This episode of The Intersect covers a discussion with Steve Krauss, Sophia, Morgan, and Andrew from Bessemer Venture Partners, who delve into their healthcare predictions for 2025.

The conversation covers several key areas, providing insights for entrepreneurs, executives, and investors.

The first prediction focuses on the resurgence of Obamacare exchanges due to the introduction of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs), which allow employers to allocate tax-free funds to employees for individual health insurance. This could lead to a significant shift from employer-sponsored group plans to consumer-driven models. The experts suggest that innovators should focus on consumer experience and decision-support tools in this changing market.

The discussion then moves to the growing strain on the caregiver system caused by the aging Baby Boomer generation. Challenges include workforce shortages, potential impacts from stricter immigration policies, and shifts in reimbursement structures.

The team explores potential solutions such as AI and digital companions, "business-in-a-box" models for clinicians and caregivers, and improved payment programs. They also highlight the increased digital literacy among older adults, which could support remote monitoring solutions.

Next, the conversation shifts to the transformative potential of gene therapy and gene editing for chronic diseases. The experts predict that these advanced modalities will begin targeting more prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. They discuss the importance of personalized medicine and outline areas ripe for innovation including cardiovascular, immunology, and neuroscience. The group also acknowledges the challenges in commercial viability, including safety, efficacy, and economic constraints.

Finally, the discussion focuses on the evolution of multimodal AI in healthcare, which integrates diverse data sources for disease measurement and diagnostics. The panelists note that while the technical capabilities of AI have matured, payment and reimbursement structures have lagged. They give examples of AI in action, such as in diagnosing cardiomyopathy and rare diseases. While some may fear being replaced by AI tools, the group emphasizes that AI aims to complement human expertise.

The team notes the market's rebound and public dissatisfaction with the healthcare system, which can be viewed as opportunities to innovate and rebuild trust. The discussion closes with a call to action for entrepreneurs to build companies that challenge the status quo.

Source: Healthcare Predictions 2025