Companies with remote patient monitoring technology have until October 23 to enter a challenge that could see their ideas showcased.

The California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) Health Innovation Fund, Acumen America and Health Equity Ventures, in partnership with Adaptation Health, have announced the virtual programme that will showcase companies whose technology makes scalable, effective and culturally responsive remote patient monitoring (RPM) possible for health care organisations serving the safety net.

Companies have until October 23 to apply.

The challenge will identify promising technology that enables primary care providers to monitor vital health data effectively for Medicaid and other safety-net patient populations. The culminating showcase will give selected companies the opportunity to share their ideas with a national audience of safety-net leaders and potential customers, including providers, policy makers and payers.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has really emphasised the importance of having technologies available that can keep patients connected to the care they need, regardless of their income, internet access, language preferences or other differences,” said Ella Schwartz, senior programme investment officer for the CHCF Health Innovation Fund. “Remote monitoring is an essential one of those technologies and we look forward to surfacing RPM companies with the capabilities and commitment required to meet the unique needs of the safety net.”

To qualify for the showcase, companies’ must support RPM in at least one of the following focus areas, which were identified in collaboration with safety-net leaders, providers, health care foundations and early-stage investors:

• Cardiometabolic conditions focusing on diabetes, hypertension and heart failure;
• Behavioural health monitoring key metrics related to associated conditions; and
• Other conditions relevant to patient care within primary care, safety-net settings.

The application is now open and the deadline to apply is October 23, 2020. The final showcase will be held on November 18 and safety-net stakeholders are encouraged to get in touch.

Adaptation Health is a buyer-side incubator programme developing and building leadership and value on behalf of state Medicaid programmes and managed care organisations. It connects state Medicaid agencies, managed care organisations and ventures to solve deep-rooted problems in Medicaid service delivery.

CHCF is an independent philanthropy dedicated to advancing meaningful, measurable improvements in the way the health care delivery system provides care to the people of California, particularly those with low incomes and those whose needs are not well served by the status quo. It works to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford.

CHCF’s Health Innovation Fund invests in emerging companies to bring innovations and technology to the providers, health systems and payers serving Californians in the safety net.

Acumen tackles poverty by investing in companies, leaders and ideas. It invests patient capital in businesses whose products and services are enabling low-income communities to transform their lives in 14 countries around the world. In the USA, Acumen America invests in early-stage companies across three sectors addressing some of the biggest challenges that face low-income Americans: health, workforce development and financial inclusion.

Health Equity Ventures is an emerging venture and private equity fund focused on inclusive healthcare innovations. It prioritises investments in underserved populations and underrepresented founders that advance a healthcare system that works for everyone.