August 28, 2018
By: Judy
Sarasohn, HHS (Public Affairs)
HHS
Deputy Secretary Eric D. Hargan hosted the department’s first PETS summit on
Wednesday, and nary a dog nor cat was in sight.
But
there were entrepreneurs and providers who are using smart phones, software IT
and AI to help empower patients to take control of their health and improve
their well-being. These tools are fondly known in Deputy Secretary Hargan’s
office as patient-empowering technologies, or PETS.
The
summit included entrepreneurs and health providers for the purpose of exchanging
facts and information so the department could better understand technological
innovations that could benefit Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Making
technology accessible to patients so they can better manage their own health
plays a role in Secretary Alex Azar’s initiative to transform the U.S.
healthcare system into one that pays for value.
“Chronic
disease is the most significant cause of patient disability and is also the
most significant source of patient cost. Many chronic diseases are preventable,
manageable and treatable when patients are empowered with the right
information, tools and support,” Hargan told the summit participants. And he
acknowledged that influencing patient behavior is hard work.
Companies
presenting at the summit included Livongo, Trainer Rx, Preventice Solutions,
Medisafe, AbleTo and Cohero Health. Depending on their target populations,
their various devices can help patients keep their medications straight,
contact a doctor, and alter their diet; or provide alerts to patients,
caregivers and family members; or locate and reach out to connect vulnerable
individuals to mental health specialists. Some provide personalized coaching,
as well as coordinating care with a patient’s family.
Representatives
of HHS at the summit included senior leaders from NIH, AHRQ, CTO, ONC, FDA and
CMS.
Deputy
Secretary Hargan told the entrepreneurs, “We’re here to learn where you all
have been successful in this area, what has worked, what hasn’t. … We’d like to
know the barriers you all face.”
As
he said, “HHS, like you, is looking to give patients technology with which they
can better manage their health.”
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