Devon Blog

Category: healthocta

  • Why Rethinking Health Insurance Could Lead to Better Care, and More Control

    The average American spends more than $7,000 a year on health insurance premiums. And still, when they need a doctor, they wait. They chase referrals. They wrestle with claim forms and surprise bills. And for many, that’s when they even have insurance. For the uninsured or underinsured, navigating the system can feel impossible.

    The deeper problem isn’t just cost. It’s that the entire system is built around sick care, not wellness care. The default model waits for you to get ill, then decides what level of support you qualify for. Until then, you’re mostly on your own.

    But what if that model no longer makes sense? What if you’re healthy, and you just want access to guidance—fast, clear, and on your terms?

    That’s where the pairing of a high-deductible insurance plan with eClinics by HealthOcta begins to look not just viable, but smart.

    The truth about “just in case” insurance

    More people are shifting toward high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). These offer lower monthly premiums, but come with higher out-of-pocket costs if something serious happens. They’re designed to be safety nets, not doorways to everyday care.

    And that’s the tradeoff: you save on premiums, but you’re largely paying out of pocket for anything short of an emergency. So even insured patients often hesitate to get help when they need it. They delay care. They guess their way through symptoms. They avoid follow-ups. Not because they want to—but because they can’t justify the time, cost, or hassle.

    The result: care gets pushed further away from the people who actually want to take their health seriously.

    Why eClinics fits the future of care

    eClinics by HealthOcta is being built for exactly this gap.

    It gives patients fast, direct access to licensed medical professionals—without insurance, without referrals, and without waiting weeks. You search for a doctor, review their profile, and book a consultation. The pricing is listed clearly. You pay once, per consult. No hidden bills. No approvals. No confusion.

    If you’re dealing with a chronic condition, want a second opinion, or just need quick guidance on symptoms or medications, eClinics lets you take action immediately. And it works whether you’re at home, on the road, or overseas.

    This isn’t concierge care for the elite. It’s practical care for people who want clarity—without getting stuck in a loop of paperwork and delays.

    Healthy people still need care

    There’s a growing category of patients who aren’t in crisis—but they care deeply about their health. They want to talk to a doctor about long-term prevention, not just illness. They want to know if their treatment plan makes sense. They want to understand how to manage a chronic condition without feeling rushed or lost in the shuffle.

    For these people, the traditional system often falls short. Insurance doesn’t reward them for being proactive. It complicates basic access. And it limits their ability to speak with the right experts when they actually want to.

    eClinics flips that experience. It gives patients control. If you’re healthy, a high-deductible plan handles the rare but expensive emergencies. eClinics handles everything else, routine concerns, long-term management, second opinions, and everyday questions. It’s a model built around staying well, not just reacting when things go wrong.

    A smarter pairing: high-deductible + eClinics

    It’s time to rethink how we structure access to care. Not just in response to what’s broken, but in support of what’s possible.

    For many, that starts with ditching overpriced, restrictive insurance plans that don’t match how they live. Instead, a high-deductible plan serves as a financial fallback. eClinics becomes the front door, the practical, immediate, trusted option for 90% of real-world health needs.

    You don’t wait. You don’t guess. You don’t get buried in paperwork. You just get care.

    The bottom line is this: if you’re relatively healthy and want to take control of your health—not just your insurance—then this model works. It’s already working for people who value time, transparency, and flexibility over bureaucracy.

    And as more patients step outside the old system, they’re discovering something simple:
    You don’t need to be sick to deserve care. You just need a system that listens.

    That’s what eClinics is being built to be.

  • Diabetes Doesn’t Knock, It Quietly Slips In. Why Education Is Our Best Defense.

    Diabetes Is a Silent Killer. Here’s Why Diabetes Education Saves Lives.

    Diabetes is one of the most widespread chronic diseases in the world. It affects over 500 million people globally and more than 38 million adults in the U.S., yet 1 in 5 people with diabetes are undiagnosed. Often called a “silent killer,” diabetes can progress quietly for years—damaging your organs without noticeable symptoms.

