MediStrategy Ep 11 - Juan Pablo Segura, Babyscripts

MediStrategy with Kip Piper

MediStrategy with Kip Piper Episode 11:

Improving Prenatal Care and Birth Outcomes Via Mobile Technology: Interview with Juan Pablo Segura of Babyscripts

Summary

What if we could eliminate preterm birth by 2027? There’s an app for that.

That is the moonshot goal of Babyscripts, a new model in pregnancy management that seeks to improve prenatal care and birth outcomes by supporting both pregnant moms and their physicians. The app has been adopted by several of the nation’s top health systems, including MedStar Health, George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, Northwestern Medicine, UT Physicians, and Aurora Health.

A graduate of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, Juan Pablo Segura is the Co-founder and President of Babyscripts, the only doctor-delivered digital health tool that employs remote monitoring and big data to detect problems sooner. The innovative Babyscripts technology has been recognized by Startup Health as a ‘Healthcare Transformer’ and by CTIA as a ‘Wireless Lifechanger.’ The venture was also a member of the inaugural GE Consumer Healthcare program. Segura is a sought-after speaker on the future of digital health and consumer empowerment in the healthcare space; he has given presentations at mHealth, HIMSS, WEGO Health, Health Datapalooza, and Health 2.0.

Today Segura discusses how the Babyscripts mobile app can improve birth outcomes, more rapidly detect at-risk pregnancies, facilitate patient-doctor communication between office visits, improve patient satisfaction, increase reimbursement for obstetricians, and lower overall healthcare costs. Listen and learn how the Babyscripts team has ‘labored’ to create and test a groundbreaking, evidence-based mobile app available only through obstetricians.

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Topics Covered

[2:25] The nuts and bolts of Babyscripts

• New model for managing pregnancy
• Employs remote monitoring and big data
• Detect problems faster
• Help obstetricians deliver better care and improve birth outcomes

[4:38] How the Babyscripts app works for doctors and moms

• Pregnancy is, of course, not a ‘disease’
• 60-70% of pregnancies are low-risk
• App functions to detect complications in a preventative manner

[8:25] Segura’s motivation to focus on prenatal care

• His mother experienced two miscarriages, yet no explanation offered
• Fascinated by ‘internet of things’ and data
• Wants to rethink how pregnancy care is delivered

[13:35] How Babyscripts is distinct from other pregnancy apps

• Only available through doctor (mobile prescription)
• Partnership with physician increases engagement
• Automation allows doctor access to data on blood pressure and weight

[21:18] How Babyscripts functions

• App provides expectant mothers to-do list, with evidence-based tasks approved by their doctor
• Mommy Kit shipped to patient containing blood pressure cuff and weight scale
• Minimum of one reading per week sent to doctor
• Doctor are alerted to abnormalities in real time

[28:16] The process of validating the ROI story

• Majority of doctors paid lump sum for prenatal care and delivery (regardless of number of visits)
• Data collected at home reduces 40-50% of visits to doctor’s office
• Frees up slots to maximize revenue and reduce costs
• Allows doctors to spend more time with patients with high-risk pregnancies

[39:30] Why treating obstetrical care like a commodity does not produce optimal results

• System imposes one-size-fits-all model
• Money not spent in most beneficial way

[44:52 ] The traction Babyscripts is gaining with health plans, state Medicaid programs, and leading health systems

• Used to providing reimbursement for scientifically validated methods
• Fond of innovation
• Babyscripts studies have proven increased compliance and patient satisfaction

[58:39] Segura’s best advice for entrepreneurs in the healthcare tech space

• Give yourself five years to see meaningful traction and scalability
• Learn from what is working and replicate
• Adopt sincere humility and a willingness to learn from others

Connect with Juan Pablo Segura of Babyscripts

Babyscripts Website

Twitter

Connect with Kip Piper, Host of MediStrategy

Website

Twitter

Piper Report Blog

LinkedIn

About MediStrategy and Kip Piper

The MediStrategy podcast offers informative interviews with healthcare leaders and insights on hot business and policy issues in Medicare, Medicaid, and health reform. Health executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, authors, and other influencers share challenges and opportunities in America’s rapidly changing $3.2 trillion health care system.

MediStrategy is hosted by Kip Piper, a top expert on Medicaid, Medicare, and health reform. A prominent consultant, speaker, and author, Kip Piper advises health plans, state Medicaid agencies, hospitals and health systems, provider associations, life sciences companies, and investment firms.

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