Question

n this forum, what do you see as the rationale for consumer-driven health care? Why do you think some do not think it is important? An initial posting of at least 250 words

Answer 1

Answer:

Consumer-driven healthcare (CDHC), defined narrowly, refers to third-tier health insurance plans that allow members to use health savings accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs), or similar medical payment products to pay routine healthcare expenses directly, but a high-deductible health plan protects them from catastrophic medical expenses. High-deductible policies cost less, but the user pays medical claims using a pre-funded spending account, often with a special debit card provided by a bank or insurance plan.

This system is referred to as "consumer-driven healthcare" because claims are paid using a consumer-controlled account versus a fixed health insurance benefit. That gives patients greater control over their own health budgets.

Critics argue that it will cause consumers, particularly those less wealthy and educated, to avoid needed and appropriate healthcare because of the cost burden and the inability to make informed, appropriate choices

Importance:

these plans are successful at their primary goal: reducing employer spending on health care. And although this reduction is relatively modest, even a small difference in expenses can be the difference between being in the red and being in the black for many businesses.

Second, consumer-driven health care plans also save money for employees who are generally healthy, because those employees don't need to spend as much on their premiums and rarely make use of care. This allows those employees to put the money they save from the lack of hospitalizations and doctor's visits right into their pockets.

In addition to the (albeit conditional) savings that consumer-driven health care plans provide, there is an arguably greater benefit: employees under those plans spend less on unnecessary care. The plans also deter employees from seeking necessary care, but when the employees do seek necessary care they are far more likely to ask doctors about alternate treatment options and to request generic versions of medication instead of name brands. Despite their flaws, consumer-driven health care plans to make a difference in how discerning employees are with their health care choices.

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