The Department of Research and Data Analytics from Bolingbrook, Ill-based ATI Physical Therapy predicts the healthcare trends that the provider believes will be key in 2016.
The first is that the new focus on care coordination and management will facilitate a bigger move to “value-based care” for many patients and healthcare organizations. At the center of this will be a bundled payment model, which a media release from the provider explains encompasses an average total cost of a procedure, which would include preoperative services, surgical services, and postsurgical services, including physical therapy in most orthopedic instances.
“For the bundle payment model to be an effective method of treatment and to provide value for the patient and the healthcare provider, effective care coordination and management is key,” says Chris Stout, PhD, vice president, Department of Research and Data Analytics, for ATI, in the release.
“We are just starting to see the strong benefits and value of having a person or organization coordinate a holistic view—from end-to-end—of a patient’s care,” he adds.
Another trend, per the release, is that patients will continue to remain in the driver’s seat when it comes to their healthcare decisions.
With consumers paying more out-of-pocket healthcare costs, online and referral research for value and convenience will accelerate. This, in turn, means that many healthcare organizations will have to begin or ramp up both marketing and social media spend to increase click-through rates, ultimately resulting in patients and referrals, the release explains.
The next trend ATI Physical Therapy sees as important in 2016 is the expanding transparency at every stage of the patient’s lifecycle.
While many healthcare organizations have realized that transparency in their billing practices is a key driver for high marks in satisfaction surveys, many patients still remain in the dark about the actual cost of services. Many states, like Massachusetts, have passed legislation to provide consumer timely and clear information about the prices of healthcare provided services, the release explains.
“While some progress has been made in transparency, the healthcare industry, in general, can do a much better job in this area,” Stout continues in his analysis. “We should expect to see patients demanding to see additional transparency beyond billing in 2016, possibly moving into the areas of testing, survey results from a provider, and outcome results and testimonials.
“Millions of more savvy consumers now have healthcare insurance under the Affordable Care Act and will help lead the charge in transparency and price comparisons. If done correctly, progressive healthcare providers, along with consumers, will reap the benefits,” he shares.
For more information, visit ATI Physical Therapy.
[Source(s): ATI Physical Therapy, PR Newswire]
