BUDDY Supports Medicare Advantage: Fall Prevention, Chronic Disease Monitoring, and Caregiver Support
The Evolving Landscape of Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans, which combines Original Medicare benefits with additional coverage and is commonly known as Part C, have become a popular choice for eligible individuals with Medicare. In 2024, nearly 33 million people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, accounting for 54% of the total Medicare-eligible population (KFF, 2024). This trend reveals a growing preference for more personalized, value-based care that is more comprehensive and cost-effective.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established the Star Ratings system in 2007 to provide a transparent rating system, helping beneficiaries compare plans easily. Each Medicare Advantage plan is rated on a scale of 1 to 5 using data collected through the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems surveys. The survey questions include factors such as:
- Overall rating of healthcare quality and health/drug plan
- Access to necessary care and specialists
- Quality of communication with doctors and caregivers
- Timeliness of appointments and care
- Responsiveness and support from the health plan
- Process of getting prescription medications
- Receipt of annual flu and pneumonia vaccinations
Rating metrics are adjusted regularly to improve care quality and reception. McKinsey & Company reported a trend of increasing clinical and health equity measures, in addition to growing scrutiny on optimizing member experience, for these Star Ratings system.
Digital health has seen exponential growth in the clinical environment as the use of technology becomes an integral part of daily life. “mHealth,” a term coined by Robert Istepanian in 2003 and short for mobile health, refers to programs and applications on mobile devices effective in preventive care, disease management, and behavioral change support for both physical and mental conditions. They have empowered consumers to track and monitor their health from portable, personal devices, contributing to more independent and timely tracking of one’s health status.
However, the average user may struggle to navigate and interpret their digital health data or may be unwilling to use mobile devices altogether. This is where simple, user-friendly platforms like BUDDY, an app designed for users from age 9 to 99, is a desired solution to alleviate such concerns and allow an enhanced user experience.
BUDDY’s Fall Prediction Technology
BUDDY, a platform that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning in its risk calculations and health monitoring, will alert users when health irregularities are detected, preventing risks from becoming emergencies. For instance, BUDDY will compare a user’s current health status and metrics to their own personal baseline data to determine if there is a concerning deviation. If a user’s gait pattern is faster than the average person their age but not faster than their normal pace, BUDDY will not identify an irregularity because its features are personalized to each individual. BUDDY’s calculations are also extensive, especially for predicting something like a fall risk, to ensure the accuracy of a potential risk detection. This means that a user’s gait pattern, heart rate, glucose levels, blood pressure, medications, sensations, and social interactions – among other factors – will all be considered in analyzing a user’s fall risk.
Falls are the leading cause of injury among individuals over age 65 in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Each year, more than 1 in 4 older adults – a staggering 14 million people – report experiencing a fall, which can result in serious injuries or even death. Thus, reducing the risk of falling has been a key factor in rating health plans.
In 2025, the average star rating for the Medicare Advantage measure of “reducing the risk of falling” dropped to 2.6 out of 5, signaling the need for innovation and improvement in this area.
BUDDY’s fall detection, prediction, and prevention functionality is a trailblazer, integrating the most up-to-date technologies into its health monitoring system. Below is a preview of why BUDDY stands out:
- Uses AI and machine learning technologies that monitor gait patterns and detect fall risks
- Sends real-time caregiver alerts and integrates 911 emergency contacts if the fall alert is not deactivated within five minutes
- Analyzes FDA-approved medication side effects (e.g., a user who takes a dizziness-inducing drug may have a higher score than a user with similar conditions but doesn’t take this drug) to calculate individual risk scores
Dr. Paul Runge, LiveFreely Inc.’s Chief Medical Officer, expressed his assurance of BUDDY’s remote monitoring technology after learning about its features. He said he was reminded of an old friend who could have greatly benefited from this innovation, as his friend endured several chronic conditions before suffering a fatal fall at home.
A consistent and active lifestyle is also vital to reducing fall risks. Medicare Advantage plans encourage healthy habits among their members through programs like SilverSneakers, which provide access to a network of gyms and exercise classes across the U.S. This initiative helps individuals stay physically active and fosters a community of support for maintaining overall well-being and aging gracefully. Similarly, BUDDY empowers people to age proactively with a peace of mind through giving users and caregivers important updates that are easily accessible and timely.
How BUDDY Prevents Health Crises Beyond Falls
A startling 129 million people in the U.S. have at least one major chronic disease, such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, or obesity, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC. Chronic diseases exacerbate the threat and consequences of falls and other health risks.
“All individuals, especially older adults and the elderly, can benefit from close monitoring of biometrics and vital signs such as blood sugar levels and blood pressure,” Dr. Runge said. “In the 21st century, everyone should leverage technology to manage their health better, and stay on track with their care journey. Take the close monitoring of patients with diabetes, prediabetes and gestational diabetes for example – all of these individuals will benefit from closer monitoring of their blood sugar levels.”
Effective health monitoring technologies lead to fewer short-term, and ultimately long-term, complications such as visual loss, blindness, kidney failure, and loss of limbs, Dr. Runge added. Healthcare companies, which spend nearly 90% of a $4.1 trillion budget towards managing and treating chronic physical and mental diseases in the U.S., as cited in a 2024 CDC study, may also see dramatic savings.
Dr. Runge affirmed, “Let’s face it: no one wants to get sick or even consider the possibility of a serious illness. None of us want to change our behavior to prevent a potential illness that may develop in the distant future. Denial is a natural part of the human experience. So why would we alter our behavior when we often believe we will never face a debilitating illness? This is where digital health platforms prove to be valuable. They help eliminate the flawed aspect of a human’s emotional decision-making process, by alerting users and their caregivers and loved ones connected to the platform of potential irregular health patterns from an objective standpoint. Providing you with the data and the alert to see a physician for a medical diagnosis and take action.”
A 2024 CDC report found nearly 9 in 10 older adults in America took prescription medications. Medication management and adherence to treatment plans are measurements that hold significant weight in the Medicare Advantage Star Ratings system. With three separate star rating measurements for diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol in Part D measures, BUDDY’s medication reminder and scheduling functionality empowers members to stay on track, adhere to their medication regimen, and alert family caregivers in real time about each medication. Similarly, caregivers can be alerted when a scheduled blood pressure or glucose reading for a loved one is due for that a specific date and time.
This can help improve Medicare Advantage average star rating performance for Part D measures including medication adherence for diabetes (3.2), hypertension (3.3), and cholesterol (3.3).
BUDDY directly supports Medicare Advantage plans in boosting star rating performance for Part C and Part D through preventing avoidable hospital visits, adhering to medications, and monitoring mental health, allowing for higher member retention and satisfaction.
Enhancing Medicare Advantage Plans with BUDDY
As reported in AARP, 38 million family caregivers in the U.S. provide an estimated 36 billion hours of free care to older parents, partners, and friends with chronic diseases, disabilities, or serious health conditions. In the age of AI-driven digital health solutions and remote monitoring technology, health plans need to leverage these solutions to support caregivers, empowering them technologies that can provide a helping hand and more peace of mind when caring for loved ones.
BUDDY connects caregivers with the real-time health monitoring, chronic disease management, medication intake, and risk predictions of their loved ones, reducing caregiver stress and duties. In effect, BUDDY is helping to lower the demand and costs of care, a win for both payers and health plans.
As more people gravitate toward Medicare Advantage plans, digital platforms like BUDDY are essential for staying competitive and effective in delivering high-quality, value-based care for all eligible members.