IntelligentM: Preventing Healthcare Acquired Infections with Wearables

IntelligentM is creating a wearable tracking device to remind and encourage healthcare professionals to practice good hygiene in hospitals and outpatient settings. Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) cost the US Healthcare system roughly $30 billion a year – and on average over 10% of most hospital systems’ operating budgets are spent on controlling the spread of infections. IntelligentM’s smart bracelet will be able to track proper hand washing and can also notify the user if he or she did not comply with hygiene rules. The video below explains the importance of reducing HAIs and how iM is solving the problem. I look forward to seeing the working device and hearing hospital feedback.

HealthPocket: Find Your Best Health Plan

By upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court confirmed that everyone in the United States must have health insurance – whether it is through an employer or through individual coverage. This past June, I had written about GoHealth, which had built their healthcare insurance search and buy platform before the Supreme Court ruling. Being a first mover is always important – but this business model can be replicated and now we are starting to see second movers take advantage of current market momentum.

HealthPocket ranks all the health plans in your zip code that best fit your age, gender and tobacco use to find the highest quality and lowest priced health insurance available. The site is free to use and the plan ratings aren’t affected by insurance companies or drug companies. The site’s goal is to be as transparent as possible so you can identify the right plan for you and save the most out-of-pocket costs.

23andMe: New $50 Million Raise to Help Reach One Million Customers

Six months ago, I wrote about 23andMe and their price reduction to $299 per kit from the December 2007 $999 price tag. Today, the Company announced that it has raised $50 million in new funding and has lowered the cost of its genome service to $99. This round was led by new investor Yuri Milner, a Russian billionaire known for his investments in Facebook, Zynga, Twitter, Spotify and ZocDoc. By lowering the price point, 23andMe is looking to attract more customers and grow their DNA data pool. The Company has a goal of engaging one million users (from 180,000 currently), and by analyzing the data of these genotyped individuals, hopes to discover new ways of disease treatment and prevention.

My Coupon Doc: We’re Bringing Coupons Back

Medications are expensive and My Coupon Doc is trying to make them less so. This includes saving a considerable amount on anything from Visine to Nicorette to Aleve by using legitimate manufacturer discounts. You can filter your search by prescription vs. over-the-counter and by illness or medication name. The site will bring you directly to the manufacturer site where you can access and print the coupon. As the cost of healthcare rises, coupons are definitely smart, and so is this website.