With the rise of digital health, healthcare data has become more accessible and has begun improving collaboration and coordination among providers, enhancing cost-effectiveness in care delivery, and increasing accuracy and efficiency in practice management.

Yet, many healthcare organizations today are still relying on paper-based or manual systems to collect, store, and retrieve patient data. In 2009, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act was created to promote and expand the adoption of health information technology— focusing mainly on the use of electronic health records (EHRs) by healthcare providers. Before the introduction of the HITECH Act, only 10 percent of hospitals had adopted EHRs–– in 2022, that number has risen to just shy of 90%.

Bill Fandrich is the Senior VP & CIO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare and information technology. Fandrich provides critical IT operations and strategic technology leadership, enhances the connection between business strategy and technology, and develops strategies to transform IT operations to meet future demands. Large Enterprise winner of the 2021 Michigan CIO ORBIE® Awards and a 2022 National ORBIE® Awards finalist.

Previously, he was executive vice president and COO for Beacon Health Options in Boston, and held leadership roles for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and CIGNA Healthcare in Connecticut and Philadelphia. Fandrich earned an MBA in healthcare information technology from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s degree in math, computer science and physics from Ohio Wesleyan University.

We hope you enjoy Bill & John's discussion!