Its not just in the US that people are looking for more convenient and cheaper ways to access clinicians. China's Chunyu has raised $50 million to support its service of connecting patients to doctors through phone or internet communications.
Comprehend Systems, a vendor of software allowing drug and device developers to track their clinical development programs, has raised an additional $21 million in funding.
Okay, what is the world coming to? First a smart toothbrush that tracks our dental hygiene, now a smart cup that checks our beverage consumption? Mark One, which makes the Vessyl, has raised $3 million for its product, with the investors clearly needing something that tracks what they are smoking, eating or drinking. What's next, a toilet that measures our excretory capabilities?
According to a survey sponsored by InsuranceQuotes.com, young adults age 18-29 are the least likely group to have health insurance and most likely to feel they don't need it and it is too expensive for the value offered.
UnitedHealth Group, the nation's largest health insurer, is planning to dramatically increase its presence on the health insurance exchanges, from 4 states to 24. The insurer has the advantage of understanding rating and benefit design of those who participated last year.
According to a VentureBeat article, doctors are uninterested in all the wonderful data flowing from mobile apps, fitbits, etc., having concerns about accuracy and data security.
Predictive analytics company Medalogix, which focuses on readmission risk, has raised $5 million to extend its services to the skilled nursing facility segment.
In a big win for the proponents of mobile apps having a dramatic impact on health, Aetna is dropping its mobile fitness tracker, CarePass. Wait, did that say dropping? What's going on here, I thought these apps were going to be world beaters?
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.