This document provides information to help consumers be better health care consumers. It discusses how to maximize quality and safety while controlling costs. It encourages consumers to be active partners by asking questions, researching providers and costs, understanding their conditions, and making sure instructions are followed. Quality can vary between providers, and high quality care does not always cost more. The document provides tools and questions to help consumers get the most out of their health care visits and decisions.
This document provides tips for making the most of short doctor visits. It notes that the average visit is only 13-16 minutes and outlines strategies for patients to be prepared and get all their questions answered in that brief time. The tips include getting organized before the appointment with lists of concerns, medications, and medical history; being honest with the doctor; actively listening during the visit; asking questions without hesitation; asking the right types of questions about diagnoses, tests, and medications; and getting notes and instructions in writing from the doctor. The goal is to turn stressful health care experiences into truly informative and helpful visits.
This document provides information to help people understand and maximize their health insurance benefits. It discusses key terms, documents that provide cost information, out-of-pocket costs, essential health benefits, and strategies to avoid financial pitfalls like billing errors. The goal is to help people access preventive care, track expenses, dispute errors, and choose effective health plans. Contact information is provided for additional resources.
Why does Amazon knows me better than my doctor? Capstrat
This document discusses how Amazon provides better customer service than the healthcare system by knowing customers well and sharing information transparently, while healthcare provides poor service by not proactively sharing medical information with patients. It notes barriers to improving healthcare service including lack of familiarity with online health resources, trust in doctors over other sources, and reluctance of consumers and doctors to accept change. However, it also outlines some signs of progress through the growth of online health information and tools from insurers, and possibilities for the future such as remote care, group appointments, and effects of healthcare reform.
The document describes a scenario where the user is the Chief Executive of an NHS trust facing budget shortfalls that put it at risk of closing. There are three main options presented to address the problem: 1) privatize some services, 2) modernize IT systems to improve efficiency, or 3) promote healthy choices to reduce demand. Staff members provide differing perspectives on the options, with concerns about privatization reducing care quality and modernization not solving the ongoing cost of updates. The user must weigh these pros and cons while also considering a growing protest outside over the potential closure to make a final decision on the best approach.
A combination of case study and infographic, this piece uses the experience of a specific practice to flesh out both the challenges of the healthcare landscape, and Greenway’s ability to help meet those challenges.
- A survey of 150 Massachusetts doctors found that the biggest problem affecting patient care quality was nursing staff shortages and high nurse-to-patient ratios, cited by 29% of doctors.
- Over 3/4 of doctors believe RN staffing levels in MA hospitals are too low, with 77% saying levels are a little or much too low.
- The majority (53% strongly agree, 29% somewhat agree) of doctors agree that patient care quality is suffering due to insufficient RN staffing levels that force patients to share nurses.
- Doctors report being aware of instances where low RN staffing has led to issues like medication delays, lack of patient support, medical errors, and increased mortality.
The document discusses the benefits of a physician dispensing model where doctors can dispense medications directly to patients from their practice. Key benefits include improved patient outcomes and compliance through greater continuity of care. It also allows practices to generate additional revenue and profit from dispensing medications. Physician dispensing requires minimal time investment and reduces errors compared to traditional pharmacy dispensing. Many states allow physician dispensing if doctors obtain the proper licensing. Management firms can help set up and handle all aspects of operating an in-office dispensing program.
This document provides tips for making the most of short doctor visits. It notes that the average visit is only 13-16 minutes and outlines strategies for patients to be prepared and get all their questions answered in that brief time. The tips include getting organized before the appointment with lists of concerns, medications, and medical history; being honest with the doctor; actively listening during the visit; asking questions without hesitation; asking the right types of questions about diagnoses, tests, and medications; and getting notes and instructions in writing from the doctor. The goal is to turn stressful health care experiences into truly informative and helpful visits.
This document provides information to help people understand and maximize their health insurance benefits. It discusses key terms, documents that provide cost information, out-of-pocket costs, essential health benefits, and strategies to avoid financial pitfalls like billing errors. The goal is to help people access preventive care, track expenses, dispute errors, and choose effective health plans. Contact information is provided for additional resources.
Why does Amazon knows me better than my doctor? Capstrat
This document discusses how Amazon provides better customer service than the healthcare system by knowing customers well and sharing information transparently, while healthcare provides poor service by not proactively sharing medical information with patients. It notes barriers to improving healthcare service including lack of familiarity with online health resources, trust in doctors over other sources, and reluctance of consumers and doctors to accept change. However, it also outlines some signs of progress through the growth of online health information and tools from insurers, and possibilities for the future such as remote care, group appointments, and effects of healthcare reform.
The document describes a scenario where the user is the Chief Executive of an NHS trust facing budget shortfalls that put it at risk of closing. There are three main options presented to address the problem: 1) privatize some services, 2) modernize IT systems to improve efficiency, or 3) promote healthy choices to reduce demand. Staff members provide differing perspectives on the options, with concerns about privatization reducing care quality and modernization not solving the ongoing cost of updates. The user must weigh these pros and cons while also considering a growing protest outside over the potential closure to make a final decision on the best approach.
A combination of case study and infographic, this piece uses the experience of a specific practice to flesh out both the challenges of the healthcare landscape, and Greenway’s ability to help meet those challenges.
- A survey of 150 Massachusetts doctors found that the biggest problem affecting patient care quality was nursing staff shortages and high nurse-to-patient ratios, cited by 29% of doctors.
- Over 3/4 of doctors believe RN staffing levels in MA hospitals are too low, with 77% saying levels are a little or much too low.
- The majority (53% strongly agree, 29% somewhat agree) of doctors agree that patient care quality is suffering due to insufficient RN staffing levels that force patients to share nurses.
- Doctors report being aware of instances where low RN staffing has led to issues like medication delays, lack of patient support, medical errors, and increased mortality.
The document discusses the benefits of a physician dispensing model where doctors can dispense medications directly to patients from their practice. Key benefits include improved patient outcomes and compliance through greater continuity of care. It also allows practices to generate additional revenue and profit from dispensing medications. Physician dispensing requires minimal time investment and reduces errors compared to traditional pharmacy dispensing. Many states allow physician dispensing if doctors obtain the proper licensing. Management firms can help set up and handle all aspects of operating an in-office dispensing program.
Do native speakers say "I am sorry to rush you, but.."? Does this expression sound natural?
For example;
I am sorry to rush you, but please respond to my email as soon as possible.
The document summarizes key points from a PCP cluster meeting held on November 13, 2013 in Monroe, Michigan. The meeting focused on several topics: Medicare correct coding initiative, Choosing Wisely campaign, advance care planning, patient-centered medical home designations, organized systems of care, and risk adjustment. The risk adjustment portion provided details on CMS risk scoring, hierarchical condition categories, documentation requirements, and a case study example. It also discussed the Medicare Advantage STAR bonus program and its quality measures. Finally, the document covered advance care planning and POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) forms.
Greenway Health Patient Engagement | The definitive guide to patients as cons...Greenway Health
The definitive guide to patients as consumers including consumer behavior, changing your strategy, your patient engagement strategy, your revenue cycle strategy and more.
