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Everything You Need To Know About Telemedicine vs. Virtual Care

Due to time and money, more and more people are interested in seeing online doctors. But knowing where to start when you’re new to the concept can be daunting.

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4 ways employers and payers can navigate the changing landscape of T2D, obesity and weight management.

In recent years, select GLP-1a drugs have become a common treatment for Type-2 diabetes, and drugs in that class have been approved for weight loss. Utilization of these drugs have been driven by social media influencers and advertising. Combined with the fact that more than 41% of U.S. adults identified as obese, the demand for […]

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Ciba Health Partners with Stonebrook Risk Solutions to provide access to chronic disease reversal to millions of Americans.

New York, 08/30/2013 – Ciba Health, a global innovator in digital health and value-based care has announced a partnership with Stonebrook Risk Solutions. This collaboration aims to deliver access to Ciba Health’s comprehensive chronic disease reversal solutions to potentially millions of Americans suffering from chronic conditions, revolutionizing the way chronic conditions are treated and managed. […]

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Ciba Health opening a new office in Canada

Ciba Health is announcing the opening of a new office in Edmonton as the next step in the company’s global expansion. Supported by Alberta Innovates and Edmonton Global to launch operations in Edmonton, AB, Ciba Health will be bringing expertise in digital therapeutics, AI and chronic disease reversal to the region. It will enhance the […]

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Revolutionary Approach to Healthcare: The Case of Reversing Obesity and Related Chronic Diseases

The US healthcare system spends almost $173 billion annually on obesity-related costs, making it a priority issue for the healthcare sector. Over the past few years, the healthcare sector has been heavily focused on creating and promoting drugs for diabetes and weight loss. Despite the massive amount of capital invested in these drugs, healthcare expenses […]

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We are proud to announce that Sharon A. Williams has joined the Ciba Health team as a Strategic Adviser.

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LG NOVA Selects Companies, Entrepreneurs for Second Annual Mission for the Future Program

Of 2,170 submissions, including 752 in digital health, Ciba Health is among the top 20 that have been officially selected for LG NOVA’s second annual Mission for the Future ’22 Global Search for innovative concepts and transformative solutions for people and the planet. The Mission for the Future Global Search is a program hosted by […]

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The CDC recognizes and approves Ciba Health’s diabetes prevention program to be used in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)

NEW YORK, September 20, 2022 – Ciba Health, best known for its innovative Prediabetes/Diabetes Reversal Programs, has been recognized and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) – the federally backed effort to prevent diabetes in Americans). According to CDC estimates, 1 in […]

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Forbes Official Member

Ciba Health’s CEO, Dr. Innocent Clement, has accepted Forbes Business Council’s invitation to become an official member!

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Ciba Health’s Affiliate Program is up and running!

Ciba Health’s Affiliate Program is up and running! We are so excited to partner with healthcare professionals and bring chronic disease reversal solutions to more and more people. ⁠

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What to Expect From Virtual Healthcare in 2022

Virtual healthcare is seeing a tremendous rise in popularity. Whether it’s to avoid Covid transmission or out of convenience, more and more people are turning to online doctor visits as a means of healthcare. Virtual healthcare provides a quick and easy solution to basic healthcare needs, from sinus infections to mental health appointments.  Online doctor […]

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Due to time and money, more and more people are interested in seeing online doctors. But knowing where to start when you’re new to the concept can be daunting. What’s the difference between telemedicine and virtual care? And how do you make an online doctor appointment? These are key questions you should have a basic understanding of before you book your first telemedicine appointment. 

What is Telemedicine?

The rising healthcare costs over the recent years have presented a problem for people trying to gain quick access to common yet acute health issues. Waiting for weeks for an appointment with their Primary Care Physicians isn’t an option, and that is if they have one. And sitting for hours in an Urgent Care waiting room to be seen for a UTI isn’t time effective. The advancement of technology created a solution. Telemedicine.

WHO, the World Health Organization, defines telemedicine as “healing from a distance“. Telemedicine is the practice of medicine utilizing modern technology to offer medical care from a distance. An online doctor in one location can administer treatment to a patient in their home or office by telephone, tablet, or computer. These appointments can decrease the cost of practicing medicine allowing the co-pays or payments to be reduced from those of Urgent Care and Emergency Room visits and often even your PCP. 

According to The American Journal of Accountable Care, “The use of telemedicine has been shown to allow for better long-term care management and patient satisfaction.”

