Apple in Discussions With Private Medicare Plans to Offer Apple Watch to Seniors

[Arlo Timetraveler]

It is so great that some positive information associated to health care were people can just except it for what it is. It's wonderful that people don't have to tear it apart because it doesn't fit every exact model that exists on this planet or analyze every little single word so they can provide a negative connotation.

I'm just admiring people who can be objective just because it doesn't necessarily match the brand or product they decided to buy.

it's wonderful how everybody doesn't have to a make product or discussion into a philosophical or Ideological debate because they need to hear their voice.

it's great how the Apple Watch 4 becoming a tool to help individuals be more aware.

 

[sofila]

Yep. The US has a screwy health system.

I was running in Greece and had a hard spill. Nothing broken but I scraped the heck out of my side and leg. I went to a pharmacy to get some 4 inch bandages to cover up the area. The pharmacist sat me down at a little booth they had, got some antiseptic and cleaned my wounds. Then he put the appropriate sized bandages. When he was done, I paid 6 euros for the bandages. No charge for the rest of the service. I asked him if he was sure. He said yes, it is part of their service. And this was in the lowest income country in the EU with a failing economy!

Every time we plan a trip to USA, an adequate insurance coverage is in the top 3 spots of our check-list, strictly close to flight costs and accomodation

 

[Arlo Timetraveler]

Yep. The US has a screwy health system.

I was running in Greece and had a hard spill. Nothing broken but I scraped the heck out of my side and leg. I went to a pharmacy to get some 4 inch bandages to cover up the area. The pharmacist sat me down at a little booth they had, got some antiseptic and cleaned my wounds. Then he put the appropriate sized bandages. When he was done, I paid 6 euros for the bandages. No charge for the rest of the service. I asked him if he was sure. He said yes, it is part of their service. And this was in the lowest income country in the EU with a failing economy!

That is really nice that they helped you out. I am thinking this is a Apple and Orange discussion. It still falls under fruit

 

[burgman]

It seems to me that people who are in their late 70s and older have difficulties keeping their hands steady, leading to difficulties using touchscreens... it's painful enough watching them struggle to use the keyboard on a 3.5" iPhone. I can only imagine the disaster that would be having them type in their PIN on a 38 mm Apple Watch.

Guessing you don’t own an Apple Watch, it unlocks when phone is unlocked. Amazing

 

[Arlo Timetraveler]

Guessing you don’t own an Apple Watch, it unlocks when phone is unlocked. Amazing

Please tell me more!!!

 

[burgman]

It seems to me that people who are in their late 70s and older have difficulties keeping their hands steady, leading to difficulties using touchscreens... it's painful enough watching them struggle to use the keyboard on a 3.5" iPhone. I can only imagine the disaster that would be having them type in their PIN on a 38 mm Apple Watch.

Not sure if it’s ignorance or ageism, or both but not all seniors are in their late seventies, or infirm, or tech challenged. Medicare coverage starts at 65.

 

[Arlo Timetraveler]

Not sure if it’s ignorance or ageism, or both but not all seniors are in their late seventies, or infirm, or tech challenged. Medicare coverage starts at 65.

I was going to walk away from this discussion, but I have to agree with you. My pop is 71 years old still runs a couple miles every day and works at successful business that he started.


He is also on the prowl which is a hard thing to say about your father.


He loves his Apple Watch 2 for the sports aspect of it. He has been thinking of getting the Apple Watch 4 because of the improvement that have been made. The ECG part of the watch will not work where I am from. We also don't have Medicare Coverage.

 

[BruceEBonus]

I really don’t think the GMC will authorise the renaming of a pulse sensor to: ElectroCardioGram. “Ooh. Really? You say this is a ECG that can perform a 12 Lead diagnostic assessment of the heart just with a wrist based device that would normally require a fully featured cardiac monitor and trained staff to accurately assess and therefore eliminate false positives and rule out the need for any blood enzyme tests? Wow! Where do we sign up?” No. No. Really it IS a ECG machine, yeah? You need more proof? Look at the official specification list!

 

[ravenstar]

There's something wrong with the math in this article... >$249 to pop in to the emergency room? I suspect insurance companies would want to ask for data from the device to help adjust their plan premiums.

Are you thinking $249 is too much for an ED visit? That's not even remotely close to the cost in my area, let alone figuring in an ambulance ride.
[doublepost=1547662524][/doublepost]

I really don’t think the GMC will authorise the renaming of a pulse sensor to: ElectroCardioGram. “Ooh. Really? You say this is a ECG that can perform a 12 Lead diagnostic assessment of the heart just with a wrist based device that would normally require a fully featured cardiac monitor and trained staff to accurately assess and therefore eliminate false positives and rule out the need for any blood enzyme tests? Wow! Where do we sign up?” No. No. Really it IS a ECG machine, yeah? You need more proof? Look at the official specification list!

