Discussion 1: The Role of Consumerism in Deliverability of Care

Cliff Goodman, PhD, senior vice president and principal at the Lewin Group, kicks off the first discussion of AJMC’s PCOC 2013 by introducing panelists Amy Berman, BS, RN, Dennis Scanlon, PhD, and Manasi A. Tirodkar, PhD, MS, as they consider the role of consumerism in deliverability of care.

The panelists weigh in on issues and trends as they relate to patient engagement. This includes copayments, outcomes, sites of care, new insurance plans, and how to enhance consumerism. Upon Dr Goodman asking the panelists how they would enhance the role of the informed patient/consumer in rocky economic conditions, responses varied.

“You said ‘How are we going to force consumerism?’, and I think that is the wrong question,” says Ms Berman. “Consumerism has arrived. Consumerism is here. I think fundamentally people are going to demand certain things.”

“Patients need navigation, support, and logistical support,” adds Dr Mansai. ”Different places, different people provide those functions. It could be a nurse navigator, patient navigator, care coordinator—there are various different people that can fulfill that role [who] can also provide that information on finances and navigating payer systems and reimbursement.”

“I think the economics are interesting and challenging, because when we talk about insurance enrollment there’s a lot of incentives, particularly for reasonably healthy people to think about, or potentially discount, high deductible plans,” answers Dr Scanlon. “What they buy now, might have strong implication for their future.”