FDA OKs Verizon's first home health monitoring platform

Verizon officials announced this week that the telecom giant has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) Class II clearance for Converged Health Management, a cloud-based device that connects clinicians with their patients at home and enables them to access data from connected biometric devices.

“Verizon is committed to improving the dynamics of the U.S. healthcare system,” said Peter Tippett, chief medical officer and vice president of Verizon Innovation Incubator, in a press release. “By leveraging our mobile health expertise, HIPAA-ready cloud, 4G LTE wireless network and leading security solutions, Verizon is uniquely positioned to drive innovation in healthcare. Converged Health Management will accelerate focus on care management through mobile technologies as patients increasingly take more responsibility for their health."

“Verizon continues to invest in transformational technologies that address some of the nation’s biggest challenges in healthcare,” Tippett added.

Verizon has long been invested in the mHealth/telehealth space, and recently launched an ambitious program through the Verizon Foundation to provide mHealth access and services to underserved populations across the country. This latest news marks the first time the company has sought FDA approval for a healthcare solution, and places it in the midst of a fast-growing home healthcare industry.

Company officials say the Converged Health Management platform, which will be marketed later this year, will synch with devices developed by Toronto-based IDEAL LIFE, including a blood glucose monitor, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, scale and the company's newly developed Ideal Life Pod communication hub. Additional products in the IDEAL LIFE pipeline, expected to be announced soon, include devices for weight management, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

IDEAL LIFE made news of its own earlier this year when it announced a partnership with home security vendor ADT. Under terms of the agreement, ADT is integrating the IDEAL LIFE platform into its ADT Pulse interactive home management system.

“IDEAL LIFE expands and connects the care continuum by giving medical professionals the tools to more effectively manage consumers’ health,” said Jason Goldberg, IDEAL LIFE's president, in a January 8 press release. “Connected home devices are revolutionizing the way we deliver healthcare, and ADT is at the forefront of this trend with their integrated smart home technology. Through this strategic partnership, we can significantly expand access to critical healthcare information. This is a great opportunity for both companies to help save more lives.”