Best Buy Eyes Senior Care & More News...

Best Buy Launches Medical Alert Device & App for Seniors

Best Buy has announced the release of Lively by Great Call, an app that when used in conjunction with the Lively Wearable2, provides older adults with one-touch access to emergency response services via Bluetooth to their smartphones. The Lively app also features access to nurses and doctors, alerts to inform loved ones, and motivational behavioral tracking to aid seniors in living active and independent lives. The app and wearable combination is the latest addition to the Best Buy Health product line, and the retail giant’s latest foray into the $3.5 trillion U.S. health care market. 

Teladoc Anticipates Rapid Telehealth Adoption Amidst Flu and COVID-19 Threats

Virtual care provider, Teladoc Health, aims to accelerate its virtual care deployment in anticipation of growing demand for telehealth. This year, Teladoc saw an increased number of telehealth visits due to a particularly severe flu season, and is expecting those numbers to rise as diseases like COVID-19 continue to threaten the U.S.’ health care infrastructure. Teladoc is not alone—stakeholders like the Alliance for Connected Care are petitioning policymakers in Congress to include provisions that would allow telehealth visits to be covered in traditional Medicare during public health emergencies. If policies are amended, telehealth providers across the nation can anticipate a sharp rise in demand and profit(s).

Upcoming Interoperability Event

Are you attending HIMSS in Orlando next week? If so, Catalyst invites you to join us at the 2020 Health Dev Jam on March 9th, 2020 at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management—just a few minutes from the Orlando Convention Center. Register today to learn about data access, consumer APIs, and patient empowerment as it relates to the future of health data interoperability.

Space is limited—register today! Use discount code “CatalystVIP” at checkout for more than half-off the rate at the door. 

Applications for GuideWell’s Scale Up Accelerator Closing Soon!

There are only a few days remaining to apply for GuideWell’s 2020 Accelerator: Aging in Place! The program is seeking innovative, easy-to-use solutions that enable seniors to improve overall physical and emotional wellness, connect seniors to their communities, and increase the affordability and accessibility of health care for seniors that are economically challenged or cared for by a working family member.

10 health technology companies or innovators will have the incredible opportunity to participate in an eight week accelerator program that consists of a two-day kickoff boot camp, followed by weekly mentoring sessions and a series of virtual workshops that focus on challenges in the health care industry (e.g. customer acquisition, regulatory compliance, etc.).The program begins January 23rd, 2020 and will culminate in a curated Investor Matchmaking Showcase at GuideWell’s Innovation Center in Orlando, FL., on March 9th, 2020.

Cohort Company Criteria:

Eligible companies must meet GuideWell’s minimum “Scale Up” requirements. A Scale Up is a growing technology startup that has clear traction in its chosen marketplace. Traction can be demonstrated by one or more of the following:

• A minimum of $500,000 in revenues

• $500,000 in seed capital raised

• Verifiable (reference required) customer pilots

• Accelerating product adoption (especially for consumer-focused solutions)

If you are an innovator with a next-generation solution, apply today! https://guidewellinnovation.com/guidewell-scale-up-accelerator/

VA Expands Use of Telehealth and Digital Sensors & More News

VA’s Modernized Approach with Telehealth and Sensors

Since the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched the “Anywhere to Anywhere” initiative in May 2018, VA health care teams have been able to treat veterans regardless of their location-- which has contributed to a surge in telehealth adoption. In a recent announcement, the VA reported a 17% increase in telehealth visits from the previous fiscal year. More than 900,000 veterans adopted virtual care. With studies supporting telehealth’s ability to reach vets in rural areas, expand mental health care services, and improve clinical efficiency, the VA hopes to further telehealth’s reach. The agency is looking to expand the Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) program, which provides care for veterans who live long distances from VA medical centers or have poor internet connections. The program will now pilot at American Legion Posts, Veterans of Foreign War posts, and Walmart stores across America.

The VA is also turning to digital sensors to tackle the problem of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Currently, 15 VA Medical Center use Podimetrics, a smart sensor mat designed for a patient’s home. It analyzes foot temperature variations to predict/prevent the occurence of potential ulcers. The user stands on the mat for 20 seconds, then the data is analyzed and sent to the Podimetrics care team. The team examines and triages the data and works with the patient’s physician on preventative treatments and coaching. In a study led by the VA, Podimetrics detected 97% of developing ulcers on average 5 weeks before it would be clinically detected. With more than 75,000 vets suffering from DFU last year, the VA hopes the regional rollout of Podimetrics will help more diabetic vets.

Singapore’s AI Strategy: National Retina-based Screening

Singapore is counting on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to catalyze the nation’s economy and its citizens’ well-being. During the SFF X SWITCH (Singapore Fintech Festival and Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology) Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Heng Swee Keat, announced the country’s national AI strategy for five priority areas: transport/logistics, smart cities, health care, education, and safety/security.

