PHILADELPHIA, April 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross (Independence), the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania, announced today that it has begun offering CareCam Health Systems' (CareCam) chronic condition self-management app to help patients better proactively manage their health. Independence is offering CareCam's easy-to-use mobile phone and tablet app at no cost to adult members with diabetes or asthma.
After members complete a short health survey upon registration, CareCam generates a daily personalized schedule of health care activities designed to fit each individual's lifestyle. This allows them to more easily adhere to the treatment plan recommended by their doctor.
"At Independence, we are deeply committed to creating innovative ways to further improve the health of our members, which is why we've invested in CareCam," says Daniel J. Hilferty, president and CEO of Independence. "From partnering with nationally known innovators, to working with new startups, we are always looking for ways to support innovations that help our members better and more easily manage their health."
Having a strong support network between doctor visits can play a major role in helping a patient with diabetes or asthma stay on track and ultimately lead a healthier life, which is why CareCam gives users the unique availability to invite friends, family members, or caregivers to follow their progress on the app and provide support and encouragement to help ensure success.
Each day, CareCam reminds members to complete the activities necessary to effectively manage their diabetes or asthma, such as checking their sugar levels, measuring their peak flow (breathing) rate, taking medications and exercising. Users also receive real-time personalized feedback on how well they're doing and have access to daily, weekly, and monthly summaries of their performance, which can be shared with their doctors during their next visit.
"CareCam focuses on engaging patients in the management of their own health, which is a critical missing link for successful, scalable, and cost-effective chronic care management," says CareCam Chairman and CEO Hal Rosenbluth. "We capitalize on the power of mobile technology to engage and empower people with chronic conditions, providing them with a convenient, 24/7 resource for support in managing their care."
The app also provides one-touch access to vLearning, an interactive library of short, easy-to-understand videos online about the health condition and other important health care topics.
CareCam is continuing to build upon and enhance its software platform for all members. Future releases will include additional functionality around other chronic conditions and medication adherence. In addition, integration with other platforms like Apple HealthKit is underway.
Initially, Independence members with asthma or diabetes can download the app for free by searching for "CareCam" in the Apple app store or Google Play store.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve nearly 10 million people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including 2.5 million in the region. For nearly 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About CareCam Health Systems
Based in Conshohocken, PA, CareCam Health Systems is a vHealthTM technology firm and a leader in a new approach to chronic care management, making the patient the driving force behind better outcomes. CareCam has built a comprehensive software solution that combines the power of behavioral science, mobile technology – smartphones and tablets – and video to enable scalable, successful chronic care management and improved health outcomes for health plan members, and reduced health plan costs across all books of business. Led by a team of seasoned executives who have worked together for over 25 years to create new industries, including travel management and retail health clinics, CareCam is poised to reinvent chronic care management and transform the current healthcare landscape. To learn more, visit www.CareCamHealthSystems.com.