    By the time it’s discovered, serious complications may already be underway.

    That’s why diabetes awareness and education about diabetes are essential—not just for people who’ve already been diagnosed, but for anyone at risk.

    What Does Diabetes Do to the Body?

    Understanding how diabetes affects the body is the first step toward preventing long-term damage. Whether you have type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or prediabetes, the condition can harm multiple organ systems when left unmanaged.

    Key complications of diabetes include:

    • Diabetic Retinopathy: Leading cause of blindness in adults. Regular diabetic eye exams can catch this early.
    • Kidney Damage (Diabetic Nephropathy): Diabetes is the top cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure.
    • Nerve Damage (Diabetic Neuropathy): Leads to pain, numbness, and serious risks like foot ulcers and amputations.
    • Cardiovascular Disease: People with diabetes are 2–4 times more likely to have heart attacks or strokes.
    • Oral Health Complications: Higher risk of gum disease and tooth loss.

    These complications develop slowly and silently, which is why so many people miss the early warning signs.

    Why Diabetes Education Is Important

    What is diabetes education and why is it important? It’s the foundation of diabetes self-management and plays a crucial role in helping people understand:

    • How blood sugar levels affect their health
    • The importance of diet, exercise, and stress management
    • How to use insulin, oral medications, and glucose monitors
    • The value of routine diabetes screenings like A1C tests, cholesterol panels, kidney function tests, and annual diabetic foot and eye exams

    For those with prediabetes, education is even more powerful. Studies show that structured diabetes prevention programs can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58%.

    Diabetes Educators across the world are educating patients via their eClinics run on HealthOcta technology to help patients learn how they can manage & lower their A1C through without medications, just with the simple power of being better informed

    Long-Term Diabetes Management Starts with Knowledge

    Living with diabetes doesn’t mean living with fear—it means living with knowledge. People who understand how to manage their condition are far more likely to avoid hospitalizations, preserve their vision, maintain kidney function, and reduce their risk of cardiovascular events.

    This is where Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) and primary care providers make a difference. Educating patients with personalized care plans, lifestyle strategies, and tech-enabled tools like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can empower them to take control of their health.

    A Message to Primary Care Providers

    If you’re a physician, nurse practitioner, diabetes educator or clinic manager, don’t wait for diabetes complications to emerge. Use every patient visit as a chance to:

    • Recommend annual diabetes screenings
    • Flag prediabetes risk factors
    • Encourage lifestyle changes that actually work
    • Offer or refer to diabetes education programs or nutrition counseling

    Diabetes management isn’t just about medication — it’s about early action, consistent follow-up, and patient education that sticks.

    We invite you to join the HealthCare Collaborative Network by HealthOcta,
    HealthOcta is a technology-driven healthcare company on a mission to fuse cutting-edge technology with medicine — empowering providers to deliver better care, drive efficiency, and improve patient outcomes.

    As part of this mission, we have created the Healthcare Collaborative Network (HCN) — a nationwide community of independent physicians, nurse practitioners, specialists, and nurses who want to do more with technology. HCN is your gateway to use our technology to launch and grow your own practice, earn more on your own terms, and access HealthOcta’s powerful suite of tools — from telemedicine, technology-enabled peripheral integrations, to hiring, scheduling, and even reputation management.

    Whether you’re looking to build independence, expand your reach, streamline how you work, or use technology in your existing independent practice to be more efficient or serve your patients better, HCN gives you the tech, the network, and the support to make it happen — while keeping you in full control of your career.

  • Working smarter, not harder: how HealthOcta is taking a tech-led, people-first approach to healthcare

    Healthcare has a technology problem, but not in the way people think.

    There’s no shortage of apps, portals, or EMRs. What’s missing is technology that makes healthcare more human, not more complicated. At HealthOcta, we’ve been asking one question from the start: How can we reduce friction between patients, providers, and quality care?

    The answer isn’t more layers of software. It’s designing the right tools to serve real people, starting where care actually happens: at the point of need.

    That’s why we built VideoConsults, CarePlus, and eClinics—three platforms, one vision. Each tackles a broken part of healthcare and replaces it with something that just works.

