AppliedVR, an immersive therapeutics firm, introduced that Pittsburgh-based Highmark, a Blue Cross Blue Defend-affiliated well being insurer, would be the first well being plan to cowl RelieVRx, AppliedVR’s FDA-cleared digital actuality providing to deal with persistent low again ache.
Eligible Highmark members 18 years and older identified with average to extreme persistent low again ache will be capable of get a prescription for RelieVRx with out prior authorization.
California-based AppliedVR’s RelieVRx (previously EaseVRx) is a completely immersive digital actuality expertise meant to empower folks with the talents wanted to handle persistent low again ache and a non-pharmacologic choice to scale back ache.
With RelieVRx, sufferers undergo a 56-session multimodal program that features every day digital actuality periods that make the most of regulation and mindfulness expertise, in addition to strategies from cognitive behavioral remedy to assist them management their signs.
“We’re dedicated to leveraging know-how to boost well being outcomes whereas lowering prices,” Matt Fickie, senior medical director for Highmark, stated in an announcement. “RelieVRx from AppliedVR supplies our members affected by persistent low again ache a scientifically backed, in-home immersive non-opioid therapy choice.”
Addressing the thousands and thousands of people that expertise persistent low again ache, AppliedVR cofounder and chief government officer Matthew Stoudt stated that people who battle low again ache deserve entry to noninvasive, drug-free choices that empower them to self-manage their ache.
“Highmark’s forward-thinking strategy acknowledges the promise of immersive therapeutics, and we’re grateful for his or her collaboration. RelieVRx relies on a long time of scientific proof demonstrating the transformative potential of immersive therapeutics to reshape the physique’s response to ache, and we’re dedicated to constructing a good better physique of proof that continues to set the business commonplace,” Stoudt stated.
THE LARGER TREND
In April, Lovell Authorities Companies partnered with AppliedVR to be its federal distribution associate to assist gross sales by way of authorities healthcare programs just like the Veterans Well being Administration (VHA), the Army Well being System (MHS), and Indian Well being Companies (IHS).
In March, AppliedVR introduced that the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Companies (CMS) established a Healthcare Frequent Process Coding System (HCPCS) Stage II code (E1905) that covers its flagship product, the RelieVRx program.
In February, AppliedVR and Kernal, a precision drugs firm, introduced a joint research measuring the impression of VR ache therapy on the mind. The one-blind, sham-controlled design in contrast mind activation patterns and physiological metrics earlier than, throughout and after VR experiences in folks experiencing persistent low again ache.
In August, Highmark introduced that greater than $800,000 in “BluePrints for the Neighborhood” grants had been awarded for Q2 2024. The grants tackle numerous group wants, together with enhancing entry to healthcare and offering financial stability to people and households.
In July, Highmark Well being Choices West Virginia launched a managed care group (MCO) and the primary Blue Cross Blue Defend-branded MCO to serve West Virginians.
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