Fitbit has discreetly launched a new pair of wearable activity trackers well away from the public eye. Called the Fitbit Inspire and Fitbit Inspire HR, the devices are designed specifically for health plans, wellness plans, health systems and other enterprise partners — so much so that the two are completely unavailable for consumer purchase.
"Fitbit Inspire and Fitbit Inspire HR are the first...
With Hurricane Irma bearing down on Florida and the surrounding islands, those caught in the path of the destructive category 5 storm may feel like they need to reach out and talk to someone, particularly if they have a health issue that needs immediate attention. Luckily, a number of health plans realize this and are offering help lines and other support as Irma cuts a swath through the American...
As we do every quarter, MobiHealthNews has rounded up our Q2 2016 coverage into a handful of longform stories. This section is on payer-related digital health news.
CMS and other government payer-related digital health news from Q2
The Center for Medicaid Services announced a new expanded initiative for bringing value-based repayment to primary care. The Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+)...
A J.D. Power survey on health plan satisfaction finds that mobile apps are a significant role player in helping health plans increase their member satisfaction, which overall has gone up since last year.
The survey was given to more than 30,000 people spread out across 134 health plans across the United States. They calculated satisfaction on a 1,000 point scale, taking into account coverage and...
Dr. Pete Hudson
A little more than two years after Aetna acquired popular mobile health app-maker iTriage, its cofounders -- two emergency medical doctors -- Peter Hudson and Wayne Guerra have quietly left the health insurance company, MobiHealthNews has learned. A departure after a two-year earnout is a fairly common length of time for a startup founder to remain with their company's buyer,...
Castlight Health looks to raise about $111 million in its IPO, according to an updated SEC filing. The company is offering 11.1 million shares in the IPO and its underwriters have the option to purchase an additional 1.65 million shares. The stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CSLT". While Castlight recorded revenues of $1.9 million, $4.2 million and $13.0...
Mark Bertolini, CEO, Aetna | Photo Credit: HIMSS 2014 Event Staff
By Jonah Comstock
There may not have been a lot of news from payers (or health insurance companies) at HIMSS 2014 in Orlando, Florida, but their presence was definitely felt. Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini's keynote address laid out the stakes well: healthcare costs are rising markedly, and it's everyone's job to try to keep them down...
The state of California's Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA) released its 2013 quality report cards for health plans. This time, though, they released the information via a newly redesigned website and, for the first time, as an app for iPhone and iPad.
The report cards allow patients to compare 10 Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), six Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and 209...
Some of the largest health insurers are increasing their mobile healthcare presence with patient-focused smartphone applications, reports AmedNews, with apps for physicians soon to follow.
The mobile offerings provide a strong customer service tool, strengthen the physician/patient relationship, and save costs, according to insurers. Among the companies with currently available mobile offerings...
