New proprietary monitoring devices can help the 157 Million US Adults suffering from chronic conditions, including CVD, CHF, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Weight Management

Smart Meter, the number one supplier of remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices, data, and services, supporting a nationwide network of SmartPartners, announces three new products at the HIMSS Global Conference in Chicago. These new health monitoring tools, which combine advanced user features, incredible ease of use, and robust security protocols, will help SmartPartners transform healthcare via their remote and connected care models.

With over 157 million Americans suffering from at least one chronic condition, the desire to bring real-time, reliable health data into the care management process continues to grow at a record-setting pace. With this increasing demand, providers and care management companies must ensure they receive reliable, accurate health data from their connected devices.

Several new products debuting today facilitate the user experience for home blood pressure monitoring. Accuracy is of utmost importance when measuring blood pressure with the testing results supporting care management decisions for patients with chronic diseases, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and Congestive Heart Failure. The hallmark of the new iBloodPressure^® and the iBloodPressure^® Plus monitors is their incredible accuracy, with both new monitors meeting or exceeding the industry standard in testing results.

The new iBloodPressure monitor combines exceeding accuracy with affordability in a single push-button device with a large clear screen. Visual indicators guide the patients through testing and advise when their health data has been securely transmitted to their provider.

The new iBloodPressure Plus monitor delivers significant features combining high accuracy with the ability to measure and track the vital signs of two users and active voice assistance. The iBloodPressure Plus includes other advanced patient-friendly features, including a digital color-coded zone indicator and a voice and visual warning indicator if the cuff is not properly secured. The voice assistance, which can be deactivated, is beneficial for visually impaired patients who need the additional guidance a friendly voice brings to the testing process.

"Smart Meter understands the unique challenges of caring for patients with chronic conditions, especially those with cardiac-related diseases. Our new blood pressure monitoring solutions were designed to address those needs," said Bill Bassett, Chief Marketing Officer for Smart Meter. "Progressive features like the voice assistant, large visual reading displays, support for two users in a single monitor, and color-coded indicators build confidence in patients, helping them test more frequently, leading to improved adherence, increased satisfaction, and better management of health outcomes."

In addition to the new blood pressure monitors, Smart Meter is expanding its weight management and bariatric monitoring solutions to serve the 42% of Americans struggling with Obesity and the millions more Americans managing Congestive Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease. The weight management line will now include the new iScale^® and iScale^® Plus.

The new iScale is a high-quality, modern scale with a large visual display that measures up to 440 pounds. The iScale Plus is an "all-in-one solution" serving the bariatric market with a weight capacity of up to 551 pounds and a larger footprint for increased safety and stability.

"Smart Meter is proud to expand our line of proprietary monitoring devices that combine patient-friendly technologies with robust security," said Casey Pittock, Chief Executive Officer for Smart Meter. "Our devices are used by 200,000 patients daily, transmitting their patient-generated health data to their providers in real-time via our exclusive Private Data Network custom-built with AT&T and Cisco. SmartPartners can be assured their patient data is protected from alteration, eavesdropping, data mining, or interception."

To learn more about these new products, please visit Smart Meter's booth # 7512 at HIMSS starting April 18, 2023, at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL or visit our website at www.smartmeterrpm.com

About Smart Meter, LLC
Smart Meter is the number one supplier of Remote Patient Monitoring ("RPM") solutions to a nationwide network of SmartPartners™ who are transforming patient care and today are used by over 200,000 patients in the US. Millions of vital health data readings are reliably delivered across our secure platform, enabling SmartPartners to provide real-time, better-informed health care. Our proprietary, patient-friendly, cellular, FDA-registered monitoring devices are connected to an exclusive AT&T IoT Private Data Network to ensure an engaging patient experience for improved adherence. For more information, visit SmartMeterRPM.com

Smart Meter today issues the iGlucose Challenge to all healthcare payors and providers in the United States to reduce the cost of care and lower A1C for people managing diabetes. This no-risk, performance-based program is offered by the number one remote patient monitoring solution supplier supporting a rapidly growing nationwide network of SmartPartners. The iGlucose Challenge is issued to companies who pay and care for persons with Diabetes, a chronic condition affecting approximately 37.3 million Americans and growing¹. There are no up-front costs for the first three payors and providers that agree to participate and no fees for the enrolled patients or members.