There is a growing shortage of primary care doctors and specialists in the US that could overwhelm the healthcare system. Many doctor visits are unnecessary and could be handled through telemedicine consultations, reducing costs. MyTelemedicine offers 24/7 access to licensed physicians via phone, video, or email for common illnesses and prescriptions, providing more convenient care at a lower cost than doctor's offices, urgent care, or emergency rooms. The platform collects health data to track utilization, prescriptions, and conditions treated to measure outcomes and program ROI.
The dental practice of Dr. Hart and Dr. Stern began using an antioxidant scanner to measure patients' antioxidant levels. This was well-received by patients and increased business for the practice. It generated scan fees and led some patients to purchase supplements. The scanner helped promote the practice as preventatively-focused and brought in new patients. It also motivated staff through bonus incentives. Within two months, scans and supplement sales increased, generating over $4,000 in revenue for the practice. The scanner received positive publicity that attracted interest from other dental offices.
A survey of 20,000 people in 10 Indian cities found that 52% self-medicate. Experts say prohibitively high medical fees and a fear of unnecessary tests drives this trend. People rely on advice from peers or online sources to self-medicate. This can lead to drug resistance if the underlying condition is not properly diagnosed and treated. Doctors also charge high fees just for consultations, and often prescribe expensive tests for minor issues. As a result, people tend to delay visiting hospitals and rely more on self-medication.
White Paper written on behalf of athenahealth regarding sources of revenue erosion in medical practices. I researched and wrote this paper while on contract with athenahealth in 2008, in the midst of the financial collapse on Wall Street.
A phlebotomist is someone who draws blood for tests and medical procedures. The document provides an overview of the job duties, requirements, working conditions and outlook for a career in phlebotomy. Phlebotomists typically work indoors in hospitals, labs or doctors offices, drawing blood and other specimens. They need a high school diploma and complete a certification program. While no degree is required, coursework in sciences is recommended. The median salary for phlebotomists in the U.S. ranges from around $23,000 to $33,000 depending on experience and location.
A phlebotomist is a nurse who draws blood from patients. The document discusses that phlebotomists work indoors in places like hospitals, labs, and doctors offices. They need training but not necessarily a college degree. Phlebotomists should be patient, gentle, and able to inspire confidence in patients. The median salary for a phlebotomist in the US is around $27,600 including benefits.
The document provides an overview of the CADR+ telemedicine program. It discusses some of the challenges with the current healthcare system such as long wait times to see a doctor and high costs. CADR+ aims to address these issues by providing 24/7 access to licensed physicians via phone/video consultations for non-emergency medical issues. This allows individuals to get medical advice and prescriptions from the convenience of their phone or computer. The program also includes additional services like a discount card, bill mediation assistance, online health resources and more. It is positioned as saving both individuals and employers money compared to traditional office visits or emergency room care.
The document provides tips for finding the best cardiologist in Varanasi, India. It recommends considering a doctor's credentials, location, experience, gender if applicable, and communication skills. Specifically, it suggests verifying certifications, checking hospital ratings, choosing someone with several years of experience, matching gender for specific needs, and ensuring comfortable communication where all questions are welcomed. It also provides the website for Jamuna Sewa Sadan and Research Centre as a source to search for top cardiology doctors and hospitals in the area.
A Patient's request to exchange medical costs in last year of life for Hep C Tx.Jeffrey Harris
This document proposes an economic exchange between a patient, healthcare providers, and payers. The patient, a 58-year-old man with diabetes, hepatitis C, and other conditions, argues that covering new treatments for his conditions will save costs in the long run. He offers to forgo expensive end-of-life care past age 75 in exchange for coverage of continuous glucose monitors and hepatitis C treatment now. Data on the high costs of diabetes and end-stage liver disease support that this exchange could save at least $250,000 total in future healthcare expenses.
Tips & Tools to Choose the Safest Medical CareJanet McNichol
This document provides tips for choosing safe medical care, including how to select a hospital, doctor, and drugs. It notes that medical error is the third leading cause of death in the US and recommends tools like HospitalSafetyGrade.org to research hospitals. For doctors, it suggests checking how much money they receive from drug companies and notes it can take 17 years for new evidence to impact physician practices. When choosing drugs, it advises comparing new options to tried-and-true treatments, as serious issues may not appear for years. The document concludes by listing five questions patients should ask before any treatment regarding need, risks, alternatives, costs, and consequences of no action.
Now your employees have direct access to physicians 24/7/365 via email / phone / video for diagnosing and treating acute care illnesses. Americans are becoming price conscious purchasers of healthcare.
Employers who implement a Telemedicine program are able to lower healthcare costs, reduce medical absenteeism, increase employee productivity and overall plan satisfaction.
Use Telemedicine When You:
- Need basic medical care 24/7
- Don’t want to go to the emergency room or urgent care center
- Can't get timely appointment with your primary care physician
- Need Rx prescription/refills* for common conditions
- Can't afford the cost of office visit due to high deductible or no insurance coverage
- Can't afford to take off time from work
- Traveling and in need of medical care
Healthcare in the United States is in a transformational period
One of the central tenets of the ACA is to utilize technology to improve efficiencies within the healthcare system.
Telemedicine is a true Win-Win for employers and employees alike.
This document summarizes a PCP focus meeting that covered several topics: Medicare correct coding initiative, Choosing Wisely campaign, advance care planning, patient-centered medical home designations, organized systems of care, optimizing risk adjustment and stars ratings, and advance directives. It provides details on CMS risk adjustment models, required medical record documentation, acceptable provider types and signatures, case studies, and steps for successful advance care planning.
The document provides instructions for using the patient portal of East Tennessee Children's Hospital. It explains that after logging in with the provided credentials, users can access appointment times, medications, visit history, lab results, billing information, discharge summaries, and their child's health record from the patient portal homepage. It also describes how to view bills, change passwords, and contact support if experiencing issues with the portal.
M. Samir Qamar PAFP Direct Primary Care DiscussionPAFP
This document discusses direct primary care (DPC), a model of healthcare delivery where patients pay doctors a monthly fee in exchange for basic medical services. It outlines several benefits of DPC including increased efficiency, revenue, and patient satisfaction as well as enhanced work-life balance for doctors. The document also notes that DPC is gaining traction due to factors like the Affordable Care Act and is recognized in the laws of several states either through formal legislation or guidelines.
This document discusses rising healthcare costs in Ohio and the United States. It provides examples of costs for common medical procedures and exams. It also lists the top 5 causes of death in the US. The document then discusses income potential over a career and considerations for choosing a consumer driven health plan versus a traditional plan. It provides an example comparing the costs and savings of the two plan types. Finally, it discusses the Ohio Department of Insurance and using a broker to select health insurance.
Pain Management Program Mini Disk Customizable Dtccharliedatuna
The document describes a pain management urine drug test monitoring program that provides value to patients, insurance companies, regulatory agencies, and pain management practices. It offers exclusive LC/MS/MS drug testing, free supplies and billing assistance, and is able to provide practices with increased revenue from insurance reimbursements for drug tests performed. The program aims to prevent prescription drug abuse and diversion in medical practices through comprehensive drug testing and monitoring of patients.
This document discusses Emory Healthcare's use of the Patient Responsibility Pricer (PRP) to improve patient satisfaction and increase self-pay collections. It describes Emory Healthcare's facilities and billing entities. The PRP allows Emory to provide patients with estimates of their financial responsibility prior to services. This upfront communication improves the patient experience and allows Emory to collect more from self-pay accounts before services are rendered. Since implementing the PRP in 2007, Emory has seen millions more collected prior to services and decreases in bad debt and customer service calls.