Not sure what you're going on about. The Apple Watch series 4 does indeed produce an ECG, maybe not a 12 lead, but it ECGs aren't all 12 lead. It's called screening, and it is possible to use a limited device to determine if more extensive testing is warranted. That's pretty standard medical practice if you think about it for a bit.

 

[brofkand]

Agreed. We set up a relative's phone to have a few massive icons on the front screen. That is it. Things like "Home", "<her husbands name>, "doctor", "911", "<daughter's name>", "<son's name>", and "text". We use pictures of the person and bright icons so she never need to reads the text which requires putting on reading glasses. She can get to the regular icons with a swipe, but I don't think she ever uses them. This is on a Galaxy S8 from her local provider. Her plan runs $20/mo.

In the future, look at the Jitterbug smartphones. They make a very simple to use smartphone (I think it's just a Samsung low-end prepaid phone with a custom launcher) along with very good customer support based in the US. They have an end-to-end solution for seniors.

 

[citysnaps]

First, welcome to the forums and your first posts.

Second, Your not the norm. Most seniors cannot afford to upgrade their phones except for every 4 or 5 years. Look at the stats. Median incomes for people in your age group is in the $40K range. Buying a new $1000+ phone every year is not within their means. Paying for food, housing, and utilities are their top priorities. And the ones that need this device the most will be the ones with the most health issues, and largest health expenses with co-pays for doctors, prescriptions, etc. eating their funds.

Such a broad generalization.

 

[falainber]

Is this something new? I believe we already saw multiple reports about Apple pushing their watch on HealthCare providers. Could we get any report about how the previous efforts worked out?

 

[tl01]

How is that going to work with their flip phones? Or older gen Android phones (Galaxy S8, J7, etc.) which are what are part of those low costs $10-20/mo packages sold to seniors (see Consumer Cellular). Up to 50% of all Seniors don't have $400+ to spend on a phone.
[doublepost=1547654323][/doublepost]

Is the $79 the Medicare co-pay?

Lots of seniors have IPhones. My parents are mid 70s and have newer iPads, my mom has an X and my dad has a plus and he will likely upgrade his phone soon. He usually does it every other cycle. He is looking into a series 4 for himself.

 

[Ttpilot]

Unfortunately the Apple Watch won't connect to a Jitterbug. Anecdotal but I see very few seniors with iPhones.

Oh yeah? You need to look again

 

[raniel]

NIce move from apple... but I think the real motive here is revenue/new customers.

 

[BruceEBonus]

Are you thinking $249 is too much for an ED visit? That's not even remotely close to the cost in my area, let alone figuring in an ambulance ride.
[doublepost=1547662524][/doublepost]

Not sure what you're going on about. The Apple Watch series 4 does indeed produce an ECG, maybe not a 12 lead, but it ECGs aren't all 12 lead. It's called screening, and it is possible to use a limited device to determine if more extensive testing is warranted. That's pretty standard medical practice if you think about it for a bit.

Mate. I don’t have to think about it. I know what an ECG is (the clue is in the avatar) And this is a HRM at best. Anyway. Value is an objective thing. And if you think you’re getting good value with this (cough) ‘ECG Machine’ then, that’s the main thing isn’t it?. Cheers!

 

[StyxMaker]

And how many of those are hand me down iPhone 3,4, and 5 that don't run IOS11 and above required for the Watch 4.

I’m 69 several people have iOS devices because I’ve handed then down to younger people, and taught them how to use the equipment. I’ve been using iPhones since version 1 and I’ve been using iPads and Apple watches since version 1 and series 0.

I’ve just upgraded to 11” iPad Pro and gave my 9.7 version 1 iPad Pros to (younger) friends of the family that can’t afford to buy new ones. I’ve had Apple Watch series 0 and 2. I will be upgrading to series 4 next month. I’ve also passed my used Apple Watches to younger family members/friends who cant afford to buy new. I’m also the one who every member of the family call for advice on all computer related problems.

There has been a virulent strain of agism infesting this forum for years. These people do not realize that the people they collectively believe cannot use technology forget that we are the generation that invented the PC, cell phone, etc.

 

[jerryk]

Mate. I don’t have to think about it. I know what an ECG is (the clue is in the avatar) And this is a HRM at best. Anyway. Value is an objective thing. And if you think you’re getting good value with this (cough) ‘ECG Machine’ then, that’s the main thing isn’t it?. Cheers!

It does run a current from one arm through the body to the finger on the other hand pressing the crown, so it is much more than a heart rate monitor. And the FDA has reviewed and approved it. No one says it is as a good as a system with more leads. But it has proven as good as the other dual lead systems out there. And, the biggest thing it is attached all the time. So readings can be gathered over time, and anomalies and trends detected.

