This is interesting as I ponder the contract here giving AT&T a new list of consumers to potentially market? As mentioned before prescription medication information is bought and sold and not covered by HIPAA, so where does this open the doors for 3rd party companies to market you too.
The Colbert Report Takes On Vitality GlowCaps (Video) – Check Out the Privacy Issues Here As Medication Data is Created That Can Be Sold To Health Insurance Companies For Use With Underwriting Algorithms
One other issue that concerns me too is the potential implication of missed pills being held against a patient later when compliance algorithms are run and a minor compliance issue arises, is this grounds to question a claim and potentially deny coverage? We see many more insurance companies buying wellness programs who are the “parents” here pushing patients to ensure they take their medications. We all know how the analytic system goes today and it’s what’s in the data that comes first before even asking the patient sometimes. The CEO of Vitality is excited to have “minute by minute” data and the ability to anticipate a refill. The reminder portion of the bottle is perhaps a good thing but how will the data be used beyond reminders and family information is a bit of a gray area and rings a bit of “big brother” type monitoring if in fact algorithmic formulas are used to determine policy cost and potential denial of claims if there are a few areas in question with compliance and taking all meds. If we didn’t have the “scoring” and forensic risk assessments involved, it could see a happier welcome here. BD
“HIPAA does not give the Department of Health and Human Services the ability to directly investigate or hold accountable entities, such as pharmacy benefit managers or companies such as Ingenix and Milliman, who are not covered by HIPAA.”
The Pill Bottle That Talks To Your Cell Phone, Creates Data Reports and More…
Reminders = Data = Reports
Medical Device = Algorithms = Medical Data = Data Reports = PHR = EHR = _____.
CAMBRIDGE, MA – Vitality, Inc. and AT&T announced Tuesday that AT&T will provide the nationwide wireless network connection for Vitality GlowCaps, intelligent pill caps designed to help patients take medications regularly.
According to David Rose, CEO of Vitality, the AT&T-connected GlowCaps fit on standard prescription bottles and use light then sound reminders, which can be followed by a phone call or text message to remind patients to take their medication.
"For the first time in the healthcare industry, we can use minute-by-minute adherence data to motivate healthy behavior," Rose said.
Vitality, Inc. and AT&T partner to improve Rx adherence | Healthcare IT News
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