    VideoConsults: real-time access to sub-speciality care, wherever you are

    VideoConsults gives emergency rooms, ACOs, assisted living facilities, and urgent care centers on-demand access to remote subspecialists. When a critical patient arrives and an expert’s input is needed fast, clinicians can instantly connect with a licensed specialist who can assess the case and guide next steps.

    This eliminates unnecessary patient transfers due to lack of in-house expertise. Hospitalists and ER physicians can act faster, with more confidence, knowing they have a world of expertise at their fingertips, right when it matters most.

    CarePlus: embedding preventative care inside the primary care office

    Most health conditions don’t go from fine to critical overnight. But the system rarely catches early warning signs because screenings either don’t happen or aren’t part of routine care.

    CarePlus is changing that. We built it to let primary care physicians offer specialist-grade screenings—right from their office. It started with diabetic retinopathy. Using smart imaging devices and cloud-based ophthalmology reviews, PCPs can now detect vision-threatening conditions during an annual checkup.

    And this is just the beginning. With the same model, CarePlus can support:

    • mental health screenings (PHQ-9, GAD-7),
    • pulmonary function tests,
    • cardiac risk stratification,
    • chronic kidney disease detection,
    • cognitive assessments for aging patients.
    • skin cancer screenings
    • and much more…

    The opportunity is huge, and we’re actively inviting specialists, clinical researchers, and diagnostic innovators to help expand what’s possible. Preventative care should be routine, not reactive. CarePlus helps make that true.

    eClinics: on-demand care, without the insurance maze

    For patients, one of the most frustrating parts of the system is the delay: long wait times, referrals, unclear costs, and insurance-based restrictions. For providers, it’s burnout—rising admin loads and loss of autonomy.

    eClinics gives both sides another option.

    It’s a platform where licensed medical professionals can offer direct-to-patient consultations—with transparent pricing, no referrals, and complete scheduling control. Patients use eClinics for second opinions, chronic condition guidance, general medical advice, or anything in between. Whether they’re insured or not, they can access expert care faster, more affordably, and with no guesswork.

    For doctors, eClinics is a way to practice medicine on their terms, free from rigid institutional constraints. It’s flexible, self-managed, and built for sustainability.

    The bigger picture: a healthcare system that actually works

    Together, these platforms form a new kind of healthcare stack, one that values access, prevention, speed, and dignity.

    • VideoConsults supports clinical decisions where specialty care isn’t always present.
    • CarePlus turns the PCP visit into a proactive screening event, not just a box to check.
    • eClinics puts patients back in control of their care journey, without bureaucracy in the way.

    These aren’t point solutions. They’re infrastructure for a future where patients don’t need to be sick to deserve care, and providers don’t need to burn out to make a difference.

    We’re building the tools we believe healthcare should have had all along.

    If you’re a clinician, technologist, or health system leader looking to help solve real-world problems, we’d love to hear from you. We’re constantly seeking knowledgeable advisors and guides to help us shape our vision and the future of healthcare.

    Because smart technology isn’t about replacing people. It’s about letting them do what they do best.

  • Cancer risks can be reduced with a better lifestyle

    A cancer smart lifestyle includes avoiding tobacco, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol consumption. Other cancer smart lifestyle habits include:

    • Exercising regularly
    • Getting good sleep
    • Reducing stress
    • Limiting refined sugars and fat from animal sources
    • Limiting time in front of the TV and computer
    • Getting regular checkups
    • Avoiding unnecessary exposure to radiation

    According to researchers, up to 90% of cancer cases are caused by lifestyle and environmental factors. The top risk factors linked to lifestyle are:

    • Cigarette smoking
    • Excess body weight
    • Alcohol intake

    Alcohol increases the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney, and liver.

