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Highmark First to Cover AppliedVR’s Flagship VR Device for Chronic Low Back Pain Treatment

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2 years ago

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FDA-authorized RelieVRx now a covered treatment for Highmark’s commercial members experiencing chronic low back pain (CLBP)

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — AppliedVR, a pioneer in immersive therapeutics (ITx) advancing virtual reality-based medicine, announced today that Highmark, a leading commercial health insurance plan based in Pittsburgh, PA, will now cover RelieVRx, AppliedVR’s FDA-authorized device for chronic low back pain (CLBP). This landmark decision makes RelieVRx accessible as a covered therapeutic to more than four million Highmark members across its commercial lines of business.

RelieVRx offers a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) experience designed to empower individuals with skills for managing CLBP. It serves as a cost-effective, non-pharmacologic adjunctive therapy clinically proven to significantly reduce pain intensity and interference across sociodemographic groups.

Patients using RelieVRx undergo a 56-session, multimodal program, featuring daily VR sessions that address the bio-psycho-social aspects of pain. RelieVRx is self-administered by patients in their own homes and has an easy-to-use interface. In clinical testing, RelieVRx usability ratings were consistently high (A+), which was largely consistent across subgroups.1

Highmark’s decision to cover RelieVRx follows a thorough evaluation of AppliedVR’s extensive clinical studies, including a large study with more than 1,000 participants that found RelieVRx can have a clinically meaningful impact on reducing pain intensity and interference. Eligible commercial members aged 18 and older diagnosed with moderate to severe CLBP can now obtain a prescription for RelieVRx from their healthcare provider without prior authorization.

“We are committed to leveraging technology to enhance health outcomes while reducing costs,” said Matt Fickie, Senior Medical Director for Highmark. “RelieVRx from AppliedVR provides our members suffering from chronic low back pain a scientifically backed, in-home immersive non-opioid treatment option.”

Chronic pain imposes a significant economic burden on the U.S., estimated at $635 billion annually, and is a primary driver of the opioid crisis. More than 72 million Americans suffer from CLBP, which also is a leading cause of disability.

“Every individual battling CLBP deserves access to noninvasive, drug-free options that empower them to self-manage their pain. Highmark’s forward-thinking approach recognizes the promise of immersive therapeutics, and we are grateful for their collaboration,” said Matthew Stoudt, Co-founder and CEO of AppliedVR. “RelieVRx is based on decades of clinical evidence demonstrating the transformative potential of immersive therapeutics to reshape the body’s response to pain, and we are committed to building an even greater body of evidence that continues to set the industry standard.”

While Highmark becomes the first commercial health plan to adopt coverage for RelieVRx, AppliedVR has experienced significant momentum with payers over the last year:

RelieVRx previously received a unique code and final pricing determination from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).RelieVRx was added to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), Defense Logistics Agency’s Electronic Catalogue for Medical Supply Chain (ECAT), and the Department of Defense’s Distribution and Pricing Agreement (DAPA), allowing government customers to make streamlined purchases. RelieVRx is now available nationwide and is currently used in more than 40 Veterans Affairs (VA) sites.VA Immersive, a division of Veterans Health Administration (VHA), extended its contract with AppliedVR to facilitate accelerated uptake.AppliedVR also recently expanded into the Worker’s Compensation market.

About AppliedVR
AppliedVR is creating a new reality in healthcare. AVR is pioneering immersive therapeutics (ITx), a new category of medicine, to treat intractable health conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Today, AppliedVR’s treatments represent a robust approach to chronic lower back pain (CLBP) that empowers patients with an intuitive device they can self-manage at home. For more information, visit www.appliedvr.io.

1 Research indicated some slight differences among race/ethnicity.

Contacts
Sam Moore
press@appliedvr.io

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SOURCE AppliedVR

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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3 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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4 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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4 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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