The iGlucose Challenge is an exciting concept merging the most-patient friendly, highly accurate mobile blood glucose motioning system available with active coaching and education to help patients succeed in managing their care. If patients lower their A1C after a 4-month period, a performance fee is paid by the payor or participating healthcare provider organization for each successful patient or member.  The goals of the iGlucose Challenge are to reduce the total cost of care for payors and providers who treat patients with diabetes, reduce the A1C levels of patients, and help persons with diabetes better manage their disease.

"One of our primary responsibilities as the leading supplier of healthcare data and technology to the RPM industry is developing innovative approaches that help our nationwide network of customers expand care to a broader set of patients," stated Casey Pittock, CEO of Smart Meter, LLC. "The iGlucose Challenge is a new care model we developed to encourage payors and providers to expand services to patients who are not properly managing their diabetes or have been unable to do so due to economic factors."

Diabetes places a tremendous financial burden on the US healthcare system. The American Diabetes Association estimates that direct medical costs for Diabetes in 2018 were $327 billion, up from $245 billion in 2012.² Over 37 mission Americans have diabetes, and only 20% know it.³ The projections for future growth of the disease in the US show steady increases in both the volume of patients and the financial impact of caring for these patients. The iGlucose Challenge is a way to begin reducing the disease’s effects on the US economy and helping those with diabetes understand how to improve their way of life. The participants in the iGlucose Challenge will be announced at HIMSS 2023 in Chicago. More information about joining the iGlucose Challenge can be found here or by calling the Smart Meter iGlucose Challenge hotline at 844-445-0652 or emailing iGlucoseChallenge@iglucose.com.

About Smart Meter, LLC
Smart Meter is the number one supplier of Remote Patient Monitoring ("RPM") solutions to a nationwide network of SmartPartners™ who are transforming patient care. Millions of vital health data readings are reliably delivered across our secure platform, enabling SmartPartners™ to provide real-time, better-informed health care. Our proprietary, patient-friendly, cellular, FDA-registered monitoring devices are connected to an exclusive AT&T 4/5G private data network to ensure an engaging patient experience for improved adherence. For more information, visit SmartMeterRPM.com.

References

1. https://diabetesresearch.org/diabetes-statistics/#:~:text=34.2%20million%20people%2C%20or%2010.5,the%20U.S.%20population%2C%20have%20diabetes.
2. https://diabetes.org/about-us/statistics/cost-diabetes
3. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/health-equity/diabetes-by-the-numbers.html

Smart Meter, the number one supplier of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) solutions to a rapidly growing nationwide network of SmartPartners, is launching a Certified SmartPartner program to support customers. The Certified SmartPartner program will provide customers with enhanced benefits helping them expand their RPM companies and reduce some of their operating costs by leveraging sales and marketing support services, expedited operations and logistics, public relations, case studies, and more.

Remote Patient Monitoring and Chronic Care Management companies continue to grow in their importance in transforming healthcare delivery. Research shows that providers and patients are becoming reliant on the benefits of measuring vital signs in the comfort of their homes.

SmartPartners have access to proprietary monitoring devices supporting a range of chronic conditions. These cellular-enabled devices are securely connected to the only Private Data Network for RPM, enabling SmartPartners to deliver the industry's most patient-friendly home-based monitoring solutions. This means the physicians and care teams using the SmartPartner network can trust that the health data generated by their patients is securely delivered to them in real time, without data security or HIPAA issues.

“SmartPartners are the most innovative and knowledgeable organizations providing critical healthcare technology solutions to care providers,” said Bill Bassett, Smart Meter’s Chief Marketing Officer. “The Certified SmartPartner program is based on the best practices from other technology leaders supporting the growth of their customers. The tools and services available through this program will be an asset in helping our customers continue providing quality healthcare solutions.”

About Smart Meter, LLC
Smart Meter is the number one supplier of Remote Patient Monitoring (“RPM”) solutions to a nationwide network of SmartPartners™ who are transforming patient care. Millions of vital health data readings are reliably delivered across our platform, enabling SmartPartners™ to provide real-time, better-informed health care. Our proprietary, patient-friendly, cellular, FDA-registered monitoring devices are connected to an exclusive AT&T 4/5G network to ensure an engaging patient experience for improved adherence. For more information, visit SmartMeterRPM.com.

