I was skeptical at first. It helps people take control of their own medical treatment. If you, as a doctor, wait until someone shows up in your office to do something, it can be too late. And for me, it's great to know he's getting daily monitoring. The close watch doesn't suit all.
Some patients balk at the technology and drop the program.
The attention also comes with a price. Though LifeMasters provides blood pressure cuffs and glucose meters and training in their use as part of the service, patients need computers. They also need health coverage that will pay for the program. If LifeMasters doesn't have contracts with the insurer and the physicians, it may be hard to get reimbursed. These dilemmas will become even more pressing as health monitors include depression and high-risk pregnancies in their services, which both LifeMasters and SMS plan to do.