With new feature, Withings’ sleep sensor moves towards sleep apnea space

French consumer health device maker Withings has updated its sleep sensor mat with new capabilities that track breathing disturbances throughout a night’s sleep and could eventually warn users of sleep apnea.

Available through a free update, the feature builds on the Withings Sleep’s primary function of monitoring sleep cycles, heart rate and snoring, and then displaying scores and suggestions to users through the companion Health Mate App.

mobihealthnews

VisuWell and Nevada Health Centers Launch Virtual Strategy

VisuWell has been awarded the contract for Nevada Health Centers’ comprehensive telemedicine initiative. Established in 1977, Nevada Health Centers is the largest provider of primary care for uninsured, underinsured, and geographically isolated patients in Nevada. The organization conducts over 150,000 patient encounters annually through 17 locations and utilizes the VisuWell platform to expand access and improve convenience for patients.

VisuWell

Medicare Remote Patient Monitoring: CMS Allows “Incident to” Billing

CMS just announced a clarification that remote patient monitoring under CPT code 99457 may be furnished by auxiliary personnel, “incident to” the billing practitioner’s professional services.  An “incident to” service is one that is performed under the supervision of a physician (broadly defined), and billed to Medicare in the name of the physician, subject to certain requirements, one of which is discussed below.  The announcement came in a technical correction issued March 14, 2019 and is effective immediately.  This is a highly-anticipated change among remote patient monitoring companies, as we discussed in greater detail in our previous coverage.

Healthcare Law Today

Teladoc Health acquires MédecinDirect to secure French foothold

Teladoc Health has announced another acquisition that will bolster its growing international line of business. The US virtual care company will acquire Paris, France-based MédecinDirect, which provides confidential medical consultations via phone and internet.

The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but Teladoc said “the acquisition will be immaterial to Teladoc Health’s financial results.”

mobihealthnews

Doctolib gets €150M more as it focuses on telehealth, growth, expansion

French appointment booking and telemedicine service Doctolib has raised another €150 million ($170.3 million), bringing its total funding to around €235 million ($271 million) and its valuation to more than €1 billion.

General Atlantic, a global growth equity fund, led the round. Existing investors Eurazeo, Bpifrance, Kernel and Accel also contributed, along with unnamed German healthcare entrepreneurs.

mobihealthnews