Healthcare Reform Linchpin: Measure Value Added and Reimburse Accordingly…
Posted by steven_spear | Under Economy recovery, health care, high velocity organizations Wednesday May 27, 2009Sandeep Jauhar writes (”Referral System Turns Patients Into Commodities,” NY Times, May 25) about a challenge facing specialists: Without referrals from primary care docs they don’t have sustainable business. The result? Odd ball, counterproductive incentives–doctor to doctor and doctor to patient that drive the wrong care to the wrong people at too much cost.
The problem? Patients and payers cannot determine where to acquire the best care at the best cost. When my daughter broke her arm, I picked an ED based parking ease. Absurb? Of course! But… I had no information to find the most efficient, effective care.
No one else does, either. Patients don’t have the information to determine the best source of wellness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Without transparent information allowing informed decisions, choices are determined in convoluted fashions. This is the linchpin to any health care reform. Lacking that, our whole discussion will be how much to spend, and who pays? Not how to get more better care at far less cost.
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The author of chasingtherabbitbook.mhprofessional.com has written an excellent article. You have made your point and there is not much to argue about. It is like the following universal truth that you can not argue with: Mementos, sooner or later, make us feel old. Thanks for the info.