According to recent report by ABI Research, there will be 15 million wireless devices in use for remotely monitoring the well-being of elderly or at-risk peopleby early 2012. In next two years, medical devices with built in cellular capability will be driving force behind wireless telehealth.
North America, with its aging population and tech-oriented medical industry, is central to the telehealth market and is expected to remain so over the report’s forecast period which extends through 2014.
The report focuses on embedded cellular connectivity for remote patient monitoring and ambient assisted living, the monitoring of the well-being of elderly or at-risk people.
“Wireless telehealth systems can reduce healthcare costs in a couple of ways,” ABI research practice director Sam Lucero, said in a statement. “First, for patients with chronic conditions, wireless telehealth’s ability to monitor and track their status allows many problems to be nipped in the bud before they require expensive hospitalization and treatment. “Second, the traditional approach to home health care requires regular visits by nurses to check on patients’ condition. By providing that same information automatically, wireless telehealth systems can reduce those labor and travel costs.”
In addition, Lucero notes, a secondary benefit is that more people will be able to remain in the safety and comfort of their own homes as they age, at the same time reducing the burden on medical and residential institutions.
ABI believes availability of coverage for telehealth systems by private insurers and Medicare/Medicaid could be barrier to widespread adaption of telehealth devices.
“The industry believes reimbursement for telehealth systems should be more comprehensive and straightforward. Proposed legislation is generating optimism,” said Lucero.
For more details on the report, visit eWeek.