  • 20 Conditions that your Ophthalmologist could detect by an eye exam

    The contents of this post are copied directly from this article at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

    Your eyes are windows to the live action of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues throughout your body. Problems spotted in the eye are often the first signs of disease lurking elsewhere. Here are 20 surprising conditions your eye doctor may detect during a comprehensive eye exam:

    Aneurysm

    An aneurysm is a bubble in the wall of a blood vessel. This weak wall can leak or rupture. Signs of an aneurysm can include a severe, one-sided headache or loss of facial or body function. Aneurysms can be catastrophic and require immediate medical attention.

    Brain tumor

    Tumors can cause increased pressure in the brain that gets transmitted to the eye. Swelling near the back of the eyes causes changes to the optic nerve that an eye doctor can see. Loss of side vision, recent double vision or changes in the size of a pupil are other signs of a brain tumor.

    Cancers of blood, tissue or skin

    Numerous cancers can be found during a detailed eye exam. Skin cancers affect the eyelids and outer surfaces of the eye. The most common types of skin cancers are basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Leukemia and lymphoma can also affect the interior aspect of the eye. Tumors in the breast and other areas can spread to the ocular structures. 

    Diabetes

    Tiny blood vessels in the retina that leak yellow fluid or blood can be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. Sometimes, this disease appears in eye tissue even before a person has been diagnosed with diabetes. Early detection can help people avoid vision loss and other serious complications.

    Giant cell arteritis

    Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a lingering inflammation of medium-sized arteries that affects the arms, upper body and neck. These same arteries help nourish the eyes, and inflammation can result in blurred vision, double vision, or even sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. A dilated eye exam and blood tests for this condition can allow for an early diagnosis of GCA. Medical treatment can prevent a lifetime of blindness or even early death.

    Heart disease

    Ophthalmologists may be able to detect early signs of heart disease in the eyes. When the retina is examined carefully using an imaging tool called optical coherence tomography, doctors may be able to detect microscopic marks left behind by an eye stroke. These marks can appear in the retinas of healthy people, but they’re found in higher numbers in people with heart disease. 

    High blood pressure

    Unusual bends, kinks or bleeding from blood vessels in the back of the eye can signal high blood pressure, which affects one in three American adults. High blood pressure is a known risk factor in the onset and/or progression of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and other diseases. Your doctor may notice signs of high blood pressure during a dilated eye exam.

    High cholesterol

    A yellow or blue ring around the cornea may be a sign of high cholesterol, especially in a person younger than age 40. Deposits in the blood vessels of the retina can also indicate elevated cholesterol. This may be the precursor to a life-threatening stroke.

    Lupus

    This inflammatory disease can coincide with dry eyes. Lupus can also cause swelling in the white part of the eye, the middle layer of the eye or the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye.

    Lyme disease

    Lyme disease is an infection spread by ticks, which leads to inflammation throughout the body. Many people with Lyme disease experience inflammation of the optic nerve as well as an increase in floaters at the onset of infection.

    Medication toxicities

    Several drugs may be toxic to the retina and the optic nerve. Symptoms of toxicity include red, scaling eyelids, red eyes, scratchy corneas or conjunctivitis.

    Multiple sclerosis

    Inflammation of the optic nerve can be a harbinger of multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease that affects the nervous system. Often, this inflammation goes hand-in-hand with severely blurred vision, painful eye movement or even double vision.

    Myasthenia gravis

    Myasthenia gravis is an ongoing autoimmune disorder that causes muscles to weaken and tire easily. The first symptoms of this condition often involve the eyes. The most common sign of the disease is drooping eyelids in one or both eyes. Other symptoms include double vision, weakness in the arms or legs, or life-threatening problems with breathing, talking, chewing or swallowing.

    Rheumatoid arthritis

    Ocular signs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) most commonly include red eyes with deep, severe pain. This symptom can signal scleritis, a painful inflammation of the white part of the eye which requires medical therapy. Many people who have RA also suffer from dry eye. 

    Sarcoidosis

    This inflammatory disease affects multiple organs the body, including the eyes. The most common eye symptom of this disease is iritis, a recurring, painful inflammation of the iris or colored part of the eye. This condition also causes severe light sensitivity.

    Sexually transmitted diseases

    Syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, HIV, gonorrhea, genital warts and pubic lice can all affect layers of the eye. These serious conditions are often detected during an eye exam.

