There are now 17,000 applications for mobile devices to help patients manage their health, but insurers have been slow to provide coverage for them, according to a report by TMC Net.
Moreover, most patients and physicians are not aware of Mhealth applications. In one survey, for example, only 9 percent of Generation Xers with chronic conditions were aware of these apps and only 3 percent owned one of them.
Some employers, however, are beginning to cover Mhealth apps to reduce employee health insurance costs. AT&T, for example, is using a system from Welldoc that manages chronic diseases.
Here are four examples of Mhealth apps.
Welldoc. The company, founded by an endocrinologist, has a mobile phone-based product to measure, monitor and manage chronic diseases. It can provide alerts for checking blood sugar levels, taking medications and management of chronic disease. Reviewing patient data over time, it can make recommendations on healthcare strategies.
Angela. This customized Android tablet is a hub for data gathered by a variety of health, environment and activity sensors in the home. Angela gives one-touch access to email, Facebook, video chat and other services.
Hidalgo. This company makes wearable sensors which track an array of vital signs like heart rate and send the data back to a central server, where it can be monitored for when the patient should rest. The Marine Corps has also used the system for soldiers in Iraq.
Endomondo. This mobile app uses GPS to track distances covered in running and cycling and allows users to share the results.
Read the TMC Net report on Mhealth.
Related Articles on Mhealth Applications:
7 of the Most Popular iPad Apps for Physicians
Healthcare Apps for Consumers, Physicians Booming; Experts Urge Caution
Survey: iPad Deployment Increasing Due to Point-of-Care Apps
Moreover, most patients and physicians are not aware of Mhealth applications. In one survey, for example, only 9 percent of Generation Xers with chronic conditions were aware of these apps and only 3 percent owned one of them.
Some employers, however, are beginning to cover Mhealth apps to reduce employee health insurance costs. AT&T, for example, is using a system from Welldoc that manages chronic diseases.
Here are four examples of Mhealth apps.
Welldoc. The company, founded by an endocrinologist, has a mobile phone-based product to measure, monitor and manage chronic diseases. It can provide alerts for checking blood sugar levels, taking medications and management of chronic disease. Reviewing patient data over time, it can make recommendations on healthcare strategies.
Angela. This customized Android tablet is a hub for data gathered by a variety of health, environment and activity sensors in the home. Angela gives one-touch access to email, Facebook, video chat and other services.
Hidalgo. This company makes wearable sensors which track an array of vital signs like heart rate and send the data back to a central server, where it can be monitored for when the patient should rest. The Marine Corps has also used the system for soldiers in Iraq.
Endomondo. This mobile app uses GPS to track distances covered in running and cycling and allows users to share the results.
Read the TMC Net report on Mhealth.
Related Articles on Mhealth Applications:
7 of the Most Popular iPad Apps for Physicians
Healthcare Apps for Consumers, Physicians Booming; Experts Urge Caution
Survey: iPad Deployment Increasing Due to Point-of-Care Apps