Consumer choice in healthcare

I deal quite frequently with the topic of consumer choice in healthcare, and what private practices can do to be the “provider of choice” in an increasingly patient-centric business (healthcare revolving around the patient…novel concept, eh?).  If you’re interested, you can read my post from a few days ago about the Solucient HealthView Plus 2006 study on the topic of “healthcare consumerism” by clicking here.  I love the shift of decision making power to the patient as it requires that providers and insurance companies really work hard to compete for business, improving services and experiences in the healthcare sector.

Here is a great post on the same topic by Peter Lucash at the Medical Practice Business Blog which discusses the interplay between the physician, insurance company and the patient in regard to patient choice.

Consumer choice is likely to be part of the universal coverage system that will be enacted in the US. This will mark a shift in the dynamic, where the patient will be more open to a marketing approach from physician practices. This is a time to be creative, perhaps working with other groups on patient education and prevention programs that will benefit. Every fall, I climb up on my bandwagon to promote “vaccine day” – if the local drug store can do it, so can (and should) you. In short – look for ways to engage your patients and community and build relationships.

 

The evolution of healthcare in the US is evolving in some interesting ways, and we will certain major changes in the coming few years. The shift to truly portable health insurance, even where employers step in, will put more decision making in the hands of consumers. From a business perspective, position yourself front and center to the patients.

Related stories:

• Healthcare consumerism in the U.S.
• Entrepreneurs in healthcare
• Flat panel TV’s: The biggest competitors to cash only medical practices
• Consumerism in dentistry
• Insurers strike back at concierge medicine