    Sickle cell disease

    People with sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder, develop stiff, comma-shaped red blood cells that can block the flow of blood throughout the body. This disease can cause a huge spectrum of ocular changes, from redness and burst blood vessels on the surface of the eye to severe hemorrhages and even retinal detachment inside the eye.

    Sjögren’s syndrome

    This autoimmune disease causes the body’s white blood cells to attack the glands that make tears and saliva. Unsurprisingly, dry eyes are a key feature of Sjögren’s syndrome. Other symptoms include burning or stinging in the eyes, blurry vision and dry mouth.

    Stroke

    Blood vessels of the retina sometimes contain blockages or clots. These blockages can cause sudden blind spots or give the sense of a “curtain” closing over a person’s vision. These can point to an increased risk for stroke. A loss of side vison may also be a warning of brain damage caused by a previous stroke.

    Thyroid disease

    Protruding eyeballs and retracting eyelids are telltale signs of hyperthyroidism, most commonly caused by Graves’ Disease. This happens when the thyroid gland produces too much or too little hormone. Sometimes this coincides with dry eye, blurry vision or vision loss.

    Vascular disease

    Clotting disorders and bleeding disorders may cause visible bleeding in and around the eye. These are known as subconjuctival hemorrhages. These disorders can also cause retinal hemorrhages that threaten vision. 

    Vitamin A deficiency

    Dry eyes and night blindness are both signs of Vitamin A deficiency. Without enough vitamin A, your eyes cannot produce enough moisture to keep them properly lubricated. Low levels of vitamin A also lead to night blindness, by preventing production of certain pigments needed for your retina to work properly. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children worldwide.

    It’s important to remember that these symptoms don’t guarantee you have a certain health condition. Whenever an eye exam reveals a possible health problem, your ophthalmologist will recommend further testing by a specialist or your primary care provider.

    The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all adults get a complete eye examination at age 40. This is when early signs of disease or changes in vision may first appear. If you have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease, don’t delay — schedule an eye exam at an earlier age.

  • Understanding the Gravity of Diabetes

    It’s easy to take your eyesight for granted.
    Diabetes is the leading cause of vision loss in people 18–64 years old. And there are no obvious signs or symptoms. But the great news is an annual routine eye exam could prevent 95% of vision loss caused by diabetes.

    source: Diabetes.org

    Diabetes is more than just a blood sugar issue; it is a complex metabolic condition that affects multiple organs, including our eyes. High blood sugar levels over an extended period can damage the blood vessels throughout our body, including those in our eyes. Here’s why diabetes should be taken seriously in the context of our vision:

    Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetes can lead to a condition called diabetic retinopathy, where the tiny blood vessels in the retina become damaged and start to leak. This condition can lead to vision loss and even blindness if left untreated.

    Silent Progression: Diabetic retinopathy often progresses silently in its early stages. One may not experience any noticeable symptoms until the damage is advanced. Regular eye screenings can detect these changes before they become severe.

    Early Detection Is Key: The key to preserving vision when one has diabetes is early detection and timely intervention. When detected in its early stages, diabetic retinopathy can often be managed effectively to prevent further damage.

    Why Annual Eye Screenings Are Essential

    Now that we’ve highlighted the seriousness of diabetes concerning your vision, let’s discuss why annual eye screenings are crucial:

    Early Detection: Regular eye screenings can catch diabetic retinopathy in its early stages when treatment options are most effective. This can prevent or slow down vision loss.

    Preventative Care: By monitoring a patient’s eye health annually, their healthcare team can identify potential issues even before they cause noticeable symptoms. Early intervention can help maintain good vision.

    Comprehensive Assessment: A patient’s primary care provider can perform a comprehensive assessment of your eye health during their annual check-up using the CarePlus program by HealthOcta. This includes imaging their retina, and having those images be read by a qualified eye doctor who can assess the patients eye health and recommend necessary next steps.

    Tailored Recommendations: If any issues are detected during the screening, the results are sent back to the patient’s healthcare provider who can then make personalized recommendations for further evaluation or treatment by a specialist, such as an ophthalmologist.

