How to Select a Healthcare IT Consulting Firm

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe You're in charge of hiring a consultant whose expertise your company needs. You've narrowed it to two choices. Consultant A has proposed a $250,000 fee for their services. Consultant B has proposed a fee of $550,000. Let's assume they're both qualified experts in their field. Who do you pick? Consultant A? Or would you like more info? OK... Consultant A works for a large, brand name firm with a large Class A office space. They are sponsors at all the major charity and business events across town. Consultant A is smart, funny, polished, and well spoken. They are also a great golfer and have access to great tickets for the local sports team and other events. Consultant A and their firm also generously give their clients exceptional gifts for their birthdays and major holidays. Consultant B works for a small firm with Class B office space. They do not regularly sponsor any events. Consultant B is also smart, funny and well spoken, but they'd be described as genuine way before being described as "polished". Consultant B plays golf, but not regularly enough to have a low handicap. They are very generous, but they don't regularly supply their clients with tickets or give gifts and certainly not anything that would ever be described as lavish. How about now? Ready to pick a vendor? Consultant A is less expensive and comes with some nice 'perks'. Seems like an easy choice. Let's cover one more set of facts... Consultant A accepts insurance commissions and payments from other plan vendors (PBM and others). The total value of this compensation is an additional $2 million. And it all remains undisclosed (unless and until you ask for full disclosure). Consultant A has also never lowered the cost of any of their clients' health care spend. In fact, on average, Consultant A's clients incur a 9% increase every year (that compounds). The health plans constructed by Consultant A have very low employee satisfaction scores. Consultant B accepts no 'under the table' payments. Their fee is fixed and fully disclosed. Consultant B makes no money based on the plan vendors they recommend. Consultant B consistently helps employers lower their overall health plan spend and, on average, their clients only incur a 3% increase in health plan costs each year. The health plans constructed by Consultant B have very high employee satisfaction scores. Who do you like now? The choice IS obvious. But apparently, it's not easy (for some).

❓What makes a true partner in healthcare technology? Recently, I listened to the Healthcare IT Today podcast featuring Michell Moran, which inspired me to reflect on what truly defines a valuable technology partner. The best partnerships are not just transactional. They are built on trust, innovation, and a shared vision to drive value for healthcare organizations. At Talkie.ai, we understand that healthcare providers need partners who go beyond offering simple solutions—they need proactive allies. Here are 11 key qualities that every medical facility should look for: 1️⃣ Consistency in Branding: Ensure every employee communicates a unified brand message, so customers see consistent value. 2️⃣ Trust and Relationship Building: It’s about long-term relationships, not quick wins. 3️⃣ Proactive Problem Solving: Real insights, real solutions, backed by trends and success stories. 4️⃣ Comprehensive Services: From EHR optimization to AI integration—minimize vendor complexity. 5️⃣ Security Awareness: Proactively address risks to safeguard sensitive data. 6️⃣ Adaptability to Client Needs: Listen, learn, and adapt to each clinic’s culture, budget, and maturity level. 7️⃣ Investment in Technology: Stay ahead of the curve with AI advancements and IT trends. 8️⃣ Focus on EHR Optimization: Improve efficiency and patient care with optimized systems. 9️⃣ Support During Transitions: Smooth out the challenges of system migrations with proper training and guidance. 🔟 Crisis Management: Be the partner who shows up when the unexpected happens—ready to act. 1️⃣1️⃣ Long-term Vision: Align IT strategies with organizational goals for sustainable growth. A valuable partner doesn’t just solve problems—they anticipate them. They listen, adapt, and become part of your journey toward better patient care and operational efficiency.

Choosing #remotecare partners can be a complex process for #healthcare organizations, as it involves evaluating various factors to ensure the delivery of high-quality services. The shared infographic can help. Here are some specific aspects to consider, especially for identifying appropriate tech partners: -Data security and privacy: Data protection is critical when dealing with sensitive patient information. Healthcare organizations must thoroughly assess potential partners' data security measures, including encryption, access controls, and adherence #HIPAA regulations. -Interoperability and integration: Seamless data exchange between remote care platforms and electronic health records (#EHR) is essential for comprehensive patient care. Healthcare organizations need partners whose virtual care solutions can easily integrate with their existing systems and workflows to ensure the continuity of care. -User experience: A reliable and effective remote care platform can accommodate diverse patient needs and provide a smooth #userexperience. -Finances: Healthcare organizations need to strike a balance between the cost of implementing remote care services and the value they provide. Budget constraints may limit the selection of certain partners, while other partners may offer more #costeffective solutions with the same level of quality. -Technical support: Evaluating the partner's #technicalsupport and #customerservice capabilities is crucial. Timely and reliable support is essential for troubleshooting technical issues, and assisting patients using the platform ensures a positive patient experience. As founder of a #virtualcare platform, I consider these challenges, approach potential partners with solutions to their pain points, and work collaboratively towards implementing effective and secure remote care solutions that benefit patients and providers. The business of healthcare must satisfy the same requirements as any other business--solve a problem and create value for end users, in this case patients and providers.