Devoted Health Reaches Deal With Apple: Goal Is Improved Health for Older Adults

Devoted Health of Massachusetts has signed a contract with Apple, in which customers enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans will be offered up to $150 for the purchase of an Apple Watch, which also can be used to cover exercise and nutrition classes, reports MetroWest Daily News . The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved the contract, with Devoted saying its goal is to give seniors as many tools as they need to stay healthy even outside of the doctor's office. Gemphire Therapeutics CEO Steve Gullans said this program challenges the traditional healthcare paradigm. He noted access to large amounts of beneficiary data is required from providers, which means more tools will be commercialized and the healthcare system can change from an emphasis on disease treatment to prevention. However, Gullans noted providers may be unwilling to share this information. Meanwhile, Framingham State University's Stephen Lemire questions whether Medicare will reimburse the Apple Watch's costs fully or partly.