Lightbeam Health Solutions, which provides a data platform for population health management, announced it has acquired remote patient monitoring company CareSignal. 

CareSignal touts a “deviceless” approach to remote monitoring, using text messages and automated calls to communicate with patients about their condition and monitor their progress.

“As part of Lightbeam, I have deep conviction that the CareSignal product and team will achieve the greatest possible impact, delivering clinical and financial value for the patients and healthcare organizations that have the most to gain,” Blake Marggraff, CareSignal cofounder and CEO, said in a statement.

“Speaking on behalf of the CareSignal founding team, we are inspired by Lightbeam’s focus on operational excellence, sustainable differentiation, and value creation, along with their deep industry expertise. We are excited to bring our combined businesses to the next level.”

WHY IT MATTERS

Lightbeam is pitching the acquisition as a way to integrate remote monitoring into its platform, which could drive down costs for its customers, including value-based healthcare providers, payers and employers. 

“Lightbeam and CareSignal share a vision for the future of healthcare: care that is proactive, cost-effective, and data-driven. Lightbeam continues to see double-digit year-over-year growth, and CareSignal will help further accelerate our mission to deliver a revolutionary approach to population and risk management,” Lightbeam Founder and CEO Pat Cline said in a statement.

THE LARGER TREND

Remote patient monitoring is a growing trend that aims to improve outcomes and lower costs by keeping an eye on patients with chronic conditions at home, alerting them to changes in their condition. The trend has also tapped into the senior care space, an important sector with an aging population who would prefer to age in their homes. 

Last month, retail giant Best Buy dug deeper into remote monitoring and senior care with the planned acquisition of Current Health. The company has also picked up remote senior-monitoring service Critical Signal Technologies and aging-in-place tech company GreatCall, It also has its own Lively brand of senior-focused emergency-response services.

Another big company interested in the space is Amazon, which is positioning its new Alexa Together subscription service as a way to monitor and assist aging family members in their homes.

Other players include Connect America, which in late summer announced plans to acquire another remote monitoring platform 100Plus, and OnSky Health, which recently launched its SkyPad system last month.