It has been long foretold that one day, in the near future, representatives from the most powerful corporate entities in the world will come together to hold a meeting, the substance of which will be completely confidential. On that day, these titans of industry will most likely discuss the fate of human existence, and in what capacity these conglomerates can help improve the quality of life currently available to the people of Earth. Perhaps, by that time, the plan will be to relocate to a distant planet in a universe eons away, but we won’t know until that day comes. For now, companies are doing what they can to collaborate with one another to ameliorate our survival.
People have often said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but rarely, if ever, has anyone interpreted this to have any connection to Apple (AAPL) and its accompanying devices. However, the common interpretation of this painfully inaccurate adage may be subject to change following news released today describing corporate decisions from the fruit-based tech giant.
Apple (AAPL) today announced plans to collaborate with health insurance provider Aetna (AET) to launch a new wellness-based app called Attain which will use Apple Watch data to allow Aetna (AET) patients to observe their health statistics. According to TechCrunch, the partnership began back in 2016 when the two companies conducted tests during which 90% of participants reported a health benefit from using their Apple Watch.
“We believe that people should be able to play a more active role in managing their well-being. Every day, we receive emails and letters from people all over the world who have found great benefit by incorporating Apple Watch into their lives and daily routines. As we learn over time, the goal is to make more customized recommendations that will help members accomplish their goals and live healthier lives.”
–Jeff Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Apple
Thought the synergetic companionship between Apple (AAPL) and Aetna (AET) is significant for both the tech and healthcare sectors, tech analysts have largely anticipated that Apple (AAPL) would make its way into healthcare sooner or later. Back in 2016, Tim Cook explained, in an interview with Fast Company, most healthcare solutions are manufactured and distributed by Big Pharma, and “they are done to get the reimbursement [from an insurance provider], in no way thinking about what would help the patient.
Cook shockingly explained that because Apple’s (AAPL) revenue streams have absolutely nothing to do with securing reimbursements from other entities, he thought it beneficial for the company to innovate towards offering high-tech, powerful solutions for patients looking to manage any number of ailments.
Per TechCrunch’s overview of the new Attain™ app by Aetna (AET), patients will receive recommended health actions based on the healthcare reports generated from the data gathered through the wearer’s Apple Watch. To be fair, in a world where consumers are incredibly concerned about the security of their personal data, the idea that a watch is tracking and sending your vitals to your insurance provider may not go over well, initially.
Sources have reported that the companies say they won’t use patient data for underwriting, premium, or any sort of coverage decision, but the fact that they have the ability to is disconcerting.
“From fitness enthusiasts to casual gym-goers, to parents who get all their exercise by keeping up with their kids – we designed Attain for everyone. We understand that you don’t need to be a personal trainer or work out several hours a day to be healthier. We’re designing Attain to be personalized and clinically relevant to where each individual is in their health journey. This is an ambitious challenge, and we will adapt and improve over time to create the best experience for our members.”
–Alan Lotvin, M.D., Executive Vice President of Transformation for CVS Health
