Agreed, HIEs will play big in the year ahead. The biggest change 2012 is going to bring is a dramatic increase in consumer acceptance of the new technologies around health care reform. The driving forces of health care reform started with payers, then went to the government as primary promoter, then private insurance carriers joined the push. We are now seeing the emergence of the strongest force yet, the consumer. Although many of the core capabilities of the health care reform delivery system are new to eye care, many are already well embedded in large health systems throughout the country. And the public is starting to realize the benefit of these new technologies.
In recent days, I have asked five acquaintances three questions:
- First, I asked if their physician gives them a copy of their exam results when they leave the office. Four of the five answered no, but added they do receive a card that allows them to go online anytime afterward and see all their test and exam results.
- Second, I asked, “Do you actually go online and look at your results?” All said yes, that they do so after every visit. One commented further, "I can’t wait to get home to look at the results. I can see every lab result. I can look any time and see what I am supposed to be doing. I also know when I need my cholesterol checked again, and when every test is planned for the future. For the first time, I feel like I'm in control of my healthcare and can make good decisions to stay healthy.”
- The third question I asked is, “What would you think if you went to a healthcare provider who didn’t make your results available online after your visit?” In various ways, all gave the same answer: I probably wouldn’t go back.
Think about that! The consumer accepting and now demanding these technologies is a far more powerful incentive than any stimulus program the government or insurance company can put in place.
Jim Grue, OD
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