An Interview with Matthew Fisher

Matthew Fisher

General Counsel at Carium

Key Topics:Cybersecurity, Healthcare Regulations, Digital Health, Value Based Care

Location:Central Massachusetts

Bio:

Matt Fisher is the General Counsel for Carium, a virtual care platform that drives ongoing engagement between patients and care teams. He helps guide his company and others through the healthcare legal and regulatory maze by providing clearing away confusion that can arise.

Matt has recently featured in Onalytica's Who is Who in Cybersecurity report.

How did you get to become an expert in your key topics?

I primarily became an expert in my topical areas of focus through working with clients as an attorney based in a law firm and now getting more granular on digital health since becoming general at a virtual care company. In my role as an attorney, whether as outside counsel or general counsel, I had to learn and get comfortable with the details of regulations that impact healthcare organizations. Additionally, working with a number of clients that focus on different areas within healthcare enabled me to gain insight into a broad array of issues while seeing how the bigger picture can be fit together. Additionally, I read a lot about the issues through natural curiosity, which also helps me provide better advice and counsel.

What sub-topics are you most passionate about?

Within cybersecurity, misinformation and misunderstanding of regulations are a subtopic of the particular passion. When regulations setting parameters for the healthcare industry are not fully appreciated, then good security can be undermined or viewed as too onerous. The misapplication also hinders the ability to innovate and change healthcare. I try to better educate and remove the uncertainty to enable pathways to positive change.

In the digital health realm, I like to focus on solutions that drive improved interactions between patients and care teams while protecting privacy.

In value-based care, subtopics of interest are structuring agreements that advance value-based goals and internal transformations necessary to support success.

Who influences you within these topics?

People who influence me are Lucia Savage, Deven McGraw, and Brendan Keeler.

What challenges are brands facing in this space?

For cybersecurity, the ongoing and ever increasing number of cyberattacks focused on the healthcare industry is a prime challenge. Attacks are happening at a non-stop pace with defenses often spread thin. Further, resources are not necessarily sufficient, which creates a number of stressors. The lack of time to appropriately educate and train individuals, coupled with training that historically was not fully engaging is also problematic. Another challenging area is engaging in true and comprehensive threat intelligence sharing. Collaborative efforts on that front would likely help many, but not enough coordinated effort is entrenched yet.

For digital health, the challenge is refining solutions to demonstrate full value while facing a shifting landscape that could remove the avenue for payment of some of the services. The constantly changing landscape from COVID-19 is also an impact as well as understanding individual expectations and preferences.

For value based care, the necessity of still living in both VBC and fee for service presents a lot of challenges. Doing well on either side arguably calls for actions that undermine the ability to do well in the other. Jumping more into VBC can be difficult as profit becomes less certain, but at some point that leap of fair is necessary.

What do you think the future holds in this space?

A lot of opportunity for good and bad exists in every space with cybersecurity, digital health, and value-based care no exception. In cybersecurity, the current unstable international situation along with the ongoing pandemic underscores that cyber risks are not going away. The attention of general media will hopefully result in more internal funding for cybersecurity activities that improve defenses.

The future of digital health and value-based care are both dependent upon the actions of the government, in particular the federal government. Action is needed to ensure continued growth with a focus on reimbursement and refinement of programs. Evidence that both areas produce good outcomes for patients is growing along with an evolution of use. It is important, therefore, to recognize that digital health and value-based care are no longer unproven commodities within healthcare. Instead, both should benefit from a better understanding of how to use and how the benefit can not just be realized but moved closer to an assurance.

What brands are leading the way in this space?

For cybersecurity, a couple of the leading brands are Protenus and CynergisTek.

On the digital-health side, it is difficult to narrow the list down. Specific examples depend on what area of digital health is being assessed. One key from my perspective is to look for companies that can provide a good platform that is scalable across different use cases, which helps avoid finding a tool for each condition or need.

In value-based care, Aledade is a company that comes immediately to mind of helping create positive outcomes.

If a brand wanted to work with you, which activities would you be most interested in collaborating on?

Collaborative opportunities in the form of podcasts, webinars, speaking opportunities, interviews, or guest blogging would all be attractive.

What are your passions outside of work?

Outside of work I enjoy coaching my kids in sports (baseball and basketball), reading, visiting breweries and running (though nothing more than a 5k).

What would be the best way for a brand to contact you?

Email.

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