-at-a-7-24-cagr--credence-research-302376298.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 1/29/2025 | [**Healthcare AI Agents: New Opportunities for the High-Tech Industry - Alex G. Lee, Ph.D. Esq. CLP**](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/healthcare-ai-agents-new-opportunities-high-tech-lee-ph-d-esq-clp-hkl2e) | [[Linkedin]] | | 12/23/2024 | [**Hospitals in 2025: Predictions for the new year**](https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/hospitals-in-2025-predictions-for-the-new-year) | [[Chief Healthcare Executive]] | | 12/17/2024 | [**Artificial Intelligence Platforms Market size to increase by USD 64.9 Billion between ... - PR Newswire**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artificial-intelligence-platforms-market-size-to-increase-by-usd-64-9-billion-between-2023-to-2028--market-segmentation-by-application-deployment-geography---technavio-302332597.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 11/27/2024 | [**Dental Practice Management Market Surges to USD 5.73 Billion by 2030, Propelled by 10.9AGR**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dental-practice-management-market-surges-153000959.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 11/21/2024 | [**Silicon Valley billionaire warns 'absolutely there's a bubble' in AI valuations - Fortune**](https://fortune.com/2024/11/21/c3ai-microsoft-partnership-deal-tom-siebel-openai-ai-bubble/) | [[Fortune]] | | 11/5/2024 | [**Medtronic, Recor Medical score renal denervation reimbursement wins - MassDevice**](https://www.massdevice.com/medtronic-recor-medical-score-renal-denervation-reimbursement-wins/) | [[Mass Device]] | | 10/16/2024 | [**USAID Awards Grant to The Sentry and Castellum.AI to Close Data Gaps in Financial Crime Prevention**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241016537337/en/USAID-Awards-Grant-to-The-Sentry-and-Castellum.AI-to-Close-Data-Gaps-in-Financial-Crime-Prevention/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-Q-tiwWZwkcswR1UZtV7eGe24xL9TZOyQUMS3J72mJlQ7fxFuNFTHSunhvli30RlBNXya2izy9YOgHlBiZQk2LOzmn6JePCpHPCiYGaEx4DL1Rq8pNwkf3AarimpDzQGuQ==) | [[Business Wire]] | | 10/15/2024 | [**Strella raises $4 million to automate market research with AI-powered customer interviews**](https://venturebeat.com/ai/strella-raises-4-million-to-automate-market-research-with-ai-powered-customer-interviews/) | [[VentureBeat]] | | 10/8/2024 | [**Healthcare leaders consider AI and data sharing for modernizing IT infrastructure**](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/healthcare-leaders-consider-ai-and-data-sharing-modernizing-it-infrastructure) | [[Healthcare IT News]] | | 8/26/2024 | [**Cost concerns loom as health systems ramp up AI**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/cost-concerns-loom-as-health-systems-ramp-up-ai.html) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 7/17/2024 | [**CareCloud, Inc. Partners with DrFirst to Enhance Medication Adherence and Reduce ...**](https://www.wfxrtv.com/business/press-releases/globenewswire/9178966/carecloud-inc-partners-with-drfirst-to-enhance-medication-adherence-and-reduce-healthcare-costs) | wfxrtv.com | | 7/17/2024 | [**CareCloud, Inc. Partners with DrFirst to Enhance Medication Adherence and Reduce ...**](https://www.wfxrtv.com/business/press-releases/globenewswire/9178966/carecloud-inc-partners-with-drfirst-to-enhance-medication-adherence-and-reduce-healthcare-costs/) | wfxrtv.com | | 7/16/2024 | [**AI has a big future for healthcare but only if workers can embrace it: report**](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/ai-and-machine-learning/ai-has-big-future-healthcare-only-if-workers-can-embrace-it-report) | [[FierceHealthcare]] | | 6/14/2024 | [**Niloom.AI launches one-stop generative AI content creation platform for spatial computing**](https://venturebeat.com/ai/niloom-ai-launches-one-stop-generative-ai-content-creation-platfor-for-spatial-computing/) | [[VentureBeat]] | | 6/1/2024 | [**Health Equity and Access Weekly Roundup: June 1, 2024**](https://www.ajmc.com/view/health-equity-and-access-weekly-roundup-june-1-2024) | [[AJMC]] | ## Topic Overview (Some LLM-derived content — please confirm with above primary sources) ### Key Players - **AJMC**: A healthcare organization that discusses advancements in health equity and access, particularly in relation to cost barriers. - **TailorMed**: A company that provides a platform to enhance medication access and affordability, addressing financial barriers in healthcare. - **HarmonyCares**: A provider of in-home primary care that has secured funding