A Press Ganey analysis suggests that 15% of patients are at high risk of switching physicians, largely because they would not recommend the physician to others. The analysis highlights the need to focus on patient satisfaction and loyalty and basics such as listening well and being courteous can be key.
The Administration says more than 100,000 people enrolled through the exchanges in November, far, far short of projection and far, far short of anything approaching full enrollment of everyone who is supposed to enroll under the individual mandate. Better than October though!!
A recent Gallup poll suggests that 30% of adult Americans deferred health care services due to cost concerns, with the uninsured and younger people being the most likely to do so. Interestingly more say they put off care for a serious condition than a less significant one, but it is unclear how much necessary care is actually being delayed.
ZocDoc, which facilitates online health care appointments, released a report summarizing utilization of its services, finding that most physicians are highly rated after the visit and listing differences by gender and trends in appointments.
Dec132013
A survey from Purdue Healthcare Advisors suggests that most hospitals and health systems have no interest in being involved in an accountable care organization, perceiving them to be unstable and financially risky.
http://pha.purdue.edu/news/survey
Dec132013
Although it will be affected by aspects of the reform law, Aetna issued new earnings guidance for 2014 slightly above prior expectations.
America's Health Rankings, which lists states by their scores on issues like obesity, exercise, smoking at care for common conditions, finds some overall improvement across the country and lists Hawaii as the healthiest state and Mississippi as the unhealthiest.
http://www.americashealthrankings.org
Dec122013
According to a survey from Capgemini and QuantiaMD most physicians prefer to get drug information from digital sources as opposed to print material or visits from drug reps. This actually can result in significant savings to manufacturers as drug reps are costly resources.
A study in Health Affairs suggests that giving emergency medical services more flexibility in transporting to places other than ERs could save Medicare several hundred million dollars a year.
Centene Corp. is paying about $200 million to gain a 68% interest in U.S. Medical Management, which provides management services for complex patients, typically in post-acute settings.
According to the Medical Group Management Association practices costs to support a physician continue to rise significantly, led by IT costs which increased by by 28% per physician from 2008 to 2012.
http://www.mgma.com/press/default.aspx?id=1375452
Dec122013
A Booz & Co. report postulates the possibility of creating health plans with radically lower administrative costs.
LabCorp issued guidance suggesting that 2014 revenue and net income will be below prior expectations, blaming uncertainty caused by the reform law implementation in part.
A Kaiser Family Foundation article suggests that even if there is substantial under-enrollment of the young, healthy people needed to subsidize health care costs for older enrollees, insurers should not have to raise premiums dramatically, but the authors own analysis likely understates the cost of the sicker enrollees and shows that second-year premium increases of over 20% would likely be necessary to avoid continuing losses.
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.