Health Research Institute (HRI)

The HRI covers all facets of healthcare, bringing industry executives information and analysis to help navigate this rapidly changing landscape. In addition to producing Health Reports, a periodical focusing on macro events in healthcare, the group also consults with industry leaders and is often tapped to make presentations at industry conferences.

Strategy and growth

MoneyTree^TM venture capital funding: Capital crunch

The life sciences share of total venture funding declined from 28% during the last quarter of 2012 to 23% during the first quarter of 2013. Biotechnology, raising $875 million in 96 deals during the first quarter, placed a distant second in dollars raised behind software, which drew $2.3 billion in 329 deals.

Operations

Scoring healthcare: Navigating customer experience ratings

Healthcare companies have been gathering feedback from patients for years. Now, the accessibility of that feedback is influencing people’s healthcare decision making. Reporting requirements on ratings and reviews are prompting insurers and providers to look more comprehensively at the consumer experience.

Regulation

How to respond to the Final Omnibus HIPAA Rule

The Final HIPAA Omnibus Rule calls for changes to privacy and security requirements that healthcare organizations should address, especially where current practices and processes could be less effective and expensive to build and maintain, inviting risk.

Operations

Emerging markets growth: The critical role of operations in driving competitive advantage

Biopharmaceutical companies are expanding into emerging markets, sometimes without involving supply chain operations. The operational function (operations) should play a strategic role in emerging market expansion planning.

Operations

Risk-based monitoring: Reduce clinical trial costs while protecting safety and quality

The demand for higher value from pharmaceuticals and medical devices is increasing. Risk-based monitoring can reduce the development time of safe and effective products at lower cost.

Healthcare unwired: New business models delivering care anywhere

The mobile health market and growth of mobile device applications in health care

Regulatory spotlight: Bar raised for handling health information under final HIPAA rule

The new HIPAA rule, updated in early 2013, reflects a changing health system that is becoming more and more digital. PwC explains what this means for you.

Regulation

CMS shines light on Transparency Final Rule: Insights and impact

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Transparency Program rule that requires medical device manufacturers to collect, aggregate, and report payments or transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals.

Strategy and growth

MoneyTree^TM venture capital funding: Double digit dip

Venture capital (VC) funding in the Life Sciences sector, which includes the Biotechnology and Medical Device industries dropped 14% during 2012 but improved at year-end. During the fourth quarter of 2012, investment in the sector rose 11% to $1.9 billion. Download this report to learn more about the trends and what they mean for your business.

Medtech Focus: Medical device excise tax final guidance makes few changes to accounting implications

Final regulations regarding a 2.3% excise tax on US medical device sales from the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 gave little clarification on potential accounting impacts.

Strategy and growth

California biomedical industry report for 2013

California’s biomedical industry report from the California Healthcare Institute, BayBio and PwC, reviews the impact of the biomedical sector on California’s economy. Data in the report covers employment, wages, education and investment and the product development pipeline from public sources and surveys of industry executives.

Innovation and technology

MoneyTree^TM venture capital funding: Biotech bounce

US venture capital funding in life sciences increased in the third quarter 2012, but the sector still trended downward for the year, according to the MoneyTree™ Report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) based on data provided by Thomson Reuters.

Medtech Focus: Emerging mHealth: Paths for growth

Patients in emerging markets are more likely to use mHealth applications and services than those in developed countries.

30 million newly-insured under the Affordable Care Act: Who are they?

