For a look to the future check out fullpower.com – these are the guys working to introduce a variety of sensor technologies into the single Mobile Health device but it’s still a few life cycles away.

Though I’ve fortunately not experienced any insurance horror stories first hand, I am distrustful (perhaps unjustly so ) of their practices. But your absolutely right – this could go the opposite direction, and I hope it does. It’s become clear that a given amount of money goes a lot farther towards disease prevention than it does towards disease treatment, so it’s unsurprising that many companies currently have financial incentives for their employees to exercise on a regular basis. As you point out though, it would make sense that a technology which makes capture and reporting easier (on both the employee and the employer) would be well-received.

The Cardionet product is compelling. I think the real challenge will be successfully integrating multiple sensor types into a single device that has minimum impact on the patient’s lifestyle, and which is robust enough to require no patient management and could be debugged/administered remotely.

Thanks for the comment!

Whilst you could look at this negatively eg. “Given your existing condition and your recent behavior, insurance won’t cover this…”

Try to think about it the other way. You (and your family) can’t get affordable health insurance. Run this phone and because the insurer can now see you’re a proactive person who is determined to play an active part in maintaining a healthy lifestyle they’ll give you a more affordable rate as your risks are lower.

Another good example might be – you’re the CEO of a $1 Billion company. Shareholders want you to use a mobile that will report to you and your physician if you’re about to suffer a heart attack BEFORE it happens.

It’s not that far off either infact the second example is already a day-to-day reality for some (see cardionet.com).