Small Benefit, Positive ROI for Automated Adherence Reminder Calls?

George Van Antwerp of Silverlink pointed me to this report on the impact of an automated calling service on medication compliance.  Overall medication compliance increased by 2%.  This may not sound like much but it probably has a positive return on investment (ROI).  Basically, one reduced hospitalization due to improved compliance can pay for a lot of low cost interventions.  I hope someone publishes the actual ROI for this program.

Medication Reminder Systems

I don't think that reminder technology tied to prescription containers make sense for the vast majority of people. The Boston Globe covers a system that might benefit select patients with a lot of medications or complicated dosing schedules. The device blinks when a dose is due then starts beeping louder and louder if the dose is missed. It can be programmed via the web but someone needs to fill the cups, hopefully accurately, every week. The device costs less than $100, has large labeling, but isn't exactly portable. A $30 per month monitoring fee will track compliance and send notices to the select caregivers.

I wonder how a cellphone-based system would compare with reminders, pictures of the correct medication, patient feedback that they took the dose and even collection of other health status indicators (e.g., weight, blood pressure, glucose). Can anyone point me to such a system?