Aetna will now offer customers and employees discounts on Apple's smartwatch, which Apple hopes will increase sales, according to Bloomberg.
Here are four notes:
1. Aetna is creating apps for Apple devices to help users refill prescriptions, connect with physicians and remember to take their medications. The companies plan to launch the applications next year.
2. An Aetna spokesperson said employers that contract with Aetna can decide if their employees get an Apple watch at no cost. While Aetna employees can get a watch for free, the spokesperson did not give an estimate of how many non-Aetna employees may get the watch.
3. Through the partnership, Aetna and Apple hope policyholders will lead healthier lifestyles and other payers will follow suit. Aetna is the first major U.S. healthcare firm to subsidize a large portion of the device's cost.
4. Apple has also partnered with International Business Machines and Cisco to increase profits.
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