Starting in 2025, certain Essence Medicare Advantage members will have the option to receive a complimentary Oura Ring and a subscription to the Oura App.


Summary: Essence Healthcare will offer Oura Rings and app subscriptions to select Medicare Advantage members starting in 2025 at no additional cost. The partnership aims to help seniors monitor vital health metrics including sleep, activity, and heart health through the smart ring technology. Essence sees this as part of their broader strategy to integrate digital health tools into member care. The company notes that seniors over 65 are among Oura’s most engaged users, making the partnership a natural fit for improving personalized healthcare delivery.

Key Takeaways:

  • Medicare Coverage Innovation: Essence Healthcare is offering Oura Ring and its subscription service at no cost to certain Medicare Advantage members starting in 2025.
  • Digital Health Strategy: The partnership represents a strategic move to leverage real-time health monitoring for seniors, specifically tracking sleep patterns, heart rate, and activity levels, with the goal of enabling more proactive and personalized healthcare management.
  • Senior Tech Adoption Focus: The initiative builds on data showing strong engagement among seniors with Oura technology, suggesting a growing acceptance of wearable health tech among Medicare-age users and potentially setting a precedent for similar Medicare Advantage offerings.

Essence Healthcare, a provider of Medicare Advantage plans, announced a partnership with ŌURA, maker of wearable health tracker Oura Ring, that will allow Essence Medicare Advantage plan members to receive Oura Ring and its app at no cost.

Starting in 2025, certain Essence Medicare Advantage members will have the option to receive a complimentary Oura Ring and a subscription to the Oura App, which provides personalized insights by monitoring sleep, activity, and other key health metrics like heart health and stress resilience. Essence notes in a press release that this benefit aligns with its broader strategy of integrating digital health tools to enhance wellness, prevent illness, and improve the overall member experience.

“ŌURA and Essence share a deep commitment to empowering people to take charge of their health through the use of smart, innovative technology, so this partnership is a perfect fit and a natural next step in our healthcare evolution,” says Jason Oberfest, vice president of healthcare at ŌURA, in a release. “Oura Members over the age of 65 are one of our most engaged groups, and we’re eager to serve this population more broadly alongside a highly respected and trusted Medicare Advantage plan. Together, we’re providing a game-changing solution that helps people live healthier, more informed lives.”

Empowering Members to Engage in Their Healthcare

By leveraging the ability of Oura Ring to track critical health metrics such as sleep patterns, heart rate, and activity levels, Essence aims to give members real-time insights into their well-being that will empower them to engage more actively in their healthcare.

“By equipping our members with Oura Ring, we’re giving them the tools to proactively manage their health and make more informed decisions every day,” says Jordan Reigel, president of Essence Healthcare, in a release. “For two decades, Essence has been at the forefront of innovation, dedicated to improving the lives of seniors and Medicare beneficiaries. This partnership with ŌURA is another bold step in our mission to deliver cutting-edge healthcare solutions that grow with our members’ needs and set a new standard in personalized care.”

Photo caption: Oura Ring

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