OREM, Utah, March 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ActiveCare, Inc. (OTCQB:ACAR), a leader in diabetes management and wellness services for self-insured employers nationwide, today announced results from a peer-reviewed study that showed first-year cost savings of nearly $3,400 per participating diabetic member.
The study and results are featured in the winter issue of US Endocrinology, titled, "Deployment of an mHealth Patient Monitoring Solution for Diabetes – Improved Glucose Monitoring Leads to Reduction in Medical Expenditures." The article is available at http://www.activecare.com/downloads/US%20Endocrinology%20Winter%202014.pdf
"Diabetes is the most costly disease in the United States, with annual direct medical costs of $176 billion and another $69 billion in lost productivity," said David Derrick, Chairman and CEO of ActiveCare. "This study highlights the significant impact ActiveCare has in dramatically lowering costs, while also improving patient health."
Participants in the program received a cellular glucometer, allowing for ActiveCare to capture readings data in real-time. Operators at the Company's 24/7/365 CareCenter reached out to individuals with dangerously high or low blood glucose readings within minutes of testing. Clinical staff including registered nurses followed up regularly with participants, advising them on recommended eating and exercising habits in order to better manage their health.
According to the study's authors, "These findings suggest that even partial improvement of diabetes testing adherence within an employed population may result in substantial attenuation of employee medical expense. The reduction in healthcare costs, even when considering those who did not comply, outweighed the program costs by several-fold."
The primary outcome measure was the change in allowed claims between 2011 and 2012 on an intention-to-treat basis. More demonstrative of the effectiveness of the ActiveCare program was the dramatic difference observed in the comparison between the 71 participating members who actively tested and reported glucose levels, compared with the 70 non participating members. Participating members experienced an average $3,384 decrease in incurred medical expenses between 2011 and 2012, whereas nonusers incurred a $282 increase in costs. Over the same period of time, a 6.9 % increase in claims costs was experienced nationwide.
The study's authors noted that their findings are consistent with those of previous peer-reviewed studies demonstrating the potential of an mHealth remote monitoring approach for diabetes, but which lacked an all-in-one solution to implement that approach. The article then highlights the key advantages of the ActiveCare solution compared with previous diabetes management programs, including:
- Data collection is achieved through cost-efficient, cloud-connected cellular devices that cost no more than standard premium glucose meters.
- Artificial intelligence-driven data analytics are used to target the attention of diabetes management personnel.
- Much of the required coaching and guidance can be delivered automatically to the patient via the mHealth device, rather than by manual phone call. Thus, care center and health professionals are able to focus their activities on those patients in need of guidance, rather than use costly resources to engage the entire population.
About ActiveCare
ActiveCare, Inc. provides patented diabetes and chronic disease management and wellness solutions that increase visibility, lower costs and provide real-time care for members resulting in improved outcomes. Utilizing state-of-the-art meters with embedded cellular technology, trained CareSpecialists can intervene in real-time and provide members with the support needed to control their disease 24 hours a day, every day. ActiveCare's solution is revolutionizing the way employers, individuals and their health plans monitor chronic disease. To learn more about ActiveCare please visit www.activecare.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including global economic conditions generally, regulatory uncertainty and economic pressure on the healthcare industry in particular, the governmental regulation of our products, manufacturing and marketing risks, adverse publicity risks, and risks associated with assimilating our recent acquisitions. The contents of this release should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors, warnings, and cautionary statements that are contained in our most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.