I work in Machine Learning, sometimes in Medical fields. We are already predicting diseases like Diabetes early with photographs of eyes taken with cell phones and evaluated by Machine Learning models. I can imaging some ML engineers and health professionals will do great things with the data gathered by the Watch. And this will result in the creation of better predictive models, which will save lives lost to the number #1 killer, heart disease.
[doublepost=1547678898][/doublepost]

I’m 69 several people have iOS devices because I’ve handed then down to younger people, and taught them how to use the equipment. I’ve been using iPhones since version 1 and I’ve been using iPads and Apple watches since version 1 and series 0.

I’ve just upgraded to 11” iPad Pro and gave my 9.7 version 1 iPad Pros to (younger) friends of the family that can’t afford to buy new ones. I’ve had Apple Watch series 0 and 2. I will be upgrading to series 4 next month. I’ve also passed my used Apple Watches to younger family members/friends who cant afford to buy new. I’m also the one who every member of the family call for advice on all computer related problems.

There has been a virulent strain of agism infesting this forum for years. These people do not realize that the people they collectively believe cannot use technology forget that we are the generation that invented the PC, cell phone, etc.

I am old enough to get SS, and fortunately have the resources to buy new cars, houses, etc. However, I look at the stats, and even my older relatives, and know I am extremely fortunate. By pure chance I managed to back into a lucrative career in tech at just the right time. And I am extremely fortunate to still be able to do it.

If you are so fortunate that is great. But, don't think the stats are wrong. By the time people are in their 70s the median US is in the $40K range. Google it yourself.

Around $40K or so does not go far these days with retired people still paying large property tax, utility, food, and unfortunately, medical bills. Therefore, spending an additional $600-$1,000+ on a new iPhone is a luxury beyond many people.

 

[jpn]

It seems to me that people who are in their late 70s and older have difficulties keeping their hands steady, leading to difficulties using touchscreens... it's painful enough watching them struggle to use the keyboard on a 3.5" iPhone. I can only imagine the disaster that would be having them type in their PIN on a 38 mm Apple Watch.

all good points.
undoubtedly, in the interest of maintaining a slim line up for supply chain reasons and maximizing marketing, apple may choose to leave some money on the table for other more health-centered specific brands to cater to the needs to older persons.

but yr point is well taken.

apple has not been given enough wide publicity for the wonderful assisted operation tools it does provide for iPhone users who have various coordination difficulties.

the watch is too figgity right now, even for many non-physically challenged people.

 

[StyxMaker]

I really don’t think the GMC will authorise the renaming of a pulse sensor to: ElectroCardioGram. “Ooh. Really? You say this is a ECG that can perform a 12 Lead diagnostic assessment of the heart just with a wrist based device that would normally require a fully featured cardiac monitor and trained staff to accurately assess and therefore eliminate false positives and rule out the need for any blood enzyme tests? Wow! Where do we sign up?” No. No. Really it IS a ECG machine, yeah? You need more proof? Look at the official specification list!

The ECG is a separate function and does not use the heart rate monitor. The heart rate monitor has been shown, in two separate research programs, to detect A-fib occurrence.

 

[riverfreak]

It seems to me that people who are in their late 70s and older have difficulties keeping their hands steady, leading to difficulties using touchscreens... it's painful enough watching them struggle to use the keyboard on a 3.5" iPhone. I can only imagine the disaster that would be having them type in their PIN on a 38 mm Apple Watch.

Not to mention having to navigate the overly precious user interface of iOS. Dainty interactive elements, poor contrast, arcane icons. Love or hate skeuomorphic design, iOS usability for many people took a nose dive when Ive’s rarefied sensibility took over from Forstall. And for the Apple Watch to be a success with seniors, they’ll seriously need to rethink many things.

 

[Tech198]

haha.bulk bill for senors with Apple watch.. Didn't see that one coming.

But I think Apples' heading in the wrong direction... Price can be an issue for senors, but its' not the only reason. they don't buy tech,..

Perhaps Apple thinks if they bulk bill they can push seniors in the right direction.. *or force them*

 

[Ttpilot]

haha.bulk bill for senors with Apple watch.. Didn't see that one coming.

But I think Apples' heading in the wrong direction... Price can be an issue for senors, but its' not the only reason. they don't buy tech,..

Perhaps Apple thinks if they bulk bill they can push seniors in the right direction.. *or force them*

Gosh, we don’t buy tech? Guess I’ll have to go dust off my quill pen

 

[scmill]

Unfortunately the Apple Watch won't connect to a Jitterbug. Anecdotal but I see very few seniors with iPhones.

I see them all the time (including the ones in my hand and on my wrist). One of my uncles saw my 4S (5S? can't remember) years ago, liked its looks and went straight to Verizon to buy one. Didn't even ask me about it. The guy in Verizon showed him how to navigate around, and he used it for several years until he passed away in his late 80's.

 

[tito2020]

Excellent and smart move!

Will it call 911 if you having a stroke or fall ?