Apr 18
2018
Health IT Startup: Fit4D
Founder’s story:
At just 36 years old, David Weingard was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. With no family history of diabetes, he was confused and overwhelmed about the diagnosis. He had two sessions with his doctor on how to use insulin and that was it. Having received limited support and education on his diagnosis, Weingard was left to manage his diabetes on his own and needed help.
He then found Cecilia, a certified diabetes educator (CDE), who compassionately gave him the correct steps to follow to help him become productive again, personally and professionally. Cecilia sparked an idea for Weingard – to scale the personalized coaching he received, to millions of people living with diabetes, but using a technology platform. With the daily vigilance and management of his diabetes, he left his corporate job and founded Fit4D.
Market opportunity
Fit4D has established business partnerships with clients that include major health plans and providers such as Humana, HealthFirst and several Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, along with major pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The company delivers scalable and cost-effective diabetes management programs through an optimized mix of human-based touch points and technology to deliver measurable outcomes in an affordable manner.
Fit4D is driving improvements in diabetes outcomes across the socio-economic spectrum, achieving a relatively high enrollment rate, lowering blood sugar levels, and delivering significant cost-savings and ROI for clients.
Results include:
- 20 percent increase in adherence leads to three times increase in ROI for pharma/device companies.
- One- to two-point reduction in HbA1c levels demonstrates improved health outcomes for enrolled patients.
- 28 percent enrollment rate saves $380 per patient for payers and providers.
- More than 95 percent patient engagement rate
Who are your competitors?
Fit4D is unique in that we scale and deliver personalized one-on-one support through the optimization of human touch and technology. There are other companies in the market that are combining patient healthcare services with a heavy focus on technology, such as Livongo and Omada; however, they don’t offer a personalized patient approach to diabetes. Fit4D emphasis on combining human touch with a dedicated CDE throughout the length of the program, allowing the patient to build a strong fruitful coaching relationship. As a result, our service is highly valued for the likes of payers, providers, pharma and medical device companies.
Business Model
Fit4D has a B2B business model. Health plans, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers invest in our coaching program to serve their enrolled patients. There is currently no cost for the patient to participate in our program.
Current Needs
Fit4D is experiencing an exciting period of customer growth and we’re currently seeking ambitious individuals to join our high-energy, passionate team. We are currently hiring for positions across our clinical, business, operations and technical departments. For more information please visit https://www.fit4d.com/join-us/
When Founded
2009
Headquarters
New York City
I find the comment regarding competition to be utterly false. To claim Fit4D is the only company providing personalized, scalable support is a lie. Not only do companies like Omada and Livongo do it, but there are numerous companies that have nurses, dietitians, CDEs, and technology that deploy personalized support programs.
I appreciate the servicing of the need to educate and improve patients outcomes with Diabetes but there is a lot of half-truths in what David is saying for one when speaking to competitors:
“however, they don’t offer a personalized patient approach to diabetes. Fit4D emphasis on combining human touch with a dedicated CDE throughout the length of the program”
Both of these organizations offer personalized patient approaches through technology, not in replacement of it. Further, both organizations employ an approach that leverages CDEs within their process. I get that this is a marketing piece but this man is either delusional or ignorant to the market.