Apple could subsidize Apple Watch for seniors with private Medicare plans

People over the historic catamenia of 65 could presently purchase a subsidized Apple Watch to use equally a wellness tracker.

According to CNBC today, citing sources familiar amongst Apple’s plans, the Cupertino applied scientific discipline powerhouse is considering at to the lowest degree 3 person Medicare plans to subsidize the wearable device. About xix 1 K m seniors are enrolled inward a Medicare Advantage plan, which are person wellness plans that have authorities payouts for providing services to seniors.

Apple Watch mightiness live on pricier than other trackers, such equally the Fitbit, but insurance executives enjoin they’d operate amongst Apple if the fellowship tin exhibit that it helps its members break potentially serious wellness problems earlier they ask an expensive intervention.

‘Avoiding 1 emergency room see would to a greater extent than than pay for the device,’ said Bob Sheehy, CEO of Bright Health, an insurance start-up amongst a Medicare Advantage excogitation together with the quondam CEO of United Healthcare.

At-risk seniors could purchase their scout subsidized through person Medicare plans that are said to lower the toll of Series 3 together with Series four models. “The talks have got non resulted inward whatsoever official deals simply yet,” reads the article. “Apple has paid a see to several of the largest insurers inward the market, too equally some smaller, venture-backed Medicare Advantage plans.”

Series 3 starts at $279 together with Series four retails for a minimum of $399.

Glad to remove heed your hubby is feeling better, Elissa. Stories similar yours inspire us — thank you lot for letting us know! https://t.co/A7eV4tgS4U

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) January 16, 2019

The talks have got non resulted inward whatsoever official deals simply yet, the people said. Apple has paid a see to several of the largest insurers inward the market, too equally some smaller, venture-backed Medicare Advantage plans. The people declined to live on named equally the discussions are notwithstanding private. Apple declined to comment.

TUTORIAL: How to enable & purpose Irregular Heart Rhythm notification on Apple Watch

This is neat word for older Medicare users because they mightiness live on able to larn the latest Series four model without breaking the banking concern to accept payoff of its 2 exclusive health-oriented capabilities: fall detection together with a built-in ECG.

Fall detection on Apple Watch Series 4, via the Wall Street Journal

Note that the Cupertino fellowship has previously signed a bargain amongst insurance giants Aetna together with United Healthcare close subsidizing the toll of the watch. According to Tim Cook, Apple is doubling downwards on healthcare together with wellbeing.

“This is an expanse that I believe, if you lot zoom out into the future, together with you lot await back, together with you lot inquire the question, ‘What was Apple’s greatest contribution to mankind,’ it volition live on close health,” he said.

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