Four Healthcare Changes Happening Now
America, get ready. You’re about to wake up to a whole new world of healthcare. We are moving from a healthcare system of the 1950’s into a model better suited for a population of the 21st century. The old-fashioned hospital is about to be integrated into a regional system of specialized facilities that will streamline care, avoid duplication of services and deliver better outcomes. And that’s only one of many changes. Here are four more:
1. You’re going to need insurance or pay a penalty
The Affordable Care Act requires you to enroll in an insurance exchange, apply for Medicaid, or buy insurance through your employer. If you don’t, you’ll be charged a tax penalty of $95 per adult and $47.50 per child (up to $285 for a family) or 1 percent of your total income, whichever is greater – and that’s going up after 2014.
2. Your doctor will be part of a team
When you go for your medical appointment, you’ll be seen by a team of caregivers that might include a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or other highly trained caregivers. If appropriate, you’ll be able to get shared medical appointments with others who have similar conditions. Shared appointments are popular in diabetes and women’s health. You get private time with caregivers plus a chance to hear from and compare your experience with other patients.
3. You’ll be able to shop for healthcare
You’ll be able to comparison shop, and you’ll want to, because more and more of the costs of care will be borne by you, the consumer. Competition is good – but shop wisely! Look for reputable providers with experience in what you need, and who are willing to share their outcomes information. Saving money up front could cost you plenty in the long run. Complications from less-than-optimal care could require expensive follow-up procedures.
4. No more passive patients
For too long, healthcare has been something that was done to you. Now it’s going to be something you do for yourself in partnership with your doctor and caregiving team. You’ll need to monitor your food input, get exercise, and avoid tobacco. If your doctor prescribes a medication, preventive strategy, or course of treatment, you’ll want to follow it. You’ll want to do this for several reasons. One is good health, which is priceless. The other is your medical bills, more of which you’ll be paying yourself.
These four changes – and more – are coming at us. But there’s no reason to be anxious. Things are getting better. We’re all getting more realistic about the costs of healthcare and who pays them. The result will make medicine more efficient, effective and accessible to all.
Photo: billshakes.com
Chartered Accountant
11 年I sincerely hope this dystopian future in which patients are disempowered and ordered about like foot soldiers will not eventuate. I am the CEO of my health and no thank-you, I will not see paramedics (until such time as there is evidence that doing so improves health outcomes for my conditions), no I will not participate in group meetings with Drs (again, until such time as there is evidence that this is an effective model of improving health outcomes as opposed to just cutting costs for providers) and if my doctor "prescribes a medicine, preventive strategy or treatment" I will follow it if there is evidence that it is effective and safe and the side-effects do not outweigh the benefits. If not then my physician and I will work on an alternative plan. Of course I am fortunate to live in Australia where publicly funded healthcare is not perfect but it is effective both in terms of costs and patient outcomes and allows the patient to manage their own health. !
Parks Forever Consulting & Advocacy
11 年Dr. Cosgrove, your words resonate with us in the parks and recreation profession. Programs such as Walk with a Doc, which the Cleveland Clinic is a participant, are becoming an integral part of the nation's preventive health care system!
Representing physician specialists and hospital services to outside healthcare groups to create relationships for the benefit of patients. Addressing complex healthcare problems in diverse settings.
11 年Thank you for not contributing to the "sky is falling" mentality.
Retired - Happy Trails to You
11 年Blind faith in your care givers could get you killed. There been several times that Physicians have prescribed medication to members of my family without checking the other med’s they were on. However, the direction we were going was not sustainable. The Healthcare Industry and our political leaders need to embrace change.
Overall, I agree with many of the postive reactions to this post. However, there is one sentence that I believe bears further consideration: "If your doctor prescribes a medication, preventive strategy, or course of treatment, you’ll want to follow it." This assertion presumes that your doctor represents absolute truth, and frankly contradicts the earlier point made about becoming more of an active consumer of resources and an active participant in the dialogue around your health. I would say that if your doctor prescribes a course of treatment, you should ask about pros and cons, cost and side effects, alternatives, etc. Otherwise stated, engage in a dialogue. After all, the health in question is yours!