Today, when lifestyles are hectic, saving time by removing long waits at medical facilities to have your minor health issues diagnosed could be preferable. 

What is Virtual Care?

So while telemedicine is the practice of online doctors administering medicine to address illnesses, virtual care, also known as telehealth, is somewhat different. Virtual care refers to a broad range of healthcare services delivered virtually to provide care at a distance. 

While telemedicine leans more towards acute treatment, virtual care covers an extensive range of services, such as preventive care, health coaching, mental health services, nutritional coaching, and more. While care may include administering medicine, it also includes preventive care and reversing harmful behaviors and health issues. 

Virtual care can include online doctors, dieticians, coaches, nurse practitioners, psychologists, naturopathic doctors, and other healthcare workers. 

What’s the Difference?

So what is the difference between telemedicine and virtual care? Both are addressing your medical needs via telecommunications, but they have different purposes. Telemedicine is looking to address acute illnesses just as a physical doctor would if you became sick and needed to get in for a prescription-only it is done virtually. 

Virtual care manages your overall health via online communication. It looks at a broader scope and can involve a multitude of healthcare providers. 

Either way, you might talk to an online doctor. Making an online doctor appointment is still easy, but you can also make one for the other healthcare practitioners in their practice that help manage your health. Virtual care often does more than manage care; it can also educate and provide an extensive plan of action to restore your health and includes preventive health and deals with the root cause of your illness. 

Also, because telemedicine deals with acute medicine, you might see a different online doctor each time you have an online doctor appointment. While with virtual care, you generally work with a dedicated team that you see regularly and are able to build a relationship with. 

How Does an Online Doctor Visit Work?

Visiting an online doctor or healthcare professional is quick and easy, whether for a virtual care or telemedicine visit. There is no travel time or sitting restlessly in cold waiting rooms. You can make an online doctor appointment and attend the appointment from the comfort of your own home. 

You will need access to a camera, microphone, and speaker on your phone, tablet, or computer. You will need to verify who you are before beginning your appointment. Your online doctor is a board-certified doctor who is licensed in your state, and the other healthcare professionals you might see have all of their appropriate state licenses and certifications as well. Appropriate licensing is required of every professional working in the online health industry. 

Once you log into your appointment, you might have to wait a few moments in a “waiting room”, this is usually a very short duration and nowhere near the amount of time you would spend in a physical office. When the doctor is ready, they will log in and ask you to look directly into the camera so they can properly identify you. Then they will ask you a series of questions to establish why you are there. From there, your appointment would be much like a physical appointment, only there is no weigh-in, and your vitals are not taken. 

Otherwise, your online doctor appointment is very similar to your physical doctor or other healthcare professional. 

Do I Need to See a Physical Doctor?

For some health issues, you will still need to see a physical doctor. And for some healthcare platforms, like Ciba Health, you will need to have seen a physician within the past 3 years. Once this has happened, Ciba Health can offer ongoing support through video conferences, phone calls, and messaging. 

Types of Appointments Suited for Online Doctor Appointments

Not every type of medical issue is suited for online doctor appointments but many are. Some various examples are: 

  • Cold & flu symptoms
  • Pink eye
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Skin infections & rashes
  • Sinus infections
  • Mental health 
  • Preventative health

Why Does My Online Doctor Need to See My ID?

Before your online doctor or healthcare professional can proceed with your online telemedicine appointment, you must have your identity confirmed. How this is done is by giving your government-issued ID and sometimes your insurance photo. For Ciba Health, you will provide your government-issued ID and a second clear face photo. 

When the doctor comes on the video screen, you will look directly into the camera so the online doctor can compare your face with that of your government-issued identification. This ensures you are who you present yourself to be so that your medical records are accurate. 

Is a Video Chat Required?

If you are wondering if a video chat is required for your online doctor appointment, well, it depends. It’s a matter of your state regulations. Some states require all appointments to be via video. In other states, your telemedicine appointments can be via phone or message. These non-video appointments are usually after initial contact has been made, however. 

Is it Legal to Get an Online Prescription?

Online prescriptions, are they legal? While you cannot just obtain an online prescription with a few clicks of your mouse, you can meet with an online doctor, who may prescribe medication if needed. You must consult a medical doctor first, either by video chat or phone, to obtain an online prescription. 

How Do I Make a Virtual Care Appointment?

While every online healthcare platform is different, at Ciba Health, you will select “Book a first appointment” under the onboarding to-do list to book your telemedicine appointment. You can also choose “Appointments” from the left navigation bar to secure your online doctor appointment. In addition to that, you can select a specialist in the “Book an appointment” section on the dashboard. 

Is Online healthcare safe?

Online healthcare is safe and effective if the patients answer questions truthfully. However, that is the case whether visiting an online doctor or a physical one. The care you receive from doctors and other healthcare professionals is only adequate when they have a full and accurate picture from which to work with, both with online doctor appointments and physical doctor visits. 

When working with online doctors, it is a partnership where they rely on you to provide them with accurate information so they can correctly assess your needs and prescribe appropriate medications, request lab work, or modify behavior. Your responsibility is to read your healthcare plan then follow through. It is essential to make the most of your telemedicine appointment by being honest with your online doctor and following the plan of action. 

In virtual care appointments, you are getting a different level of care as the support is more involved than a one-time visit. So you build a relationship with your providers. Building a relationship provides a certain level of trust that helps in establishing an open line of communication and a safer environment for care. 

How Much Does it Cost?

When booking your telemedicine appointment, you may wonder how much it cost. According to khn.org the average online doctor appointment is $79 as opposed to $146 for an in-office visit. At Ciba Health, we offer an all-inclusive virtual care package with the Complete Care Plan.

 The plan includes: 

  • 12 months of care
  • 4 doctor visits
  • 4 health coach visits
  • Functional health report
  • Access to advanced biomarker testing
  • Unlimited messaging
  • 24/7 access to Ciba Health platform
  • 1 mental health consultation

Ciba Health also offers a Root Cause Discovery Plan for $194, a 2 week-long program to help determine the root of your health issues and address them holistically with a roadmap to good health. 

Are Telehealth Visits Reimbursable?

At Ciba Health, your online doctor appointments and those with our other healthcare professionals are all part of our programs, and you can use your HSA/FSA dollars to pay for your program or get the cost reimbursed to you if you should pay out of pocket. Most insurance companies will fully cover our Depression & Anxiety program. We will gladly prepare a superbill for you to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. 

A Matter of Convenience

Seeing an online doctor is the wave of the future. Saving time, effort, and money makes online doctor appointments a perfect way to manage your healthcare. Whether you are searching for telemedicine to meet your acute medical needs or want to regain control of your health with virtual care, online appointments could be right for you. Virtual care can help you find the root cause of your health issue, create a detailed plan to control or improve the issues you are facing and start living a better life. With Ciba Health’s lifestyle plans, there are options waiting for you. 

Start restoring your health today. To find out more about how you can get started with one of our plans, click HERE

In recent years, select GLP-1a drugs have become a common treatment for Type-2 diabetes, and drugs in that class have been approved for weight loss. Utilization of these drugs have been driven by social media influencers and advertising. Combined with the fact that more than 41% of U.S. adults identified as obese, the demand for GLP-1a drugs for weight loss has increased exponentially.

According to a recent Prime Therapeutics study, among those individuals who initiated GLP-1 drugs for weight loss at one year follow-up, those patients had a significantly higher total cost of care, at $7,727 per person. Adherence to these drugs was just 27% of individuals taking GLP-1 drugs after one year. Among GLP-1 adherent individuals, the increase in costs was even higher, double that of the matched controls, at $13,218 higher total cost of care per person.

Prime forecasts that an increase of GLP-1a weight loss utilization by 1% of an insured population would bring an additional $14.50 per member per month (PMPM) expense for most self-insured employers – an increase of more than 5% of their entire drug spend budget.  

On top of the cost consideration, relying solely on medicine is insufficient. Obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment is an intricate process with numerous obstacles that could impact its efficacy. To build a truly effective and cost-effective plans for members here are four specific areas that employers and payers can concentrate on:

1. Prevention. 

Preventing obesity from developing in the first place is critical, as it eliminates the need for costly medical interventions and treatments down the line.

Investing resources in prevention programs is an astute strategy that can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes, especially for high-risk groups. Such programs can include education about healthy eating habits, exercise and fitness regimes, and access to support systems such as professional counseling or community support groups. In addition, employers can encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles by offering discounted gym memberships, introducing healthy eating options in the workplace, and creating a culture of wellness.

