Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why create a NEW device - HealthPAL?  Why not use a cell phone, smart phone or computer?

Although technology is everywhere, from laptop computers to smart phones, the fact remains that the groups spending the most money on healthcare, such as senior / Medicaid populations and those in financial distress, may not even have access to these kinds of technologies. While many companies are developing smart phone applications to assist with health monitoring, the tech-savvy and first adopters of technology are not the typical populations that would benefit most from remote patient monitoring. They are not generally the chronically ill, nor are they entering emergency rooms seeking urgent care or being admitted for extended hospital stays. Smart phone solutions are better suited for wellness and fitness programs.

Other issues in attempting to integrate traditional cell / smart phone technology or computers as a part of a telehealth solution are: misuse, abuse, and non-use. Issues from misuse and abuse occur when  healthcare entities are required to provide phones and minutes.  When the user is not financially responsible, many organizations have reported problems of misuse by either the patient or those surrounding them, with unauthorized voice calls, text messaging and even music downloads.  Computer solutions present other challenges, mostly regarding firmware / software compatibility, as well as the users’ comfort level with technology.  Downloading and installing drivers to support USB monitoring devices can be problematic for even the most technically capable, but the process is especially intimidating when faced by users who are not technically adept, resulting in frustration and non-use.

Aren't these types of devices too complicated?  Will patients actually use it?

HealthPAL was designed to function automatically - "hands off".  We've put a lot of effort into engineering a system that is adaptable and adoptable.  We like to say the MedApps Solution is only 20 percent technology and 80 percent psychology.  Although HealthPAL has buttons to access simple menu options, users are not required to even touch the HealthPAL device in order to transmit data for review and online storage.  Our clients have reported a much higher degree of patient compliance using our solution versus competitors' systems.  Clearly, ease of use is the key, and lower costs are the result.

Will a person really carry more than one device in order to monitor their health?

While HealthPAL is "mobile", it is not necessary for the user to actually carry the device with them.  In most circumstances, a patient can take their readings as they normally would, wherever their medical monitor may be, and connect to HealthPAL later to upload readings.  A user can carry HealthPAL with them and transmit data from wherever they may be..  For instance, a parent may want to monitor a child’s glucose readings while they’re at school. However,in most cases the term "mobile" means portable.  It’s easy for users to take HealthPAL with them while away for extended periods of time, whether they’re on the road, vacation, extended work assignments, etc.).  Because HealthPAL uses cellular data plans instead of voice plans, it is a much more attractive option for transmitting and uploading health information. HealthPAL's compact size, portability and ease of use make it a far more practical solution for remote health monitoring than using a computer-centric system.

 

Isn't it necessary to use the more expensive medical devices to assure accuracy?

The expense of these systems makes remote monitoring less practical for the general population, as more costly equipment is reserved for the more frequent, “big spenders” of the healthcare system, that account for the largest share of ER and hospitalization costs.

MedApps takes the opposite approach, delivering a cost-effective monitoring solution that integrates with off-the-shelf medical monitors, available at typical retail pharmacies.  MedApps eliminates the need for specialized, proprietary equipment for remote monitoring.  Making an affordable telehealth solution available to a larger population allows caregivers to be proactive rather than reactive.  Regular monitoring gives clinicians a better view of a patient’s health picture, which helps maintain wellness, and keeps patients out of more costly disease stages.

The bottom line is that care professionals want to improve patient compliance and increase adherence to programs they’ve established for them.  The data is just as valuable for maintaining wellness, whether it comes from a $99 scale or a $500 scale.  When patients take readings and medications as prescribed, they are more likely to stay well and out of the hospital.  Keeping patients healthy from the beginning lowers healthcare costs dramatically. As we can see, MedApps’ solution makes affordable, cost-effective, remote monitoring a reality. 

Our company-wide commitment to privacy.

To make sure your personal information remains confidential, we communicate these privacy guidelines to every MedApps employee. MedApps does not knowingly solicit personal information from children or send them requests for personal information.

If we are going to use your personal information differently from that stated at the time of collection, we will try to contact you via email using the most recent information we have. If you have not given us permission to communicate with you, you will not be contacted, nor will we use your personal information in a new manner.

The MedApps Customer Privacy Policy is subject to change at any time. We encourage you to review the privacy policy regularly for any changes.

Please contact privacy@medapps.com to report any known or suspected privacy or security breaches or to submit privacy-related questions or complaints about privacy.