Apple in talks with major insurance companies regarding HealthKit partnerships

iOS 8 (Health, teaser 001)

Bloomberg is out with a new report this afternoon on rising medical costs and the growing number of partnerships between insurance providers, corporations, and fitness device makers. And in the report, the outlet notes that Apple has been speaking with insurance companies regarding potential HealthKit partnerships.

Not many specifics on the meetings were provided, but Apple has been very active in promoting its new HealthKit initiative. Earlier this month, it was reported that the company was in talks with healthcare providers at Mount Sinai, Cleveland Clinic, John Hopkins and others about its plans for the healthcare market…

Here’s the Apple blurb from Bloomberg’s report:

Technology companies are taking note. Apple Inc. (AAPL), which has new health-tracking software called HealthKit that will be released this year and is said to be developing its own wearable device, has talked with UnitedHealth, the biggest U.S. insurer, and Humana, about its health initiatives, executives at the insurance providers said. The companies wouldn’t provide specifics about the conversations. Apple declined to comment.

Healthcare providers are already working with major companies and fitness devices to offer insurance perks and discounts to their employees—for example, someone who demonstrates healthy behavior using a Fitbit can earn points to use towards reducing costs. So you can see why Apple would be interested in the space.

In June, the Cupertino company unveiled a new mobile app called Health, which acts as a central database for fitness tracking accessories and software, as well as HealthKit, a platform for developers and device-makers. And in October, it’s expected to push further into the market with a fitness-tracking ‘iWatch‘ smartwatch.