It seems as if every week there is a new commercial for the “Next Best Thing” in mobile devices.
Lightest Phone in the Universe!
Fastest Operating System!
Lowest Price!
Best Camera!
Biggest App Market!
Sound familiar? Yes, it does to us too. The options are seemingly endless, especially in the huge “app markets” that have evolved over the years. We can now check Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and nearly any other social media as fast as our fingers can move. In addition, studies show that dependence on mobile technology is visibly increasing, most prominently in younger generations. According to Dana Kerr on CBSNews.com, around 56% of American adults owned a smartphone in May of 2013.
But how does this apply to health care costs? Great question. As health care and wellness have become “hot button” topics nationwide, app developers have taken notice. Countless apps have popped up in the major mobile marketplaces to help people become healthier individuals. If used correctly on a large scale, this could be a component to slowing down rapidly rising health care costs in some areas. How? Ideally, healthier populations should mean lower health care usage, which should eventually lead to lower health care and insurance costs. The best part is that most of these apps are FREE to smartphone and tablet owners! Well, why not take advantage???
Here are some simple ways you can take advantage of these apps to improve your health and likely lower your long-term health care costs, all at your fingertips!
Diet and Nutrition
Calorie Counters, Food Guide Pyramids, Healthy Recipes. You name it; it’s probably in the major app marketplaces. By typing your daily food intake into a calculator, you can see caloric intake (and even nutritional values in some cases) to see if changes need to be made to your diet. A healthy weight is a great start to lowering many controllable health risks, including blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Exercise
Technology is changing the way we exercise! Just open up an application with a pedometer or GPS enabled features and start your workout. Many apps track your workout, compare it to past entries, and sometimes even make recommendations to improve your times, distance, etc. Also, certain apps have diet and nutrition features to show just how much of your daily caloric intake you are burning off.
Health Insurance (Carriers)
Like many larger businesses, health insurance carriers have joined the world of mobile apps. By simply logging into personal accounts, subscribers and their families can now use their phones and tablets to view ID cards, find network doctors, and even check their benefit usage in some cases. By using apps to search for information, subscribers can save some time by avoiding customer hotlines for minor questions. However, not all carriers have identical apps, so features may vary based on the company.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Finally, some participants in high deductible health plans can now check their health savings account balances in merely seconds. By downloading the app associated with your HSA provider, you can view your balance or make transactions right from your mobile device. By knowing exactly health care dollars are being spent, participants can become better consumers through educated decision making processes.
*As mentioned before, there are numerous app options in each of these categories, all with different features. Please check the application’s features before downloading to make sure they fit your needs. Also, please be aware that even though many apps may be free, others may have charges associated with their use. Make sure you read the descriptions and reviews before downloading. Finally, please use extreme caution when downloading apps or giving out personal information on mobile devices to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
