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This headline came across my desk today...
"The number of uninsured Americans will balloon another 6.9 million next year, stretching the number of uninsured to 52 million, according to a report released this week in the journal Health Affairs. The results are further evidence that when the price of health insurance goes up, the number who can afford it goes down." - Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media, May 29, 2009
The article went on to point out that this latest prediction did not take into account those who would lose their health insurance due to the economy and job losses! Thus, the real number is expected to be even worse. Some 17% of the US population without health insurance! Then of course there are those who have insurance but are worried about keeping their jobs and thus defer health related services to avoid deductibles and co-pays.
So what?
For providers who depend on third party reimbursement this is a big deal and things are only going to get worse. It means fewer people who can afford healthcare, discretionary services will be deferred, more people will be sicker, and provider competition for those those with insurance will increase.
This is not just a statistic. This is about real people in your community in crisis - they have real problems that they can not afford to address in the current healthcare system. Their solution is not in "the box" of traditional providers and services. What is need is a solution that is out of the box... There is something you can do about it!
With crisis comes opportunity... let's talk!
(C) Copyright 2009
Performance Builders
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
1 comments:
I agree there is opportunity. People are likely not seeking health care due to co-pays, co-insurance, and high deductables. A local orhtopaedic surgery practice feels the factors I listed above are the reasons for their slowing business...which affects our PT practice.
The opportunity appears to me that we need to market a product that is affordable and produces results. The diffulty may be providing affordable product to the public, but still allows for a profitable business. Also, there is the marketing component. The public does not see PT as an entry point into the health care system.
any thoughts?
Bryan Cummings
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