Twelve Must-Have Apps for Healthcare Executives

Managed Healthcare Executive board members share their top picks. 

1.     ASCVD Risk Estimator +. This app, by the American College of Cardiology, provides an estimate of your initial 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. For providers, it helps guide patient discussions around customizing intervention plans. 

2.     Flipboard. This app aggregates content from social media, news feeds, and other websites based on your preferences and prior selections.

“Given time constraints and the need for real time news, Flipboard as a news aggregation and social network aggregation platform meets my needs.  I really like the interface, and the artificial intelligence and predictive analytics creates a true personalized experience for the busy executive.” - Mark Boxer

Boxer is executive vice president and global chief information officer for CIGNA, where he is responsible for driving the company’s worldwide technology strategy.

3.     Evernote. This app helps you quickly document ideas, make check lists, and save things you find online. You can also use it to share notes with friends and colleagues and sync information between your phone and computer.

4.     Life360. This app allows you to share location information with other users.

“It helps me keep track of my teenagers and I like the app’s functionality-it integrates with my car.” - Doug Chaet

Chaet, FACHE is chief managed care officer, Sentara Healthcare, and chairman, American Association of Integrated Healthcare Delivery Systems.

5.     Lumosity. When you’re in a slump, this app can help you recharge. It’s filled games that challenge your mind and train your memory.

6.     Audible. This app allows you to download and listen to your favorite books anywhere.

“It allows me to ‘read’ more books during my long commute and catch up on all my podcasts to keep me better informed.” - Amy Shin

Shin is the CEO of Health Plan of San Joaquin, a not-for-profit plan serving 350,000 Medicaid members in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties of California. Amy has 20 years of progressive Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial managed care leadership experience.

7.     DoctorOnDemand. This app allows YOU to connect with board-certified physicians and therapists over live video.

“I like the fact that the app also has psychologists and lactation consultants available and that it can help with getting refills for prescriptions. This app could be a gamechanger. - Don Hall

Don Hall, MPH, is principal of DeltaSigma LLC, a consulting practice specializing in strategic problem solving for managed care organizations. He most recently served as president and chief executive officer of a nonprofit, provider-sponsored health plan.

8.     TripIt. This app is great for frequent travelers. It automatically transforms your emails into a trip itinerary.

9.     WAZE. This community-based navigation app allows you to view and share real-time traffic information with other drivers in your area.

“I never know where I am going, I’m always in a hurry to get there, and I like to share my Boston traffic miseries with all the other Wazers around me.” - David Calabrese

David Calabrese, RPh, MHP, is senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer at OptumRx, a pharmacy benefits firm that provides pharmacy care services for more than 65 million lives nationally.

10.  MyChart. This app allows users whose providers use MyChart to view health information, communicate with doctors, manage appointments, pay bills, and more.

“Patients want to have personal information at their fingertips and take control of their healthcare experience, and MyChart allows them to do so, securely and efficiently.” - Cindy Hundorfean

Cynthia Hundorfean is president and CEO of Allegheny Health Network (AHN), an integrated healthcare delivery system that serves Western Pennsylvania. AHN is part of the Highmark Health family of companies.

11.  CamScanner. This app helps users scan, store, sync, and collaborate on various contents across smartphones, tablets, and computers. You can use it to scan receipts, notes, business cards, and share documents.

12.  DirectTV. Great for anyone who spends lots of time on trains and planes, this app allows users with DirectTV accounts to watch live and recorded shows on-the-go.

“Being able to access news, sports, and TV shows on my smartphone is great.” - Perry Cohen

Perry Cohen, PharmD, is chief executive officer of The Pharmacy Group and the TPG family of companies, which provides services to associations, healthcare and information technology organizations, payers and pharmaceutical companies.