This document summarizes The Alliance Cooperative, a not-for-profit cooperative that provides health care benefits and services to self-insured employers. Key points include:
- The Alliance was founded in 1990 by seven Madison-area employers and is member-owned.
- Between 2010-2012, the average annual increase in medical costs per employee for Alliance members was 4.6%, lower than the national average.
- The Alliance has contracts with over 63 hospitals, 5,100 doctors, and other provider types across over 2,675 clinic sites.
- The claims process involves health providers submitting claims to The Alliance, who reprices and sends to the third-party administrator to pay according to the employer's plan
The Alliance moves health care forward by controlling costs, improving quality, and engaging individuals in their health. An employer-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, our 180 members provides coverage to more than 80,000 individuals in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.
Do native speakers say "I am sorry to rush you, but.."? Does this expression sound natural?
For example;
I am sorry to rush you, but please respond to my email as soon as possible.
The document summarizes key points from a PCP cluster meeting held on November 13, 2013 in Monroe, Michigan. The meeting focused on several topics: Medicare correct coding initiative, Choosing Wisely campaign, advance care planning, patient-centered medical home designations, organized systems of care, and risk adjustment. The risk adjustment portion provided details on CMS risk scoring, hierarchical condition categories, documentation requirements, and a case study example. It also discussed the Medicare Advantage STAR bonus program and its quality measures. Finally, the document covered advance care planning and POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) forms.
Greenway Health Patient Engagement | The definitive guide to patients as cons...Greenway Health
The definitive guide to patients as consumers including consumer behavior, changing your strategy, your patient engagement strategy, your revenue cycle strategy and more.
There is a growing shortage of primary care doctors and specialists in the US that could overwhelm the healthcare system. Many doctor visits are unnecessary and could be handled through telemedicine consultations, reducing costs. MyTelemedicine offers 24/7 access to licensed physicians via phone, video, or email for common illnesses and prescriptions, providing more convenient care at a lower cost than doctor's offices, urgent care, or emergency rooms. The platform collects health data to track utilization, prescriptions, and conditions treated to measure outcomes and program ROI.
The dental practice of Dr. Hart and Dr. Stern began using an antioxidant scanner to measure patients' antioxidant levels. This was well-received by patients and increased business for the practice. It generated scan fees and led some patients to purchase supplements. The scanner helped promote the practice as preventatively-focused and brought in new patients. It also motivated staff through bonus incentives. Within two months, scans and supplement sales increased, generating over $4,000 in revenue for the practice. The scanner received positive publicity that attracted interest from other dental offices.
A survey of 20,000 people in 10 Indian cities found that 52% self-medicate. Experts say prohibitively high medical fees and a fear of unnecessary tests drives this trend. People rely on advice from peers or online sources to self-medicate. This can lead to drug resistance if the underlying condition is not properly diagnosed and treated. Doctors also charge high fees just for consultations, and often prescribe expensive tests for minor issues. As a result, people tend to delay visiting hospitals and rely more on self-medication.
White Paper written on behalf of athenahealth regarding sources of revenue erosion in medical practices. I researched and wrote this paper while on contract with athenahealth in 2008, in the midst of the financial collapse on Wall Street.
A phlebotomist is someone who draws blood for tests and medical procedures. The document provides an overview of the job duties, requirements, working conditions and outlook for a career in phlebotomy. Phlebotomists typically work indoors in hospitals, labs or doctors offices, drawing blood and other specimens. They need a high school diploma and complete a certification program. While no degree is required, coursework in sciences is recommended. The median salary for phlebotomists in the U.S. ranges from around $23,000 to $33,000 depending on experience and location.
A phlebotomist is a nurse who draws blood from patients. The document discusses that phlebotomists work indoors in places like hospitals, labs, and doctors offices. They need training but not necessarily a college degree. Phlebotomists should be patient, gentle, and able to inspire confidence in patients. The median salary for a phlebotomist in the US is around $27,600 including benefits.
The document provides an overview of the CADR+ telemedicine program. It discusses some of the challenges with the current healthcare system such as long wait times to see a doctor and high costs. CADR+ aims to address these issues by providing 24/7 access to licensed physicians via phone/video consultations for non-emergency medical issues. This allows individuals to get medical advice and prescriptions from the convenience of their phone or computer. The program also includes additional services like a discount card, bill mediation assistance, online health resources and more. It is positioned as saving both individuals and employers money compared to traditional office visits or emergency room care.
The document provides tips for finding the best cardiologist in Varanasi, India. It recommends considering a doctor's credentials, location, experience, gender if applicable, and communication skills. Specifically, it suggests verifying certifications, checking hospital ratings, choosing someone with several years of experience, matching gender for specific needs, and ensuring comfortable communication where all questions are welcomed. It also provides the website for Jamuna Sewa Sadan and Research Centre as a source to search for top cardiology doctors and hospitals in the area.
A Patient's request to exchange medical costs in last year of life for Hep C Tx.Jeffrey Harris
This document proposes an economic exchange between a patient, healthcare providers, and payers. The patient, a 58-year-old man with diabetes, hepatitis C, and other conditions, argues that covering new treatments for his conditions will save costs in the long run. He offers to forgo expensive end-of-life care past age 75 in exchange for coverage of continuous glucose monitors and hepatitis C treatment now. Data on the high costs of diabetes and end-stage liver disease support that this exchange could save at least $250,000 total in future healthcare expenses.
Tips & Tools to Choose the Safest Medical CareJanet McNichol
This document provides tips for choosing safe medical care, including how to select a hospital, doctor, and drugs. It notes that medical error is the third leading cause of death in the US and recommends tools like HospitalSafetyGrade.org to research hospitals. For doctors, it suggests checking how much money they receive from drug companies and notes it can take 17 years for new evidence to impact physician practices. When choosing drugs, it advises comparing new options to tried-and-true treatments, as serious issues may not appear for years. The document concludes by listing five questions patients should ask before any treatment regarding need, risks, alternatives, costs, and consequences of no action.
Now your employees have direct access to physicians 24/7/365 via email / phone / video for diagnosing and treating acute care illnesses. Americans are becoming price conscious purchasers of healthcare.
Employers who implement a Telemedicine program are able to lower healthcare costs, reduce medical absenteeism, increase employee productivity and overall plan satisfaction.
Use Telemedicine When You:
- Need basic medical care 24/7
- Don’t want to go to the emergency room or urgent care center
- Can't get timely appointment with your primary care physician
- Need Rx prescription/refills* for common conditions
- Can't afford the cost of office visit due to high deductible or no insurance coverage
- Can't afford to take off time from work
- Traveling and in need of medical care
Healthcare in the United States is in a transformational period
One of the central tenets of the ACA is to utilize technology to improve efficiencies within the healthcare system.
Telemedicine is a true Win-Win for employers and employees alike.
This document summarizes a PCP focus meeting that covered several topics: Medicare correct coding initiative, Choosing Wisely campaign, advance care planning, patient-centered medical home designations, organized systems of care, optimizing risk adjustment and stars ratings, and advance directives. It provides details on CMS risk adjustment models, required medical record documentation, acceptable provider types and signatures, case studies, and steps for successful advance care planning.
