How We Assess

PHTI evaluates digital health solutions to accelerate the adoption of high-value technologies that improve health and lower costs.

Using a custom assessment framework, PHTI analyzes the clinical efficacy and economic impact of digital health solutions.

PHTI’s assessments inform digital health purchasers—including employers, health plans, and health systems—about the clinical effectiveness and budget impact of health technologies. These evaluations also provide guidance about evidence generation to solution developers and investors looking to demonstrate value for their products.

Assessment Framework

The Assessment Framework evaluates evidence about solutions’ clinical benefits and economic impact.

The ICER-PHTI Assessment Framework for Digital Health Technologies was developed in partnership with the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), a leader in health technology assessment.

It is based on input from employers, health plans, and health systems about their priorities when selecting a new digital health solution.

The framework can also guide technology developers and investors about performance standards and evidence required to demonstrate stated clinical and economic benefits.

DOWNLOAD THE FRAMEWORK

Topic selection

PHTI identifies evaluation areas based on several factors:

Burden of disease: Conditions that have a significant burden on patients
Healthcare spending: Areas that are major drivers of healthcare spending
Investment and innovation: Areas that are experiencing rapid growth in digital innovation and investment
Evidence quality and availability: Areas that have a strong evidence base to inform clinical and economic impact assessments

PHTI solely determines selection of evaluation topics and is informed by market research, published literature, and input from stakeholders.

Stakeholder engagement

PHTI solicits input from a diverse set of stakeholders at each stage of the evaluation process.

Clinical advisors

Provide detailed input on evidence reviews, clinical practice, and report findings.

Patients

Provide insight into lived experience of patients receiving usual care and engaging with digital solutions.

Digital health companies

Have an opportunity to contribute clinical and economic evidence, as well as other commercial information, during the assessment process.

Assessment partners

PHTI engages independent evaluation and research partners during the assessment process:

Charm Economics

Charm Economics translates insights from clinical and health economics research into real-world cost and savings estimates for digital health and medical technology businesses and purchasers. PHTI partners Charm to understand how digital health technologies work, what they cost to deliver, and their impact on patients and purchasers.

Curta

Curta is a team of leaders in research and development in health economics and decision science. Curta conducts systematic literature reviews of clinical and economic information using the ICER-PHTI Assessment Framework for Digital Health Technologies to inform the evaluations.

Manatt Health

Manatt Health integrates consulting and legal expertise to better serve the complex needs of clients across the healthcare system. Manatt provides strategy, legal, public policy, and analytic services to the full range of health industry players. Manatt provides consulting and operational support to PHTI.

Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER)

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) is a leader in health technology assessment that conducts evidence-based reviews of healthcare interventions. PHTI partnered with ICER to develop the ICER-PHTI Assessment Framework for Digital Health Technologies.