Preventing obesity can thus lead to significant savings for payers and employers, reducing the burden on healthcare and insurance systems. According to a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, an investment of $10 per person per year in community-based prevention programs can result in net savings of more than $16 billion over ten years, resulting from reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity.

Furthermore, preventive measures can also improve overall quality of life for individuals, leading to greater happiness and well-being. Focusing on prevention equips individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to make better lifestyle choices, leading to a healthier society as a whole.

2. Behavioral Change.

Studies have shown that behavioral change programs can produce long-lasting results by addressing the root causes of weight gain and diabetes. Behavioral change programs employ several techniques to motivate individuals towards their desired goals. 

Self-monitoring, goal-setting, and positive reinforcement are some of the most effective strategies utilized in these programs. By tracking food intake, physical activities, and behavior changes, participants can analyze their progress and adjust their plans accordingly. Additionally, setting achievable goals and celebrating milestones increases participants’ confidence, making it easier for them to maintain healthy habits.

3. Whole-Health, Root-Cause Approach.

Instead of investing in expensive drugs, employers and healthcare plans are increasingly prioritizing helping people target the underlying reasons for their weight gain and chronic disease. This requires a personalized, precision-based approach that considers each person’s unique biology and lifestyle. Ciba Health’s root-cause methodology is a prime example of such an approach, using cutting-edge technologies such as AI and precision medicine to create tailored care plans and lifestyle strategies that address the underlying causes of cellular dysfunction. 

The Ciba Health approach eliminates the need for GLP1 drugs and improves overall health while effectively saving the healthcare industry millions of dollars.  

4. Step Therapy and/or Prior Authorization for Medications.

While medications can provide relief to those who truly need it, over-reliance on medication can actually exacerbate chronic conditions and cause additional health problems. There is a growing trend among employers and payers to encourage the population to reverse their chronic conditions using the whole-health root-cause approach before turning to medications.  

One example of this growing trend is the use of Ciba Health’s “Type 2 Diabetes Reversal Program” and “Prediabetes, Obesity and Weight Management Program” as a step therapy to accessing GLP-1 medications. This means that in order to be authorized to use costly medications that fail to address the root cause of the disease, patients must first enroll in and complete a root-cause program that has a success rate of 98% in reversing the conditions and associated weight issues without medication. 

As a result, employers and payers can enjoy financial cost-effectiveness without compromising employee or members  access to the care they need. And with Ciba Health’s sustainable and effective care mission, everyone comes out ahead.

In a world where healthcare costs are skyrocketing, obesity and chronic conditions are becoming increasingly common, taking a sustainable root-cause approach is becoming more and more necessary. By focusing on the root cause of disease and working to address it in a holistic manner, patients can achieve long-term success and improved health outcomes, while also reducing the burden on employers and payers.

New York, 08/30/2013 – Ciba Health, a global innovator in digital health and value-based care has announced a partnership with Stonebrook Risk Solutions. This collaboration aims to deliver access to Ciba Health’s comprehensive chronic disease reversal solutions to potentially millions of Americans suffering from chronic conditions, revolutionizing the way chronic conditions are treated and managed.

Ciba Health is known for its personalized approach to healthcare, utilizing cutting-edge technology and a whole-person health methodology to prevent, treat, and reverse chronic conditions effectively. With a range of root-cause programs addressing type 2 diabetes, digestive health, obesity, depression and anxiety, and advanced primary care, Ciba Health is focused on addressing the underlying causes of diseases rather than just managing symptoms.

Stonebrook Risk Solutions is building an integrated platform  for health plans and TPA’s as an alternative to the large national  health plans. Stonebrook’s digital platform allows best-in-class providers, such as Ciba Health, to connect  via API and combine their services into compelling offerings that aim to reverse the trend of rising health care costs while drastically improving outcomes. By offering employers, brokers, and consultants a higher quality option, Stonebrook aims to disrupt the industry and provide superior care with better options and better pricing. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Stonebrook Risk Solutions in our shared mission to transform chronic disease care,” said Dr. Innocent Clement, CEO of Ciba Health. “By integrating our comprehensive chronic disease reversal solutions with Stonebrook’s innovative approach, we aim to revolutionize healthcare delivery and empower employers and individuals to take control of their healthcare options like never before”. 

