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The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic Extends Baton Health Collaboration to Supercharge Physician Licensing for Virtual Specialty Care

The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic Extends Baton Health Collaboration to Supercharge Physician Licensing for Virtual Specialty Care

Business Wire13-05-2025

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic, a leading provider of virtual second opinions (VSOs), has renewed its relationship with Baton Health to expand licensed clinical expertise to patients around the country by streamlining and scaling physician credentialing. As more regulatory scrutiny is placed on virtual care providers, The Clinic chose to work with Baton Health—a modern platform for real-time primary source verification.
The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic has renewed its relationship with Baton Health to expand licensed clinical expertise to patients around the country by streamlining and scaling physician credentialing.
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'Licensing and maintaining the status of thousands of providers in multiple states is no small feat, which is why some virtual providers forego this step,' said Nikhyl Jhangiani, head of business operations at The Clinic. 'Our commitment to our patients—providing them the highest quality clinical perspectives—means we must always have compliance front and center in our approach. Our collaboration with Baton allows us to accelerate this process to provide fully licensed expertise that many in our space are unable to achieve.'
A joint venture between Cleveland Clinic and Amwell, The Clinic offers patients quick access to Cleveland Clinic's world-class providers and sub-specialists. Collaborating with Baton has enabled The Clinic to generate an accurate and comprehensive view of provider licenses by state and specialty in near real-time. Going beyond the traditionally cumbersome manual processes and self-reported provider data helps The Clinic ensure compliance and physician availability quickly and completely to support the growing demand for specialty care across the country.
Upon implementation, Baton cross-referenced The Clinic's database containing more than 3,000 Cleveland Clinic specialists against its Universal Primary Source platform. Within hours, Baton created a comprehensive report of over 10,000 licenses spanning all 50 states, including previously unknown licenses, which enabled The Clinic to expand services to more patients. Baton and The Clinic have worked together to continually monitor and verify new and existing licensure for its providers. In their renewed collaboration, The Clinic will also use Baton's platform to automatically check provider licensure on an ongoing basis for an even more streamlined process.
'For virtual care organizations, reach isn't just about how many clinicians you have, it's about how many states they're licensed in,' said Robert Coombs, CEO of Baton Health. 'We're proud to be a part of expanding The Clinic's footprint throughout the country and streamline their compliance operations at the same time.'
About The Clinic
Each year, millions of Americans receive a life-changing healthcare diagnosis and face new, difficult or complex decisions about medical treatment. The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic was founded for these life-changing moments. As a leading provider of virtual second opinions, The Clinic believes that patients should never have to settle for anything less than a clear and confident path forward. A transformative joint venture between Cleveland Clinic and Amwell, The Clinic uses Amwell's leading connectivity technologies to enable patients to access Cleveland Clinic's deep and comprehensive medical expertise, including over 3,500 physicians in more than 550 advanced subspecialties. For more information about The Clinic and its second opinion solution, visit www.clinicbyclevelandclinic.com and follow on LinkedIn.
About Baton Health
Baton Health is the infrastructure backbone for healthcare credentialing, powering licensing, privileging, and payer enrollment workflows nationwide. With its Universal Primary Source platform, Baton delivers real-time compliance, rapid onboarding, and full-spectrum provider insights. Baton's telehealth recruiting platform also helps organizations discover providers with multi-state licensure, making it easier to build agile, cross-state care teams. Learn more at batonhealth.com or contact info@batonhealth.com.

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Kennedy's new CDC panel includes members who have criticized vaccines and spread misinformation

time26 minutes ago

Kennedy's new CDC panel includes members who have criticized vaccines and spread misinformation

