Get ready for the New Year! - Microlife Medical Home Solutions, Inc

Fall 2008, Second Edition
Microlife emphasizes
patient-centered medical
home solutions for
obesity & hypertension
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Denver-based weight management division of Microlife USA,
Inc. has been recently integrated into Microlife Medical Home
Solutions (MiMHS), Inc. to better describe their mission and
vision as far as providing patient-centered, physician-directed
solutions to family practice physicians and their patients. These
solutions are centered around two new programs focused on
obesity and hypertension called WatchWT™ and WatchBP®.
WatchBP® -- The world’s first systemic combination of in-office
and out-of-office blood pressure measurements. The WatchBP
family of blood pressure devices was developed in collaboration with leading hypertension specialists and follows the American Heart Association’s recent “Call to Action” regarding home
monitoring of blood pressure – To learn more, email
marietta.schmid@mimhs.com.
The WatchBP blood pressure devices are sold exclusively
through physician offices and the patient training is reimbursable. The WatchBP system of blood pressure monitoring devices includes WatchBP Office, WatchBP 03 (24-hr ambulatory),
WatchBP Home and WatchBP Analyzer Software.
WatchWT™ – A comprehensive obesity assessment & treatment program that provides individualized treatments based
on the measuring resting metabolic rate using the MedGem®
Indirect Calorimeter. Additional patient education tools include
the basic & intermediate programs with BalanceLog software
for tracking daily food & exercise. Insurance reimbursement is
available for the MedGem diagnosic test using the CPT 94690.
• WatchBP Home – Clinically
validated BP measurement for
longterm, physician – directed
home blood pressure monitoring. Currently available!
WatchWT Case Study Westminster Medical Clinic,
Westminster, Colorado
• WatchBP 03 – Affordable hybrid BP measurement device
with 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring and
7-day home monitoring of BP. Currently available!
Patient & Financial Outcomes:
Patients indicated a better understanding of energy balance needed
to achieve their personal weight management goal. In addition,
patients have expressed interest in additional group visits to
help manage their bodyweight. The allowable charge for the
MedGem procedure varied by insurance provider, but the average reimbursement was $75. In addition, all payers reimbursed
for a level I office visit (99211) with the MedGem diagnostic procedure. To date, 94% of all submitted claims have been allowed by payers. Westminster Medical Clinic has viewed this
treatment program as a clinically beneficial and a cost-effective solution for their overweight and obese patients. They are
planning to add additional group visits using MiMHS 13-session
behavioral weight reduction program based on patient interest.
For the complete case study, email susan.drake@mimhs.com.
• WatchBP Analyzer – Automated collection, tabulation, and
analysis of BP measurement data from WatchBP devices.
Coming 2009.
• WatchBP Office – Simultaneous, dual-cuff BP measurement device with auscultatory measurement function.
Currently available!
Get ready for
the New Year!
December
Promotion
December 1st – 30th, 2008:
5% off any device purchase.
Mouthpieces:
1 – 4 boxes $279 ea.
5 – 9 boxes $259 ea.
10+ boxes $219 ea.
Metabolism –- FAQ’s
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Q: What is the standard protocol to follow when
measuring my patients/clients?
A: To get an accurate measurement, it is imperative to
follow all the steps prior to measuring. If your client has not
followed the precise protocol, we highly recommend you
reschedule their appointment.
• Rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• No food for at least 4 hours.
• No exercise for at least 4 hours.
• No caffeine for at least 4 hours.
• No nutritional supplements or medications containing
ephedra, Ma Huang, or pseudoephedrine for at least 4
hours.
• No nicotine for at least 1 hour.
Q: What are some of the Factors that
Affect Metabolism? I understand that body weight and
composition are factors, but what else?
A: There are many factors that
influence one’s metabolic rate including:
• Age
• Gender
• Pregnancy
• Fever/illness/infection
• Gender
• Pharmaceuticals
• Hormones
• Fever/illness/infection
• Stress/emotional Excitement • Lean body mass
Q: Does BalanceLog work on Vista or Mac computers?
A: Unfortunately, BalanceLog is not compatible with Vista
operating systems or Macintosh computers. HealtheLog will
be a web based version of BalanceLog to be launched in
2009. This will enable Vista and Macintosh users
to track their foods and exercise.
Tradeshow Highlights 2008
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Highlights from TOS – Phoenix, AZ October 3 – 7, 2008
Abstracts Presented by Scott McDoniel, PhD, MiMHS Director of Clinical Affairs
“A Personalized Nutrition Message Centered on Energy Balance Influences’ Self-Efficacy for Weight Control in Obese Adults”.
Results: Of the individuals (N=23) returning to the medical clinic at 30 day follow up, 38% (N=9) lost weight and 28% (N=6)
maintained bodyweight. Therefore, 66% of individuals were able to maintain or experience short-term weight loss. Thirty three
percent (N=8) experienced weight gain.
“The Relationship Between Eating Behaviors and Daytime Somnolence in Obese Adults”.
Results: Weight management clinicians should screen overweight participants for excessive daytime somnolence and refer for
additional sleep disorder testing. Moreover, with management programs might consider adding sleep hygiene, as a discussion
topic, in order to help increase sleep duration. By properly addressing potential sleep disturbances and good sleep hygiene,
within a weight management program, patients may be able to reduce uncontrollable eating thereby assisting weight reduction.
Highlights from The American Dietetic Association - Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo
Chicago, IL October 25 – 28, 1008
“MedGem – Centers of Excellence Reception”. We had a tremendous turnout with nearly 50 dietitians attending our reception
at Pizano’s Italian Restaurant. Sachiko St. Jeor; University Nevada – Reno (UNR), Jessica Krenkel; UNR, Marietta Schmid;
formerly of Methodist Weight Management program and Christine Haas; NuWeights spoke on their MedGem
experiences, MedGem implementation and reimbursement. Keep an eye out for future events across the
country! If you would like to receive the UNR case study or further information, please contact
susan.drake@mimhs.com.