A few years ago, I spent a week in the hospital after having surgery. As I recovered, the days fell into a predictable routine:
And underlying all of this, a growing anxiety: "What isthis going to cost? Sure, I have insurance, but what's my deductible? What about co-insurance?"
Sound familiar?
If it feels like you're paying more out of pocket for healthcare than ever before, it's not your imagination. Deductibles alone have risen 67 percent since 2010, according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
This probably won't change anytime soon. Because... well, for one, there's that pesky issue of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Whatis going to happen to it? No one knows for sure, but most agree there will be changes to at least some parts of the law.
Likely, the direction of any new regulation will be toward even greater patient responsibility. Perhaps there will be increased use of HSAs. Employers may be relieved of some of their responsibility. There could be increased competition among health facilities and health plans. Cost transparency might increase.
The bottom line? Healthcare consumerism just got a turbo boost.
If we as patients are paying more and taking more initiative, that means we expect more. We have choices (in most areas, at least). And we have a platform (social media) for airing our praises and grievances.
What does this mean for healthcare organizations?
It means you need to differentiate. You must give patients a reason (or two) to choose your facility and doctors above the competition. And a great place to start is by focusing on your technology.
Here are some suggestions:
And those are just a few examples.
As we roll into 2017, the patient is rising as the hero of the story. So let's give patients the attention they deserve. Even if you're not worried about competition, there's another compelling reason to focus on the patient: better treatment outcomes. Engaged patients take their medications. They make lifestyle changes. They're proactive about their health.
I know that as a patient, it would make a difference for me.