For health, Singapore’s AI strategy will focus on chronic disease management and prevention. In three years, it hopes to launch Selena+, a system that analyzes retinal photographs across the nation for diabetes screening. By 2025, it aims to develop a retina-based risk score for high glucose, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol (3H) related cardiovascular disease. By 2030, the nation hopes to collaborate with industry partners to develop AI models for 3H.

Grow Your Senior Care Solution with GuideWell’s Scale Up Accelerator Program!

GuideWell is hosting an exciting eight week health and wellness technology accelerator program for innovators who have solutions that provide affordable, accessible health care or holistic solutions for diverse aging populations. With the number of Americans over 65 projected to hit 71 million by 2030, GuideWell is seeking solutions that address critical problems faced by America’s rapidly growing senior population. 

GuideWell is particularly interested in solutions in the following areas:

• Novel approaches to increase the affordability and accessibility of health care for seniors that are economically challenged, or that are cared for by a working family member

• Easy-to-use solutions that enable seniors to improve overall physical and emotional wellness

• Solutions that connect seniors into their communities

The program begins January 23rd, 2020 and will consist of a two-day kickoff boot camp, followed by weekly mentoring sessions and a series of virtual workshops that focus on challenges in the health care industry (e.g. customer acquisition, regulatory compliance, etc.). It will culminate in a curated Investor Matchmaking Showcase at GuideWell’s Innovation Center in Orlando, FL on March 9th, 2020, where companies will have the amazing opportunity to present their innovative technologies to investors. 

If you have a solution that can empowers seniors across the nation, apply today! Applications close December 8th, 2019. 

https://guidewellinnovation.com/guidewell-scale-up-accelerator

Announcing GuideWell’s 2020 Scale Up Accelerator: Aging in Place

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of American seniors will grow to over 71 million by 2030. To address critical problems that the growing elder population faces, GuideWell is hosting a health and wellness accelerator program for companies and innovators focused on senior care. GuideWell’s Scale Up Accelerator: Aging in Place is seeking solutions that provide affordable, accessible health care or holistic solutions for diverse aging populations.

10 companies will be selected to participate in an exciting eight week program that consists of a two-day kickoff boot camp, followed by weekly mentoring sessions and a series of virtual workshops that focus on challenges in the health care industry (e.g. customer acquisition, regulatory compliance, etc.).

Cohort Company Criteria:

Eligible companies must meet GuideWell’s minimum “Scale Up” requirements. A Scale Up is a growing technology startup that has clear traction in its chosen marketplace. Traction can be demonstrated by one or more of the following:

• A minimum of $500,000 in revenues

• $500,000 in seed capital raised

• Verifiable (reference required) customer pilots

• Accelerating product adoption (especially for consumer-focused solutions)

The program will run from January 23rd, 2019-March 9th, 2020, culminating in a curated Investor Matchmaking Showcase in Orlando, FL., where companies have the opportunity to showcase their innovative technologies to potential investors.

If you have a health technology that can enable seniors to “Age in Place,” apply today! The deadline to apply for this amazing opportunity is December 8th, 2019.

https://guidewellinnovation.com/guidewell-scale-up-accelerator

Prehab Tool and AI Win Big at the 2019 RWJF Live Pitch

Six finalists competed in an exciting live pitch for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s 2019 Innovation Challenges at the 2019 Health 2.0 Annual Conference. They demoed their technologies in front of an audience of health care professionals, investors, provider organizations, and members of the media. The Home and Community Based Care Challenge sought technologies that support the advancement of at-home or community based care. The Social Determinants of Health Innovation Challenge called for solutions that increase access to services related to social determinants of health.

During the 3-day Conference, Jessica DaMassa, Executive Producer & Host of @WTF_Health, spoke with the finalists about their experience competing in the RWJF Innovation Challenges, their personal highlights, and what’s next!

Home and Community Based Care Innovation Challenge Finalists

First Place:

Ooney’s home-based web-app for older adults, Prehab Pal, delivers individualized prehabilitation to accelerate postoperative functional recovery and return to independence after surgery.

Second Place:

Wizeview uses artificial intelligence to automate and organize information collected during home visits, supporting the management of medically complex populations at the lowest cost per encounter.

Third Place:

Heal doctor house calls, paired with Heal Hub remote patient monitoring and telemedicine, offer a complete connected care solution for patients with chronic conditions.

Social Determinants of Health Innovation Challenge Finalists

First Place:

Social Impact AI Lab is a consortium of nonprofit social services agencies and technology providers with artificial intelligence solutions to address social disconnection in child welfare.

Second Place:

Community Resource Network’s Social Determinants of Health Client Profile creates a whole-person picture across physical, behavioral, and social domains to expedite help for those most at risk, fill in the gaps in care, and optimize well-being.