Twelve million Americans are expected to begin purchasing health insurance through newly-created marketplaces known as health insurance exchanges.PwC's Health Research Institute explores health insurance exchange public and private models, who the newly insured and exchange members are and how health industry businesses need to prepare for this market The report includes a discussion of states' readiness to implement the exchanges

Operating performance in the medtech industry: Trends and imperatives

Improving operating performance in Medical Technology Industry: PwC

Medtech focus: Global medtech companies must tailor their business strategies to appeal to the needs of India’s unique marketplace

Market opportunities in India in the Medical Device industry: PwC

MoneyTree: Dollar drought

MoneyTree: biotechnology and medical device venture capital investments

Healthcare executive agenda: Community health needs assessment

PwC Healthcare Executive Agenda on new community health needs assessment (CHNA) requirements for not-for-profit hospitals

Healthcare executive agenda: Challenges and requirements for US providers entering international markets

PwC healthcare executive agenda addressing US healthcare providers' international expansion

Social media likes healthcare: From marketing to social business

With one half of health industry executives saying they are concerned about how to integrate social media data into their business strategy there is a recognition social media presents a significant industry challenge.

Needles in a haystack: Seeking knowledge with clinical informatics

Increasing importance of clinical informatics for healthcare payers, providers, and the pharmaceutical industries: PwC

Advancing healthcare informatics: The power of partnerships

informatics for health insurers PwC brief

Healthcare executive agenda: Consolidation in the healthcare arena

Healthcare consolidation trends and issues for payers and providers: PwC

Medtech focus: IRS and Treasury publish notice of proposed rulemaking implementing new Medical Device Excise Tax

IRS and Treasury publish notice of proposed rulemaking implementing new Medical Device Excise Tax, February 2012

Medtech focus: Diagnostics 2011

PwC Medtech focus on merger and acquisition activity in diagnostics

Medtech focus: Social media

Companies that rely on innovation cannot afford to omit social media for sales and marketing, product development, and business relationships from their business strategy. This alert provides company examples, basic guidance on developing a well-planned, systematic approach, and the overall opportunities offered to medical technology companies considering participating in social media.

Medicare ACOs and shared savings models

Accountable Care Organization final regulations outline options for healthcare providers

Emerging issues: Summary of emerging accounting, tax and regulatory issues in 2011

PwC is pleased to share the 2011 edition of our Summary of Emerging Issues. The accounting, financial reporting, tax and regulatory compliance issues described in this summary have been specifically tailored to concentrate on areas of interest for not-for-profit organizations

Aspiring giants: How small pharmas can drive to $1 billion - and beyond

How small companies in the pharmaceutical industry grow revenues: PwC

Medtech focus on excise tax

Medical technology companies further debate over US competitiveness and raise questions about impact of excise tax on innovation.

From courtship to marriage: A two-part series on physician-hospital alignment

Independent physicians are becoming increasingly financially tethered to hospitals. Our research focuses on three interlocking issues that support successful physician-hospital alignment: shared governance, aligned compensation, and changing physician practice patterns.

Emerging issues: Summary of emerging accounting, tax and regulatory issues in 2010

PwC provides guidance on accounting financial reporting, tax and regulatory compliance issues in the 2010 annual summary of emerging issues for not-for-profits

MoneyTree: Quarterly rebound

VC investment in the life sciences industries in the United States

Customizing medicine

Improving America's Health V podcast

A survey of the working relationship between the life sciences industry and FDA

Walking the Global Tightrope: Balancing the Risks and Rewards of Med-Tech Globalization

The medical technology (med-tech) industry is experiencing a significant transformation. The globalization of design, sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and sales of med-tech has created opportunities and challenges for the entire med-tech ecosystem.

The changing face of medical technology innovation

This in-depth article published in the September 2010 issue of In Vivo magazine discusses the opportunities and challenges that exist in today's medical device marketplace.

If innovation isn't measured, can it be managed?

How universities manage innovation through disciplined and novel measures.

2012 Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act

Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act: PwC

Transparency / aggregate spend: Raising compliance to the next level

Pharmaceutical, medical device and life sciences companies are facing a “perfect storm” of compliance challenges. PwC discusses how to raise compliance to the next level.

Personalized medicine

Medical treatment costs and long term care costs associated with brain disease: PwC

Health Insurance Exchange Final Rules: Moving ahead to 2014

Implications of health insurance exchanges final rules for state governments, health insurers and employers: PwC

MoneyTree: A case for cautious optimism

Life sciences venture capital (VC) investment recovered in terms of dollar investments during the first quarter of 2011 with $1.4b going to 164 deals, according to the PwC/NVCA MoneyTree Report with data from Thomson Reuters.

