HCPro.com: Consumer Driven Healthcare

This monthly newsletter is designed to help healthcare organizations respond effectively to the shift in market power, become consumer-centric, and position themselves to become market leaders in the new consumer-driven market.

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October 2008 (Volume 7, Issue 10)	view entire issue

Early follow-up helps drive CDHP/HSA success
In September, several experts shared their best advice for preparing for open enrollment. Many emphasized adamantly that open enrollment season doesn’t end January 1. So this month, we offer some advice for employers to help them through those first critical weeks after open enrollment.

New EBRI study questions the value of HSAs as a way for employees to save for retiree health costs
An oft-touted advantage of HSAs is the potential for helping cover healthcare expenses in retirement. And although the magic of compound interest can leave retirees with a healthy HSA nest egg, a recent report suggests that the accounts are only a partial solution at best. HSAs play a minor role in savings for healthcare costs in retirement, according to a new study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).

Online and engaged: Social media crucial to CDH success
Interactions on the Web are transforming how consumers manage their health, and organizations that want to reach consumers need to be tapped in to this relatively new approach. From MySpace pages devoted to health issues to detailed YouTube videos of medical procedures to disease-specific online groups, social media (or Web 2.0) have come to healthcare.

CDH roundup: Healthcare inflation slows, CDHPs grow, and CMS enhances transparency
Healthcare costs are rising, but more slowly than in the past. That slowing might be due, at least in part, to the increase in enrollment in CDHPs. And according to a United Benefit Advisors survey, CDHPs continue to grow, making strides with employers and employees. Meanwhile, transparency moves forward as well, with CMS enhancing its Hospital Compare Web site.

Other recently-published articles from Consumer Driven Healthcare:

CDH roundup: Healthcare inflation slows, CDHPs grow, and CMS enhances transparency

Online and engaged: Social media crucial to CDH success

New EBRI study questions the value of HSAs as a way for employees to save for retiree health costs

Early follow-up helps drive CDHP/HSA success

More on 2008-59: Expert analyzes guidance

On-site clinics gain popularity, morph into wellness centers

Open enrollment tips to drive CDHP adoption

Legal and planning errors can weaken wellness efforts

Medco analysis: Compliance lower in CDHPs

IRS issues three new sets of HSA guidance

Experts disagree over election’s CDHP effect

Tech tools can drive CDHP enrollment, but face-to-face contact is still crucial to success

From Atlanta to DC, HSA activity abounds; Georgia promotes HSAs, but GAO raises questions-and ire

New FICO-backed tool designed to help hospitals address challenges posed by self-pay and uninsured patients

Consumer diagnostics poised for growth

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