News From Around the Web
> New research out of the United Kingdom reveals half of all adults are using a mHealth device or some form of tech to manage their health, according to a Telegraph report. Those polled report using Google to check out potential health issues and 71 percent feel positive about using online and mHealth tools to have more control over their healthcare. Article
> Using mobile health plus traditional tools for cardiac rehabilitation can have a positive effect on adherence to multiple lifestyle behavior changes at three months in adults with coronary heart disease compared to usual care alone, according to a research paper published at the Journal of Medical Internet Research. However, that result did not extend to the end of the six-month scope. The research states a larger study is needed to determine the size of the effect in the long term , and whether the change in behavior reduces adverse cardiovascular events. Paper
> Triax Technologies is partnering with IBM Watson to drive better head injury analysis via a sensor located in headbands and a smartphone monitoring app, according to a report at MedCity News. Watson's Personality Insights API will cull data sources and sensor data to measure the risk of head injury and take into account an athlete's activity off the field as well to adjust training and workout habits. Article
Health IT News
> Changes to New York's telemedicine coverage statute will take effect Jan. 1, 2016, and providers will need to be prepared for the law, attorneys write in a recent Healthcare Law Today article. The statue was amended by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this year, and makes changes for Medicaid and commercial health insurance coverage of telehealth services. Article
> Using virtual health technology in primary care could save $10 billion a year and allow treatment of more patients without the need to train more doctors, according to a new report from Accenture. Digital tools, such as biometric devices, analytic diagnostic engines and a virtual medical assistant, could help streamline work and redirect clinician time to high-value tasks, the report's authors say. Article
Health Insurance News
> The health insurance industry is among the most challenging businesses to break into--the sector is dominated by several large players that dwarf their competition's market share. But the individual market created by the Affordable Care Act and the rise of consumerism have spawned a slew of startup companies trying to elbow their way into the health insurance space. However, what they have all in common is that they are changing the conversation about--and within--the health insurance industry. A slideshow at FierceHealthPayer highlights six startups. Article
And Finally… A truly "spooky" space trick happening Halloween. Article