US Army Seeks Next-Gen Healthcare Tech

The US Army’s Defense Innovation Unit, part of the Defense Health Agency (DHA), has issued a call for new technology solutions to modernize the Military Health System (MHS), aiming to improve patient experiences and accommodate future advancements in health sciences. The initiative seeks to integrate seamless digital tools, including mobile platforms and wearables, to enhance care delivery, particularly for remote and underserved communities.

DHA intends to strategically invest in and partner with leaders in healthcare technology to improve the MHS. This includes integrating TRICARE contractors and using commercial tools to better the experience for patients and providers. TRICARE is a healthcare program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System that provides health insurance coverage to U.S. Armed Forces military personnel, retirees, and their dependents.

The project calls for a “digital front door” to provide MHS’s 9.5 million beneficiaries with control over their health management. This includes a system that allows for easy scheduling, messaging, accessing medical records and test results, and integrating with current architecture.

The desired capabilities are centered on creating a seamless and frictionless patient experience, characterized by easy access to care and integration with existing electronic health records. Patients should be able to interact with healthcare services using a single sign-on, assisted by advanced technologies like machine learning and chatbots. The goal is to provide a comprehensive health management suite, allowing for a more personal and direct approach to health and wellness. Interoperability is also key, with the expectation that these solutions will work in concert with an array of devices and wearables, facilitating a cohesive and connected healthcare ecosystem.

To bring these capabilities to life, the DHA outlines a clear implementation strategy divided into three Lines of Effort (LOEs). The first is focused on enhancing the overall patient experience, the second on integrating technology that supports healthcare providers by reducing administrative load, and the third on leveraging the MHS Information Portal for robust data management and informed decision-making. The DHA plans to use its Accelerator program to pilot these innovations at selected Military Treatment Facilities. This initiative will serve as a litmus test, with successful solutions potentially being adopted across the enterprise. Vendors are encouraged to provide modular and interoperable systems, demonstrating the ability to collaborate effectively, meet accreditation standards, and comply with stringent data security requirements.

While the Defense Innovation Unit’s call for proposals does not explicitly mention biometric technology, such solutions could significantly contribute to the goals of this project by providing secure patient identification, facilitating real-time health monitoring through wearable devices, and enhancing data security for sensitive military health records. The integration of biometrics could streamline the patient experience with single-sign-on access to health services and support clinical decision-making by offering personalized, biometrically-informed insights into patient health—though it’s now up to any interested vendors to make that case to the DHA.

The deadline for responses is May 1, 2024.

Source: Defense Innovation Unit

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April 23, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy