December 5, 2019 | Has the consumer revolution finally arrived?
December 5, 2019
INDUSTRY NEWS
The recently redesigned online Medicare Cost Finder is supposed to help seniors compare complex health insurance options. But according to a ProPublica report, it’s malfunctioning with “alarming frequency, offering inaccurate cost estimates and creating chaos in some states during the open enrollment period.” Consumer and senior advocates share examples of the flawed results. One Medicare consultant reports it took her 32 clicks to return to the main page after trying to figure out what limits apply for a specific plan’s referral and prior authorization requirements. (ProPublica)
Devices, even more than surgery, lead to HAIs
Temporary medical devices (e.g., ventilators and catheters) account for more antibiotic-resistant health care-associated infections (HAIs) than do surgical procedures, according to the CDC. Among the other findings: HAIs in adult settings are more likely to be resistant than those in pediatrics. “These data underscore the importance of tracking antimicrobial resistance, particularly in vulnerable populations such as long-term acute-care hospitals and intensive care units,” the authors conclude. (Science Daily; Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology)
INNOVATION & TRANSFORMATION
Has the consumer revolution finally arrived?
Patients are transforming into health care consumers. They are willing to shop for deals, disagree with their doctor and use technology to track and maintain their health, according to Deloitte’s annual global health care consumer survey. For example, 49% of Americans surveyed said they would likely use a tool that allows them to compare pricing between providers. (The number who actually use such tools has grown over the past three years from 14% to 27%.) The survey also found that 58% of American patients are “very likely” (35%) or “extremely likely” (23%) to tell their doctors they disagree. (Deloitte survey; FierceHealthcare)
More than 900,000 veterans used telemedicine services from the VA in FY2019, up 17% from the previous year. Over the last few years, the VA has been enhancing its telemedicine services, Modern Healthcare reports. (Modern Healthcare)
CONSUMERS & PROVIDERS
Depression leads to errors and vice versa
Physicians with a positive screening for depressive symptoms are at higher risk for medical errors, according to research published in JAMA Network Open. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that physicians with depressive symptoms are 95% more likely to report making medical errors. The analysis also showed that doctors who made medical errors are 67% more likely to report subsequent depressive symptoms. (Medscape Medical News; JAMA Network Open)
Consumers more satisfied with insurers than hospitals
Consumer satisfaction with hospitals is dropping, according to the American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Hospitals earned a score of 72 on their indicator, which is based on a survey of more than 30,000 consumers. In 2018, the score was 76. The decline was largely due to a drop in the rankings for emergency department care, which decreased from a 73 score in 2018 to a 67 for 2019. In contrast, ambulatory earned a 77 for the second year in a row. The health insurance sector score increased to 74, compared to 73 in 2018. (Fierce Healthcare; ACSI annual report)
Insurance costs comprise larger share of middle-class incomes
Health insurance is eating up a larger share of middle-class incomes, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. Both health insurance costs and deductibles have been growing faster than median income. For middle-income people with employer insurance, the combined cost of premium contributions and deductibles amounted to 11.5% of income in 2018, up from 7.8% in 2008. In 42 states, premiums and deductibles were 10% or more of the median income, compared to only seven states in 2008. (Commonwealth Fund)
NEW & NOTED
Application period open for Direct Contracting: CMS is now accepting applications for new primary care alternative payment models. Direct Contracting will test a variety of risk-sharing arrangements. CMS hopes it will encourage more providers to participate in value-based care arrangements; the program will provide opportunities for providers that had not been eligible under previous Medicare ACO initiatives. (CMS fact sheet; Fierce Healthcare)
Seeking respect: Nonwhite, low-income and uninsured patients are less likely to report being treated with respect, according to the results of a survey published online in JAMA Network Open. “Medical schools should consider improving the pipeline of diverse health care professionals and increasing efforts to eliminate structural racism that persists in the health care delivery system,” the authors concluded. (JAMA Network Open)
MULTI-MEDIA
Seeking solutions for pervasive harassment
In this episode of his Medscape video blog, the “Hospitalist Retort,” Alok S. Patel, MD, explores why mistreatment in medicine is still so common, despite increased awareness. From public humiliation to racist remarks to unwanted sexual advances, harassment is pervasive, he says. He throws the question to his audience: “What do you think we can do to get more people who have faced harassment or abuse to come forward? How do we make the cultural changes we need?” (Medscape)
MARKETVOICES...QUOTES WORTH READING
“It’s not like there’s one consistent problem that you can fix and then be addressed. It’s really like a game of whack-a-mole.”—David Lipschutz, associate director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, on the redesigned online Medicare Cost Finder, in ProPublica