As a medical dermatologist, you might already be feeling the impact of consumer-directed healthcare plans.
These plans are growing in popularity, and critics are concerned that patients insured under these plans will seek health care less often in order to conserve their healthcare dollars. This, of course, could have an obvious negative impact on your practice.
As this month’s cover story, by Contributing Editor Gil Weber, M.B.A., states, “Consumer-directed health care is the latest attempt to save the healthcare system by reining in costs while, at the same time, increasing overall quality of care.”
Consumer-Directed Healthcare Plans on the Rise
Approximately 3 to 6 million people presently participate in consumer-directed healthcare plans, a number that represents 3% of the commercial insurance market, according to a recent article in the Washington Post.
And this number is expected to grow. A new survey by the consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide reported that up to one-third of organizations that offer their employees health insurance — but that don’t currently offer a consumer-directed plan — indicated that they will offer a consumer-directed plan in 2007, the Post also reported.
Will These Plans Curb Healthcare Spending?
The jury still seems to be out on how much these plans will curb overall healthcare spending. However, a new study conducted by the nonprofit RAND Corporation and released in late October found that people enrolled in consumer-directed healthcare plans have cut back on healthcare spending.
According to the study, participants in consumer-directed healthcare plans reduced their healthcare spending by 4% to 15%, and if they had a consumer-directed healthcare plan in addition to a health savings account, their spending dropped by 2% to 7%.
How will your practice be affected?
So, if consumers are cutting back on their healthcare spending, what will that mean for you? What changes should you look to implement as the number of your patients covered by these plans potentially increases? This month’s cover story, beginning on page 34, will explore these issues and offer suggestions for recasting your practice to adapt to the changes that could result from more patients participating in consumer-directed healthcare plans.
As a medical dermatologist, you might already be feeling the impact of consumer-directed healthcare plans.
These plans are growing in popularity, and critics are concerned that patients insured under these plans will seek health care less often in order to conserve their healthcare dollars. This, of course, could have an obvious negative impact on your practice.
As this month’s cover story, by Contributing Editor Gil Weber, M.B.A., states, “Consumer-directed health care is the latest attempt to save the healthcare system by reining in costs while, at the same time, increasing overall quality of care.”
Consumer-Directed Healthcare Plans on the Rise
Approximately 3 to 6 million people presently participate in consumer-directed healthcare plans, a number that represents 3% of the commercial insurance market, according to a recent article in the Washington Post.
And this number is expected to grow. A new survey by the consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide reported that up to one-third of organizations that offer their employees health insurance — but that don’t currently offer a consumer-directed plan — indicated that they will offer a consumer-directed plan in 2007, the Post also reported.
Will These Plans Curb Healthcare Spending?
The jury still seems to be out on how much these plans will curb overall healthcare spending. However, a new study conducted by the nonprofit RAND Corporation and released in late October found that people enrolled in consumer-directed healthcare plans have cut back on healthcare spending.
According to the study, participants in consumer-directed healthcare plans reduced their healthcare spending by 4% to 15%, and if they had a consumer-directed healthcare plan in addition to a health savings account, their spending dropped by 2% to 7%.
How will your practice be affected?
So, if consumers are cutting back on their healthcare spending, what will that mean for you? What changes should you look to implement as the number of your patients covered by these plans potentially increases? This month’s cover story, beginning on page 34, will explore these issues and offer suggestions for recasting your practice to adapt to the changes that could result from more patients participating in consumer-directed healthcare plans.
As a medical dermatologist, you might already be feeling the impact of consumer-directed healthcare plans.
These plans are growing in popularity, and critics are concerned that patients insured under these plans will seek health care less often in order to conserve their healthcare dollars. This, of course, could have an obvious negative impact on your practice.
As this month’s cover story, by Contributing Editor Gil Weber, M.B.A., states, “Consumer-directed health care is the latest attempt to save the healthcare system by reining in costs while, at the same time, increasing overall quality of care.”
Consumer-Directed Healthcare Plans on the Rise
Approximately 3 to 6 million people presently participate in consumer-directed healthcare plans, a number that represents 3% of the commercial insurance market, according to a recent article in the Washington Post.
And this number is expected to grow. A new survey by the consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide reported that up to one-third of organizations that offer their employees health insurance — but that don’t currently offer a consumer-directed plan — indicated that they will offer a consumer-directed plan in 2007, the Post also reported.
Will These Plans Curb Healthcare Spending?
The jury still seems to be out on how much these plans will curb overall healthcare spending. However, a new study conducted by the nonprofit RAND Corporation and released in late October found that people enrolled in consumer-directed healthcare plans have cut back on healthcare spending.
According to the study, participants in consumer-directed healthcare plans reduced their healthcare spending by 4% to 15%, and if they had a consumer-directed healthcare plan in addition to a health savings account, their spending dropped by 2% to 7%.
How will your practice be affected?
So, if consumers are cutting back on their healthcare spending, what will that mean for you? What changes should you look to implement as the number of your patients covered by these plans potentially increases? This month’s cover story, beginning on page 34, will explore these issues and offer suggestions for recasting your practice to adapt to the changes that could result from more patients participating in consumer-directed healthcare plans.
