Apple and Aetna Talked Data Privacy, Cost and More in Apple Watch Meeting

Apple and insurance provider Aetna met last week to discuss ways to offer discounted Apple Watch models to Aetna's 23 million subscribers, and CNBC has shared details on some of the topics that were discussed at the meeting, attended by Aetna employees, Apple executives, and health providers from major hospitals.

Aetna is aiming to determine whether the Apple Watch can be used by subscribers to improve health outcomes by encouraging them to exercise, eat better, and better manage health issues. Info on the meeting came from Mandy Bishop, an attendee who founded startup Lifely Insights. Much of the meeting consisted of feedback from Aetna employees who have been testing the Apple Watch.

Apple Watch trio
Data privacy, including who had access to what data, was a major topic of discussion, with Apple explaining that Apple Watch health data can only be shared with third-party apps and companies with express user consent.

The Apple Watch's lack of situational awareness was brought up as a pain point, such as when the device delivers a stand notification when a user is on a plane or in another environment that makes standing difficult. Cost was also a significant topic of discussion.

One theme that emerged during the event, she said, is that many of those who were enrolled in the program wanted to get healthy alongside their families. But many couldn't afford to spend upwards of $1,000 on devices for their spouses and children.

The cost issue wasn't entirely resolved, she said, but it proved to be a sticking point. It remains unclear whether Aetna will extend its discounts from employees and/or members to their family-members.

Apple and Aetna are said to be planning to implement some kind of Apple Watch program in early 2018, which would see the company offering free or discounted Apple Watches to its subscribers.

Aetna already has a program that provides a free Apple Watch to its 50,000 employees and it already subsidizes the cost for some subscribers, with data from that program being used to determine if an expansion is worth it.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Tag: Aetna
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

Neepman Avatar
80 months ago
IF you don't think this is the nose in the tent of your health insurance company knowing 24/7 when you are gorging on french fries or eating kale , you are smoking crack. Of course they will know all about that too.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechZeke Avatar
80 months ago
I don't think anyone forgets the insurance company's most profitable customer is the one who doesn't need care. We all know that. What concerns some is providing copious amounts of data to the insurance company that could potentially allow them to exclude those who don't fit into the most profitable category. With the questions looming about healthcare in the US, I'd say the concern is a legitimate one.
IF you don't think this is the nose in the tent of your health insurance company knowing 24/7 when you are gorging on french fries or eating kale , you are smoking crack. Of course they will know all about that too.
I can already see this in the future: "Your Apple Watch reports that you haven't done the daily recommended amount of exercise for the past month. 25% premium increase please."
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
80 months ago
What many forget is that for an insurance company, the most profitable customers are the ones that pay their bill every month and DON'T ever have to go to the doctor. It's in their best interest (financially) to prevent people from needing to use medial services and them having to pay out.
I don't think anyone forgets the insurance company's most profitable customer is the one who doesn't need care. We all know that. What concerns some is providing copious amounts of data to the insurance company that could potentially allow them to exclude those who don't fit into the most profitable category. With the questions looming about healthcare in the US, I'd say the concern is a legitimate one.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justiny Avatar
80 months ago
I loathe insurance companies. I'll gladly pay $369 for an WATCH to avoid their data mining sleaze.

Might be good for some, but count me out.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Attirex Avatar
80 months ago
Health insurance companies murder people for $$$.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bigsk8r Avatar
80 months ago
I think if the data coming back thru HealthKit is helpful, then this is a great move on Aetnas part.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...