The document provides instructions for using the patient portal of East Tennessee Children's Hospital. It explains that after logging in with the provided credentials, users can access appointment times, medications, visit history, lab results, billing information, discharge summaries, and their child's health record from the patient portal homepage. It also describes how to view bills, change passwords, and contact support if experiencing issues with the portal.
M. Samir Qamar PAFP Direct Primary Care DiscussionPAFP
This document discusses direct primary care (DPC), a model of healthcare delivery where patients pay doctors a monthly fee in exchange for basic medical services. It outlines several benefits of DPC including increased efficiency, revenue, and patient satisfaction as well as enhanced work-life balance for doctors. The document also notes that DPC is gaining traction due to factors like the Affordable Care Act and is recognized in the laws of several states either through formal legislation or guidelines.
This document discusses rising healthcare costs in Ohio and the United States. It provides examples of costs for common medical procedures and exams. It also lists the top 5 causes of death in the US. The document then discusses income potential over a career and considerations for choosing a consumer driven health plan versus a traditional plan. It provides an example comparing the costs and savings of the two plan types. Finally, it discusses the Ohio Department of Insurance and using a broker to select health insurance.
Pain Management Program Mini Disk Customizable Dtccharliedatuna
The document describes a pain management urine drug test monitoring program that provides value to patients, insurance companies, regulatory agencies, and pain management practices. It offers exclusive LC/MS/MS drug testing, free supplies and billing assistance, and is able to provide practices with increased revenue from insurance reimbursements for drug tests performed. The program aims to prevent prescription drug abuse and diversion in medical practices through comprehensive drug testing and monitoring of patients.
This document discusses Emory Healthcare's use of the Patient Responsibility Pricer (PRP) to improve patient satisfaction and increase self-pay collections. It describes Emory Healthcare's facilities and billing entities. The PRP allows Emory to provide patients with estimates of their financial responsibility prior to services. This upfront communication improves the patient experience and allows Emory to collect more from self-pay accounts before services are rendered. Since implementing the PRP in 2007, Emory has seen millions more collected prior to services and decreases in bad debt and customer service calls.
This document summarizes The Alliance Cooperative, a not-for-profit cooperative that provides health care benefits and services to self-insured employers. Key points include:
- The Alliance was founded in 1990 by seven Madison-area employers and is member-owned.
- Between 2010-2012, the average annual increase in medical costs per employee for Alliance members was 4.6%, lower than the national average.
- The Alliance has contracts with over 63 hospitals, 5,100 doctors, and other provider types across over 2,675 clinic sites.
- The claims process involves health providers submitting claims to The Alliance, who reprices and sends to the third-party administrator to pay according to the employer's plan
The Alliance moves health care forward by controlling costs, improving quality, and engaging individuals in their health. An employer-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, our 180 members provides coverage to more than 80,000 individuals in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.
The document summarizes key findings from a survey of over 1,000 UK shoppers on their attitudes towards health and understanding of health messages. It finds that while three-quarters claim to be eating healthily, only a third exercise weekly. Most shoppers and their families are overweight. Nutrition labels are confusing and shoppers rely on simple cues like calories and fat content. Healthy foods are perceived as more expensive.
The document discusses the key concepts and process of marketing. It defines marketing and outlines four common marketing philosophies: production, selling, marketing, and societal concepts. It also explains the differences between sales and market orientation. Finally, it outlines the five steps in the marketing process: analyzing opportunities, selecting target markets, developing marketing strategies and mix, and managing marketing efforts.
Self insured medical plans at great riskJoeCarlton21
1) Many employers with self-insured medical plans face great risks in 2009 due to tightened bank credit lines and the potential inability to pay large medical claims.
2) If employers cannot access funds to pay large claims, their stop-loss insurance will not reimburse them and hospitals may place liens on their businesses.
3) The document proposes an alternative called the "Hidden Solution" which allows employers to keep most of the benefits of self-insurance but with a lower deductible to reduce their risk of being unable to pay large medical bills.
Chapter 1 introduction to marketing presentAin Omar
This document provides an overview of key concepts in marketing. It defines marketing according to several experts and outlines marketing management philosophies including production, sales, marketing, and societal orientations. The differences between sales and market orientations are explained. The marketing process and core concepts like customer value, satisfaction, and relationship marketing are summarized. Trends in marketing are also briefly mentioned.
The document provides an overview of marketing research, including definitions, classifications, processes, roles, careers, and ethics. It defines marketing research as the systematic identification, collection, analysis, and use of information to improve marketing decision-making. It then classifies marketing research into problem identification research and problem-solving research, providing examples of each. Finally, it discusses the marketing research process, industry, careers, and ethics considerations.
Marketing Concepts- Production, Social, Exchange, Selling, Product and Holist...Dan John
This document discusses various marketing concepts, including traditional and modern concepts. The traditional concepts focused on product and selling, with the goal of profit maximization. The modern marketing concept, which is considered the dominant philosophy today, focuses on understanding customer needs and wants in order to satisfy customers. It has dual goals of customer satisfaction and profitability. Key features include identifying customer needs, producing goods to meet those needs, minimizing costs, focusing all activities on satisfying customers, and taking an integrated approach to coordinating marketing functions.
The slide is all about Healthcare Marketing. How you can develop marketing strategies in healthcare market.
Healthcare is booming industry & in accordance with marketing concepts it is very necessary to do marketing of services.
Marketing involves planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy objectives. It is defined as identifying and satisfying customer needs profitably by managing the exchange process. Marketing promotes product awareness, boosts sales, and builds company reputation through both online and offline channels as well as word-of-mouth.
As a discipline, DevOps brings order to the complex world of application and service development, testing, deployment, scaling and monitoring. DevOps enables a unified approach to enterprise software development and delivery that reflects the needs of the entire application life cycle. DevOps strives for more collaborative, productive relationships between development and operations teams, with faster development cycles and reduced production risks.
How can you make DevOps work for you organisation?
For more insights, visit www.interquestgroup.com
The document provides an overview of the healthcare industry in India. It discusses various aspects of the industry including emerging diseases, infrastructure issues, the growth of the health insurance market, medical tourism, Ayurveda, surgical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and the top pharmaceutical companies. It also includes survey results on perceptions of healthcare infrastructure and recommendations to improve the industry.
This document provides an introduction to marketing management. It defines marketing management according to several sources as the process of planning, executing, and controlling the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of goods and services. The objectives of marketing management are outlined as creating new customers, satisfying customer needs, enhancing business profitability, and raising living standards. The key steps in the marketing management process are then described.
The core concept of marketing can be summarized in 3 sentences:
Marketing involves individuals and groups obtaining products and services to fulfill needs and wants through exchange and creation of value. The exchange process consists of transactions between buyers and sellers. The goal of marketing is to work with target markets to facilitate potential exchanges that satisfy human needs and wants in an efficient way.
Marketing involves identifying and meeting human needs through exchange between buyers and sellers. There are three key elements in the marketing process: marketers, products being marketed, and target markets. The goal of marketing is to establish long-term, profitable relationships with customers by delivering superior value compared to competitors. This is achieved through understanding customer needs and wants, creating appropriate products and services, and engaging in effective exchanges to satisfy customers.
The document discusses marketing definitions from various organizations and the importance and concepts of marketing. It provides 3 definitions of marketing: 1) activities involved in creating time, place and possession utilities (American Marketing Association); 2) planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges (American Marketing Association); 3) identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably (Chartered Institute of Marketing). It also discusses the marketing concept and different marketing management tasks including conversional, stimulational, developmental, remarketing, synchro, maintenance, demarketing, and counter marketing.
