Patient Engagement

Nearly one American in three with private health insurance got a surprise medical bill in the past two years.

As giants like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and Humana target smartphone access, the payers must think hard about the kind of experience they're offering patients through an app.

While it's clear that second opinions can help individual patients make better medical decisions, there's little hard data showing that second opinions lead to better health results overall.

Patient engagement can ensure the delivery of patient- and family-centered care while bolstering the ability of accountable care organizations to meet quality and savings goals.

With the Oncology Care Model, participating practices will have their chemotherapy treatments tracked and measured for the necessity and outcome of the treatment, as well as the coordination of care that leads up to the cancer treatment.

Thirty-six percent of ophthalmologists ordered pre-operative tests for more than 75 percent of their patients, according to the study, which was published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Patient advisory councils often serve as sounding boards for hospital leaders -- offering advice on a range of issues.

One issue driving the change: 30.7 percent of insured consumers said that the cost was lower than another source of care.

About two of three people say it is still difficult to know how much specific doctors or hospitals charge for medical treatments or procedures.

Individuals now have more control over their health coverage selections and can often change their health plan.