Whither Heathcare Consumerism: whether it withers or weathers?

`forgive the mind-bending, tongue-twisting title.  But, the most ambiguous term in this tortured taunt may be Healthcare Consumerism (HC) itself!  For, while some may see it as a problematic set of ideas, perpetually stuck at the threshold of mainstream adoption, others see scenarios involving more empowered and accountable individuals as inevitable and imminent.

In upcoming posts, I’d like to provoke a “wither HC” conversation: how “inevitable and imminent” is it [or not]? What has constrained early HC antecedents: e.g., consumer-directed health plans, HSA’s, FSA’s, etc?  And what are the trip wires and early warning signs that we can we look to as harbingers of a more rational healthcare future: scenarios wherein the principle cost-causers—individual patients and their attending physicians—are induced to find more cost-effective ways of maintaining their health and/or managing chronic afflictions.

I’ll start the ball rolling with a loose parallel: during the span of most of our lives, we’ve seen retirement and pension planning move from mostly employer and/or government managed plans to the current world where many (if not most) folks have materially-expanded control and responsibility for their own senior-years' savings. IRAs, 401K’s and similar schemes have given us all more incentive as well as flexibility and accountability, in how we provides for our golden years.  And, in the process, we’ve collectively transformed large swaths of the securities industry. Financial professionals have, by no means disappeared; but, many of their roles have changed: from remote portfolio managers to engaged coach/advisors. 

May this tell us something about the future of patient/physician relationships? Maybe, maybe not.  In my view, however, only good things can come from introducing millions more decision makers into a more dynamic healthcare marketplace.

What do you think? Will HC weather the current Heathcare Reform storms? Are key aspects of the Affordable Care (a.k.a., ObamaCare) really HC sceanrios in disguise or merely the preface to an expansionary National Health agenda?  Or, do you share my own belief that all roads lead (wittingly ot otherwise) back to HC?

BTW, for a more expert take on HC, check out Ron Bachman's BLOG at http://www.healthcarevisions.net/page/page/2641658.htm and/or http://www.healthtransformation.net/cs/healthcare_consumerism_video

 

Comments

[Ron Bachman]

Even ObamaCare pushes more consumer involvement in their own health and healthcare decisions buy increasing the allowed incentives for health status from 20% to 30% and then to 50% if the HHS Secretary allows for it. Healthcare consumerism defined as the engagement of individuals in making health and healthcare decisions with financial incentives and reliable information has to be a significant part of moving from a sickness oriented system to a health oriented system. Persoanlized healthcare consumerism (based on genomics, predictive modeling, proteomics, etc. will be keys to the future of better health, lower costs, longer life, and increased productivity.

[Doug]

Thanks Bo -
You've added the dimension of "information therapy" to the discussion. Care to elaborate?