Insurers Take Early Steps on Consumer Tech

A new report assesses early health insurer use of consumer technologies as payers seek to educate members on wellness and disease management programs.

“As the industry shifts from a fee-for-service to outcomes-based reimbursement models, insurers are implementing several strategies to survive in this new world order,” says John Moore, managing partner at Chilmark Research in Cambridge, Mass.

The benchmark report, “Payer Adoption of Emerging Consumer Tech,” finds significant improvements and growing adoption of biometric devices, mobile apps, social media, text messaging and games to promote better health status. The report profiles more than 40 consumer engagement strategies, yet the vast majority of insurers remain on the sidelines, according to Moore.

The report costs $1,850 and is available here.