AppliedVR, an immersive therapeutics firm, introduced that Pittsburgh-based Highmark, a Blue Cross Blue Protect-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 recognized 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 totally immersive digital actuality expertise meant to empower folks with the abilities wanted to handle persistent low again ache and a non-pharmacologic possibility to cut back ache.
With RelieVRx, sufferers undergo a 56-session multimodal program that features every day digital actuality classes that make the most of regulation and mindfulness abilities, in addition to methods from cognitive behavioral remedy to assist them management their signs.
“We’re dedicated to leveraging know-how to reinforce well being outcomes whereas lowering prices,” Matt Fickie, senior medical director for Highmark, stated in a press release. “RelieVRx from AppliedVR gives our members affected by persistent low again ache a scientifically backed, in-home immersive non-opioid therapy possibility.”
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 method acknowledges the promise of immersive therapeutics, and we’re grateful for his or her collaboration. RelieVRx relies on many years of medical proof demonstrating the transformative potential of immersive therapeutics to reshape the physique’s response to ache, and we’re dedicated to constructing an excellent better physique of proof that continues to set the business customary,” Stoudt stated.
THE LARGER TREND
In April, Lovell Authorities Companies partnered with AppliedVR to be its federal distribution companion to assist gross sales by means of authorities healthcare techniques 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 Widespread Process Coding System (HCPCS) Degree II code (E1905) that covers its flagship product, the RelieVRx program.
In February, AppliedVR and Kernal, a precision medication firm, introduced a joint examine measuring the impression of VR ache therapy on the mind. The only-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 Group” grants had been awarded for Q2 2024. The grants deal with 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 Protect-branded MCO to serve West Virginians.
