Health Advocate’s Post

This article from KFF Health News discusses the rise of concierge medicine, where patients pay a membership fee for better access to their doctors. This trend, driven by a shortage of primary care physicians, often leaves lower-income and sicker patients with fewer options. Dr. Abbie Leibowitz of Health Advocate highlights the potential for increased healthcare costs and fragmented care for those unable to afford these fees. The article explores the implications of this model on patient care and access, emphasizing the growing disparity in healthcare availability. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/erSX8wqF

We’re thrilled to share that our Co-Founder, Deb Gordon, was recently quoted in an insightful article titled "Concierge Catch: Improved Access for Some Patients Disrupts Care for Many" on The Good Men Project. The piece explores the effects of concierge medicine on healthcare access. Check out the full article to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gSHVSig7

I know from my work at CareAllies that the practices, hospitals, and health systems that have fully embraced #valuebasedcare and done so with partners that support them with tested and proven strategies, are seeing value-based approaches deliver on their promise. In fact, many are seeing even greater benefits when one considers not only the singular impact on patient health outcomes but also the paradigm shift that occurs when providers regain the joy of practicing medicine. The real issue involving health care’s experience with value-based care at scale is that it is not something you can dabble in. It requires a fundamental shift in thinking that permeates not only the delivery of care but also the processes that govern it – an endeavor that should not be undertaken lightly or done alone. AJMC - The American Journal of Managed Care https://bit.ly/4cWMDdN

The costs to delaying healthcare only mount over time. My latest piece for GOBankingRates. Thanks to Alex Foxman, MD, FACP, DABOM and Thanu Jey for their excellent points. “Delaying medical care is a false economy,” Foxman said. “While patients may fear immediate costs, the long-term financial and health implications of delayed care are far more severe.” #healthcarecosts #healthcare #healthylivingtips #personalfinancetips

Dr. Bushra Siddiqui, MD, sheds light on the invaluable role of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) in the realm of healthcare. As a PCP, she emphasizes the continuous, comprehensive care, the human factor, and the importance of coordinated care that PCPs provide. If you don't have a PCP, Dr. Siddiqui offers four insightful tips to guide you in finding the right healthcare partner for your well-being. #Healthcare #PrimaryCarePhysicians #WellnessJourney #HealthTips https://lnkd.in/eGsdYDME

Washington created this. It was evident to me and many others, a decade ago, this would be the result: driving out private practice and only a few big systems dominating. Banning physician ownership to be replaced by Wall St, massive increase in administrative burden and reporting requirements, reimbursement cuts, etc all contributed. Deep pocketed lobbyists got written what they wanted in the ACA/ObamaCare. What is obvious now, is that given the U.S. is a profit-driven capitalistic system, consolidation means a near monopoly. Scale and economics of scale attract private equity, who will drive up prices, sell assets, extract value for investors, then leave. That is exactly what Stewart Health Care did in Massachusetts and across the nation. https://lnkd.in/eydQQjCs It is what an investor did in Philadelphia. https://lnkd.in/eQcFPEns Capitol Hill’s handwringing now demonstrates how irresponsible and unreliable these “public servants” are who get elected to public office, ostensibly to serve the people, but really to serve corporate interests and the lobbyists who fund their campaigns. This was my biggest source of frustration when I worked in government. Those of us service oriented get our time wasted by special interests who have no interest in fairness.

Are we making up for lost time with healthcare? During the pandemic, because people weren't going to the doctor as much, we all thought that there might be some "catch-up" on medical procedures that were not urgent - or perhaps addressing things that simply weren't caught. Seems like we might be seeing some of that, according to this article. Will this be a 2024 thing? Or will it continue beyond? That's a major question providers are wondering about. Thanks to my colleague Rich Clement for sharing this article. Reuters #healthcare #hospitals #groupbenefits #groupinsurance #healthinsurance #medicalinsurance #health https://lnkd.in/eZvQhA6D

🔥#CALL #TO #ACTION to the #GENERAL #PUBLIC: Please report #US #Healthcare #Companies to the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division for: #Anti-#Competition #Fraud #Unethical #Business #Practices Report violations on the DOJ Antitrust Division website: (at the following link) 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g4WFuBCQ ================================================= 📣 #PLEASE #BE #AWARE 📣 #US #Healthcare does NOT function like a #CAPITALIST #MARKET that benefits American consumers through #competition that drives up #quality while lowering #prices. #US #Healthcare consists of #monopolies that exploit & endanger the GENERAL PUBLIC by: ❌Eliminating competition ❌Eliminating consumer choice ❌Lacking price transparency ❌Overpricing medication & services ❌Delaying & denying medication & services ❌Reducing quality & safety for patients ❌Exploiting, abusing, silencing healthcare workers ❌Causing poor retention of experienced clinicians ❌Causing a staffing crisis of frontline clinicians 👉🏻Hold #US #Healthcare companies #accountable for #exploiting & #endangering the general public by reporting them for anti-competition, fraud, & unethical business practices. (Please use the link above). ================================================= #COMMON #EXAMPLES of #VIOLATIONS to REPORT: #LACK of #PRICE #TRANSPARENCY 🚫A healthcare facility or insurance company uses language in their contracts that keep patients from knowing the prices of services. 🚫A healthcare facility or insurance company does not provide the prices of services in a public & easy-to-read format. #CORPORATE #CONSOLIDATION 🚫A #PRIVATE #EQUITY company buys a series of hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient services, medical practices, or pharmacies in the same area to eliminate competition & consumer choice. 🚫A #health #insurance #company buys several medical practices that compete with each other to eliminate competition & consumer choice. 🚫A #pharmacy #benefit #manager (#PBM) buys a series of small independent pharmacies or specialty pharmacies. Then the PBM abuses its influence so the pharmacies it now owns are reimbursed at a higher rate than the competing pharmacies to put the competing pharmacies out of business. 🚫A #hospital #system buys other hospitals, outpatient services, or medical practices. Then it refers its patients to the facilities it owns to divert business away from competing companies to put the competing companies out of business. 🚫After a #merger, the hospital system closes some of its facilities and reduces services. Then it increases prices. This results in longer wait times, less access to affordable care, lower quality, and job loss. #PatientSafety #StaffingCrisis #FrontlineWorkers

Recent data published by Forbes Advisor reveals how all fifty states rank in health care costs. Indiana’s total costs for patients ranked in the middle of the pack as the 24th most expensive state. While Indiana has made strides in recent years, members of the #IBHC understand that there is more work to do. Through market-based and patient-centered solutions, the IBHC remains committed to improving health care outcomes for all Hoosiers. Check out the full study in Forbes Advisor: https://lnkd.in/eMpHz4zH

#KevinMD asks a critical question: Can doctors lead the way to fixing America's broken healthcare system? This article resonates with us at Ursamin, as we believe providers are central to creating a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare delivery model. https://lnkd.in/gsgnKiG5 Key Takeaways for Primary Care: 1. Physician Burnout: No surprise here...there is an alarming rate of physician burnout. 2. Focus on Prevention: Preventative care is mentioned but don't forget that it requires better communication and patient accountability - solutions (like ours!) exist to facilitate better health management. 3. Redefining the Patient-Doctor Relationship: Time and again, we advocate and CAN enable this. This article advocates the same. Simply put: We need a more collaborative approach to care. What are your thoughts on the role of physicians in healthcare reform? Share your insights in the comments! #healthcare #primarycare #physicianburnout #patientcare #Ursamin