Microsoft announced recently that for their new mobile health project they are striking a deal with wireless provider TracFone to extend mHealth technology to undeserved and high-risk populations.

Th endeavor is aimed specifically at people with diabetes (an annual $245 billion market). It is a diabetes management platform to help individuals keep tabs on their condition.

The two companies are also teaming up with Health Choice Network (HCN) to launch the pilot program to examine how access to mobile technology affects patient disease-management and outcomes.

HCN will give smartphones to 100 patients who are in the Care Management Medical Home Center diabetes pilot and they will have access to Microsoft’s Web-based platform called Health Vault, which allows patients to “store their protected health information and stay on top of medication adherence” as well as to “receive appointment reminders and keep track of glucose levels.”

Steve Aylward, general manager of solutions and strategy for U.S. Health and Life Sciences at Microsoft, says that Microsoft has more healthcare-related projects and one scheduled to launch by the end of the year. They are again involved with HCN and in the process of developing additional pilot projects with them.

Source: www.mobilemarketingwatch.com