Health insurer Aetna will subsidize Apple Watches for select large employers and individual policyholders during November's open enrollment as a healthy living initiative.
The Hartford, Conn.-based insurer said it is the first major healthcare company to subsidize the Apple Watch. Aetna will also freely offer the watch to 50,000 of its employees who participate in the company's wellness reimbursement program.
Aetna is also planning Apple exclusive health apps to help consumers manage their health outcomes. Solutions include medication trackers that help consumers remember to take or refill prescriptions and integration with Apple Wallet that allows consumers to check deductibles and pay insurance bills. The solutions will be available in early 2017.
"We are incredibly excited to use iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch to create simple, intuitive and personalized technology solutions that will transform the health and wellness experience for our members," Mark Bertolini, Aetna chairman and CEO, said. "This is only the beginning — we look forward to using these tools to improve health outcomes and help more people achieve more healthy days."
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