The RHIO (Regional Health Information Organization) for Western New York, HEALTHeLINK, is launching a diabetes telemonitoring program in conjunction with two area providers, Catholic Health’s McAuley Seton Home Care and Kaleida Health’s Visiting Nurses Association of Western NY, which will provide the clinical monitoring and support. This is a small test (100), over 18 months, with a care centered objective–helping physicians to improve primary and specialty care for diabetic patients, reducing preventable emergency room visits and hospital re-admissions. The monitoring cost is high–$250 per patient per month–but that can be mitigated by fewer emergency room or hospital visits. What is rather stunning, in this time of Federal cutbacks, is the HHS grant that is paying for this is over $16 million. Another gap–while it’s mentioned that the monitoring is done by the patient through a cell phone or wireless mobile device which uploads to HEALTHeLINK’s website, there’s no mention of the very necessary telehealth provider or app. Information Week. Press release.
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As a provider of home health disease management devices and solutions (www.medsignals.com), we view this as a welcome opportunity for the home health market. One of the challenges we have is transitioning into large markets. This opportunity is well funded, perhaps due to a significant involvement by healthcare professionals. The home healtcare technology to healthcare professional bridge is one that needs to be built and this project may aid in creating that bond. It is a good initial project and can establish greater confidence in a patient’s ability to better manage their condition independently.