At what point does dependence on insurance become a liability for medical approval? I would have thought we passed that threshold decades ago but the industry appears to have the full throated endorsement of the state for some reason.
> iTEAR®100 does not run out during its 30 day prescription so you do not have to conserve therapy or worry about wasted practice drops or sprays.<p>> Q: How long does this last?<p>> A: The iTEAR®100 device prescription lasts 30 days at which time it turns off and you will need a new prescription from your doctor for further treatment. After 30 days, the device will be inactive.<p>Alas, medical device DRM.
The iTEAR 100 is not generally reimbursed by insurance. If you have an HSA or FSA, you might be able to get it through that. This whole medical device lifetime thing is because it’s regulated for its medical claims by FDA. Given some of the side effects noted here <a href="https://itear100.com/clinical-data.html" rel="nofollow">https://itear100.com/clinical-data.html</a>, and how it changes the kind of tears that the user produces, I think it’s reasonable on its face to require a medical professional to review whether it’s working and needs more time with you every month.
I can't wait for repo men to rip the artificial heart out of my body after I can't make the monthly payments.<p>PS They did this shtick for Repo Men (2010) w/ Jude Law.
They are probably doing it in an attempt to get coverage by insurance (even if that is now not available). They can then raise the price manyfold.<p>See this discussion of prescription-only smartphone apps.
<a href="https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/welcome-to-the-terrible-world-of" rel="nofollow">https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/welcome-to-the-terrible-wor...</a>
> If your device stopped working, it could be because your prescription has expired, and the device has been deactivated. Talk to your doctor about getting another refill prescription for iTEAR®100. Or you can request a telehealth appointment and the company will assign a doctor to you.<p>So, a Prescription is the new Subscription model?
Here is a migraine headache therapy that works on the same principle.<p><a href="https://www.gammacore.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gammacore.com/</a><p>It’s really difficult to get prescription and insurance to line up and then they mail you a RFID card that you scan to “refill” the device.
<a href="https://www.djoglobal.com/products/regeneration/ol1000" rel="nofollow">https://www.djoglobal.com/products/regeneration/ol1000</a>
uses magnetic fields to stimulate bone growth. After the appropriate number of treatments, the device bricks itself
What is the device for? Genuine ignorance and curiosity. Are there folks who cannot produce tears, and do the tears serve an important health function that makes it important to stimulate tears in this way?