NEW YORK -- U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday named eight new vaccine policy advisers to replace the panel that he abruptly dismissed earlier this week. They include a scientist who researched mRNA vaccine technology and became a conservative darling for his criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines, a leading critic of pandemic-era lockdowns, and a professor of operations management. Kennedy's decision to 'retire' the previous 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was widely decried by doctors' groups and public health organizations, who feared the advisers would be replaced by a group aligned with Kennedy's desire to reassess — and possibly end — longstanding vaccination recommendations. On Tuesday, before he announced his picks, Kennedy said: 'We're going to bring great people onto the ACIP panel – not anti-vaxxers – bringing people on who are credentialed scientists.' 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He said having Pebsworth on the board is 'incredibly problematic' since she is involved in an organization that 'distributes a lot of misinformation.' Kennedy made the announcement in a social media post on Wednesday. The committee, created in 1964, makes recommendations to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC directors almost always approve those recommendations on how vaccines that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration should be used. The CDC's final recommendations are widely heeded by doctors and guide vaccination programs. The other appointees are: —Dr. James Hibbeln, who formerly headed a National Institutes of Health group focused on nutritional neurosciences and who studies how nutrition affects the brain, including the potential benefits of seafood consumption during pregnancy. —Retsef Levi, a professor of operations management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who studies business issues related to supply chain, logistics, pricing optimization and health and health care management. In a 2023 video pinned to an X profile under his name, Levi called for the end of the COVID-19 vaccination program, claiming the vaccines were ineffective and dangerous despite evidence they saved millions of lives. —Dr. James Pagano, an emergency medicine physician from Los Angeles. —Dr. Michael Ross, a Virginia-based obstetrician and gynecologist. 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In addition to serving on government panels, Meissner has helped author policy statements and vaccination schedules for the American Academy of Pediatrics. ACIP members typically serve in staggered four-year terms, although several appointments were delayed during the Biden administration before positions were filled last year. The voting members all have scientific or clinical expertise in immunization, except for one 'consumer representative' who can bring perspective on community and social facets of vaccine programs. Kennedy, a leading voice in the anti-vaccine movement before becoming the U.S. government's top health official, has accused the committee of being too closely aligned with vaccine manufacturers and of rubber-stamping vaccines. ACIP policies require members to state past collaborations with vaccine companies and to recuse themselves from votes in which they had a conflict of interest, but Kennedy has dismissed those safeguards as weak. Most of the people who best understand vaccines are those who have researched them, which usually requires some degree of collaboration with the companies that develop and sell them, said Jason Schwartz, a Yale University health policy researcher. 'If you are to exclude any reputable, respected vaccine expert who has ever engaged even in a limited way with the vaccine industry, you're likely to have a very small pool of folks to draw from,' Schwartz said. The U.S. Senate confirmed Kennedy in February after he promised he would not change the vaccination schedule. But less than a week later, he vowed to investigate childhood vaccines that prevent measles, polio and other dangerous diseases. Kennedy has ignored some of the recommendations ACIP voted for in April, including the endorsement of a new combination shot that protects against five strains of meningococcal bacteria and the expansion of vaccinations against RSV. In late May, Kennedy disregarded the committee and announced the government would change the recommendation for children and pregnant women to get COVID-19 shots. On Monday, Kennedy ousted all 17 members of the ACIP, saying he would appoint a new group before the next scheduled meeting in late June. The agenda for that meeting has not yet been posted, but a recent federal notice said votes are expected on vaccinations against flu, COVID-19, HPV, RSV and meningococcal bacteria. A HHS spokesman did not respond to a question about whether there would be only eight ACIP members, or whether more will be named later. ___ ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary warns Americans on 401(k)s
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary warns Americans on 401(k)s

Miami Herald

time27 minutes ago

  • Miami Herald

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary warns Americans on 401(k)s

Most American workers generally understand that Social Security monthly paychecks will one day significantly contribute to their future retirement income. But because those Social Security benefits are not by themselves enough to provide people with the financial resources they need to live on comfortably, most also recognize that 401(k) plans and IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) are additional tools necessary for securing their financial future. However, finding the extra money to contribute to these accounts can be a significant challenge. Kevin O'Leary, a prominent entrepreneur and investor widely known for his appearances on ABC's "Shark Tank," shares a method that enables workers to cut expenses and direct more money toward their 401(k) and IRA savings. He also offers a stark financial warning. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Participating in an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan is a dependable way to build retirement savings, especially when employers offer matching contributions. With automatic payroll deductions, this method allows employees to invest in their future effortlessly, making it both practical and efficient. Related: Jean Chatzky sends strong message to Americans on Social Security IRAs, on the other hand, provide a wider selection of investment options not typically available through 401(k) plans. However, they require more hands-on management, as individuals must open an account and set up automatic contributions independently. In addition to a major warning, O'Leary offers valuable advice on how individuals can cut costs and increase their retirement contributions, which for many Americans primarily consist of 401(k) plans. Many workers who are committed to contributing as much money as they can toward their 401(k) plans find it difficult to do so because their spending habits leave little left to put away for the future. In fact, O'Leary emphasizes, many people spend more than they make - and are working in large part to finance their debts and pay their bills. "You are in constant fear of losing your job, or of your assets losing their value. You worry that one big, unexpected bill might put you under for good, and then you avoid that thought," described O'Leary in his book, "Cold Hard Truth on Men, Women and Money." "You're avoiding the phone and people to whom you owe money. Maybe you're retreating from friends and family out of fear or shame," O'Leary continued. "You're steeped in magical thinking about money - for example, believing you're one lottery ticket, inheritance, or windfall away from total financial transformation." "You wake up in despair and you go to bed defeated. You don't live within your means because you don't even know what they are." More on retirement: Jean Chatzky shares major statement about Social SecurityDave Ramsey sounds alarm for Americans on retirementScott Galloway warns Americans on 401(k), US economy threat O'Leary explains that people who feel this describes them to any degree should correct it immediately. He offers a first step people can take to get a handle on where they stand financially. Related: Dave Ramsey warns Americans on Social Security In order to increase retirement savings and add a larger percentage of their income to 401(k) plans, people first need to get a good feel for where they are financially. O'Leary suggests simplifying money management down to a single figure - either positive or negative. He encourages individuals to calculate their total earnings over three months, calling this their 90-Day Number. The process starts with identifying income. If pay stubs aren't easily accessible, reviewing bank statements can help track all incoming funds, including salaries, side jobs, and other sources of cash flow. Next, he recommends listing all expenses separately - small purchases such as coffee, clothing, and snacks, as well as major costs such as bills, debt payments, rent, and car loans. The key step is subtracting total expenses from total income. If the result is positive, the individual is in good financial shape and can immediately consider increasing their 401(k) contributions. A negative outcome signals a need for adjustments. The extent of necessary changes depends on how much spending exceeds earnings, requiring smarter budgeting to create space for investments in long-term financial security, O'Leary explains. In the latter instance - after some planning, budgeting and hard work - a person can still reach the point of increasing investments in their 401(k) plans. Related: Dave Ramsey sends major message to Americans on IRAs, Roth IRAs The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.

US reduces presence of staffers not deemed essential in Middle East as tensions rise — Trump adds: ‘Could be dangerous place'
US reduces presence of staffers not deemed essential in Middle East as tensions rise — Trump adds: ‘Could be dangerous place'

New York Post

timean hour ago

  • New York Post

US reduces presence of staffers not deemed essential in Middle East as tensions rise — Trump adds: ‘Could be dangerous place'

The United States is drawing down the presence of staffers who are not deemed essential to operations in the Middle East and their loved ones due to the potential for regional unrest, the State Department and military said Wednesday. The State Department said it has ordered the departure of all nonessential personnel from the US Embassy in Baghdad based on its latest review and a commitment 'to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad.' The embassy already had been on limited staffing, and the order will not affect a large number of personnel. The department, however, also is authorizing the departure of nonessential personnel and family members from Bahrain and Kuwait. That gives them the option of leaving those countries at government expense and with government assistance. 4 Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing for the Department of State and related programs on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. AP Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth 'has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations' across the region, US Central Command said in a statement. The command 'is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East.' Speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump said, 'They are being moved out, because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens. We've given notice to move out, and we'll see what happens.' Tensions in the region have been rising in recent days as talks between the US and Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program appear to have hit an impasse. The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions that the US has imposed on the Islamic Republic. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful. The next round of talks — the sixth — had been tentatively scheduled for this weekend in Oman, according to two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss diplomatic matters. However, those officials said Wednesday that it looked increasingly unlikely that the talks would happen. Trump, who has previously said Israel or the US could carry out airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations failed, gave a less-than-optimistic view about reaching a deal with Iran, telling the New York Post's 'Pod Force One' podcast that he was 'getting more and more less confident about' a deal. 4 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies during a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Getty Images 'They seem to be delaying, and I think that's a shame. I'm less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago. Something happened to them,' he said in the interview recorded Monday and released Wednesday. Iran's mission to the UN posted on social media that 'threats of overwhelming force won't change the facts.' 'Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon, and US militarism only fuels instability,' the Iranian mission wrote. Iranian Defense Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh separately told journalists Wednesday that he hoped talks with the US would yield results, though Tehran stood ready to respond. 4 A US flag flies in front of the Annex I building inside the compound of the US embassy in Baghdad in this December 14, 2011, file photo. REUTERS 'If conflict is imposed on us, the opponent's casualties will certainly be more than ours, and in that case, America must leave the region, because all its bases are within our reach,' he said. 'We have access to them, and we will target all of them in the host countries without hesitation.' Meanwhile, the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency was potentially set to vote on a measure to censure Iran. That could set in motion an effort to snap back United Nations sanctions on Iran via a measure in Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that's still active until October. Trump withdrew from that agreement in his first term. Earlier Wednesday, a statement from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, a Mideast-based effort overseen by the British navy, issued a warning to ships in the region that it 'has been made aware of increased tensions within the region which could lead to an escalation of military activity having a direct impact on mariners.' 4 President Donald Trump, right, speaks with reporters as Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens upon arriving at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, NJ, en route to Camp David, Md., Sunday, June 8, 2025. AP It urged caution in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. It did not name Iran, though those waterways have seen Iranian ship seizures and attacks in the past. The top US military officer for the Middle East, Gen. Erik Kurilla, was scheduled to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, but that testimony has now been postponed, according to the committee's website. The Pentagon has not commented on the postponement. Meanwhile, Iraq's state-run Iraqi News Agency said in a statement attributed to an unnamed government official that the evacuation of some nonessential employees from the US Embassy in Baghdad was part of 'procedures related to the US diplomatic presence in a number of Middle Eastern countries, not just Iraq' and that Iraqi officials 'have not recorded any security indicators that warrant an evacuation.' 'We reiterate that all security indicators and briefings support the escalating assessments of stability and the restoration of internal security,' the statement said.

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