Mobile Health Care Payments - Research Paper Example

Mobile Health Payment Mobile Health Payment Mobile health payment is a payment mode where patients settle their billing using smartphones or tablets. It involves the use of mobile software with features that enable the use of medical calculators and check-up medical bills. Patients can easily pay their bills with the information on medical bills on their phones. Mobile payment in health settings is a very necessary approach to the changes in the health care system. Hospitals and clinics in the country have embraced mobile payment developed in the business and health sectors. Majority have adopted this payment mode since they believe it is unique and convenient. Mobile payment has become the single and most efficient and reliable mode of payment in hospitals. According to West (2012), the utilization of smartphones transformed the communication and methods of payment in commerce and health settings in the country. At Cleveland Clinic, these modes of payment are as a result of late payments of medical bills by patient in the hospitals after medication. Due to close monitor of the payment system, the hospital management realized that out of all the patients, only a few paid their bill in cash. Majority did not pay for their health services in the hospital (West, 2012). It resulted in the lack of revenue for the hospital since patient payment accounted for the majority of the clinic’s revenue. The impact of unpaid bills on the clinic was significant leading to ill health provision due to lack of enough health equipment in the hospital. Majority of health workers also could not receive pay since the revenue turnout was not sufficient. In addition, the introduction of Obamacare has also necessitated the use of smartphones in payment of hospital bills. Smartphones payment enables the hospital to collect revenue efficiently since the introduction of that Act. Implementation of that law meant an increase in the overall number of patients accessing the clinic and other health services (Shoval, 2013). Moreover, the Act places more responsibility on employers with the high-deductible plans on employees. The Obamacare, for this reason, is a sign of high revenue turn out to hospitals and clinic, and efficient collection of that revenue by hospital through smartphone payment would be significant. Additionally, the advancement in technology that is an entry of smartphones necessitated its use in hospital payment. This device is a valuable tool in revenue collection both for the health and commerce sector. As a result of this, Cleveland has decided to change the mode of payment since this device reduces the cost of operation in cash and ensures increase in receivables from patients. In addition, patients prefer a well-designed method of payment through their smartphones to payment through cash or their cards. They derive satisfaction in this service leading to a higher patient return for the clinic. Also, research has shown that the majority of Americans use their smartphones in the banking industry and to purchase items in the country (West, 2012). The country’s mobile service providers expect the number of smartphone users to increase by 2015. Majority of citizens expect to perform most of their activities such as payment of bills, banking and purchasing of products through the smartphones (West, 2012). Due to consumer expectation and goal to provide convenient services to the medical sector, Cleveland Clinic decided to introduce this mode of payment. Smartphone payment system has had major positive effect on Cleveland Clinic since its introduction. The changes are significant for the growth of the hospital both in infrastructure and service delivery to the patients. Its introduction has resulted in mutual benefit to both the hospital and the patients (Shoval, 2013). The mode of payment has improved provision of services to the patients. Majority of patients can quickly make their payments through their phones. It results in saving patient’s time, and is more convenient to them. On the other hand, it has reduced the cost of operation in the clinic since the clinic can do without cashiers and accountants. It also results in efficient collection of revenue from the patients since money is transmitted directly and instantly to the hospital account. Not forgetting, the system makes it easier to navigate bills in the hospitals (Shoval 2013). Cleveland clinic has experienced a simpler way of managing bills in the hospital. They no longer have to deal with piles of papers from insurance companies and their clients. Majority of people in the country who use their smartphones for other payments would like to use it in settling their bills. They claim smartphone billing is more understandable than the paper billing. Smartphone payment system has also increased the number of patients in Cleveland hospital. It has acted as a patient incentive since majority view it as the best mode of payment. Due to this, many patients have found it convenient to go to Cleveland hospital. The patients have abandoned their clinics that still use the cash or card payment for Cleveland which is more digitalized and uses mobile payment technology. Patient believe Cleveland clinic possesses a high performing and organized payment and bill delivery system. However, the use of smartphones as a mode of payment of hospital bills has resulted in unemployment in the health centre. Cleveland hospital has cut down on its cost by laying out some workers in the hospital. Some cashiers and accountants have been forced to early retirement. Smartphone mode of payment is efficient since data is digitally transmitted and stored. The management and patients have an easy time in understanding the receipts generated through this mode of payment. The paperwork involved in accounting for the money in hospitals has been eliminated due to application of this mode of payment. In addition, this mode of payment is a hindrance to access of health services by some patients. Patients with inability to purchase smartphones are locked out of accessing the health services in Cleveland. Their inability to own smartphone means they cannot clear their bills in the hospital. This is inhuman to them since some may be in critical conditions and due to lack of smartphones they end up not accessing medical health. Smartphone as a mode of payment can easily lead to death of such patients since they are unable to access medication This significant change can enable managers to improve the organization greatly in different ways. The new mode of payments results in more revenue to the clinic. This income can be used by the hospital management to improve the hospitals infrastructure. The fund can also be used to hire more private doctors for the clinic leading to improved health delivery services in the hospital. It will enable expansion of the health centre leading to admission and treatment of more people in the country. Further, this system will result in administrative workflow enhancement. The organization manager will be able to monitor workflow of the hospital keenly. Due to this system most of paper work related to payment will be eliminated. It will result in the elimination of one department giving easier time to management. With limited departments, managers can effectively and efficiently manage the organization daily activities. Conclusively, it is evident that mobile health payment has revolutionised the health sector. It has had a substantial impact on both the patient and Cleveland Clinic. Both parties have greatly benefited from this new the change. Patients can save time, make payments comfortably and avoid complicated and numerous health payment receipt. Cleveland Clinic, on the other hand, has managed to cut operation cost, get payment on time and also to expand its patient base. The change is also significant in that the country`s health sector has significantly improved. References Shoval, T. (2013). Mobile Medical Billing and Payments are Poised to Explode. Retrieved 9 February 2015. http://venturebeat.com/2013/05/16/mobile-medical-billing-and-payments-are-poised-to-explode/ West, D. (2012). How Mobile Devices are Transforming Healthcare. Retrieved 9 February 2015. http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2012/5/22%20mobile%20health%20west/22%20mobile%20health%20west.pdf Read More