Stalking the ACO Unicorn

PwC has released a brief to address the implications of the proposed regulations for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).

MoneyTree: Mixed momentum

Venture capital investment in the biotechnology and medical devices industries: PwC

Achieving global supply chain visibility

Old data learns new tricks: Managing patient security and privacy on a new data-sharing playground

As health data becomes more mobile and portable, concerns regarding privacy and security increase for healthcare providers, health insurers and pharma and life sciences firms

Pharma and life sciences tax news: Vol. 9, No. 17

Pharma and life sciences tax news: Vol. 9, No. 17 IRS Issues Proposed Regulations on the Treatment of Sales-Based Royalties

The future of academic medical centers: Strategies to avoid a margin meltdown

Market challenges and opportunities that Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) need to consider to succeed in the future: PwC

MoneyTree: High-dollar deals

Life sciences venture capital falls short of strong second-quarter performance, but year-over-year trend remains positive.

Customer experience in healthcare: The moment of truth

Ready or not: On the road to meaningful use of EHRs and health IT

What healthcare providers need to do to comply with meaningful use regulations

In the land of uncertainty, a map to prepare for the ACO model

PwC brief about considerations healthcare providers should consider regarding Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)

Brand Protection: Risk mitigation strategies can help life sciences companies preserve brand integrity and revenue

Threats to drug and medical product brands are growing online and across the globe, but a strong brand protection program will address key issues such as: counterfeit product, product diversion, parallel trade, trademark infringement and brand misrepresentation online. PwC's brief offers an overview of this growing issue and steps to implement your own brand protection program.

Build and Beyond: The (r)evolution of healthcare PPPs

Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to address government demands for greater efficiency in health spending

Top health industry issues of 2011

2011 is a makeover year for health industry organizations reacting to and preparing for new rules and payment models. Continuing cost pressures and new customer demands require a fresh look at existing roles of industry players.

Improving America's Health V

A survey of the working relationship between the life sciences industry and FDA

From courtship to marriage Part II: How physicians and hospitals are creating sustainable relationships

This report examines how hospitals and physicians can make alignment work for both sides. Our research focused on three interlocking issues that support successful physician-hospital alignment: shared governance, aligned compensation, and changing physician practice patterns.

Putting patients into "meaningful use"

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services issued the draft set of criteria for Stage 2, which sets higher standards for communicating health information to patients. Beginning October 2012, hospitals must have at least 20 percent of their patient populations using personal health records (PHRs). This report shares key findings; addresses how health systems can develop more inclusive care-teams to realize greater return on investment from PHRs; and includes case studies.

Designing a health IT backbone for ACOs

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) requirements for healthcare provider health IT systems

Quick thinking: Four key findings from health reform

Health reform is big and comprehensive. It will affect nearly every aspect of the health system. We offer you a condensed version of the issue, providing some “quick thinking” about how health reform will change the business of healthcare. We also explore four key findings around health IT, physician-hospital alignment, mobile health, and the health insurance exchanges.

From courtship to marriage: Why health reform is driving physicians and hospitals closer together

How health reform is fostering a new physician hospital alignment in the healthcare industry

Multisponsor REMS

PwC brief on Multisponsor REMS for the pharmaceutical industry

MoneyTree Report: Pharmaceuticals and life sciences second quarter gains fade

PwC Q3 2010 report on VC funding for the life sciences sector including biotechnology and the medical device industries

MoneyTree: Taking a tumble

Analysis of venture capital (VC) funding in the life sciences industry: PwC

Implications of the US Supreme Court ruling on healthcare

This PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute report comments on the implications of the US Supreme Court ruling on healthcare

Health Reform: Prospering in a post-reform world

This PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute report illustrates the mega trends that health executives will face as a result of health reform and provides recommendations on prospering in the post-reform world.