    In conclusion, diabetes is a serious condition that can pose significant threats to vision. The key to protecting our eyes is early detection through annual eye screenings. By taking this proactive step and managing our diabetes effectively, we can reduce the risk of vision loss and ensure that we continue to enjoy the world in all its beauty.

    Vision is precious – let’s work together to keep our eyes healthy.

  • Benefits of undilated eye exams for retinal eye screenings

    In the realm of preventive healthcare, early detection is often the key to successful intervention.

    This principle holds particularly true when it comes to preserving our precious sense of sight. Retinal complications, such as those arising from diabetes and other chronic disorders, can lead to preventable blindness if left undetected and untreated.

    Fortunately, advances in technology and medical practice have paved the way for more accessible and patient-friendly retinal screenings that can be conducted as part of your annual office visit to your Primary care provider.

    CarePlus by HealthOcta is one such innovation that utilizes undilated eye exams with best of breed, FDA approved non-mydriatic cameras, offering a host of benefits that make them a preferred choice for early detection of retinal disorders. A few of the key benefits are listed below

    Patient Comfort

    Undoubtedly, one of the most significant advantages of undilated eye exams is the enhanced comfort they provide to patients. Traditional dilated eye exams require the use of eye drops to dilate the pupils, resulting in temporary blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty focusing. These side effects can last for several hours, making it inconvenient for patients to resume their daily activities immediately after the examination. In contrast, undilated eye exams using non-mydriatic cameras do not necessitate pupil dilation, ensuring that patients experience no discomfort and can carry on with their life routines without interruption.

    Convenience and Accessibility

    Retinal screenings are vital for patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions, as they are at a higher risk of developing retinal complications. Undilated eye exams with non-mydriatic cameras are highly convenient and can be performed in primary care settings, eliminating the need for patients to visit specialized eye clinics or undergo extensive preparation. The increased accessibility through the CarePlus program encourages more individuals to undergo regular screenings, ultimately leading to earlier detection and intervention.

    Faster results

    Traditional dilated exams may take longer due to the time required for pupil dilation and subsequent examination. In contrast, undilated retinal screenings are swift and produce results almost immediately. This speed not only reduces patient anxiety but also facilitates timely diagnosis, increased coverage in general practice settings and enables timely eintervention, which can be critical in preventing vision loss.

    Most importanly, the use of non-mydriatic cameras allows for quicker and efficient imaging of the retina.

    Safer for Patients

    Undilated eye exams are also considered safer for patients, particularly those with certain medical conditions or allergies that may react adversely to the eye drops used in dilation. Additionally, undilated exams are suitable for patients of all ages, making them a more versatile and inclusive option for retinal screenings.

    Cost-Effective

    By eliminating the time, expertise and resources required for dilation, undilated retinal screenings with non-mydriatic cameras are a cost-effective alternative. The simplicity and cost-effectiveness of retinal imaging paired with HealthOcta’s technology to transmit and enhance the images for review by a qualified and licensed Ophthalmologist makes the CarePlus screening program a game-changer for healthcare systems. CarePlus enables healthcare providers to to allocate resources more efficiently and to provide screenings to a broader population.

    Increased Patient Compliance

    The discomfort associated with traditional dilated exams can deter some individuals from seeking regular screenings. Undilated eye exams remove this barrier and encourage greater patient compliance . When patients are more comfortable and experience minimal disruption to their daily lives, they are more likely to adhere to recommended annual screening schedules, ultimately improving their long-term eye health.

    In summary, Eye exams with non-mydriatic cameras used by the CarePlus program offer a significant advancement in retinal screenings. The program and technology prioritize patient comfort, convenience, rapid results, safety, and cost-effectiveness, making our workflows a crucial asset in preventing vision loss due to retinal issues. These screenings administered as part of the CarePlus program enhance accessibility and patient compliance, representing a clear choice in our mission to fuse technology & medicine to protect the precious gift of sight.

