June 2017

THE HEALTHCARE PATIENT VERSUS THE HEALTHCARE CONSUMER

June 24, 2017 No comment

Today, we define a healthcare patient as receiving healthcare services; we define a healthcare consumer as making healthcare choices. Undoubtedly a very big difference that requires a shift in focus. The healthcare consumer is responsible for the overall management of their health needs and out of pocket costs. Out of pockets costs are defined as deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, premiums, and other related costs. The typical consumer does not plan for healthcare. Consumers, annually, select a health insurance plan based on premium cost and hope they are healthy enough to avoid large out of pocket costs. A Personal/Family Health Plan should be the first step to proactively managing healthcare options and costs. The Plan should be all inclusive from selecting a health insurance plan to creating a budget. Radical? Yes…but by not planning for healthcare the result could be disastrous with health and financial consequences.

The average healthcare consumer has limited experience navigating the healthcare system, including those who work in the healthcare industry. Many of us have heard friends and relatives express their frustration managing options, care, and costs, resulting in incorrect billing, high costs, out of network charges and denied services. One example is a recent survey that shows the consumer lacks understanding of basic health care terms. The following are the results:

45.3% Co-Insurance
35.2% Max out of pocket
30.8% Covered Services
27.2% Premium
25.6% Deductible
23.5% Co-pay

The degree of misunderstanding is astonishing.

The healthcare system is a maze that healthcare consumers cannot navigate easily. Healthcare consumers are afraid, frustrated, confused and angry. All healthcare sectors, including Doctors, Hospitals and Insurance Companies, have contributed to the growing confusion.

Many talk about consumerism in healthcare but don’t understand healthcare consumer needs and wants. Clearly, the healthcare consumer has not been prepared to manage their healthcare finances as the above survey demonstrates. The healthcare system has failed the healthcare consumer.

Our responsibility is to educate and guide the healthcare consumer through the maze. With that said, the following company and web site has been established:

HEALTHCARE CONSUMER NAVIGATOR CENTER, LLC

Our Vision…The Need….The Mission Statement

Our company has a vision that all healthcare consumers have easy access to reliable and timely healthcare information, education, and tools required to plan and manage their healthcare needs.

Consumers need understandable healthcare information to make informed decisions regarding their medical and financial future.

Healthcare Consumer Navigator Center is a national company with a business mission to guide consumers through the complex healthcare system. Healthcare Consumers will be provided tools, guides, information and education to navigate the complexities of the healthcare systems.

WEB SITE: www.healthcareconsumernavigatorcenter.com

Take a look and lets us know your comments and thoughts.

IS HEALTHCARE CONSUMERISM REAL?

June 24, 2017 No comment

Yes, it is and…. Healthcare Consumerism is rapidly growing. This is evidenced by employers, insurance companies and healthcare providers forcing the healthcare consumer to become more actively involved in planning and managing their healthcare. Remember, we define a healthcare patient as receiving services; we define a healthcare consumer as making healthcare choices and decisions. The healthcare consumer generally focuses on four areas that help them make decisions; Provider Experience, Healthcare Cost, Healthcare Quality, and Patient Satisfaction. The healthcare consumer does not know how to access information about the healthcare system or healthcare process. Information is limited and difficult for consumers to find let alone understand.

Healthcare consumers do not plan for their for healthcare expenses or services. This is evidenced by an article in the December 2015 of the Journal of the American Medical Association that of employees choosing health insurance plans at a company with 24,000 employees that “61% of the employees chose plans for which no level or pattern of their healthcare spending could justify their choice. These mistakes led employees in overspending an equivalent to 42% of the cost of their yearly insurance premiums.”

In addition, the healthcare consumer is looking for organizations they can trust. Trust is the cornerstone. Most healthcare consumers have experienced something negative about the healthcare system. Negative experiences have set the stage for the consumer to be confused, frustrated and angry.

The healthcare consumer has a daunting job and many consumers are not prepared. The provider community has an opportunity to educate and guide the healthcare consumer through the healthcare maze. Yes, an Opportunity…. consumers are looking for providers they can first trust and then develop a partnership. Partnerships will create brand loyalty and brand loyalty will translate into repeat visits.

With that said, the following company and web site has been established: