Aetna is going all-in on Apple for help with health care

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Your insurance company might subsidize your Apple Watch.
Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac

Aetna, one of the largest U.S. health insurance providers, revealed today that it will subsidize a major portion of Apple Watch costs for customers as part of a new initiative.

The company will combine its own wellness and care-management programs with the power of iPhone and Apple Watch to create new iOS apps that it says should significantly improve customers’ ability to manage their own health.

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“We are thrilled that Aetna will be helping their members and employees take greater control of their health using Apple Watch,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement. “Aetna’s new initiatives will be a powerful force toward creating better customer experiences in health care, and we look forward to working with Aetna to make them successful.”

As part of the launch for its new iOS-exclusive initiative, Aetna is giving an Apple Watch to nearly 50,000 of its own employees. The company is launching a reimbursement program that is aimed at helping employees live more productive and healthy lives.

Aetna Apple Watch subsidy coming this fall

Starting during the open enrollment season this fall, Aetna will offer subsidies on Apple Watch to select large employers and individual customers.

Aetna’s iOS health apps will guide consumers through events like a new diagnosis, taking medication, ordering refills and contacting a doctor. Apple Pay has also been integrated so customers can pay medical bills. The new apps are expected to arrive in early 2017.

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