to expand services, focusing on delivering care to patients facing barriers to access. - **PayZen**: A healthcare technology company focused on enhancing affordability through AI-powered solutions. - **Figgro**: Developing a cultivation management system for the cannabis industry that integrates hardware and software to reduce cost barriers for operators. - **CareCloud**: A healthcare technology firm that has partnered with DrFirst to improve medication adherence and reduce costs. - **CareMessage**: A healthcare technology firm that has developed an AI Assistant to improve patient engagement and address barriers such as food insecurity and transportation. - **Medtronic**: A global leader in medical technology, Medtronic has received Medicare reimbursement approvals for its renal denervation technologies aimed at reducing cost barriers for hypertension treatments. - **Percipio Health**: Launching a population health monitoring platform that utilizes smartphones to provide lower-cost healthcare access. - **Medidata**: A healthcare technology company focusing on clinical trial financial management and advocating for diversity in clinical trials. - **Recor Medical**: A medical technology company that has developed innovative renal denervation systems, also receiving Medicare reimbursement approvals to enhance patient access. - **MultiPlan Corporation**: A company collaborating with the National Rural Health Association to improve healthcare access in rural areas. - **USAID**: A U.S. government agency that provides grants and support for initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access. - **Terns Pharmaceuticals**: A pharmaceutical company developing GLP-1 obesity drugs, addressing the high costs associated with weight-loss medications. - **Microsoft**: A technology giant providing AI solutions like DAX Copilot to reduce administrative burdens in healthcare. - **Nesa Tech Research**: Pioneering the use of decentralized systems combined with cryptography to enhance data security and model integrity in AI applications. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Medtronic and CMS**: Medtronic received transitional pass-through payment approval from CMS to reduce cost barriers for its renal denervation system. - **TailorMed and Windham Capital Partners**: TailorMed secured a $40 million financing round to enhance its platform aimed at eliminating healthcare barriers. - **TailorMed Financing**: Raised $40 million led by Windham Capital Partners to develop its medication access platform. - **General Catalyst and McKesson Ventures**: Investors in HarmonyCares, supporting the expansion of in-home primary care services to improve access for patients. - **PayZen and NEA**: PayZen raised $232 million in Series B funding to enhance its AI-powered healthcare affordability program. - **CareCloud and DrFirst**: Expanded partnership to include RxInform functionality aimed at improving medication adherence and reducing costs. - **Percipio Health Funding**: Secured $20 million in funding from notable investors including UPMC Enterprises and Labcorp to enhance its healthcare platform. - **MultiPlan and NRHA**: Strategic alliance to leverage technology for improving healthcare access in rural communities. - **Medtronic and Recor Medical**: Both companies have collaborated to advance renal denervation technologies, receiving Medicare reimbursement approvals to enhance access for patients. - **USAID and The Sentry**: A partnership aimed at providing corruption risk data to the private sector using AI. - **Gilead Sciences and AJMC**: Collaboration to discuss advancements in HIV treatment and the importance of inclusivity in clinical trials. - **Epic Systems and Nuance**: Partnership to integrate AI-powered clinical documentation technology into EHR software. ### Innovations, Trends, and Initiatives - **Telehealth Growth**: The increasing adoption of telehealth services is seen as a way to mitigate cost barriers in accessing healthcare. - **AI in Healthcare**: Increasing adoption of AI technologies to streamline processes and reduce administrative burdens, though high costs remain a barrier. - **Transitional Pass-Through Payments**: CMS's initiative to provide additional payments to hospitals for new technologies, aimed at reducing cost barriers. - **Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP)**: A program designed to alleviate cost barriers for Medicare beneficiaries, improving access to medications. - **Figgro CMS**: A freemium model designed to reduce cost barriers for smaller cannabis operations, allowing effective management of large-scale