We’re not silly enough to think that people will use something like this every day. However, we do know from experience that people in our programs like using this kind of tool during one of our Step Ups that last only a few days.
We also know that it has to be incredibly simple and the person using it has to get valuable feedback as a reward from using it. I think that’s what makes Zip It! different than other approaches. Since it’s part of our technology enhanced diabetes education and management programs, covered by a growing number of health plans including BlueCross BlueShield of Texas, we know when it gets used, how it gets used and we track the impact of using it.
Along with one of our solution partners, we’re announcing some big news this week at the bi-annual wireless trade show specific to people with diabetes: Your new technology innovations that ride on the cellular airwaves are now part of a covered diabetes education program!!! That is if you live in Texas and you have BlueCross BlueShield. There are also several health plans outside of Texas, too.
While the people with cool health related wireless technology at that show will spend a lot of money and a lot of time talking about how cool their stuff is, I am humbled at being the only that gets to tell them that after 8 years I have a way to actually get paid to put this cool stuff in the hands of patients. And not just that we get paid for our programs but that the payers hold our feet to the fire to show them outcomes like lower A1c and active participation. I actually have success metrics that I need to attain in order to continue working with patients and getting paid for that privelege.
It’s been my experience that success comes when all of the party’s interests are aligned. One common goal. That is certainly the case here and we look forward to working with these patients, capturing the outcomes data and reporting back to the payers who have agreed to cover our programs.
Forgive me if I come across as crowing over the next few weeks but it’s been a long hard row to hoe. Thanks to our randomized, controlled clinical trial data, patients finally have access to the good stuff and that happens to include wireless network airtime. For anyone with an idea that’s even half baked or looking for a way to move forward, we have that covered too via our R&D program incorporating the technology platform, wireless airtime, SIM cards, cell phone, smart phones, custom development and specific Regulatory compliance elements that are necessary before you put new stuff in the hands of real patients. More on this wireless health accelerator and how we provide streamlined and cost effective access to the market in a future post.
To sum the importance of this post in one thought - people with diabetes can now get what they need between doctor visits at no additional cost. How cool is that? and it just keeps getting better.
Just a quick post tonight about how grateful we are for support coming forth to remove the barriers from addressing the real issues which perpetuate poor diabetes outcomes… how do we empower people with diabetes to take better care, make better choices and make it possible with less effort?
Thanks to support from Kaiser Permanente, the State of Texas Dept of Health and Human Services, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Texas Children’s Hospital, Driscoll Children’s Hospital and the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (a federal agency), approximately 3,000 people with diabetes located in the South East and Mid West will gain access to Diabetech’s technology enhanced diabetes education and management programs as well as participate in critical behavioral health research.
For more info and details on any one of over a half-dozen programs in progress please feel free to contact me at kevin@diabetech.net
