BTC Inc, in partnership with Hashed Health, has announced the third annual Distributed: Health conference, the first event of its kind developed specifically to bridge the gap between blockchain-based solutions and the healthcare industry's evolution.

Following exponential growth after the inaugural event in 2016, this annual gathering is expected to draw 1,100 attendees representing a cross-section of healthcare-affiliated organizations — from payers and providers to pharmaceutical manufacturers and policymakers — as well as leaders in developing the decentralized solutions that can help them.

The program will explore a wide range of use cases as industry conversations shift from conceptualization to actual implementation on both the clinical and commercial sides. Thought leaders will focus on the advances that blockchain solutions can provide to all stages of the healthcare system including payments, provider credentialing, patient identity, medical records, supply chain and more.

Program highlights include a fireside chat with Nashville native Senator Bill Frist, as he discusses his healthcare reform efforts on both the national and global scale and how to tackle healthcare's biggest challenges. Product demonstrations will be presented by organizations including the Department of Health and Human Services and RTI International, and additional high-profile company announcements are expected from major enterprise players including Optum and Humana. Blockchain technologists will also play an integral role in programming, with companies like Hyperledger and the Ethereum Foundation presenting to legacy healthcare companies, and lesser known startups given an opportunity to pitch to potential investors.

Outside of the two-day conference, a 24-hour hackathon is scheduled to precede the main event, during which developer teams will compete to build blockchain-powered healthcare applications for a cash prize. This program has been one of the most popular that the Distributed Event Series offers, having resulted in multiple companies getting formed and funded on-site in years past. Winners from the 2016 edition will return this year to represent their company, SimplyVital Health, on the main stage.

An enterprise code camp is also being offered as a blockchain boot camp for developers looking to sharpen their skills on new applications. For area attorneys looking to secure credits, a Continuing Legal Education workshop focused on blockchain and the law will be offered during conference hours.

"Nashville is already regarded as the healthcare epicenter of the U.S., but there is a tremendous opportunity here to establish the city as a technology innovation hub as well," said David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc. "The healthcare industry is massive, and much of the infrastructure that supports it is archaic. That combination provides an environment ripe for innovative technologies, and there is no bigger disruptive force in the world right now than blockchain technology. Distributed: Health continues to provide a platform for the biggest innovators and thought leaders to share their ideas while cementing Nashville's place as the healthcare blockchain hub."

"Over the last three years, Distributed: Health has been the premier meeting place for the rapidly developing healthcare blockchain market," said John Bass, CEO of Hashed Health. "Year one was largely about big ideas and community-building, while 2017 proved to be a breakout year for the first enterprise-focused projects and early ICOs. This year, we are excited to introduce an agenda that showcases the meaningful and practical work underway by diving deep on the innovative technical solutions, business models and governance structures coming to life in the healthcare space. This program is built for those who want to understand what's really happening across a broad range of health and life sciences topics from leaders in the industry."

Distributed: Health will take place from November 5 to 6 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. For more information, visit health.distributed.com.

About BTC Inc
Through its wide-ranging initiatives, BTC Inc is building the decentralized future with critical intelligence, brand-building expertise and technical incubation specialized for the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors. BTC Inc is dedicated to bringing the best distributed ideas to life, giving voice to the people and projects that make it possible for anyone anywhere to participate in the new digital economy. BTC Inc is driving permissionless innovation through BTC Media — producer of the Distributed Event Series, Bitcoin Magazine and other educational and advocacy properties — BTC Labs, BTC Studios and BTC Advisory, as well as groundbreaking projects like Po.et and CoinCart.co. To learn more, visit btcmedia.org.

About Hashed Health
Hashed Health is a healthcare innovation products company leading the design, development and innovative use of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies. Hashed Health partners with public and private sector clients to collaboratively develop solutions and networks that solve health delivery challenges. Hashed Health's mission is to create new shared value systems for individuals and communities of health through a variety of enterprise and consumer-focused projects. More information can be found at http://www.hashedhealth.com/.

Media Contact: Brandon Green, brandon@btcmedia.org.