Third Place:

Open City Labs matches patients with community services and government benefits that address SDoH seamlessly. The platform will integrate with HIEs to automate referral, eligibility screening & benefits enrollment.

Congratulations to the six winners and thank you to all of the participants involved in both Innovation Challenges. To learn more about these efforts, you can visit the Home and Community Based Care and Social Determinants of Health Challenge websites.

Indu Subaiya’s Vision for the Future of Health Care

Indu Subaiya, co-founder of Catalyst and Health 2.0, discussed her journey to becoming the visionary health care leader she is today with Maya De La Rosa Cohen, a contributor for Capsule’s “Dear Doctor” series.

Indu began her career at a biotech and life sciences consulting firm, where she combined her clinical background with her burgeoning interest in the adaptation of new technologies. After receiving her MBA from UC Berkeley, she worked to start her own health technology company. In 2006, her dream blossomed into Health 2.0, which she established with co-founder Matthew Holt. Health 2.0 has grown into a global movement of over 100,000 entrepreneurs, developers, and health care stakeholders, who come together for innovative conferences across the world. Through her engagement with the conference attendees and speakers, Indu recognized the dire need for open data that allows entrepreneurs to access the resources necessary to improve the health economy. Hence, Indu began Catalyst @ Health 2.0 or “Catalyst,” an industry leader that powers the health innovation ecosystem through digital health strategic partnering. Since its beginning in 2010, Catalyst has hosted 90+ innovation challenges with $9mm in awards, coordinated over 175 pilot programs to test new tech, and created connections for more than 1,500 firms via matchmaking events. 

Indu believes the future of digital health lies in transformation of the traditional health care delivery systems. For example, Virta, a diabetes management company, began as a remote monitoring platform. However, it has now developed into a fully functional health care delivery system that fuses technology with service. As digital tools and technology advance in the health care space, Indu predicts that the traditional model of health care will face massive threats and will need to reinvent its services to keep up with the speed at which innovations are happening.

To hear more about Indu’s thoughts on the future of health care and digital innovation, click here.

Announcing the RWJF Innovation Challenge Finalists To Compete Live at the Health 2.0 Conference!

Catalyst is excited to announce the finalists for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Home and Community Based Care and Social Determinants of Health Innovation Challenges! The three finalists from each Challenge will compete in an exciting Live Pitch on September 16th, from 2:30-4:30pm, at this year’s Health 2.0 Conference in Santa Clara, CA. They will demo their technology in front of a captivated audience of health care professionals, investors, provider organizations, and members of the media. The first place winners will be featured on the Conference Main Stage, September 17th at 3:15pm. Winners will be awarded $40,000 for first place, $25,000 for second place, and $10,000 for third place.

If you are attending the Health 2.0 Conference, join us to see the finalists showcase their innovative solutions. 

Home & Community Based Care Innovation Challenge Finalists

• Heal - Heal doctor house calls paired with Heal Hub remote patient monitoring and telemedicine offer a complete connected care solution for patients with chronic conditions.

• Ooney - PrehabPal, a home-based web-app for older adults, delivers individualized prehabilitation to accelerate postoperative functional recovery and return to independence after surgery.

• Wizeview - A company that uses artificial intelligence to automate and organize information collected during home visits, supporting the management of medically complex populations at the lowest cost per encounter.

Social Determinants of Health Innovation Challenge Finalists

• Community Resource Network - The Social Determinants of Health Client Profile, a part of the Community Resource Network, creates a whole-person picture across physical, behavioral, and social domains to expedite help for those most at risk, fill in the gaps in care, and optimize well-being.

• Open City Labs - A company that matches patients with community services and government benefits that address SDoH seamlessly. The platform will integrate with HIEs to automate referrals, eligibility screening & benefits enrollment.

• Social Impact AI Lab - New York - A consortium of nonprofit social services agencies and technology providers with artificial intelligence solutions to address social disconnection in child welfare.

For the SDoH Challenge, innovators were asked to develop novel digital solutions that can help providers and/or patients connect to health services related to SDoH. Over 110 applications were submitted to the SDoH Challenge. For the Home and Community Based Care Challenge, applicants were asked to create technologies that support the advancement of at-home or community-based health care. Nearly 100 applications for Home and Community Based Care Challenge were received. After the submission period ended, an expert panel comprised of subject matter experts, venture capitalists, as well as designers evaluated the entries. Five semi-finalists from each challenge were selected to advance to the next round and further develop their solutions. The semi-finalists were evaluated again and the three finalists chosen. 

For further updates on the finalists of the RWJF SDoH and Home and Community Based Care Innovation Challenge and other programs, please subscribe to the Catalyst @ Health 2.0 Newsletter, and follow us on Twitter @catalyst_h20.