PHILADELPHIA and SOMERVILLE, Mass., October 26, 2021 — Independence Blue Cross (Independence) and Podimetrics, a virtual care management company dedicated to preventing diabetic amputations, today announced an agreement for Podimetrics to remotely monitor Independence fully insured commercial members who have diabetes and a history of a diabetic foot ulcer with the use of the cellular-connected SmartMatTM. The SmartMat can detect warning signs of diabetic foot complications up to five weeks before they present clinically, allowing for early interventions to help prevent diabetic amputations.
Diabetic amputations are one of the largest markers in health inequity, disproportionately affecting minority communities. The complication is three times more prevalent among African Americans. In addition, amputations cost the health care system up to $100,000 per amputation and carry a…