Kaiser Permanente is joining Mayo Clinic, KPCB, Genentech, UnitedHealth and others as a partner of digital health accelerator Rock Health, which revealed a new class of fresh-faced startups today.
The 14 companies selected for Rock’s fourth class get access to mentorship, office space, operational support and the option of $100,000 in investment. Not surprisingly, they represent some of the latest trends we’re seeing in the digital health space.
Helping consumers make better choices about care
New Rock companies OpenPlacement and Moxe Health are platforms that match patients with providers based on their needs and preferences — the former matches seniors with senior housing and care providers, and the latter matches underserved patients with the nearest clinic or health center based on their acuity, insurance coverage and location. Also chosen for Rock’s fourth class is LabDoor, which builds report cards for cosmetics, supplements and over-the-counter medications based on their safety, efficacy and price.
(Some other startups in this space: Health In Reach, BetterDoctors)
Device connectivity
Beam Technologies connects a toothbrush with an app that collects data on brushing behavior to help consumers track their oral health habits and see how those habits impact overall health.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
(Some other startups in this space: MyFitnessPal, Lark, fellow Rock Health company Podimetrics)
Predictive analytics
Using data to intervene early in at-risk patients is the idea behind CliniCast, whose first product, ARTO, aims to help providers reduce unnecessary hospital admissions in patients with chronic disease.
(Some other startups in this space: RxAnte, Predilytics, SelfSense Technologies)
Provider workflow
Making it easier for doctors and insurance companies to assess a patient’s eligibility is the goal of the appropriately named API Eligible. Kit Check, meanwhile, automates the processing of medication kits for hospitals and pharmacies, eliminating paperwork and human error. A third company, BenefitsMe, presumably fits into this category, although very little information is available about the company. According to Rock Health, it helps employers manage HR benefits and employees appreciate their HR benefits.
(Some other startups in this space: healthfinch, SchedFull)
Extending care beyond the doctors’ offices
On a health and wellness level, Wello takes personal training digital by connecting fitness professionals and exercisers over live, two-way video. The more medically oriented Wellframe uses artificial intelligence to translate clinical protocol into personalized plans that patients can view from their mobile devices after being discharged from the hospital. A third company, Wildflower Health, aims to make pregnancy healthier, safer and less costly through personalized mobile apps.
(Some other startups in this space: First Stop Health, CellepathicRx, FitKit)
Incentives/rewards
Already backed by investors including co-founders of Flickr and Guitar Hero, Zipongo encourages families to buy healthy meals by sharing deals and giving them rewards for buying nutritious foods. Meanwhile, Mango Health offers mobile apps, including an iPhone app that lets users check drug interactions, to consumers to help them manage and improve their health.
(Some other startups in this space: EveryMove, PUSH Wellness)
Gaming
Game designer Jane McGonigal is the mind behind SuperBetter, a game that’s focused on helping players improve all aspects of their health and overcome mental health challenges like depression and anxiety.
(Some other startups in this space: Tonic Health, Home Team Therapy, Lumosity)
[Photo from Beam Technologies]