NexTech Solutions and Smart Meter have joined forces to expand the delivery of real-time health data empowering physicians to better care for the warriors and their dependents of the United States. NexTech Solutions is a prime contract holder on the NASA SEWP Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) vehicle focused on commercial IT products and product-based services. Providing the latest in commercial ICT/AV products and services, NASA SEWP has an outstanding track record of serving fresh technology to Federal Agencies. Smart Meter will work with NexTech Solutions via NASA SEWP on the delivery of reliable patient-generated health data to bring innovation and FDA-registered digital health monitoring solutions, improving care and adherence to treatment plans.

NexTech Solutions’ partnership with Smart Meter brings the innovation of two technology leaders together. Smart Meter has an exclusive relationship with AT&T leveraging a secure IPSec tunnel (AT&T IP Secure Network) connecting Smart Meter’s proprietary cellular patient monitoring devices and the SmartMeter data platform. The patient data for glucose levels, blood pressure, weight, and pulse oximetry are collected and delivered in under 100 milliseconds. This structure is vitally important in patient care as it ensures ongoing HIPAA security and that control of the patient data can’t be modified. In less secure systems, patient data might be modified via over-the-air or other protocols that might be penetrable. With an increasing volume of patient monitoring devices being managed by overseas companies, the ongoing security and reliability of data partners is critical.

“We are honored to partner with NexTech Solutions to deliver real-time secure remote patient data to improve the lives of the heroic men, women, and families who serve our country,” said Casey Pittock, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Meter. “The real-time reliable patient data we collect, protect, and deliver through our user-friendly cellular devices and secure platform will help health plans and providers better manage the care of this special population.”

About NexTech Solutions

At the core of NexTech Solutions, we build, connect, and support. Focused on systems and network engineering to support cloud, hybrid, and the edge, we specialize in building unique high performing and customizable solutions that connect the best technologies to users regardless of location. We transform IT operations while providing extensive support, allowing our government customers to truly focus on the outcome, while NTS does the heavy lifting. We devote our time to truly understanding the mission requirements of our federal clientele by building mission-driven solutions that meet today’s and tomorrow’s demands. For more information about NexTech Solutions, visit www.nextechsol.com

About SmartMeter, LLC

Smart Meter is the number one supplier of Remote Patient Monitoring (“RPM”) solutions to a nationwide network of SmartPartners™ who are transforming patient care. Millions of vital health data readings are reliably delivered across our platform enabling SmartPartners to deliver real-time, better-informed health care. Our proprietary, patient-friendly, cellular, FDA-registered monitoring devices are connected to an exclusive AT&T 4/5G secure private network  (AT&T IPSec) to ensure an engaging patient experience for improved adherence. For more information, visit SmartMeterRPM.com

There are more than 116 million Americans who must work every day to control their hypertension, and, in fact, only about one of every four manage their condition properly. The cost of helping people with high blood pressure continues to rise and is estimated to be around $131 billion each year.¹

Without proper control of high blood pressure, it can lead to many more serious conditions including stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney issues, an aneurysm, and vision issues. And when someone develops co-morbidities, the cost of their care increases exponentially.

One strategy that is recommended to help people who suffer from hypertension is self-monitoring. “The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for all people with high blood pressure to help the health care professional determine whether treatments are working.” ² And the Mayo Clinic lists self-monitoring as one of several recommendations for lowering your blood pressure without medication.³

"We're becoming more and more aware of the importance of high blood pressure. Levels we used to think were normal we now associate with worse outcomes, and treating them makes a big difference," said Dr. Emelia J. Benjamin, a professor of cardiology at Boston University and chair of the group that wrote the American Heart Association's "Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2019 Update."⁴

But if someone purchases an off-the-shelf blood pressure monitor, they will need to keep a written record of their readings to share with their provider during an office visit. When someone has to log their readings, it leads to errors and a lack of adherence to testing guidelines, which defeats the purpose of using a home monitor.

By using one of Smart Meter’s cellular-connected iBloodPressure^® devices, the reading is immediately sent to a portal where a person can track their progress over time. In addition, it is also sent to their healthcare professional who can provide guidance and support without the need for an office visit.

