Chris Rivard and Karl Rebay: The 5 Mega-Trends That Are Changing the Face of Health Care

1. Strong headwinds will force change.Intense funding pressure on Medicare/Medicaid, decreasing commercial reimbursement, flat/declining volume trends, federal budget defits, & growing uncompensated care
2. Employer-based commercial insurance will undergo a shift. Whether employer mandate or widespread exchanges, companies will have a new relationship with employees when it comes to health care coverage
3. Commercial payers will alter how they do business & may be more collaborative, but will pay less. Some are employing vertical integration strategy by getting in/enhancing position in provider segment
4. An increase in individual & HDHPs will force consumers to be more active in their own health care & will lead to more consumer decision making.
5. Providers will be financially challenged. Quality through coordination and evidence-based medicine, not gatekeeping, is the answer.

Source: The Atlantic
Source URL: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/05/the-5-me...

Printer-friendly versionSend to friendmore...