iHealth Launches Portable Mobile Blood Glucose Monitor

iHealth Lab Inc., part of China-based Andon Health, has launched its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved iHealth Align blood glucose monitor in the United States.

The company touts the product as the smallest FDA-cleared glucometer, but it requires an Android or iOS device to take readings. The device is plugged into the 3.5 mm headphone jack of a mobile phone/tablet; from there, it’s operated virtually like any other glucometer, with all the interaction done through the phone/tablet’s touchscreen. The device will is being sold for $17, which comes with a lance and four cases of different colors, while the test strips are $12.50 for a set of 50.

iHealth’s Gluco-Smart app is used to store glucose readings and insulin injections, and to retrieve historic data to check on a person’s ability to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The app also uploads all the data to the “cloud” where it can be accessed by the person’s doctor, caretaker, or anyone else that has an access.

iHealth also announced the iHealth Simple Savings program to eliminate complexities associated with insurance paperwork by significantly lowering the price of their proprietary test strips. The new price is about one-quarter of the list price of most name brand test strips, placing it at or below the typical insurance co-pay contribution. Users now can purchase iHealth strips and avoid hassles associated with reimbursement for insurance coverage.

The Simple Savings program also will incorporate an option in the near future to automate test strip replenishment through the iHealth Gluco-Smart mobile app, which intelligently tracks individual test strip usage, allowing for accurate and timely refills.

“We are excited to bring the next generation of mobile solutions to diabetes management. We believe this ultraportable device and program are a meaningful advancement for the 26 million individuals in the U.S. living with diabetes,” said Adam Lin, president of iHealth Lab Inc. “For many diabetics, the cost and hassle of managing diabetes on a daily basis can be daunting, so we want to help make measurement and tracking as easy as possible.”

iHealth designs and develops mobile personal healthcare solutions that focus on heart health, diabetes and wellness.