“With Smart Meter’s reliable and easy-to-use iBloodPressure^® monitor, patients are more likely to test frequently, giving their healthcare professional real-time insight into current blood pressure readings,” said Dr. Bill Lewis, a leading telehealth consultant “There have been many patients and providers that have seenn firsthand the positive impact on patient outcomes when our cellular-enabled iBloodPressure monitor is used in a remote patient monitoring (RPM) program.”

The iBloodPressure is one of Smart Meter’s most popular devices because it features cellular connectivity via the secure and reliable AT&T 4/5G network. Once the patient has tested using the iBloodPressure system, the results are transmitted immediately to a provider, with no syncing or pairing required by the patient.

About Smart Meter, LLC
Smart Meter is the number one supplier of Remote Patient Monitoring (“RPM”) solutions to a nationwide network of SmartPartners™ who are transforming patient care. Millions of vital health data readings are reliably delivered across our platform enabling SmartPartners™ to deliver real-time, better-informed health care. Our proprietary, patient-friendly, cellular, FDA-registered monitoring devices are connected to an exclusive AT&T 4/5G network to ensure an engaging patient experience for improved adherence. For more information, visit SmartMeterRPM.com

¹ Facts About Hypertension | cdc.gov

² Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home | American Heart Association

 ³ 10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication - Mayo Clinic

⁴ Cardiovascular diseases affect nearly half of American adults, statistics show | American Heart Association

 

 

During January’s National Staying Healthy Month, millions of Americans have made a resolution to lose weight in 2023. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices and data can provide these people with key resources to help them reach their goals of a healthier life this year and beyond.

A recent survey indicated that 43 percent of Americans, or about 143 million people, are committed to losing weight during 2023¹ and another survey revealed that the average amount of weight a person wants to lose is 29 pounds.² Unfortunately, 73 percent of people with a weight loss resolution don’t reach their goal³ and many give up during the first few weeks of the year.

“Start with small changes and continue to build on these or try to tackle one change at a time,” said Dr. Carly Moores an associate lecturer at Flinders University and registered nutritionist. “Try to set yourself goals, reflect on your progress towards these, acknowledge that changes can be hard, and results won’t happen overnight … or even in the first two weeks of the new year.”

More and more studies point to the fact that self-measuring (stepping on a scale) on a regular basis can have an impact on helping with weight loss or preventing weight gain. A recent review of those studies found that in 11 of the 12 reviewed studies, more frequent self-weighing was associated with greater weight loss or weight gain prevention. Specifically, individuals who reported self-weighing weekly or daily, typically over a period of several months, held a 1 to 3 kg/m2 (2.2 to 6.6 pounds) advantage over individuals who did not self-weigh frequently.⁴

By using Smart Meter’s cellular-connected iScale^®, the reading is immediately sent to a portal where a person can track their progress over time. In addition, it is also sent to their healthcare professional who can provide guidance and support without the need for an office visit.

Part of the reason for the incredible growth in cellular-enabled devices is the difficulty people have with Bluetooth^® -enabled devices. A recent diabetes care study revealed that 55 percent of people using Bluetooth-enabled devices have issues sending their readings to their providers. Smart Meter has become the leader in RPM data and devices because of its reliable cellular-enabled solutions, data, and services. All Smart Meter devices, including the iScale, utilize an exclusive 4/5G AT&T network to transmit readings instantly.

About Smart Meter, LLC
Smart Meter is the number one supplier of Remote Patient Monitoring (“RPM”) solutions to a nationwide network of SmartPartners™ who are transforming patient care. Millions of vital health data readings are reliably delivered across our platform enabling SmartPartners™ to deliver real-time, better-informed health care. Our proprietary, patient-friendly, cellular, FDA-registered monitoring devices are connected to an exclusive AT&T 4/5G network to ensure an engaging patient experience for improved adherence. For more information, visit SmartMeterRPM.com

¹ Tips For Your New Year's Resolution To Lose Weight (thelist.com)

² New Year's goal: Average American wants to lose 29 pounds in 2023! - Study Finds

 ³ New Study Finds 73% Of People Who Set Fitness Goals As New Year's Resolutions Give Them Up (bodybuilding.com)

⁴ The impact of regular self-weighing on weight management: a systematic literature review - PubMed (nih.gov)