Dive Brief:
- athenahealth has acquired mobile care coordination platform Patient IO for an undisclosed sum.
- The Austin-based health IT startup’s patient self-management tools has been integrated into athenahealth’s population health services.
- Using the app, providers can connect with patients outside the office or clinic, helping them take control of their health and improving outcomes.
Dive Insight:
The deal, announced Monday, follows Apple’s purchase last week of personal health record startup Gliimpse, and underscores a broader trend of companies trying to move into the consumer digital health space and build a bridge between patients and provider groups.
With web-based Patient IO, patients can manage medications, review care instructions or record self-reported data. The platform will form the basis for athenahealth’s patient-facing mobile application, athenaWell. Select clients are already being provided to select customers and will be available to new athenahealth Population Health clients starting this fall, according to the firm.
“Care coordination and patient self-management is the next big ground on which healthcare will compete, Jon Porter, senior vice president of emerging services at athenahealth, said in a press release.