As 2017 draws to a close, the recent CVS Health-Aetna merger continues to dominate the healthcare conversation. David Buchanan, president, Buchanan Strategies, weighed in on the non-traditional partnership during Trends Shaping the Healthcare Industry in 2018: A Strategic Planning Session, a December 2017 webinar now available for replay.

In this HealthSounds episode, Buchanan predicts the future of mega mergers in healthcare, the impact of the CVS-Aetna alliance on brand awareness, and the real ‘bonanza’ of the $69 billion partnership beyond bringing healthcare closer to home for many consumers.

During Trends Shaping the Healthcare Industry in 2018: A Strategic Planning Session, a December 2017 webinar now available for replay, David Buchanan and Brian Sanderson, managing principal, healthcare services, Crowe Horwath, provide a roadmap to the key issues, challenges and opportunities for healthcare organizations in 2018.

The webinar examined key trends impacting healthcare providers and payors for 2018—how industry consolidation and fragmentation is reshaping the healthcare landscape; the expanding role of technology in healthcare, including artificial intelligence and blockchain breakthroughs; expectations for the CSR reduction, health insurance exchange product changes and MACRA; cost reduction and cost efficiency improvement strategies; 2018 strategic opportunities for healthcare organizations, including consolidations, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, Medicaid managed care, Medicare Advantage, risk-based contracts and patient and health plan member advocacy models; and much more.

Length: 5:25 minutes