Fitbit Care is a connected health platform unveiled by Fitbit, stemming from its acquisition of Twine Health. This innovative program is designed for health plans, employers, and health systems, aiming to revolutionize healthcare management and prevention. By integrating Fitbit’s renowned wearable technology with virtual care and health coaching services derived from Twine Health, Fitbit Care offers a comprehensive approach to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
At its core, Fitbit Care leverages the power of data and personalized support. Adam Pellegrini, Fitbit’s general manager and senior vice president, emphasized the strategic combination of Fitbit’s expertise with Twine Health’s proven methodologies. This synergy has resulted in a platform actively being offered to employers, health plans, and health systems seeking effective health management solutions. A significant endorsement of Fitbit Care’s potential is its selection by Humana as a preferred coaching solution for its employer group segment, potentially making these benefits accessible to over 5 million Humana members.
The strength of Fitbit Care lies in its multifaceted approach, incorporating several key components:
Wearable Integration and Self-Tracking: Fitbit Care seamlessly integrates with Fitbit’s wide range of wearable devices. This allows users to continuously monitor crucial health metrics such as activity levels, sleep patterns, heart rate, and more. This constant stream of data provides valuable insights into an individual’s health and lifestyle, forming the foundation for personalized interventions.
Health Coaching and Virtual Support: Building upon Twine Health’s expertise, Fitbit Care provides access to both digital and human-led health coaching. Users can engage with health coaches via the Fitbit Plus app, phone, or even in person, receiving personalized guidance and support tailored to their specific health goals. These goals can range from weight management and smoking cessation to managing chronic conditions like depression, diabetes, COPD, and congestive heart failure. This personalized coaching element is crucial for driving user engagement and achieving tangible health improvements.
Fitbit Plus App: A Centralized Platform: A key element of Fitbit Care is the Fitbit Plus app. This dedicated application serves as a central hub for users enrolled in the health coaching program. It facilitates direct communication with their care teams, enabling personalized guidance and support. Furthermore, Fitbit Plus expands beyond standard activity tracking to monitor advanced health metrics, including blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and medication adherence. This comprehensive tracking capability provides a holistic view of a user’s health status, empowering both individuals and their care providers. The platform’s device agnostic approach, supporting various glucometers, blood pressure cuffs, and other wearables, ensures accessibility and broader data integration.
Benefits Across Stakeholders:
For employers, Fitbit Care presents an opportunity to enhance employee wellness programs, potentially leading to a healthier and more productive workforce. By providing employees with tools and support for proactive health management, employers can contribute to reduced healthcare costs and absenteeism.
Health plans can utilize Fitbit Care to offer more engaging and effective wellness programs to their members. The platform’s focus on prevention and disease management aligns with the goals of health plans to improve member health outcomes and manage healthcare expenditures.
Health systems can leverage Fitbit Care to extend care beyond traditional clinical settings. By providing virtual care and remote monitoring capabilities, Fitbit Care can help manage patient populations more effectively, improve adherence to treatment plans, and enhance the overall patient experience.
The pricing model for Fitbit Care is subscription-based, tailored to the specific needs and scale of each organization, often considering the number of employees within a company. Further demonstrating the value proposition, Fitbit and Humana have also introduced the Humana Go365 clock face for Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Ionic devices. This integration allows Humana Go365 members to conveniently access their activity data and program status directly from their Fitbit wearables, reinforcing healthy behaviors through rewards and incentives.
In conclusion, Fitbit Care represents a significant advancement in connected health. By combining wearable technology, virtual care, and personalized coaching, it offers a powerful platform for individuals and organizations seeking to proactively manage health and well-being. As Adam Pellegrini articulated, Fitbit Care expands the company’s focus beyond fitness and weight management to deliver meaningful solutions across the entire continuum of health, marking a significant step in healthcare innovation.