Our message is simple: RETHINK the way you view healthcare. Welcome to eHealth Companion, a Personal Healthcare Management System designed to help companies' of all sizes and their employees successfully transition to Consumer Directed Health Plans.
The document discusses issues with the current healthcare system such as overutilization of emergency rooms, the high and rising costs of healthcare, untreated stress, and lack of consumerism in healthcare choices. It proposes telemedicine and a first alternative resource as low-cost solutions, noting that average physician response time through telemedicine would be under 90 seconds. Telemedicine could provide 24/7 access to doctors via phone/video appointments, prescription refills, and integration with electronic health records and personal health tools to help treat common conditions and refer to specialists when needed.
Telemedicine Healthcare Solutions for Caregivers and Care CentersRaymond Lavine
Remember when you could speak with a doctor on the phone, It's Back!!! Care for those who need it at home or in a care center allows residents and caregivers to have access to a doctor to talk about routine or even more serious care questions.
The benefit of membership telemedicine -- Monthly subscription with no additional payments. Medical information is in a secure web link so that when a member speaks with a doctor, there is no delay to make an appointment and have to spend time providing health care information.
www.telemedicine4you.com
This document summarizes a presentation on optimizing health outcomes in the workplace. It discusses:
1) Different types of healthcare like primary care, specialty care, and occupational health care and when each is appropriate.
2) Signs that warrant emergency care vs when self-care or seeing a primary care provider is sufficient.
3) Ways employers can positively impact healthcare like wellness programs, health plan design, and creating a culture that supports healthy behaviors.
4) How better health consumerism can control costs, increase productivity and improve outcomes.
Telemedicine provides 24/7 access to physicians via phone, email, or video for diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses. It offers an alternative to expensive in-person visits through naturopathic consultations and prescription discounts. Studies show telemedicine can reduce costs by handling most primary care, ER, and urgent care visits virtually. For $30 per month, HealthNation Connect aims to improve healthcare access and lower costs through telemedicine while complementing traditional care.
Telemedicine provides 24/7 access to physicians via phone, email, or video for diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses. It offers a proven, cost-effective alternative to in-person visits through naturopathic consultations and an online wellness community. For $30 per month, HealthNation Connect gives members these telemedicine services as well as pharmacy discounts, electronic medical records, and insurance billing support to complement traditional healthcare. Studies show telemedicine can help treat most ER and doctor visits virtually while saving billions annually for the healthcare system and households.
Telemedicine provides 24/7 access to physicians via phone, email, or video for diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses. It offers a proven, cost-effective alternative to in-person visits through naturopathic consultations and an online wellness community. For $30 per month, HealthNation Connect gives members these telemedicine services as well as pharmacy discounts, electronic medical records, and insurance billing support to complement traditional healthcare. Studies show telemedicine can help treat most ER and doctor visits virtually while saving billions annually for the healthcare system and households.
This document proposes an innovative strategy to reduce healthcare costs through a multi-benefit card program. The card would provide savings on pharmacy medications through discounts of 11-75% on both generic and brand drugs. It would also provide telemedicine physician consultations for non-emergency care at reduced costs compared to office visits or ER trips. Additional benefits include discounts on dental, vision, lab tests and imaging. The program aims to lower costs for employers and employees while increasing access to affordable healthcare services.
Becoming Better Advocates for Your HealthBest Doctors
A leader and innovator in research on patient-centered care, Dr. Leana Wen will share her perspectives on what patients and providers can do to work more effectively together to achieve their shared goal – better health and outcomes. She will be joined by Sonia Millsom, VP of Best Doctors, who will discuss how optimizing care and controlling costs are within reach for today’s patient. The presenters will finish with live questions from the audience.
The document discusses issues with the current healthcare system such as long wait times to see a doctor, high costs, and inefficiency. It notes that traditional healthcare offices are closed most of the time each week, the average wait to make an appointment is 3 weeks, and the average time spent waiting in an office is 23 minutes. Over 66% of emergency room visits are for non-emergency reasons. The document then introduces telehealth/telemedicine as a solution, noting that it provides convenient 24/7 access to care from anywhere via phone, video, or email without high fees. Telehealth solutions allow people to consult with doctors without missing work or paying high costs for visits to urgent care centers or emergency rooms.
This document proposes innovative healthcare strategies and benefits to reduce costs for employers and employees. It describes a standard benefits package that includes telemedicine, pharmacy savings, medical discounts, dental and vision care, identity theft protection, legal services, and more. The package is presented as a way for employers to lower absenteeism and healthcare costs while providing employees with thousands of dollars in savings on medical services.
Access to healthcare the way it should be 24/7
No enrollment fees; no co-insurance; no co-payments
Subscribers whether it is individual/family; companies who offer telemedicnie; and associations have access to secure web portals for each subscriber and their family.
Conversation with a doctor is by telephone or by secure video.
The document discusses the high costs and inconvenience of the current healthcare system for both individuals and employers. It then introduces CADR+ as a telemedicine program that provides 24/7 access to licensed physicians via phone or video consultations to diagnose common conditions and prescribe medications when needed. This allows people to get healthcare conveniently without taking time off work or paying high costs for urgent care or emergency room visits. The program aims to reduce healthcare costs and increase access and satisfaction for both individuals and employers.
Era Health Dental Clinic at Melbourne is trained in international public health and travel medicine. Make an appointment with our experienced dental dentists in the Melbourne. Era Health is a one stop health clinic fully owned and operated by Southern Medical Services Pty Ltd, a private, Australian medical company.
Consult A Doctor is a telemedicine company that provides 24/7 access to board certified physicians via telephone or email consultations. Its mission is to lower healthcare costs and expand access to care so people can live healthier lives. Studies show 70% of doctor visits and 66% of ER visits are unnecessary, costing $31 billion annually. Consult A Doctor offers different levels of access from quick phone consultations to in-depth consultations that can include diagnosis and prescription medications. Members also get an online personal health manager with tools like a symptom checker and prescription reminders.
Employee Engagement: Your Tool for Tackling Heath Care CostsDigital Measures
Everyone is concerned about increasing health care costs. This interactive session will review the various triggers that drive health care and insurance costs and cover the major communication and engagement strategies that companies use to reduce their trend. Case studies to be discussed include wellness, employee engagement and communication, benefit plan design and consumerism. Successful benefit incentive programs that support communication programs and have a quantifiable return on investment will also be discussed.
healthPERX offers a telehealth benefit that allows users 24/7 access to U.S. board-certified doctors via phone or video consultations for common medical issues. This provides a convenient healthcare option when users can't get to a doctor or don't want to spend the time and money visiting urgent care. Studies show telehealth reduces healthcare costs by decreasing doctor, ER, and urgent care visits. It also reduces absenteeism and increases productivity for businesses. healthPERX aims to drive utilization of telehealth by offering the benefit with no consultation fees and a comprehensive marketing program.
This document discusses big data in healthcare and physical therapy. It provides an overview of ATI's use of big data through its large patient outcomes registry, which includes over 800 variables and has been accepted into federal registries. ATI leverages data on patient demographics, referrals, outcomes, satisfaction surveys, and costs to enhance care and outcomes. The challenges of evidence-based medicine in an era of big data are also examined, highlighting the need to reconcile evidence-based and precision approaches through standardized sharing of data.
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The Alliance Member Recognition CampaignThe Alliance
The Alliance is a not-for-profit cooperative of more than 200 employers. We only exist because of our member organizations. To highlight our members companies we have compiled some pictures that represent who our members are.
What does a culture of health mean to you? The Alliance
The Robert Wood Foundation recently did a campaign asking individuals what a culture of health meant to them and we loved it so much that we wanted to do one of our own with some of our staff.
This document discusses improving healthcare quality and value through transparency and incentives. It introduces QualityPath, which identifies high-quality, low-cost providers for elective procedures through robust quality evaluations. Employers can offer lower costs to employees who use QualityPath providers. Transparency motivates providers to improve by highlighting cost and quality differences. A real-world example shows transparency prompting improved colonoscopy quality over time. The document advocates employers exploring QualityPath to better manage benefits and employee wellness.
The Alliance is a not-for-profit cooperative founded in 1990 by 7 employers to control rising healthcare costs. It now represents over 200 self-insured employers in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. The Alliance negotiates directly with providers to obtain significant savings for members, helps employers design benefits and wellness programs, and provides data and reporting to actively manage costs. As a cooperative, any profits are returned to members and it advocates on behalf of employers, not shareholders. Members benefit from the purchasing power of the large group, a broad provider network, and educational opportunities through Alliance learning circles.
This presentation is designed to provide the information needed to understand self-funding, assist you in explaining the solution to clients and then determine whether it is right for their company by comparing and contrasting it to a fully insured solution.
The biomechanics of running involves the study of the mechanical principles underlying running movements. It includes the analysis of the running gait cycle, which consists of the stance phase (foot contact to push-off) and the swing phase (foot lift-off to next contact). Key aspects include kinematics (joint angles and movements, stride length and frequency) and kinetics (forces involved in running, including ground reaction and muscle forces). Understanding these factors helps in improving running performance, optimizing technique, and preventing injuries.
- Video recording of this lecture in English language: https://youtu.be/RvdYsTzgQq8
- Video recording of this lecture in Arabic language: https://youtu.be/ECILGWtgZko
- Link to download the book free: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/nephrotube-nephrology-books.html
- Link to NephroTube website: www.NephroTube.com
- Link to NephroTube social media accounts: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/join-nephrotube-on-social-media.html
STUDIES IN SUPPORT OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS: GERIATRICS E7shruti jagirdar
Unit 4: MRA 103T Regulatory affairs
This guideline is directed principally toward new Molecular Entities that are
likely to have significant use in the elderly, either because the disease intended
to be treated is characteristically a disease of aging ( e.g., Alzheimer's disease) or
because the population to be treated is known to include substantial numbers of
geriatric patients (e.g., hypertension).
Congestive Heart failure is caused by low cardiac output and high sympathetic discharge. Diuretics reduce preload, ACE inhibitors lower afterload, beta blockers reduce sympathetic activity, and digitalis has inotropic effects. Newer medications target vasodilation and myosin activation to improve heart efficiency while lowering energy requirements. Combination therapy, following an assessment of cardiac function and volume status, is the most effective strategy to heart failure care.
TEST BANK For Brunner and Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 14...Donc Test
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Pictorial and detailed description of patellar instability with sign and symptoms and how to diagnose , what investigations you should go with and how to approach with treatment options . I have presented this slide in my 2nd year junior residency in orthopedics at LLRM medical college Meerut and got good reviews for it
After getting it read you will definitely understand the topic.
Discover the benefits of homeopathic medicine for irregular periods with our guide on 5 common remedies. Learn how these natural treatments can help regulate menstrual cycles and improve overall menstrual health.
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Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis - Pathogenesis , Clinical Features & Manage...Jim Jacob Roy
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Gene therapy can be broadly defined as the transfer of genetic material to cure a disease or at least to improve the clinical status of a patient.
One of the basic concepts of gene therapy is to transform viruses into genetic shuttles, which will deliver the gene of interest into the target cells.
Safe methods have been devised to do this, using several viral and non-viral vectors.
In the future, this technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting a gene into a patient's cells instead of using drugs or surgery.
The biggest hurdle faced by medical research in gene therapy is the availability of effective gene-carrying vectors that meet all of the following criteria:
Protection of transgene or genetic cargo from degradative action of systemic and endonucleases,
Delivery of genetic material to the target site, i.e., either cell cytoplasm or nucleus,
Low potential of triggering unwanted immune responses or genotoxicity,
Economical and feasible availability for patients .
Viruses are naturally evolved vehicles that efficiently transfer their genes into host cells.
Choice of viral vector is dependent on gene transfer efficiency, capacity to carry foreign genes, toxicity, stability, immune responses towards viral antigens and potential viral recombination.
There are a wide variety of vectors used to deliver DNA or oligo nucleotides into mammalian cells, either in vitro or in vivo.
The most common vector system based on retroviruses, adenoviruses, herpes simplex viruses, adeno associated viruses.
PGx Analysis in VarSeq: A User’s PerspectiveGolden Helix
Since our release of the PGx capabilities in VarSeq, we’ve had a few months to gather some insights from various use cases. Some users approach PGx workflows by means of array genotyping or what seems to be a growing trend of adding the star allele calling to the existing NGS pipeline for whole genome data. Luckily, both approaches are supported with the VarSeq software platform. The genotyping method being used will also dictate what the scope of the tertiary analysis will be. For example, are your PGx reports a standalone pipeline or would your lab’s goal be to handle a dual-purpose workflow and report on PGx + Diagnostic findings.
The purpose of this webcast is to:
Discuss and demonstrate the approaches with array and NGS genotyping methods for star allele calling to prep for downstream analysis.
Following genotyping, explore alternative tertiary workflow concepts in VarSeq to handle PGx reporting.
Moreover, we will include insights users will need to consider when validating their PGx workflow for all possible star alleles and options you have for automating your PGx analysis for large number of samples. Please join us for a session dedicated to the application of star allele genotyping and subsequent PGx workflows in our VarSeq software.
The Children are very vulnerable to get affected with respiratory disease.
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- Video recording of this lecture in English language: https://youtu.be/Pt1nA32sdHQ
- Video recording of this lecture in Arabic language: https://youtu.be/uFdc9F0rlP0
- Link to download the book free: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/nephrotube-nephrology-books.html
- Link to NephroTube website: www.NephroTube.com
- Link to NephroTube social media accounts: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/join-nephrotube-on-social-media.html
2. What is The Alliance?
> Employer-owned, not-for-profit health
care purchasing cooperative.
> Freedom to choose from 63 hospitals
and 10,365 professional service
providers.
> Creates resources to help you and your
family become more informed about
health care choices.
3. Today’s Goals Discussion
> Increase your
awareness of the safety
and quality of our health
care system and its
impact on you.
> Provide tools to help you
become a wise health
care consumer.
> Help you maximize the
effectiveness of each
health care encounter.
> Health Care Quality
and Cost.
> What You Can Do
Today.
> How to Make the Most
of Each Health Care
Visit.
4. What is Health Care Quality?
> Doing the right thing
> Doing it at the right time
> Doing it the right way
5. Quality Problems
> Underuse
Care that would benefit patients isn’t given.
> Overuse
Care that is unnecessary or where the risks
outweigh the benefits.
> Misuse
Complications caused by patients who do not
follow doctors’ orders & doctors who misdiagnose
their patients.
In doctors’ offices and clinics, adults receive only 55% of
recommended care (preventative, acute and chronic)!
6. Cost In Perspective
> Self Funding
The employer assumes the financial risk of
providing health care benefits to
employees.
The employer pays for employee medical
claims out-of-pocket as they occur.
7. Share in Your Medical Decisions
> Let your provider know that you want to be an active
partner in your health care.
> Do your own research:
www.the-alliance.org
www.webmd.com
www.crbestbuydrugs.com
> Ask why?
> State your preferences.
> Compare your expectations with those of your
provider.
> Accept responsibility.
8. Did you know?
8 out of 10 Internet users have
searched online for information on at
least one major health topic.
That translates into about 95 Million
American adults who use the Internet to
obtain health information.
* 2011 Pew Internet Project and California HealthCare Foundation
9. Ask Questions
> 3 Good Questions to Ask:
What is my main problem?
What do I need to do?
Why is it important for me to do this?
10. Bring a Friend or Family Member
> A personal representative, or health
advocate, can:
Get information and ask questions when
you can’t.
Remind you about instructions and help
you make decisions.
Find out who to go to if you are not getting
the care you need.
11. Remember…
> Let your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist know if
you still don’t understand something.
> You don’t need to feel rushed or
embarrassed if you don’t understand
something.
> You can ask your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist a question as many times as you
need to.
> Be honest with your doctor, don’t tell them
what you think they want to hear.
Asking questions helps you understand how
to stay well or get better!
12. Did you know?
> A survey of 1,100 patients revealed…
68% of patients said that they would not inform
their physician that they had failed to comply with
a prescribed drug therapy.
83% said that they would never communicate with
their physician that they did not plan on buying a
prescribed drug.
1/3 of all hospital admissions are due to poor
medical adherence. This equates to $300 Billion
annually.
*The Adherence Estimator, McHorney CA. Curr Med Res Opin, in PubMed
13. Keep and Bring a List of All the
Medicines You Take
> Give your doctor and pharmacist a
list of all the medicines you take,
including non-prescription medicines.
This includes vitamins and herbal
supplements.
> Tell them about any allergies you
may have.
Medication errors are the most common type of medical error!
14. Did you know?
The average doctor to patient
interaction during an office visit is less
than 10 minutes.
Often clinics will schedule office visits
as short as 8 minutes in a physician’s
calendar to maximize the number of
patients they will see in a day.
15. Making the Most of Each Visit
-Before the Visit-
Before you go, bring along all of the
following information:
> Current insurance card
> Social Security number
> Emergency contact information
> Employer information
> A referral or order, if required
> Any previous x-rays, if requested
> An interpreter, if needed
16. Making the Most of Each Visit
-During the Visit-
> State your main concern first.
> Describe your symptoms.
> Describe past experiences with the
same concern.
> Ask questions about things you don’t
understand.
> Take notes, even if you understand
what is being said.
17. Making the Most of Each Visit
-At the End of the Visit-
> Am I to return for another visit?
> Am I to phone in for test results or login
online?
> What side effects or concerns should I
look for?
> When do I need to follow up?
> Anything else I need to know?
18. When You See a Specialist
> Know the diagnosis or suspected diagnosis.
> Learn about basic treatment options.
> Make sure the specialist has all test results
and records on your case.
> Make sure you know why the tests are being
done.
Ask: Are these tests necessary?
Don’t repeat tests!
19. If You Are Facing Surgery…
> Most surgeries are not emergencies.
> This means that you have time to make
sure that this surgery is the best
treatment for you.
> Refer to the toolkit to see important
questions you should ask if facing
surgery.
20. QUALITY and COST vary
in ways that affect your
life and your wallet.
21. Putting Quality in Perspective
Number of Americans who die each year from:
> Accidents and
Diseases:
Breast cancer:
About 39,500
Motor vehicle
accidents: About
43,000
> Quality and
Safety:
Medical errors: About
98,000
Infections acquired
while in the hospital:
About 90,000
> 25 – 75% of these
infections could
be prevented
22. Cost Matters Too
Cost varies:
You could pay more for the exact same
type of care depending on which
hospital you choose.
What you pay is not related to the quality
of your care.
High-quality care don’t always cost
more.
23. QualityCounts Inpatient Hospital
Report
> Overall Care for
Adults
> Birthing Care
> Major Surgery
Hip and Knee Surgery
Back and Neck Surgery
> Overall Heart Care
Heart Surgery
Non-Surgical Heart Care
Balloon Angioplasty
Bypass Surgery
Heart Attack Care
Aortic Valve Replacement
24. QualityCounts™ Outpatient
Procedures and Tests Report
> Surgeries:
Removal of Adenoids
Adenoidectomy & Tonsillectomy
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Cataract Surgery
Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery
Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
Ear Tube Insertion
> Tests:
Bone Density Study
Cardiac Perfusion Scan
Colonoscopy
Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy
> CT and MRIs
Abdominal & Pelvic CT with
and without contrast
Brain MRI with and without
contrast
Head or Brain CT
Lower Spine MRI
MRI Joint of Lower Extremity
without Contrast
MRI Neck Spine without
Contrast
Thorax CT with Contrast
25. Brain MRI
(Dane County Example)
Specialty MRI Center
(Dane Co.) Dane Co. Hospital
Total Average Cost $2,304 $3,884
EE Deductible ($1000) $1,000 $1,000
EE Coinsurance (10% to $250) $130 $250
Total Employee Cost $1,130 $1,250
Cost Difference to EE $120
Total Employer Cost $1,004 $2,634
Cost Difference to ER $1,630
26. Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
(Dane County Example)
Outpatient Surgery
Center (Dane Co.) Dane Co. Hospital
Total Average Cost $5,351 $8,812
EE Deductible ($1,000) $1,000 $1,000
EE Coinsurance (10% to $250) $250 $250
Total Employee Cost $1,250 $1,250
Cost Difference to EE $0
Total Employer Cost $4,101 $7,562
Cost Difference to ER $3,461
30. Thank you for viewing this presentation
created by The Alliance.
If you would like to Learn More about The
Alliance please visit our website at
www.the-alliance.org
Call us at 800.223.4139 or email us at
thealliance@the-alliance.org
Editor's Notes
First, there is the question of what exactly is health care quality? Although we know much more about health care quality today than we did ten years ago, the concept is still difficult to define. To achieve the best possible results, health care quality is:Doing the right thingAt the right timeIn the right wayThis can involve getting the medicine, tests and counseling you need, when you need it, and with your health care providers using the appropriate tests or procedures.
