Owlet’s recent partnership with Wheel shows an advancement in infant healthcare technology by bringing high-quality monitoring directly to caregivers’ homes. Owlet’s FDA-cleared pulse oximeter, BabySat, designed to monitor infant vitals such as oxygen saturation and heart rate, will now be available via a rapid-access telehealth prescription service powered by Wheel. This service aims to transform how caregivers receive medical devices, with the promise of prescriptions being delivered in as few as four hours. The partnership effectively eliminates the traditional barriers many face in accessing important health monitoring equipment. Acquiring such devices usually involves navigating complex healthcare systems and enduring potentially long delays that can be detrimental during postnatal periods. This collaboration comes at a time when home healthcare is increasingly recognized as necessary for infants transitioning from intensive care, providing continuous monitoring that can swiftly identify any concerning changes in their health status.
Wheel’s virtual care platform not only speeds up the prescription process but also integrates with durable medical equipment suppliers. These suppliers have the capability to bill a wide range of insurance providers, potentially enabling caregivers to receive up to 100% coverage of the BabySat through regular insurance or HSA/FSA plans. This is particularly important as it reduces the financial burden on families, ensuring that high costs do not impede access to necessary healthcare tools. Wheel’s platform has a proven track record, having facilitated over one million clinical visits in the past year alone, which highlights its capacity to support large-scale health operations and its reliability in delivering consistent, effective care. Owlet’s integration with Wheel’s system is set to streamline the healthcare process, making advanced medical monitoring more accessible and reducing the hurdles that often stand in the way of obtaining necessary healthcare services.
In addressing healthcare accessibility, Owlet’s initiative targets the acute needs of underserved and minority communities who are most affected by the national shortage of healthcare providers. This shortage is particularly pronounced in rural and low-income areas, where residents often experience barriers to accessing the latest in healthcare technology. By providing direct access to these tools via telehealth, Owlet and Wheel are playing an important role in making healthcare more accessible. The approach ensures that geographical and socioeconomic factors do not hinder the health of newborns and supports the ethos of equitable healthcare practices. In line with this, Jim Fidacaro, Owlet’s senior vice president and general manager of healthcare, emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring that every baby, irrespective of background or location, has access to affordable and accessible healthcare solutions. This commitment is reflected in Owlet’s broader mission and is an important aspect of the partnership with Wheel, which strives to make healthcare more inclusive.
With the rapid evolution of telehealth services and their integration into everyday healthcare, regulatory scrutiny regarding online prescriptions and medical devices remains a concern. In response to potential issues such as those highlighted by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General regarding fraudulent schemes, Owlet has reinforced its commitment to compliance and patient safety. The company has implemented strict verification processes to confirm the identities of caregivers and establish their legitimate connections to the infants they care for. This step is necessary for maintaining the integrity of their service and ensuring that the prescriptions issued are both legitimate and appropriate. The proactive measures taken by Owlet and Wheel showcase their dedication to upholding high standards of care and trust in telehealth.
