AppliedVRPittsburgh-based Highmark, a Blue Cross Blue Defend member well being insurer, has turn out to be the primary well being plan to cowl RelieVRx, AppliedVR’s FDA-cleared digital actuality providing for the therapy of continual low again ache.
Eligible Highmark members 18 years and older with a analysis of reasonable to extreme continual low again ache can obtain a prescription for RelieVRx with out prior authorization.
RelieVRx (previously EaseVRx) from California-based AppliedVR is a completely immersive digital actuality expertise that teaches folks the abilities they should handle continual low again ache. It’s a non-pharmacological possibility for ache reduction.
With RelieVRx, sufferers full a 56-session multimodal program consisting of each day digital actuality periods that make the most of regulation and mindfulness abilities, in addition to cognitive behavioral remedy methods to assist them handle their signs.
“We’re dedicated to utilizing expertise to enhance well being outcomes whereas decreasing prices,” Matt Fickie, Highmark’s senior medical director, stated in a press release. “AppliedVR’s RelieVRx presents our members affected by continual low again ache an evidence-based, immersive, non-opioid therapy possibility for the house.”
Addressing the tens of millions of people that undergo from continual decrease again ache, Matthew Stoudt, co-founder and CEO of AppliedVR, stated folks combating decrease again ache deserve entry to non-invasive, drug-free choices that enable them to handle their ache themselves.
“Highmark’s pioneering strategy acknowledges the promise of immersive therapies, and we’re grateful for his or her collaboration. RelieVRx is constructed on many years of medical proof demonstrating the transformative potential of immersive therapies to reshape the physique’s response to ache, and we’re dedicated to constructing a fair bigger proof base that may proceed to set the business normal,” stated Stoudt.
THE BIGGER TREND
In April, Lovell Authorities Companies partnered with AppliedVR to turn out to be its federal distribution accomplice to help gross sales by authorities well being methods such because 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) Degree II code (E1905) that discusses its flagship product, the RelieVRx program.
In February, AppliedVR and precision drugs firm Kernal introduced a joint examine measuring the impression of VR ache administration 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 with continual 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 concentrate on a wide range of group wants, together with enhancing entry to well being care 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 MCO beneath the Blue Cross Blue Defend model for West Virginia residents.