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 older adults 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®?
 

For a complete list of publications, select the publications tab on the website or go to catchu.net/publications.

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 older adults 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?
 

Some common conditions that increase risk of falling are:

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) or Android (5.0 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) or Android (5.0 or higher) can be used to take the test. After the test is ordered, a link that will launch the test (sent via text message) will be sent to the iPhone or Android number that is provided (which can be your personal iPhone or Android, a caregiver's, a friend's, other phone). Alternatively, a healthcare professional may provide an iPhone or Android 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 the CatchU® fall risk assessment does not require a prescription, the test must be ordered by a healthcare professional or wellness provider. Individual results and recommendations are sent to the healthcare provider or wellness provider for interpretation and decisions on patient care.

11.    Who can order CatchU®  tests? 

CatchU® can be ordered by physicians, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants and wellness providers (gerontologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, fitness trainers, pharmacists, chiropractors, and other providers who are registered to communicate CatchU® results to older adults). Other staff members can order the test fall risk assessment test on behalf of the provider, at the provider’s direction. 

 

Patients may order the test directly on our website IF they have a unique provider code from their healthcare or wellness provider. This is required because the test results and recommendations are sent to the provider for communication to the person taking the test. If you want to take the test and do not have a provider/provider code, please send us a message using  the “Contact Us” tab and we will connect you with a selection of providers who can help.

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

The test can be taken remotely anywhere, anytime, on an iPhone (7 or higher), Android (5.0 or higher) or at the provider's office (if an iPhone or Android is available).  The healthcare or wellness provider ordering CatchU® needs the phone number of the iPhone or Android 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 be taken once or twice per year based on individual results and the provider’s judgment.

14.    What demographic information is required? 
 

Older adults 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 or wellness provider has access to individual patient results.

16.     How do healthcare and wellness providers order CatchU® tests for older adults? 

Healthcare and wellness providers can register to order tests at CatchU.net/register (and select “Register as a Provider or Practice”). This step is necessary for all providers whether they will order/pay for the tests or have the older adults order/pay for the test. In both cases, the test results and recommendations will be sent to the provider for communication to the older adult. Results are never sent directly to the older adult. We also offer informational webinars to get providers and practices started.
 
17.    How do assisted living communities order the CatchU® fall risk assessment tool for residents?  

Assisted living communities can have healthcare or wellness providers register to order tests at catchu.net/register or by contacting us directly at info@catchu.net. We also offer informational webinars to get providers and communities started.

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 if the provider will be billing for a telemedicine visit. Otherwise, the results are available immediately after the test is completed. 

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 falls.   

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

Communication of individual results and recommendations are eligible for provider reimbursement (MDs, NPs, PAs) in appropriate patients as separate telehealth or in-person visit. Wellness providers are not typically eligible for telehealth reimbursement.

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 4/23/24)

Commercial payer telehealth and in-person visit codes depend on eligibility and health plan requirements. 

21.    How much does CatchU® cost? 

The CatchU® risk assessment for the prevention of falls in older adults costs $29 and includes the test, the results report, and the tailored CDC-based recommendations. 

 

MDs, PAs, and NPs may be eligible for telehealth reimbursement for communicating test results and recommendations (distinct visits based on common conditions that increase fall risk). MDs, PAs, NPs can order and pay for the test or have patients order/pay for the test at catchu.net/register using their unique provider code. This ensures that the test results are sent to the provider for communication to the older adult.

 

Wellness providers are typically not eligible for telehealth reimbursement. These providers can pay for the test and charge the patient a fee that includes the test, recommendations and counseling on individual results.

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