Acelity subsidiary KCI said this week that it inked a negative pressure wound therapy remote monitoring deal, using its iOn Progress remote therapy monitoring program, with health insurer Highmark, touting it as the first such agreement of its kind.
The San Antonio-based company’s KCI iOn monitoring program is intended for use with the ACTIV.A.C therapy system, and includes monitoring, engagement and adherence components. KCI said that a remote monitoring device attached to the ACTIV.A.C system allows it to transmit data to KCI, where a team of virtual therapy specialists analyze data and use it to support healthcare professionals to improve adherence.
“The collaboration and agreement with KCI is just the latest example of Highmark’s commitment to working with providers in the health care industry to make sure our members receive high-quality care at an affordable price,” Highmark ancillary provider strategy & management VP Robert Wanovich said in a press release.
KCI touted that 73% of patients showed an increase in NPWT hours of use per day following adherence calls through the system, lowering the average 90-day wound-related costs. The company added that the program will create a “performance-based payment structure for reducing total wound care costs.”
“Since introducing the iOn Progress remote therapy monitoring system two years ago, we have learned a great deal about our NPWT patients through their engagements with our Virtual Therapy Specialist team – all of which have helped us develop and improve an impactful solution. Our aim is to create value across the continuum of wound care and iOn Progress remote therapy monitoring allows us to pursue that by better understanding each patient’s wound care journey. This unique insight allows us to engage patients and their caregivers like no other and better assist them through the healing process, which leads to better therapy adherence and ultimately, better outcomes and reduced costs,” KCI prez & CEO R. Andrew Eckert said in a press release.
Earlier this month, reports emerged suggesting that the privately held company may be considering taking the company public with an initial public offering.
