#United States #Chicago #digital health #American Osteopathic Association #Medicare App Library

AOiA Takes the Lead in Advancing Digital Health Standards

On March 10, 2026, the American Osteopathic Information Association (AOiA) expressed its appreciation for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for unveiling the Medicare App Library. This significant development introduces a national directory for rigorously vetted digital health applications aimed at Medicare beneficiaries. The initiative underlines a substantial federal commitment to providing patients with access to credible, evidence-based digital health solutions, a value system that AOiA has championed through its partnership with the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) for several years.

Aligning with National Standards

As one of the pioneers in adopting the DiMe Seal, AOiA has placed itself at the forefront of ensuring that the osteopathic community's digital health solutions meet the same rigorous evaluation criteria now being utilized by CMS. This foresight enables osteopathic physicians to confidently navigate an increasingly complex digital health marketplace, all while maintaining the profession's holistic and patient-centered approach to care.

"AOiA’s early adoption of the DiMe Seal ensured that our physicians and their patients were prepared for this pivotal moment," stated Robert G. G. Piccinini, president of the American Osteopathic Association. The introduction of CMS's Medicare App Library provides a platform to elevate the visibility of the stringent standards that AOiA has been advocating, fostering safety, trust, and clinical relevance in patient-facing technologies.

A Shared Vision for Digital Health Evaluation

CMS’s decision to incorporate the DiMe Seal as a recognized pathway for evaluations within the Medicare App Library illustrates a shared vision between the two entities. For years, AOiA has worked to elevate digital health standards, and this partnership further enhances that mission on a national scale. The Medicare App Library will offer Medicare beneficiaries an array of tools designed to support them through AI-enabled assistance, chronic disease management, and improved patient check-ins, reflecting AOiA's core principles of responsible innovation in digital health.

The library's offerings can be categorized into three main areas: 1) 'Kill the Clipboard' applications that automate manual check-ins; 2) AI-powered conversational assistants designed to enhance accessibility and patient support; and 3) specialized tools for managing diabetes and obesity, key health issues prevalent among Medicare recipients. Each app included in the library must undergo comprehensive evaluations covering privacy, security, evidence, usability, and equity—standards aligned with those established through the DiMe Seal program.

Building a Trusted Digital Health Marketplace

"The early adoption of the DiMe Seal has empowered our physicians to confidently engage with the rapidly evolving digital health landscape," remarked Kathleen S. Creason, the CEO of the American Osteopathic Association. This strategic alignment guarantees that both osteopathic physicians and their patients benefit from reliable digital health tools that deliver genuine clinical value.

Years before CMS officially recognized the DiMe Seal as a formal evaluation mechanism, AOiA had already committed to prioritizing validated digital health tools. By adopting the DiMe Seal, AOiA aimed to identify high-quality digital health solutions that would serve osteopathic practitioners across the nation.

Benjamin Vandendriessche, PhD, president and chief scientific officer of DiMe, emphasized the importance of this early alignment, explaining, "We built the DiMe Seal to provide digital health developers with a clear and credible framework to showcase the quality of their products to the markets that they serve. The AOiA recognized this critical need early on and has been pivotal in building this into a framework for nationwide application."

This proactive strategy has distinguished AOiA as an early frontrunner in promoting trustworthy digital health standards, thereby equipping osteopathic medicine for the transformative challenges ahead. Cole Zanetti, DO, the digital health director at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, remarked on the profound impact of this initiative: "The osteopathic profession’s alliance with DiMe represents the most significant contribution to medical innovation and patient safety that we've seen in a century. By advocating for rigorous standards that directly serve the 68 million Medicare beneficiaries, the osteopathic community is placing itself at the forefront of the digital medical transformation."

Future Directions for Digital Health

As CMS adopts these trusted standards, the momentum towards enhanced digital health quality promises advantages for doctors, innovators, and patients alike. Norman Vinn, DO, a former president of the American Osteopathic Association, noted, "Our leadership continues to promote responsible patient-centered focuses in digital health technologies while integrating osteopathic principles. The collaboration between AOiA and DiMe in certifying the integrity of these evolving technologies is a source of pride, not just for our members but for all osteopathic physicians across the United States."

About AOiA

The American Osteopathic Information Association (AOiA) stands as a leading force in healthcare transformation and innovation within the osteopathic community. Its mission is to enhance the osteopathic field through advocacy, strategic partnerships, and innovative, data-driven health solutions.

About the AOA

The AOA represents over 207,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students, advocating for public health and serving as the main certifying body for DOs. To learn more about osteopathic medicine, visit www.osteopathic.org.