Consumer-Driven Healthcare Is the Future, and Here’s Why

Consumers are already starting to change the shape of healthcare through social media, online reviews and use of patient portals, but they’re expected to drive more and bigger changes soon.

Why?

Multiple forces will drive even greater engagement and influence going forward, industry experts revealed at the emerge Americas 2015 conference in South Florida.

These factors include:

* Consumers paying an increasing share of their healthcare expenses
* The Affordable Care Act spurring more healthcare innovation
* New technology making direct consumer engagement easier

“Consumerism will likely revolutionize this industry,” said Barbara Ryan, CNBC Contributor. “It is crucial [the industry] reaches consumers with relevant information and educates them on costs and outcomes. With that, it’s an opportunity for us to benefit from a more connected and cost-effective health care system.”

Higher Stakes with Higher Deductible Plans

Consumers are paying a greater share of healthcare expenses. “The ACA was the catalyst to start innovation in the health care space. But what really threw the fuel on the fire was the fact that one third of Americans are on high deductible plans now,” George Gordon, Executive Director of Healthbox Florida, said at #emerge15.

Technology-Fueled Engagement

Consumers are looking for meaningful, measurable value. “Some of the data and technology is enabling a lot of this, enabling consumers to make informed choices,” said Jeff Woods, Managing Director of U.S. Healthcare Practice at Parthenon, Ernst & Young. Consumer-driven healthcare will likely also mean more transparent pricing, he added.

Dr. Pat Basu, Chief Medical Officer at Doctors on Demand,explained how video visit technology brings physicians and patients closer together.Patients use an app to connect with a doctor in their state. The physicians diagnose conditions such as sinus infections, urinary tract infections and rashes that might otherwise drive patients to urgent care or an ER. Company data show 93% of video visits resolve a concern at the time of care, with the remaining 7% of people given specific guidance on what to do next. “Doctors love it, patients love it. We have about 1400 physicians across the country — they love it because they get to spend about 55 minutes of the hour on diagnosis and treatment.”

The Health Information and Management Systems Society recently announced a strategy to give consumers greater control on how they pay providers for healthcare too. Learn more.

 

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