The FIANNCIAL – Companies in the four traditional sectors of health care risk ceding much of the value created by Artificial Intelligence tools to technology players and consumers, according to a new publication by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Although AI will create significant efficiencies for biopharma companies, providers, payers, and medtech companies, those traditional players may not retain a sizable portion of the value created.
Author of the research assesses two possible scenarios for the value pool shifts created by AI. Under the first scenario, players in all four traditional sectors retain the value unlocked by improvements in their own efficiency. At the same time, medtech, providers, payers, and non-traditional health care companies from the technology sector capture much of the additional value created by AI—while the impact on biopharma is likely neutral.
According to a BCG Study, AI Will Create New Efficiencies for Biopharma, Providers, Payers, and Medtech Companies—But It Is Also Likely to Cause Some Value to Flow to Technology Players and Consumers
Under the second scenario, consumers benefit significantly. AI helps drive what is known as value-based health care (VBHC)—improved outcomes at lower cost—and the value unlocked passes to consumers in the form of lower premiums or out-of-pocket expenses. Technology and medtech companies also benefit significantly, while biopharma risks losing value because of shifts such as enhanced detection, prevention, and earlier treatment.
Health Care Players Are Making Major AI Investments
Author also outlines areas within health care for which AI spending will total $8 billion by 2022. These include: Remote Prevention and Care. AI can be used to serve patients outside their doctor’s office or the local hospital. Virtual agents, for example, can conduct an initial consultation with a patient, screening out those who do not need to see a doctor and providing important information to physicians about those who do need treatment. Wearables or other devices can trigger alerts and interventions based on data such as anomalies in patient vital signs.
Diagnostics Support. AI applications in medical imaging and other clinical tests can help doctors identify conditions such as breast cancer, brain injury, or heart disease earlier and more accurately. Such tools can not only improve patient outcomes but also save money. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of many cancers, for example, can cut treatment costs by more than 50%.
Treatment Pathways and Support. Health care professionals can use AI tools to create individualized treatment plans that support VBHC by reducing risk, improving outcomes, and cutting costs.
Drug Discovery and Development. AI can improve biopharma R&D productivity, leveraging past screening results and clinical data to help companies identify and develop promising drugs, while also
