Highmark becomes first commercial insurer to cover AppliedVR’s RelieVRx

AppliedVR, an immersive therapeutics firm, introduced that Pittsburgh-based Highmark, a Blue Cross Blue Defend-affiliated well being insurer, would be the first well being plan to cowl RelieVRx, AppliedVR’s FDA-cleared digital actuality providing to deal with continual low again ache. 

Eligible Highmark members 18 years and older identified with reasonable to extreme continual low again ache will be capable to get a prescription for RelieVRx with out prior authorization.

California-based AppliedVR’s RelieVRx (previously EaseVRx) is a completely immersive digital actuality expertise supposed to empower individuals with the talents wanted to handle continual low again ache and a non-pharmacologic choice to cut back ache.

With RelieVRx, sufferers undergo a 56-session multimodal program that features each day digital actuality periods that make the most of regulation and mindfulness expertise, in addition to strategies from cognitive behavioral remedy to assist them management their signs.

“We’re dedicated to leveraging know-how to reinforce well being outcomes whereas decreasing prices,” Matt Fickie, senior medical director for Highmark, mentioned in an announcement. “RelieVRx from AppliedVR supplies our members affected by continual low again ache a scientifically backed, in-home immersive non-opioid therapy choice.”

Addressing the thousands and thousands of people that expertise continual low again ache, AppliedVR cofounder and chief govt officer Matthew Stoudt mentioned that people who battle low again ache deserve entry to noninvasive, drug-free choices that empower them to self-manage their ache. 

“Highmark’s forward-thinking method acknowledges the promise of immersive therapeutics, and we’re grateful for his or her collaboration. RelieVRx relies on many years of scientific proof demonstrating the transformative potential of immersive therapeutics to reshape the physique’s response to ache, and we’re dedicated to constructing a good larger physique of proof that continues to set the business normal,” Stoudt mentioned. 

THE LARGER TREND

In April, Lovell Authorities Providers partnered with AppliedVR to be its federal distribution companion to assist gross sales via authorities healthcare techniques just like the Veterans Well being Administration (VHA), the Army Well being System (MHS), and Indian Well being Providers (IHS).

In March, AppliedVR introduced that the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers (CMS) established a Healthcare Widespread Process Coding System (HCPCS) Stage II code (E1905) that covers its flagship product, the RelieVRx program.

In February, AppliedVR and Kernal, a precision medication firm, introduced a joint research measuring the affect of VR ache therapy on the mind. The only-blind, sham-controlled design in contrast mind activation patterns and physiological metrics earlier than, throughout and after VR experiences in individuals experiencing continual low again ache.

In August, Highmark introduced that greater than $800,000 in “BluePrints for the Group” grants had been awarded for Q2 2024. The grants tackle varied group wants, together with enhancing entry to healthcare and offering financial stability to people and households.

In July, Highmark Well being Choices West Virginia launched a managed care group (MCO) and the primary Blue Cross Blue Defend-branded MCO to serve West Virginians.