1.    How many people fall each year?

According to the World Health Organization, over 37 million people fall each year and suffer injuries severe enough to require medical intervention. The National Council on Aging reports that 30% of seniors fall each year, leading to about 800,000 emergency department visits. Fall prevention in the elderly is important, which is why we have created a portable risk assessment tool. 

2.    What is the scientific premise behind the CatchU® test? 

CatchU® is founded on over 15 years of neuroscience research.  The risk assessment tool and reaction time test technology measures multisensory integration processes which predict both histories of falls and incident falls. The scientific foundation is documented in 12 peer-reviewed publications to date.

3.    What publications are available to read more about CatchU®?

Mahoney, J. R. Multisensory integration, mobility, and risk of falls in older adults. Research Features. October 2021. 

Mahoney, J. R., George, C. J., Verghese, J., Introducing CatchU®; A Novel Multisensory Tool for Assessing Patients’ Risk of Falling. Journal of Perceptual Imaging.

4.    What does the CatchU® test measure?

Fall prevention in the elderly is our number one goal, so we created a simple to administer reaction test and fall risk assessment. CatchU® quantitatively and objectively measures the ability to integrate sensory information using reaction time test data which is significantly associated with a history of falls, as well as predictive of future falls.

5.    Which common conditions increase the risk of falling?
 
Osteo or Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoporosis
Neuropathy
Vitamin D Deficiency
Decreased cognitive abilities
History of falls
Diabetes
Visual or Sensory Impairments
Orthostatic Hypotension
Difficulty Walking
Gait Abnormalities
Lack of Coordination/Loss of Balance
Attentional Complaints
Generalized Muscle weakness

6.    Why is the product called CatchU®?

The CatchU® fall risk assessment test, which is conducted on an iPhone (7 or higher), assesses the risk of falling and makes tailored recommendations based on individual results to prevent falls in the future.  Thus, we: “Catch You BEFORE You Fall”. 

7.    What type of phone is required to take the test and can someone else’s phone be used?

Any iPhone (version 7 or higher) can be used to take the test.  A healthcare provider will send a test link (via text message) to the iPhone number that is provided for taking the test - which can be your personal iPhone, a caregiver's, a friend's, etc.  Alternatively, a healthcare professional may provide an iPhone that can be used to take the test on-site, if needed. 

8.    How long does the CatchU® assessment take? 

The test takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. 

9.    What preparation is needed to take the test? 

The test should be taken in a quiet location and the phone could be turned to “do not disturb” so that there are no phone-related interruptions (i.e., incoming calls, texts, emails).  

10.     Does CatchU® need a prescription?  Does a doctor need to order CatchU®?
 
Although CatchU’s fall risk assessment tool does not require a prescription, the test must be ordered by a healthcare professional. Individual results and recommendations are sent to the healthcare provider for interpretation and decisions on patient care.

11.    Who can order CatchU®  tests? 

CatchU® can be ordered by physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants.  Other staff members can order the test fall risk assessment test on behalf of the provider, at the provider’s direction. 

12.    Does the test need to be taken at the doctor’s office?

The test can be taken remotely anywhere, anytime, on an iPhone (7 or higher) or at the provider's office (if an iPhone is available).  The healthcare provider ordering CatchU® needs the phone number of the iPhone that will be used to take the test so that a secure unique test link can be sent.

13.     How often should people be tested for risk of falling? 

We recommend that the CatchU® risk assessment tool be taken once or twice per year based on individual results and the clinician’s judgment. 

14.    What demographic information is required? 

Patients/Residents input the following data: 

•    Age (years, months)
•    Years of Education
•    Gender
•    Race
•    Existing Medical Conditions (checklist with yes/no choices)
•    Severe Visual Impairments
•    Moderate Visual Impairments
•    Severe Hearing Loss
•    Falls in the past year
•    Fear of falling
•    Walking time with no break (>1/4 mile)
•    Difficulty getting up from a low chair or couch
•    Is holding onto walls or furniture needed while walking inside             one's own home

15.    Where is the data stored and is it secure?

The data is encrypted and stored on a secure AWS server.  Only the healthcare provider has access to individual patient results.

16.     How do geriatricians and other healthcare providers order CatchU®  tests for patients? 

Healthcare providers can access information about CatchU® test orders on CatchU.net, or by contacting us directly at info@catchu.net.  We also offer informational webinars for healthcare professionals and Practice Managers (contact us at info@catchu.net for the latest schedule).  
 
17.    How do eldercare communities order the CatchU® fall risk assessment tool for residents?  

Eldercare communities can access information on ordering CatchU®  on catchu.net, or by contacting us directly at info@catchu.net.  We also offer informational webinars for healthcare professionals and administrators (visit catchu.net/webinar to choose a time that is convenient). 

18. How long does it take to get the results report?

Test results and individually tailored recommendations are sent to the healthcare provider within three days after completion of the test.  

19.    What is included in the results report?

An overall assessment of the risk of falling, based on multisensory integration performance, is provided along with tailored recommendations based on individual results and in-app collected demographic information. Recommendations are all CDC-based, and when implemented, are proven to reduce fall risk.   

20.     Is the CatchU® test reimbursed by Medicare and Commercial Payers? 

The CatchU® fall risk assessment tool and the communication of individual results and recommendations are eligible for provider reimbursement in appropriate patients as separate telehealth or in-person visit.

Common Conditions That Increase Risk of Falling are:

Osteo or Rheumatoid Arthritis
Visual or Sensory Impairment
Osteoporosis
Orthostatic Hypotension
Neuropathy
Difficulty Walking
Gait Abnormalities
Vitamin D Deficiency
Lack of Coordination/Loss of Balance
Decreased Cognitive Abilities
Attentional Complaints
History of Falls
Generalized Muscle Weakness
Presence of Diabetes

Example Medicare telehealth visit reimbursement codes for eligible services:

         Phone Visit                                             
99441 (5-10 min)  $46.13
99442 (11-20 min) $76.04
99443 (21-30 min) $110.29
(CMS.gov accessed 10/7/21)

          Video Visit
99212 (10 min) $46.13
99213 (15 min) $68.10
99214 (25 min) $110.45

Commercial payer telehealth and in-person visit codes depend on the health plan and its’ requirements. 

21.    How much does CatchU® cost? 

The CatchU® risk assessment tool for the prevention of elderly and other falls costs $29 and includes the test, the results report, and the tailored CDC-based recommendations.  Average telehealth reimbursement for a new 11-20 minute phone visit, for appropriate patients, is $76.04 (see the response to question 16  above for more detail). 

22.    Other Questions

If you have additional questions about CatchU®, please contact us at info@catchu.net.  If you have technical questions, contact us at support@catchu.net.  

CatchU®  is an adjunctive tool intended to provide information to the clinician for interpretation and decisions on patient care. 

CatchU® (JET Worldwide Enterprises Inc; patent pending)
9 Margarita Drive, Stony Point, NY 10980