Change the channel: Health insurance exchanges expand choice and competition

Starting in 2014 insurers will compete head-to-head as health insurance exchanges open up consumer choice and a new $60 billion market. But what do consumers really prefer, what impact will this have on insurers, and how will they need to manage risk differently? Read the results of our survey here.

10 things you need to know: Meaningful use: PwC

The number of healthcare providers who use electronic health records (EHRs) is expected to increase exponentially during the next several years. This IT expansion is mostly attributable to a new federal government program that provides incentive payments to providers for the purchase of EHRs.

Owning the disease: A new transformational business model for healthcare

Owning the disease, a new business model for medical technology and biotechnology firms: PwC

Building on the past: New approach to higher education finance

A stronger, more focused and centralized finance function represents a cornerstone of the "one-university" culture -- one that will help ensure that the entire university operates in a collaborative manner to identify financial risks and opportunities through more effective financial, budgeting and financial risk management processes.

Top health industry issues of 2012

What will the health industry look like in 2012? PwC's Health Research Institute commissioned a survey of 1,000 US adults in late 2011 and analyzed the key trends in this vital series.

The new gold rush: Prospectors are hoping to mine opportunities from the health industry

Healthcare is expected to reach nearly 20% of the US gross domestic product by 2019 and is bursting with new products and services. The promise of these new offerings is enticing more businesses to turn to the US health system as an opportunity for innovation, differentiation, and profits. But to attain success, businesses need to build innovative healthcare business models to provide value while avoiding fool's gold.

The new gold rush: Prospectors are hoping to mine opportunities from the health industry: video

PwC report finds new healthcare business models are bringing new products and services to the health industries

Behind the numbers: Healthcare and medical cost trends for 2011

Annual review and explanation of medical cost trends for 2011

Mandatory impairment testing

New accounting requirements present significant accounting and valuation challenges for nonprofit healthcare providers grappling with healthcare reform, decreasing reimbursement rates, limited growth, and shrinking margins. Here, we outline the missteps often made in valuing intangible assets or misjudging the process for recording impairments, and we offer guidance on how to avoid these common pitfalls.

California Biomedical Industry, 2012 Report

In-depth analysis of the California biomedical industry in 2012 provided by California Healthcare Institute and PwC

Unleashing value: The changing payment landscape for the US pharmaceutical industry

Five major forces are dramatically altering the pharmaceutical industry's revenue models and creating new notions of value. These forces are hastening the arrival of an outcomes-based world in which the value of a drug tracks more closely with its impact on patient health. Significant barriers remain, particularly between drug manufacturers and health insurers. This report explores possible paths for pharmaceutical companies to unlock value, improve clinical and economic evidence, and continue to build transparency with other health organizations.

Breakthroughs: HIT that enables quality, efficiency and value

Investing in health information technology for healthcare providers, physicians and hospitals

California Biomedical Industry 2011 Report

In-depth analysis of the California biomedical industry in 2011 provided by California Healthcare Institute and PwC

Breakthroughs: The bridge to accountable care organizations (ACOs)

Health reform is encouraging healthcare providers to integrate resources to help bend the cost curve and increase efficiencies. Developing these "Accountable Care Organizations" has challenged organizations to develop their own strategies around clinical integration. This report shares insights and lessons learnt from leading hospital systems.

Breakthroughs: Hospital merger and acquisition strategies

The rules of healthcare are changing and today growth is not just about getting bigger. Developing all the components necessary for coordinating care, reducing costs and increasing value matter as well.

Breakthroughs: The bridge to accountable care organizations (ACOs)

Breakthroughs: The high-performing surgical program

New ways of approaching surgical care and strategy to develop best practices designed to build a high-performing surgical program

The impact of personalized medicine today

Right now in progressive health systems medical researchers and physicians are laboring jointly to bring the practical benefits of personalized medicine to the frontlines of healthcare delivery. Personalized medicine is where genetic testing, health IT, and patient-centered care intersect - and where high-value healthcare will live in the foreseeable future.