Heart disease is the top cause of death in the U.S., and the
Preventative screening is key to early detection and better outcomes for chronic conditions, but research shows a disturbing tendency for adults to
Reperio Health's tech-enabled at-home cardiovascular wellness screening kit offers an accessible way for individuals to measure their cardiovascular health, and then connects them with a healthcare provider to follow up on a care plan. The goal is to
"We are constantly in this chase as a country to get chronic care under control," Rush says "Our company's entire focus is, how do we get data in people's hands sooner and with less friction, so that they can keep things from happening that put them in a chronic situation?"
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An easier way to engage in care
Available to order and ship to employees' homes, Reperio's test kit includes tools to measure four baseline metrics for underlying cardiovascular issues: Blood pressure, cholesterol, pre-diabetes markers and obesity. Detailed instructions walk users through each step of the 30-minute process, which includes a finger stick test to draw blood, and by downloading Reperio's app and connecting to Bluetooth, the test results are ready and automatically uploaded to the user's phone within 90 seconds.
To further reduce obstacles to care, Reperio added a telehealth component: Once someone's screening is complete, they can be immediately connected with a Doctor On Demand. An AI assistant is also at the appointments, offering clinicians suggested questions and potential diagnoses based on the doctor-patient conversation.
"When somebody starts a screening, we immediately notify all of the providers in our network that are licensed in that state that somebody has started screening and is going to need a consult," Rush says. "Just like an Uber driver claims a ride, the doctors and nurse practitioners are able to log into a Reperio care portal and claim a visit."
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The business results
By eliminating the need to go to a lab for bloodwork and offering immediate results and connection to a medical professional, Reperio's process saves time, improves engagement in preventative care and cuts costs. Its employer clients have seen up to 200% increased participation, an ROI of 4-8x, and have a 100% renewal rate.
In a study with a current client, benefits firm The Partners Group, Reperio's combined screening and virtual consultations identified previously undiagnosed conditions in 23% of participating employees. Eighty-one percent of overall participants said they would choose Reperio's model over in-person visits moving forward.
Reperio partners with benefit leaders to communicate about the offering to employees and keep them apprised of analytics. Based on results, leaders can make more informed decisions about other helpful benefits, such as access to fitness and nutrition services and diabetes support, that can set people on a healthier path. When employers make it easier for workers to take care of themselves, both sides win, Rush says.
"[Leaders] shouldn't underestimate how much employees appreciate things like this," Rush says. "If you can save them time and money, people will engage."
Read more about benefits for chronic conditions:
Why UnitedHealthcare expanded its cancer prevention benefits To reduce healthcare costs, address chronic conditions WellTheory's CEO shares how a chronic disease diagnosis changed her approach to healthcare How delayed care causes chronic conditions to spiral out of control How this employee lost 100 lbs using his employee benefits
