Biometric Health Screenings Lower Insurance Premiums

In growing numbers, health insurance providers are offering discounts to plan members who complete a series of biometric tests linked to an online health assessment questionnaire.

So why aren't more people participating?

Privacy issues remain paramount in the U.S., Europe and Asia. But much like the early days of the Internet, when people were reluctant to submit credit card information online, it appears that these privacy fears are abating, albeit slowly.

In many ways, convenience overcame the fear of stolen credit card information and that's really the key for biometric modalities. Smartphone based health screenings are making it easier for patients to be tested and less expensive (of course) while delivering better, healthier outcomes.

In win-win. And because personal biometric screenings make life easier for government, it's certain the industry will grow as new , federal health mandates come into effect.

Smartphone Monitoring of Non-Lethal Cardiac Arrhythmias

It's called The BodyGuardian System, a bringing together of Samsumg's Galaxy smartphone and a monitoring system from Preventice.

According to press releases, "The BodyGuardian System will enable physicians to monitor key biometrics in patients with cardiac arrhythmias outside of the clinical setting, allowing patients go about their daily lives while remaining connected to their physicians. According to Preventice, Samsung Mobile will customize the Galaxy S II smartphone for use in the BodyGuardian RMS by creating a dedicated mobile environment that will ensure a secure, reliable wireless connection for the transmission of biometric data. Patient data is captured using a small wearable sensor and delivered via Bluetooth communication to a dedicated Galaxy S II smartphone. The Galaxy S II then transmits the physiological data via cellular network to the Preventice Care Platform in the cloud. Physicians and/or monitoring centers then access the data via a web or tablet-based portal."

The idea to bring remote patient monitoring to smartphones is being driven by the need to reduce patient costs and positively influence care delivery. Reports indicate that the U.S. market for advanced patient monitoring, including smartphones, will reach $20.9 billion by 2016... up from just $8.9 billion in 2009.