Recently, the Connected Health Initiative (CHI) submitted a statement for the record at the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing titled “Health at Your Fingertips: Harnessing the Power of Digital Health Data.” The hearing focused on the growing role of wearable health technology and the need for better data sharing across healthcare systems. As wearable technology drives forward health innovation, Congress must understand the challenges facing adoption and coverage.
Wearable technologies are changing the way people manage their health by giving them a deeper understanding of their health and helping catch potential issues early. Conditions such as atrial fibrillation, hyperthyroidism, and postpartum preeclampsia have been flagged by heart rate tracking software in wearable devices, enabling life-saving early intervention.
But the adoption of wearable device technology has been slow in comparison to its potential impact. That’s where the WEAR IT (Wearable Equipment Adoption Reinforcement and Investment in Technology) Act comes in. WEAR IT would accelerate the wider adoption of wearable device technology, which would in turn expand the useful applications of wearables and speed up their innovation cycles. The bill would allow people to use their flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) to get reimbursed for wearable health devices and related software, as long as they are used to manage health conditions. If passed, it could help lower healthcare costs for both patients and the government.
Wearable technology is more than just a helpful tool—it’s becoming a necessity, especially given the ongoing physician shortage. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates that we could be short up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. And if underserved communities were to adopt healthcare usage patterns similar to those of better-served areas, the shortage could exceed 100,000. Fewer doctors means higher costs and less access to care. Wearables can help alleviate some of this strain by empowering patients to take charge of their health and catch potential problems early.
Wearable devices provide doctors with valuable health data, making it easier for them to assess and treat patients remotely. Telehealth has become vital in rural areas, where access to healthcare providers is often limited.
Additionally, wearables can make a significant difference in chronic care management (CCM). Devices that track long-term conditions like diabetes and hypertension allow for more consistent monitoring, leading to better outcomes and fewer high-cost, emergency interventions. The Chronic Care Management Improvement Act, while not specifically focused on wearables, would expand access to CCM for Medicare beneficiaries. Given the role that wearables play in managing chronic conditions, the WEAR IT Act and the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act naturally fit together to help address care for chronic conditions.
If wearable health devices’ potential for ensuring a more efficient health system is to be realized, interoperability between medical devices and health information technology systems is integral to ensuring a more efficient healthcare landscape. In this context, interoperability would allow health data to flow freely and securely across different systems, like between personal healthcare devices and physicians’ electronic health records. Platforms must enable patient-generated health data to be integrated into electronic health records and support patient engagement through open application programming interfaces (APIs). While federal law prohibits information blocking, many businesses still encounter difficulties with interoperability, which leads to multiple adverse effects, including delayed care, harmed decision-making, and stifled innovation. These harms are particularly detrimental for small businesses, like those trying to provide a higher standard of security in sensitive information delivery, who cannot achieve their goals because bigger players refuse to interoperate with their systems. They do not have the same resources as larger companies to address such setbacks.
Wearables and the associated health data they gather will accelerate the transition towards a value-based health system. One of the key components of value-based care is the emphasis on prevention rather than symptom treatment. Wearables give patients more control over their health, making it easier for them to catch problems early and work with their healthcare providers. The WEAR IT Act makes it easier for people to use existing FSA and HSA funds to pay for these devices, giving them more access to preventive care.
The discussion of wearable health technology is far from over, especially as it becomes an essential tool in improving healthcare access, reducing costs, and managing chronic conditions. With the growing physician shortage and the shift toward value-based care, wearable health devices are one of the most effective ways of enhancing healthcare access and controlling the cost of care. Wearable health devices are already helping create a healthcare ecosystem that is more patient-centered, cost-effective, and prepared for the future. The federal government needs to catch up.
