VERIZON WIRELESS’ DIGITAL HEALTHCARE SUITE ADVANCES MOBILE CARE MANAGEMENT, VIRTUAL CARE AND CLINICIAN WORKFLOW

WASHINGTON, D.C., and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Healthcare is experiencing a myriad of changes in the administrative, legislative and technology pillars, with each contributing to the dynamic as we know it.  Verizon Wireless recognizes the need for innovative technologies to address these pillars and is building solutions that address the largest healthcare challenges.  The goal is to improve access to quality healthcare and efficiency while driving lower costs.

Verizon Wireless is focused on developing solutions to address the enormous economic and human cost of chronic disease as well as the prevalent challenge to accessing healthcare for prevention, treatment and follow-up maintenance.  Each year, more than 200,000 Americans die due to preventable, treatable chronic diseases.  The broad challenges across our nation for accessing healthcare for routine care are often rooted in geographic, equipment or medical professional availability.  On average, it takes about 20 days to schedule and complete a visit with a primary care physician.  This problem will only be exacerbated by the growing shortage of healthcare professionals over the next several years.

Verizon Wireless is working to address critical areas in healthcare by developing a suite of digital healthcare solutions encompassing chronic care management, clinician productivity and virtual care.  The company is developing a new digital care management solution focused on chronic care management that will leverage a cloud-based platform and connected medical devices from partners such as Entra Health.  The market differentiator for Verizon Wireless’ solution will be the ability to integrate biometric devices from best-of-breed providers and deliver personalized care plans to people on their mobile devices.

Verizon Wireless’ virtual care solution will leverage advances in 4G LTE technology by utilizing smartphones, tablets and cutting-edge video technology to provide a tool that virtualizes a healthcare visit, eliminating the need to physically visit a doctor’s office for many routine consults.

For people in rural settings and homebound or busy professionals, the ability to engage in a virtual visit greatly improves access to healthcare, saves time and money, and can reduce costly visits to the emergency room. 

Healthcare professionals are rarely at their desks; they are visiting patients at homes, clinics, hospitals and physician offices.  They are truly mobile and need instant access to patient health records and images and clinical reference information.  Verizon Wireless’ mobile clinician solution leverages high-speed mobile networks, smartphones and tablets, combined with partner solutions from providers, such as IQ-Max, Calgary Scientific and Zipnosis, to give clinicians the tools they need to be more productive and to provide care more efficiently.

“Verizon Wireless is committed to the healthcare vertical, and we feel that medical practitioners need the best network to accomplish their goals and run efficient practices,” said Michael Tighe, executive director, mHealth solutions, Verizon Wireless.  “Our depth of knowledge stems from team members who have strong backgrounds in the healthcare industry.  We have engaged in conversations with healthcare professionals of all levels and worked together from the ground up to deliver the right solutions from a technology standpoint.”

Verizon Wireless will be showcasing its Digital Healthcare Solutions suite at the 2011 mHealth Summit in Washington, D.C., from Dec. 5-7 (Booth #303).  On Dec. 6, at 9:30 a.m., John Stratton, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Verizon Wireless, will provide a keynote address on Verizon Wireless’ approach to mHealth.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services for healthcare, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/healthcare. 

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 107.7 million total wireless connections, including 90.7 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 5, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT:

Paul Macchia

Verizon Wireless

201.230.6948 (mobile)

Paul.Macchia@verizonwireless.com