MagnaCare partners with Telcare around dissemination of new, wireless meter

NEW YORK — MagnaCare, a health plan management company, on Thursday announced its partnership with Telcare on that company's new wireless-enabled blood glucose meter. Through this partnership, MagnaCare's clients will be among the first in the country to receive the Telcare BGM meter.

The Telcare BGM automatically transmits readings to an Food and Drug Administration-cleared, privacy-secured online database that can be accessed via Web browser or smartphone apps by patients, physicians, caregivers or family members, as authorized by the patient, MagnaCare noted. The Telcare BGM transmits real-time access to readings, provides feedback and enables physicians and caregivers to intervene when blood glucose reaches dangerous levels.

"The biggest challenge in the treatment of diabetes is compliance, which, with a 10% improvement in glucose control, can reduce the incidence of complications by 37%," stated Jonathan Javitt, CEO and vice chairman of Telcare. "The Telcare BGM was developed to eliminate noncompliance and inconsistency in tracking numbers. Through the simplified dissemination of information that is usable and functional, this unique technology is truly impactful in terms of connecting provider to patient."

The Telcare product represents the first of a new generation of wireless medical devices, designed to connect people with chronic illness to caregivers, the companies stated. The result of a partnership between Telcare, and Qualcomm, manufacturer of many of the internal components of today's cell phones, the product is being launched at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, where it is ranked as one of the semi-finalists in the famous "Last Gadget Standing" competition.

The Telcare BGM is paired with Telcare's back-end clinical server and a suite of smartphone apps designed to provide comprehensive access to care. The server connects directly to electronic medical record systems, while the phone apps are used by family members.

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