The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) Acquires Digital Therapeutics Alliance (DTA)
Why it Matters
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has announced that its ATA Action advocacy group has acquired the Digital Therapeutics Alliance (DTA), which focuses on driving uptake of software-based healthcare tools. The acquisition aims to create an advocacy organization, the Advancing Digital Health Coalition, designed to help ensure that telehealth, virtual care, and DTx interventions become dependable options for care delivery.
The Advancing Digital Health Coalition
The coalition will advocate for transformative patient care technologies and build upon the work of the DTA, focusing on the advancement of digital therapeutics, prescription drug use-related software, digital mental health treatment devices, and remote monitoring devices. The coalition will also expand into artificial intelligence, digital diagnostics, and cutting-edge devices that support care-at-home programs.
Integration and Leadership
With the larger transaction, DTA’s members, leadership, and staff, along with its programs, resources, and task groups, are being integrated into ATA Action and the ATA. Andy Molnar, who will be the head of digital health at ATA Action and lead the new coalition, explained that DTA pursued this acquisition because of the synergies between the organizations.
Goals and Objectives
The combined organization will focus on ensuring appropriate reimbursement, engaging with federal and state governments on digital health regulations, expanding partnerships and opportunities in the U.S. and around the world, and improving access to evidence-based digital interventions in healthcare delivery. Ann Mond Johnson, ATA’s CEO, added that the expanded efforts will boost educational initiatives and convenings, leverage more resources, and support the shared mission to better serve members and the broader digital health community.
The Larger Trend
DTA has developed frameworks to ensure the efficacy of apps and tools used in healthcare, encouraged health equity in HIT, and spearheaded data interoperability initiatives. In June, DTA partnered with DirectTrust, developing criteria for a digital therapeutics accreditation program for testing the apps and platforms for safety and transparency, privacy protections, and compliance with interoperability regulations and best practices.
ATA’s History of Partnership
ATA has a long history of partnership. In 2021, ATA formed the Telehealth Equity Coalition with the Health Innovation Alliance, Hims & Hers, Adaptation Health, the National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved, and others to identify opportunities and better advocate to improve telehealth policy and improve utilization of covered services. More recently, ATA launched its Center of Digital Excellence with big-name health systems, including Intermountain, the Mayo Clinic, MedStar, Ochsner, Stanford Health, and UPMC, to drive innovation in virtual care pathways.
Conclusion
The acquisition of DTA by ATA Action aims to create a unified voice to shape healthcare policies and ensure that telehealth and digital therapeutics remain integral components of the U.S. healthcare system. The combined organization will focus on ensuring appropriate reimbursement, engaging with federal and state governments, and improving access to evidence-based digital interventions in healthcare delivery.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the acquisition?
A: The acquisition aims to create an advocacy organization, the Advancing Digital Health Coalition, designed to help ensure that telehealth, virtual care, and DTx interventions become dependable options for care delivery.
Q: What will the coalition focus on?
A: The coalition will advocate for transformative patient care technologies, focusing on the advancement of digital therapeutics, prescription drug use-related software, digital mental health treatment devices, and remote monitoring devices.
Q: Who will lead the coalition?
A: Andy Molnar, CEO of DTA, will be the head of digital health at ATA Action and lead the new coalition.
Q: What will the combined organization focus on?
A: The combined organization will focus on ensuring appropriate reimbursement, engaging with federal and state governments, expanding partnerships and opportunities, and improving access to evidence-based digital interventions in healthcare delivery.