By harnessing the power of data from medical history, labs, and connected devices, Ciba Health’s proprietary methodology enables a personalized and whole-person approach to healthcare. Each patient is assigned a dedicated team of providers – including health coaches, dietitians, and physicians – who work collaboratively to create personalized health plans and provide ongoing support. Through the partnership with Stonebrook, Ciba Health will provide advanced chronic disease solutions to a broader population at risk. 

“Stonebrook’s goal is to organize a best-in-class team of partners all of whom focus on medical management and controlling the cost of the care.” said Mark Angard, Chief Executive Officer of Stonebrook Risk Solutions. “With its unique chronic disease reversal approach, Ciba Health represents the best example of a cost containment company that adds value to the ecosystem bringing valuable savings to our clients and members of the health plan. Additionally, Ciba Health’s responsiveness and willingness to join our ecosystem have made it a positive business opportunity for both sides”.

For more information about Ciba Health and its revolutionary chronic disease reversal solutions, visit their website at [cibahealth.com]. To learn more about Stonebrook Risk Solutions and their integrated national health plan, please visit [stonebrookrisk.com].

Ciba Health Ciba Health is a global digital health and value-based care platform focused on preventing, treating, and reversing chronic conditions through a whole-person health approach. Their cutting-edge technology and personalized programs empower individuals to take control of their health, reverse chronic diseases and improve overall well-being.

Stonebrook Risk Solutions Stonebrook Risk Solutions is building an integrated national health plan as an alternative to traditional providers, offering superior care and better pricing. Their innovative approach aims to disrupt the industry by creating a cohesive ecosystem that integrates best-in-class providers and delivers compelling healthcare solutions to employers, brokers, and consultants.

Please note: The information provided in this press release is based on the context and sources available at the time of writing. Any specific details or updates regarding the partnership between Ciba Health and Stonebrook Risk Solutions should be obtained from official announcements or by contacting the respective organizations directly.

Ciba Health is announcing the opening of a new office in Edmonton as the next step in the company’s global expansion. Supported by Alberta Innovates and Edmonton Global to launch operations in Edmonton, AB, Ciba Health will be bringing expertise in digital therapeutics, AI and chronic disease reversal to the region. It will enhance the growth of the Edmonton health and life science sector, strengthen Canada’s tech ecosystem, and help serve patients dealing with type 2 diabetes. 

“We are very excited to welcome Ciba Health into the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. Ciba Health will bring new innovations to our health and life sciences sector — an extremely valuable addition to our strong and growing ecosystem.” said Malcolm Bruce, CEO of Edmonton Global. “We have world-class facilities like the Alberta Diabetes Institute to support diabetes research and precision health, and Ciba Health will help this industry thrive, lower hospital visits, and get Canadians the care they need. We look forward to what contributions will come from Ciba Health’s leadership in the Edmonton region.”

Utilizing artificial intelligence for predictive medicine, Ciba Health has chosen the Edmonton region due to its well-developed health and life science sector with plenty of room for growth within North America. The company aims to hire from 15 to 20 employees in the first year in Alberta and double the size of the team in the second year of operations. This investment will play a role in reduced hospital visits and increased R&D opportunities for life sciences. Ciba Health plans to initially be located at the Health Innovation Hub. 

“We are excited to continue our global expansion in Canada, particularly in Edmonton, Alberta. We definitely see the need for our solutions, especially the Type 2 Diabetes Reversal and the Prediabetes, Obesity & Weight Loss Programs.” shared Ciba Health’s CEO Dr. Innocent Clement. “We truly believe that our innovative product will improve quality of life, enhance healthcare, and empower the fight against chronic diseases in a much more efficient way. We are happy to be able to count on partners such as Edmonton Global, Alberta Innovates, and Plug and Play Alberta to continue our journey and be part of such a welcoming and innovative ecosystem.” 

Alberta Innovates, Plug and Play Alberta and Edmonton Global have been working to support Ciba Health’s expansion plans by providing insights about the local business landscape and making valuable introductions to service providers and partners. 

The US healthcare system spends almost $173 billion annually on obesity-related costs, making it a priority issue for the healthcare sector. Over the past few years, the healthcare sector has been heavily focused on creating and promoting drugs for diabetes and weight loss. Despite the massive amount of capital invested in these drugs, healthcare expenses have continued to increase, and adverse side effects from inadequate treatments are becoming more widespread. As a result, there has been a growing recognition that these solutions do not address the root causes of weight gain and chronic disease, nor do they offer sustainable, long-lasting solutions for individuals struggling with these conditions.

Instead of investing in expensive drugs, employers and healthcare plans are increasingly prioritizing helping people target the underlying reasons for their weight gain and chronic disease. This requires a personalized, precision-based approach that considers each person’s unique biology and lifestyle. Ciba Health’s root-cause methodology is a prime example of such an approach, utilizing precision medicine, cutting-edge technologies, such as AI to create tailored care plans and lifestyle strategies that address the underlying causes of cellular dysfunction.

This approach eliminates or reduces the need for medications and lowers the costs and side effects associated with these drugs, resulting in significant cost savings for employers and payers. 

While medications can provide relief to those who truly need it, over-reliance on medication can actually exacerbate chronic conditions and cause additional health problems. Thus, there is a growing trend among employers and payers to encourage the population to reverse their chronic conditions utilizing the whole-health, root-cause approach before turning to medications.  

One example of this growing trend is the use of Ciba Health’s “Type 2 Diabetes Reversal Program” and “Prediabetes, Obesity and Weight Loss Program” as prior authorization to accessing medication. This means that in order to be authorized to use costly medications that fail to address the root cause of the disease, patients must first enroll in and complete a root-cause program that has a success rate of 98% in reversing the conditions and associated weight issues without medication. 

Employers and payers can enjoy financial cost-effectiveness without compromising employee or members access to the care they need. With Ciba Health’s sustainable and effective care solutions, everyone comes out ahead.

It’s time to take a stand against skyrocketing healthcare costs and the growing prevalence of obesity and chronic conditions. As more patients, employers and health plans embrace a whole-health, root-cause approach, it becomes evident that addressing the underlying causes of diseases in a holistic manner will achieve long-term success, cut costs and improve health outcomes. Join Ciba Health in promoting this life-changing approach and contributing to a healthier future for all.

Learn more about the Ciba Health’s Prediabetes, Obesity and Weight Loss Program.

Of 2,170 submissions, including 752 in digital health, Ciba Health is among the top 20 that have been officially selected for LG NOVA’s second annual Mission for the Future ’22 Global Search for innovative concepts and transformative solutions for people and the planet. The Mission for the Future Global Search is a program hosted by LG NOVA, LG Electronics’ North American Innovation Center, to find promising businesses for collaboration with LG to jointly develop new solutions to improve quality of life and build a better future.

As a part of this program, Ciba Health may qualify for pilot programs with LG NOVA, and potential investments from LG Electronics, LG Display, and other LG NOVA affiliates.

Click here to learn more about the Mission for the Future.

NEW YORK, September 20, 2022 – Ciba Health, best known for its innovative Prediabetes/Diabetes Reversal Programs, has been recognized and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) – the federally backed effort to prevent diabetes in Americans).

According to CDC estimates, 1 in 3 American adults — about 87 million people — has prediabetes. If left untreated, 40% of all American adults will be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The cost of care for those with diabetes now accounts for approximately 1 in 4 healthcare dollars spent in the United States.

“Being recognized and approved by the CDC, and included in the National DPP program, means Ciba Health’s novel diabetes programs can reach and help even more Americans suffering from this chronic disease. Chronic illness prevention is one of the biggest challenges of our generation. With this greater reach, more Americans will be able to take advantage of preventive medicine,” said Ciba Health’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Innocent Clement. “Ciba Health has demonstrated preventive success in patients exhibiting the precursors to diabetes, plus reversing type 2 diabetes for those who are already diagnosed. CDC approval and support is clearly an important step in our journey.”

Ciba Health uses an individual’s biochemistry to treat their underlying disease, as they understand no two patients are alike. This comprehensive whole-person health approach is designed to get to the root cause of chronic conditions, reduce/eliminate the need for medications, increase energy, improve sleep, and reverse disease.

“We, at SPS Companies, are very excited to offer Ciba’s whole-person, root-cause health solutions to our employees. We started with the Type 2 Diabetes Reversal Program in 2022 and are excited to expand our partnership with Ciba Health by integrating additional precision medicine solutions into our programs. We take the health of our employees very seriously and want to give our employees every tool possible to help them realize and sustain ever-improving health. We truly believe that Ciba Health’s innovative programs can prevent and treat chronic diseases among our employees.” says Corey Kephart, Vice President of Human Resources at SPS Companies.

About DPP

The CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is a partnership of public and private organizations working to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Partners make it easier for people at risk for type 2 diabetes to participate in evidence-based lifestyle change programs to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes.

About Ciba Health

Ciba Heath (cibahealth.com) was established in 2019, with the mission of improving health through precision and personalized medicine. Initially focused on Pre & type 2 diabetes reversal, Ciba has grown its portfolio of products to include Advanced Primary Care, Depression & Anxiety, and Digestive Health. Offering tailored health programs to its patients, Ciba addresses the root cause of a disease with its team of doctors, psychiatrists, health coaches, and nutritionists, leveraging cutting-edge technology for predictive analytics, remote patient monitoring, and digital therapeutic devices for real-time data monitoring.

Virtual healthcare is seeing a tremendous rise in popularity. Whether it’s to avoid Covid transmission or out of convenience, more and more people are turning to online doctor visits as a means of healthcare. Virtual healthcare provides a quick and easy solution to basic healthcare needs, from sinus infections to mental health appointments. 

Online doctor appointments allow a patient to save time and money. No more travel time or long time wasted in waiting rooms. With internet service, camera and microphone, which is standard with phones and laptops, you can be connected to a doctor within minutes. 

The changes in technology have allowed the medical field to offer these services, but offering online doctor appointments has changed how healthcare professionals practice medicine and the laws that govern it. As virtual healthcare grows, you can expect changes, so it is essential to look at what is in store for 2022. 

What to Expect from Virtual Healthcare in 2022

The virtual healthcare market is growing at incredible speeds. The American virtual healthcare market is expected to reach revenues of over $3.5 billion by 2022. This revenue includes online doctor visits through audio, video, and kiosks. 

These healthcare changes allow patients to receive fast treatment for non-urgent care and follow-up mental health appointments for ongoing treatments. The matter of convenience is allowing for patients to be seen more quickly than they would by visiting their primary care physician in the office or waiting to be seen in Urgent Care. It also prevents those offices from being backlogged by non-urgent appointments. 

While many people are opting for virtual healthcare, many more still have not considered its benefits. Education is vital in expanding its reach. 

What is New in Physical Health

Up until recently, chronic disease has been monitored by healthcare professionals at in-person health facilities.  Chronic disease is the leading cause of death in America, and it is also the driving force behind the $3.8 annual healthcare costs. While utilizing online doctor appointments for acute symptoms, virtual healthcare is also becoming a preferred method of managing or proactively reclaiming your health. This is being done through holistic healthcare means and root-cause-based healthcare. 

During COVID, many chronic disease patients began leaning on virtual healthcare to help manage their conditions. There are several benefits that make it a preferred choice such as: 

  • No transportation time or costs
  • No need to take time off of work
  • Eliminate the need for childcare
  • No long waits to be seen
  • No chance of catching other illnesses

When life has returned to normal and the pandemic is behind us, you can expect virtual care for chronic conditions to keep growing. With improved technology, increased access to specialists, more affordable and comprehensive options, and the growth of root-based-cause healthcare virtual care for chronic illness will be a preferred means of healthcare in 2022 and beyond. 

Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote Patient Monitoring is a process that allows your healthcare provider to get a broad real-time view of how you are doing in real-time. A multitude of devices can be supplied to the patients by the healthcare staff, allowing for a constant stream of data to be provided to the doctor. These devices could be anything from a web-connected scale to an Oura ring. Whatever gives the healthcare professional a real-time view of the patient’s physical health to develop and adjust a personalized plan as needed.

Virtual Care vs Telemedicine 

While most people are familiar with telemedicine appointments for acute symptoms such as earaches, they may not know they work hand in hand with remote patient monitoring. Virtual Care appointments help establish a patient’s needs at the beginning of their healthcare journey and may be needed again if things get out of balance along the way. Having the doctor constantly checking in lets them know of your personal needs so that you can make an online doctor appointment to make adjustments at any time. 

Remote Diagnostics

Expect to see more healthcare professionals turn to remote diagnostics. This allows for a patient’s vitals to be monitored through diagnostic devices that connect through the computer and enable the healthcare professional to check the status of various health markers. Portable kits are being sold that contain devices such as otoscopes, stethoscopes, pulse oximeters. These devices help give doctors get a broader view when monitoring chronic diseases. These kits are typically reimbursable via your insurance or HSA. 