  • Remote diabetic eye screenings powered by HealthOcta

    Remote diabetic eye screenings powered by HealthOcta

    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) continues to be the leading cause of preventable blindness globally
    with a prevalence of 22.27% for any kind of DR, 6.17% for vision-threatening DR (VTDR), and 4.07% for diabetic macular edema (DME) among patients with diabetes. 

    We’ve been receiving a lot of inquiries from our healthcare provider partners to enable diabetic eye screenings for their patients using the Ophthalmology service line within our VideoConsults platform.

    Turns out that the HealthOcta technology platfrom and team are a great fit to help address this existing need and to put a curb on preventable blindness. Digital retinal imaging devices powered by HealthOcta’s technology platform and our panel of Ophthalmologists can enable primary care practices enable a higher standard of eye screenings for their diabetic patient population.

    Better care is about awareness and education

    Offering diabetic eye screenings as part of primary care services can improve patient engagement and satisfaction. Patients appreciate the convenience of receiving comprehensive care in one location, and they are more likely to follow through with recommended screenings when they are easily accessible.

    Regular eye screenings can serve as a reminder for patients to manage their diabetes effectively. When patients see the potential impact of diabetes on their eyes, they may be more motivated to control their blood sugar levels, adhere to medications, and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

    Eye diseases can exist even if you have no symptoms

    Annual eye exams are important for preventing and detecting diabetes-related eye complications. They can help identify problems that can prevent or delay vision loss if treated. Annual eye exams can help providers identify more diseases earlier in patients who might otherwise go untreated. Annual screening can help detect conditions before they exhibit symptoms.

    Diabetics are at a high risk of vision loss

    Diabetics are also at higher risk for cataracts and macular degeneration. Early detection and treatment of these conditions can preserve vision.

    Diabetic retinopathy (DR) occurs when the blood vessels inside the eye start to leak blood and fluid into the retina, causing damage and permanent vision loss. Early detection and treatment is crucial for preserving your eyesight.

    Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a complication of diabetic retinopathy, and occurs when the macula, the center of the retina, begins to swell. The macula is responsible for your central and color vision. When the macula swells, it damages the blood vessels, causing them to leak— resulting in vision loss.

    While patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels have a higher risk of diabetic retinopathy, those with controlled diabetes are still at risk and need to be screened against that risk regularly.

    It is recommended that patients receive annual eye exams for early detection of the disease, and increased optimal treatment results. By regularly monitoring a diabetic patients eye health, you are ensuring that any changes that occur will be detected early, before they can cause any harm.

    Empowering Better Healthcare through Tech+Med

    Despite the benefits stated above, most patients with diabetes do not receive annual eye screening per recommended guidelines. By deploying nonmydriatic cameras like the ones supported by HealthOcta in primary care or laboratory settings, remote retinal imaging technologies can broaden eye-care access and reduce the long-term costs of quality care.

    If you are a primary care practitioner or a opthalmologist or feel passionate about this topic, we would love to hear from you.

    Some eye-opening statistics…

  • Video Consults for Endocrinology

    Its clear to all that we’re living a national shortage of healthcare providers – some have gone on to call it an Public Health crisis.

    The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates (March 2023) that the United States will face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034. This shortage is expected to span both primary- and specialty-care fields. The shortage is projected to increase by 37,800 to 124,000 physicians within 12 years

    The shortage is driven by increasing demand for physician services, particularly population growth and aging. The workforce shortage has been increasing since before the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerated at an even more alarming rate thereafter.

    California, Florida, and Texas are the three states expected to have the greatest estimated physician shortage by 2030.

    More than 46 million Americans, or 15 percent of the U.S. population, live in rural areas

    Today, Rural areas make up nearly two-thirds of primary care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in the country. Rural residents are more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke. About 20 percent of Americans live in rural areas, but barely one-tenth of physicians practice there.

    We created Video Consults to help address this coverage gap by fusing together technology with medical experts spanning a wide geography. We’ve created an Ophthalmology practice and are now on our way to focus on Endocrinology needs of the nation.

    Why Endocrinology?