There are three health care quality problems: underuse, overuse and misuse.Underuse is when care that would benefit patients isn’t given – a great example is the use of Beta Blockers, a type of medication for patients who have had heart attacks. Heart attack patients who take beta blockers reduce their risk of death by 25%. This is clearly an effective medication, but according to recent studies, only 25-40% of patients receive it.Overuse is care that is unnecessary or where the risks outweigh the benefits. As an example, 21% of antibiotic prescriptions are written for viral infections; but antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. That amounts to 50 million prescriptions for children alone! In addition to the wasted cost, there is another impact of this form of overuse. We are creating antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. We now face the real public health risk of developing bacteria against which no antibiotics are effective.There are also lots of health issues and complications caused by patients who do not follow doctors’ orders—for instance, not taking all of their prescriptions, diabetics not following their diet, etc. These also complicate the system and make health care more expensive.Problems don’t solely exist in hospital settings. One study suggests that, in the United States, adults receive only 55% of recommended care while in the doctors office or clinic. McGlynn EA, Asch SM, Adams J, Keesey J, Hicks J, DeCristofaro A, Kerr EA. The quality of health care delivered to adults in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2003;348(:2635-45. PMID 12826639http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12826639
Your employer self-funds the medical plan offered to employees. A self-funded plan is one where the employer assumes the financial risk of providing health care benefits to its employees. Essentially, your employer acts as the insurer by paying for medical claims out-of-pocket as they occur instead of paying a pre-determined premium to an insurance carrier.
There are some things you can do today to get safer, better health care. Please turn to page 6 in the toolkit where you will find 6 ways to share in your medical decisions.Sharing in medical decisions is a very important part of the patient/provider relationship. Most importantly, let your provider know that you want to be an active partner in your care and you will be aiding in decisions regarding your health. Do your own research. Ask your provider if there are any websites or other information available pertaining to your disease or illness. Have a healthy skepticism of providers.Ask, “Why?” If a medical test, medication, or treatment is suggested, there are various questions to be asked as you see in your toolkits. State your preferences. You can tell your provider which option you prefer based on your desires and values. You need to feel comfortable with the decisions that are made pertaining to your care.Compare your expectations with those of your provider. Talk about your recovery period. You may have a completely different expectation for your recovery time period than your physician may have. Make sure that you and your physician understand each other’s expectations for your illness, prognosis, and recovery. Finally, accept responsibility for your health care. If you share in the decision-making process, both you and your provider must take responsibility for the outcomes.
2011 Pew Internet Project and California HealthCare Foundation http://blogs.webmd.com/breaking-news/2011/02/8-out-of-10-internet-users-go-online-for-health-information.html
You can enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of your health care by asking questions about your care, your diagnosis, your treatment, and the medications prescribed to you.The answers you get can help you make better decisions, receive a higher level of care, reduce medical mistakes, and feel better about your health care.You can ask questions when:You see your doctor, nurse, or pharmacistYou prepare for a medical testYou get your medicineEvery time you consult with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, ask these three questions to better understand your health:What is my main problem?What do I need to do?Why is it important for me to do this?
When you consult with a medical provider, it is highly recommended that you bring a friend or family member along with you. This person is referred to as a health advocate.An advocate can help tremendously with your care. They can get information and ask questions for you when you can’t, they can remind you about instructions and help you make decisions, and they can find out who to go to if you are not getting the care you need.Health advocates aren’t able to make decisions for you unless they are your legal guardian or you have given them that responsibility by signing a legal document, such as a health care power of attorney.
Let your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist know if you still don't understand what you need to do. You might say, "This is new to me. Will you please explain that to me one more time?" You don't need to feel rushed or embarrassed if you don't understand something.You can ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist a question as many times as you need to. You are not alone if you find things confusing at times. Asking questions will help you understand how to stay well or get better.
Give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all the medicines that you take, including non-prescription medicines, such as over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell them about any drug allergies you have and ask about side effects and what to avoid while taking the medicine.Page 5 in the toolkit offers places where you can keep track of your medicine and show you what type of information you should include, such as the dose and how often you take it.Medication errors are the biggest source of medical errors – keeping a list of your medications will help ensure that your doctor doesn’t prescribe something that will react with another medicine you’re taking.
Now lets specifically talk about office visits --- a place where you can make a difference….Before a visit, you should consult a self-care book. Please look at page 5 of the Toolkit. Here is a list of information that you will definitely need before going to your provider (read bullets). For instance, you will need current registration information (medical ID card), a list of medications you take, types of allergies you have, and your family medical history. This information is broken out on this check-list. Use this as a working document, changing it as your health history changes. Keep this document in your purse or wallet, where it will be handy at any time the information may be necessary. Make copies of this page for future use.
Now, you have prepared for your visit and have finally arrived at your provider’s office. Page 6 in the toolkit includes the information you should share with your provider.First, state your main concern and describe your symptoms. Share with your physician if you have had any past experience with these or similar symptoms. Discuss any medication you have used in the past, its effectiveness (Does it work for you?), as well as any side effects you may have experienced. Please share with your provider all of the information or knowledge that you have in regard to your illness and current state of health. Never be afraid to “bother” your provider with details, even if you feel they may be unimportant or unrelated. For example, a patient may present a headache as the main concern. This patient may also have a rash on his leg, but he hesitates to share this with his provider because he feels the rash has nothing to do with the headache. It may. The rash may be a secondary effect from an illness and may assist with a diagnosis, or it may be a side effect from the medication that the patient is taking. Be sure that you share all information with your provider.Finally take notes during the visit, even if you understand what is being said. It’s difficult to keep track of all the information you receive during a medical visit. Taking notes will allow you to refer back to them at a later point, when you have more time to process what was being said or see what you have to do in order to get better.
Page 6 in your Toolkit also shows some questions you may need to ask your provider at the end of your visit.If the physician has not already communicated the information, you may ask when you need to return for another visit and how you will be informed of any test results. Many physicians have different methods of communicating test results; some may communicate via return visit, telephone or letter, or some may assume that “no news is good news.” It would be very frustrating for a patient to expect a phone call relating test results, waiting for days with no contact, only to discover that your provider only contacts the patient with adverse test results.Before leaving your provider’s office, make sure that you are both “on the same page” and that each understands the expectations of the other. Also question the provider about side effects or symptoms that may cause concern. Who should you contact with concerns and how (after hrs)? Does the provider have a contact telephone number for you or should you go to the ER/WIC? When do you need to follow up? Is there anything else you need to know? If you get home and have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact your Provider.
Now, please turn to page 5 in your toolkit where you will see tips on what to do if you are referred to a specialist.In addition to what we have already discussed, such as bringing a list of medications and a friend or family member to your visit, there are some things you should know when seeing a specialist.First, know the diagnosis or suspected diagnosis.Learn about your basic treatment options.Make sure that any test results or records on your case are sent to the specialist.Know why the tests are being done. Sometimes, tests are not required and may be optional. If the test is not essential, it may reduce medical costs if you decide not to have it done.Also, make sure no tests are repeated. You may have seen other providers before the specialist who have already performed a required test. This is why it is so important to send any results to your specialist so you don’t end up paying for the same test twice.
If you are facing surgery, most operations are not emergencies and are considered elective surgery. This means that you have time to learn about your operation to be sure it is the best treatment for you. You also have time to work with your surgeon to make the surgery as safe as possible. Page 6 in the toolkit offers some questions to ask your provider when you are told that you need surgery and questions that weigh the risks and benefits of having a surgery. Thoroughly consider the risks and the benefits. To choose the best anesthetic (regional, general, spinal, or local), speak with the anesthesiologist. During your pre-operative visit, you will have a chance to meet the anesthesiologist and discuss your expectations and risks in order to determine what will be most appropriate to meet your needs. You may also want to find another surgeon to get a second opinion, to confirm if surgery is the right treatment for you. You might want to ask friends or coworkers for the names of surgeons they have used. Make sure all pertinent medical records are available for the second opinion.
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