What is New in Mental Health 

Mental health visits became more popular with the onset of Covid, especially with smaller mental health offices. It was a way to continue the constant care that mental health patients needed to stick with their therapy and to check in with their doctor regarding their mental state and how they were doing with their medication. 

Virtual Care offers mental health patients better access to online mental health clinicians, such as therapists and psychiatrists, making mental health easily available to people in rural areas where there might not be as many options. 

Online mental healthcare is helping with the stigma surrounding mental health by making it more accessible and giving people options. It can be overwhelming waiting to be seen at a mental health practice where many people are waiting to be seen. But by providing the option for people to get help from the privacy of their own home it provides a level of comfort they might not have otherwise. Online mental health is rapidly growing and is expected to be one of the top 10 online medical specialties for 2020. Expect to see the client base grow due to the accessibility and privacy of online mental health visits. 

Recently, CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) decided to allow Medicare to pay for mental health virtual visits, with certain conditions, like including the virtual healthcare visits provided by rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers. Also, the patient has an in-person visit within 6 months prior to the first virtual visit and at least once every 6 months afterward. Another stipulation is that doctors allow for audio-only appointments instead of video. The fact that Medicare is getting on board is a sign that virtual mental health appointments are here to stay.

How Covid Affected Online Healthcare

The use of telehealth services exploded during the pandemic. Many healthcare practitioners and small healthcare facilities moved to online visits, where applicable, to avoid spreading the virus. With the onset of the pandemic, many offices were not prepared for the influx of online doctor appointments and quickly had to adjust. Regulations as well had to be adjusted to accommodate the rising need for virtual healthcare. In this AMA video, Todd Askew, Senior Vice-President of Advocacy at AMA, mentioned how Covid-19 had moved us forward a decade in the use of telemedicine. 

While restrictions have been temporarily lifted or modified, the question now is how to have them permanently adjusted to maintain the level of care being received through virtual healthcare. The AMA has reached out to Congress via the Physicians Grassroots Network, which is no longer an active campaign, to call on Congress to convince them to lift the geographic restrictions on telehealth services permanently. Unfortunately, as noted, this campaign has failed. However, other efforts are being taken in its place, like Senator Schatz’s CONNECT for Health Act.

CONNECT for Health Act

The CONNECT for Health Act was introduced by Senators Schatz, Wicker, Cochran, Cardin, Thune, and Warner and Representatives Black, Welch, and Harper. This bill has been introduced before and died on the House of Representatives floor. Senator Schatz believes that this act might now be passed between his bi-partisan support and the effects of the pandemic. 

This act would pave the way for virtual healthcare by broadening the standards set by law to allow for Medicare and Medicaid acceptance. It matters if the CONNECT for Health Act approves telehealth for Medicare because it opens the door for all practitioners and changes the laws that govern online healthcare as a whole, such as permanently removing all geographic restrictions. Over 50 healthcare companies support the bill. 

A Better Level of Care

No matter what, the future can only bring a better level of care for virtual healthcare. With the influx of patients due to Covid, healthcare agencies had to adjust quickly. Now they have had time to work out any kinks and improve early efforts of virtual care. Virtual healthcare already provides so many benefits that it is no wonder that the industry is growing with each passing year. 

To recap some of the benefits:

  • No travel time
  • No in-office wait times
  • Quickly get an appointment
  • Easy access for those with mobility issues or in rural areas
  • Eliminate childcare
  • Eliminate chances of getting a new illness

Virtual healthcare options provide easy access to multidisciplinary healthcare facilities fitting all your healthcare needs are also the wave of the future. While healthcare offices with multidisciplinary teams are growing, they are few and far between if not in large metropolitan areas. Having access to them via online services affords patients a much better level of care.

Final Thoughts

Many of us have learned with Covid that some things are just not necessary, or at least they can be frequently avoided. From shopping for your groceries in the store to wasting hours at the doctor-only to find out that yes, the pain in your ear is, in fact, an earache. 

When it comes to preventative health or functional medicine, virtual healthcare makes even more sense. Avoiding doctors’ offices filled with sick patients so you can manage your diabetes doesn’t seem practical at all. With root-based programs, like the ones at Ciba Health, you can get all your needs met with our multidisciplinary team from the comfort of your home. We are taking your virtual healthcare needs into 2022 and beyond. Get started with all the fantastic benefits of your plan by booking a call today.

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