cultivation. - **Access Key Financing Model**: An innovative financial solution allowing employees to manage healthcare costs over time without upfront payments, aimed at improving access to necessary medical services. - **TailorMed Platform**: Aims to connect patients, providers, and pharmacies to ensure access to essential treatments without financial strain. - **CareMessage's AI Assistant**: Designed to enhance patient communication and engagement, addressing common barriers faced by underserved populations. - **Clinical Trials Modernization Act**: Proposed legislation aimed at removing tax liabilities for clinical trial remuneration to enhance patient accessibility. - **Medicare Coverage for Weight Loss Drugs**: The Biden administration's proposed rule aims to allow Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs, potentially expanding access for millions but raising concerns about costs. - **Nesa Protocol**: A decentralized approach to deploying AI models that reduces costs and improves scalability while enhancing accessibility. - **Naloxone Distribution Initiatives**: Michigan's statewide standing order allows community organizations to distribute naloxone, addressing opioid overdose deaths despite ongoing financial barriers. - **Digital Health Investments**: Government investments in digital healthcare infrastructure are encouraging the adoption of electronic health records. - **Percipio Health Platform**: Utilizes AI to deliver real-time health risk assessments and proactive monitoring without the need for expensive medical devices. - **Heart and Brain Health Accelerator**: An initiative by the American Heart Association to foster innovation in medical technology. ### Challenges and Concerns - **Cost Barriers in Cardiac Rehabilitation**: Despite growth in the cardiac rehabilitation market, cost barriers remain a significant challenge for patient access. - **Financial Barriers in Clinical Trials**: Financial constraints disproportionately affect underrepresented groups, hindering inclusivity in medical research. - **Healthcare Affordability**: Rising healthcare costs create financial barriers for patients, impacting their access to necessary treatments. - **Access to Mobility Aids**: A significant percentage of older adults face unmet needs for mobility aids due to cost barriers, particularly affecting women. - **Geographical Limitations**: Patients in rural areas face barriers to accessing advanced therapies and technologies due to geographical constraints. - **Cost of Healthcare**: Only 55% of U.S. adults can afford necessary care, highlighting significant financial barriers to healthcare access. - **Out-of-Pocket Costs**: Increased out-of-pocket costs for medications like naloxone and weight-loss drugs significantly reduce the likelihood of patients filling prescriptions, highlighting financial barriers to access. - **Stigma and Utilization Barriers**: Stigma surrounding naloxone and other medications contributes to underutilization, with many prescriptions not being filled even when offered for free. - **Provider Shortages**: Ongoing shortages of mental health providers contribute to barriers in accessing necessary care. - **High Initial Costs**: Significant upfront costs associated with adopting advanced healthcare technologies hinder widespread implementation. - **Limited Expertise**: A lack of technical expertise among healthcare practitioners limits the adoption of advanced systems. - **Regulatory and Ethical Constraints**: Challenges related to the adoption of AI in healthcare, including cost and scalability issues. - **Medical Debt Crisis**: Over 40% of U.S. adults are affected by medical debt due to high healthcare costs, deterring patients from seeking essential care. - **Medicare Advantage Coverage Gaps**: Lower-income adults with Medicare Advantage plans face greater challenges affording dental, vision, and hearing services, despite coverage availability. - **Disparities in Care**: Minority patients face significant disparities in treatment outcomes and access to care, emphasizing the need for equitable healthcare solutions. - **Technical Complexity**: The complexity of transitioning to digital systems poses challenges for healthcare providers. - **Medical Debt**: Over 100 million Americans face medical debt, highlighting the urgent need for solutions to improve affordability in healthcare. - **Stigma and Underdiagnosis**: Stigma surrounding mental health issues leads to underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment for many patients. ## Related Topics [[Regulatory Barriers]]; [[Adoption Barriers]]