Dec
5

Patients should know which providers are cheaper

Next year, CIGNA will be (financially) encouraging members to go to more cost efficient providers. The mid-tier health plan has announced that it will be charging members less if they go to lower cost physicians.
CIGNA’s not alone. Aetna’s been a leader in disclosing cost data. Other health plans, partially motivated by a mandate from the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program to publish cost data, more and more health plans are dipping their corporate toes in the water.

Continue reading Patients should know which providers are cheaper


Dec
4

I’m so done with consumerism

The problem with consumer-directed health plans as presently constructed is fundamental.
They will not work.
They miss the target entirely, mis-understand the problem, and, if taken seriously, will distract from getting to a real solution.
On the other hand, when they fail miserably, as they inevitably will, we’ll be in such bad shape that a radical revision of the health care system may well be possible.
Thanks to Graham for the reminder…


Nov
15

The soon-to-be not-so-Big Three

The big three will soon be the not-so-big three, expecially if their legacy health care cost problem is not resolved soon. I’m referring to the domestic US auto industry, where legacy health care costs have been crippling GM Ford and Chrysler for years. And the worst is yet to come.
Chairmen of all three stopped into the White House to plead their case yesterday, and were met with the usual “we’ll get right on studying that problem.”
One of the more interesting proposals advanced by the auto chairs is a reinsurance pool to cover catastrophic claims.
And even more interestig was the hopeful tone struck by GM’s Rick Wagoner when he noted that the new Democratic majority appears interested in helping employers struggling with health care costs.
What does this mean for you?
When big manufacturers get behind major changes to the US health care system, we’re closer to finally attacking the problem.


Nov
14

In-housing v off-shoring

I’ve been spending a good deal of time examining the growing trend in medical tourism – Americans seeking medical care in far-off lands. The motivation is primarily cost; procedures can be less than half the cost overseas compared to US prices.
Other employers are contracting directly with providers, eliminating the health plan “middle men”.
Another option for employers seeking to gain more control over health care is via in-house clinics.

Continue reading In-housing v off-shoring


Nov
8

What now?

The Democrats’ capture of the House will bring new focus to health care, the uninsured, prescription drug pricing, and Medicare Advantage programs. Here’s the prognostications.

Continue reading What now?


Nov
7

the flattening world of health care

Medical tourism looks to be exploding, growing much faster than many (your author included) had expected. The latest figures indicate a half-million Americans sought care overseas last year.
Much of the care is delivered in Canada and Mexico, but lots of folks are traveling to India and Thailand for complex medical procedures. And the quality appears to be quite high in many of the facilities.

Continue reading the flattening world of health care