“Wall Street kept its cool Tuesday, Oct. 17, after reports surfaced that Apple Inc. was in talks to acquire health clinic startup Crossover Health,” Cathaleen Chen writes for TheStreet. “Apple has long dabbled in healthcare innovation, most significantly with its Apple Watch apps to monitor health. To tech heavyweights like… Apple, the healthcare industry’s shortcomings, such as declining productivity and a shortage of physicians, can be a goldmine for investment.”
“Healthcare retail clinics, for instance, emerged more than a decade ago to offer customers the convenience of getting minor treatment without seeing a doctor. Instead, they can visit their local CVS Health CVS or Walmart Stores, Inc.,” Chen writes. “But while the number of retail clinics increased in the last decade, it has yet to prove to be both economically viable on a mass scale or disruptive in how patients receive treatment… To truly penetrate the trillion-dollar healthcare market, Apple has its work cut out.”
“NBC first reported Monday, Oct. 16, that Apple has been in talks with Crossover Health for months before the deal fell through, citing sources close to the company. Crossover Health builds onsite medical clinics for big companies, including Apple itself. Apple’s interest in retail healthcare is not new; one of the sources said its health team has looked into possibilities for over a year,” Chen writes. “It remains unclear whether Apple wants to move into the retail clinic space or develop wearable health products through Apple Watch.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Any additional moves Apple makes towards disruption in healthcare would be logical given that Apple Watch and Apple’s health tools (ResearchKit, CareKit, HealthKit, etc.) were born from Steve Jobs’ health issues.
SEE ALSO:
Apple explored buying a health care clinic as part of a bigger push into health care – October 17, 2017
Apple Heart Study could turn Apple Watch into a ‘must have’ for millions of patients – September 12, 2017
Apple’s health and fitness push picks up steam as it turns 3 – July 13, 2017
Key Stanford researcher joins Apple’s digital healthcare talent pool – June 23, 2017
Apple CEO Tim Cook has been test-driving a device that tracks his blood sugar, connected to his Apple Watch – May 18, 2017
Apple reportedly working on incorporating blood glucose sensor into Apple Watch – May 15, 2017
Apple secret team reportedly working holy grail for treating diabetes; initially envisioned by Steve Jobs – April 12, 2017
Apple patent details Apple Watch smart bands – January 24, 2017
Emails between Apple and FDA hint at future plans – December 1, 2016
Analyst: Apple smartbands are a part of the Apple Watch’s future – April 8, 2016
Apple Watch health and fitness labs, inspired by Steve Jobs, still operating overtime – May 10, 2016
Steve Jobs’ healthcare frustration the genesis for Apple’s ‘iWatch’ – September 8, 2014