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Report details the makeover of primary care

 

A report from PwC’s Health Research Institute says that primary care is on the verge of a big  makeover.

“With rising costs and increased demand, primary-care practitioners need to rethink their business models to unlock value — and be rewarded for their contributions,” Simon Samaha, M.D., a principal in PwC’s U.S. Health Industries practice, said in a news release. “We’re going to see non-traditional players shake up the industry using new technologies and innovative approaches focused on convenience for patients and value for providers.”

Four key findings from the report, as summarized by FierceHealthcare:

1. “Purchasers are banking on primary care to save money. For instance, federal officials are pumping billions of dollars into primary care improvements. Employers are igniting change by adding lower cost, more convenient primary care benefit plan options. …{N}early half of employers will make telehealth services available to employees this year.”

2. “Consumers are selecting primary care that fits their lifestyles.” {The report} said that “about eight in 10 consumers would be open to non-traditional ways of getting basic medical attention.”

3. “New entrants are disrupting the healthcare industry with innovative primary care models. …{T}hese new entrants offer convenience and value to consumers and purchasers through convenient care, house calls, at-your-service care, digital health and nurse-led care.”

4. “Some primary-care traditionalists are adapting to stay relevant. {The report said that} about one-third of physicians have altered their business model to adapt to changing models of care. For instance, some have co-located care team offices with lab, imaging, physical therapy and other complementary services.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


4 strategies for meeting consumer demand

 

PwC’s Health Research Institute has released a new report saying that the healthcare industry’s payment system needs structural change to meet consumer demand.

As summarized by Becker’s Hospital Review, here are “four strategies from PwC that incorporate six consumer-oriented principles patients are looking for: convenience; transparency; affordability; reliability; seamlessness; and quality.”

1. Accelerate the migration to digital.

2. Partner with a sidestepper. “Many consumers today find the claims process confusing, as well as costly, PwC points out. Therefore, PwC encourages healthcare providers and insurers to consider partnering with nontraditional companies offering services that sidestep claims.”

3. Embrace simplicity. “Given that many consumers don’t understand their insurance benefits and are confused by their medical bills, online payment sites, mobile apps and aggregated billing can all help bring about a simplified consumer experience, according to PwC.”

4. Multiply payment options. “Providing multiple payment options and helping consumers plan for costs can reduce bad debt and days in accounts receivable.”

 


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