Patient Engagement
The biggest surge in healthcare costs is the rise in deductibles, with 22 percent of employees paying a $2,000 deductible versus 7 percent in 2009, according to the trends report.
Care in the 21st century is tied to technology, but IT must amplify the work of the clinical organization, the insurer says.
Only about half of people aged 50 to 80 have set up an account on a secure online access site, or patient portal, offered by their healthcare provider.
Patients trust ratings on sites such as Healthgrades, Yelp and Zocdoc but both negative and positive reviews alike can be misleading.
Patients prefer appointment reminders via text and practices are obliging, but take care in sending only the needed information and never text PHI, MGMA said.
The core element of the model is that the same physician provides care for patients in the clinic as well as in the hospital.
There's "no perceivable benefit" to patients as the chargemaster "rack rate" is not a reflection of what they'll end up paying, experts say.
Patients have gotten used to certain conveniences and now it's time for healthcare providers to pay attention or risk becoming irrelevant.
Nearly half of study participants revealed that they at times decide not to take their medication.
More patients want to interact with doctors via social media, which opens new opportunities to treat chronic conditions, reduce unneeded visits.