    The number of endocrinologists who treat adults is not growing nearly fast enough to keep up with the surging demand driven by a growing and aging population compounded by the continuing obesity epidemic. There has been a shortage of practitioners in the field of Endocrinology for many years. The continuing obesity pandemic, growth in diabetes and other endocrine disorders has only made the situation worse.

    “The wait time for a new patient to be seen is much greater than in almost any other specialty in medicine by a factor of two.
    You can get in to see a cardiologist in 15 days, but it’ll take you 37 days to get in to see an endocrinologist,”

    Robert A. Vigersky, MD (cited from Endocrine news, Dec 2014)

    How does Video Consults help?

    • Our platform enables healthcare institutions to improve access and reach to specialty services
    • Enables the provider to request a specialty service on-demand. Greater reach to specialists.
    • Practitioner (specialist) gets ubiquitous reach without the need to travel away from their medical practice. Better quality of life for the practitioner.
    • Access to expert consultation is received quicker, faster and more economically.
    • Patients receive a higher level of care.

    Our Endocrinology service line is yet another way in which Video Consults continues to deliver on HealthOcta’s mission of fusing expertise in technology and medicine to help healthcare providers deliver a higher level of care to their patients.

    Get in touch. Join us & learn more.

    We’re growing our Endocrinology practice are keen to engage with physicians across the country. Sign up to be part of our network of healthcare providers and we’ll get in touch to bring you on board. You may also request our team to get in touch

    References
  • Introducing VideoConsults

    Introducing VideoConsults

    Healthocta’s vision is to fuse together medicine & technology so healthcare providers can deliver better healthcare.

    The US Healthcare system is awesome. Yes, it is! There are few challenges. However, we’re definitely among the better places on earth where you’d want to be receiving healthcare services.

    Some challenges in the US Healthcare industry

    (This is a summary of what we found when we spoke to a bunch of people and made a few searches online…)

    • Access and affordability: Despite having one of the highest per capita healthcare spending, the US still faces high costs of healthcare which is not affordable for a large part of the population.
    • Fragmented delivery system: The US healthcare system is fragmented with a complex network of different insurance providers, leading to higher costs and lower quality of care.
    • Inadequate primary care: There is a shortage of primary care providers in many areas of the country, leading to a higher reliance on more expensive emergency and specialty care services.
    • High administrative costs: The US healthcare system has high administrative costs, resulting in a higher overall cost of healthcare compared to other countries.
    • Lack of transparency: There is a lack of transparency in the healthcare system, making it difficult for patients to make informed decisions about their care and for employers to effectively manage the cost of their employee’s health insurance.
    • Health disparities: There are significant health disparities among different racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups in the US, leading to unequal access to quality care and health outcomes.

    So what can be done about solving these challenges?

    If you boil it down, the primary theme of the issues is centered around high costs, lack of access to care in many areas of the country (think Rural) and lack of access to specialty care (in many places across the country)

    As a health technology company on a mission of TechMed fusion, we came up with a cool new innovative service. We call it VideoConsults by HealthOcta. With VideoConsults, we aim to help improve access to specialty services.

    What is VideoConsults by HealthOcta?

    VideoConsults is a technology enabled service by HealthOcta. This service is used by healthcare institutions such as Hospitals, Emergency Departments, Doctors offices, Freestanding ERs, Nursing facilities and other institutions to get access to and consult healthcare specialists without having to wait hours or days.

    We have created an innovative system that brings together the expertise of medical practitioners in a variety of specialty fields, sophisticated devices for diagnostic and imaging (that can be used by a medical assistant without having to undergo advanced training) and the ubiquitous reach of telemedicine technology to help solve the access and practitioner coverage issues omnipresent in the healthcare industry. What’s better than seeing a demo right here!

    The HealthOcta team is currently focusing on enabling better access in Ophthalmology. The Video Consults platform will soon be expanded to support a variety of specialty services. We’re keen to connect with healthcare providers & practitioners so we can learn from you and add capabilities more speciality service lines.

    Our teams are now actively bringing together specialists to offer their expertise on this platform. Please contact us to learn more.