Authors:
Estelle Pfitzer
1
;
2
;
Birte Jörn
3
and
Tobias Kowatsch
4
;
1
;
5
Affiliations:
1
School of Medicine, Universität St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
;
2
MTIP Ag, Basel, Switzerland
;
3
Corporate Venture and Innovation, Sanitas, Zürich, Switzerland
;
4
Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
;
5
Department of Management, Technology, and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Keyword(s):
Digital Health Technologies, Health Insurance, Care Support, Health and Wellness.
Abstract:
We investigate the innovative domain of digital health technologies (DHTs) within the unique and highly regulated context of the Swiss health insurance system, focusing on the pragmatic approach adopted by Sanitas, a leading health insurance provider in Switzerland. Drawing on an insightful interaction with Birte Jörn, manager for innovation and venturing at Sanitas, the following position statement underlines the strategic integration and adoption of DHTs to enhance customer engagement, reinforce patient self-management, and, subsequently, mitigate healthcare and insurance service costs. Among barriers such as rigorous regulations and reimbursement limitations, insights collected from various DHT pilot programs unveil certain tendencies, like notable customer interest in DHTs oriented towards lifestyle, mental well-being, and chronic disease management.