Consumer-Driven Health Care - Essay Example

"Consumer-Driven Health Care" is a perfect example of a paper on the health system. Consumer-driven health care is a noble kind of health care plan, which includes flexible spending plans, the usage of health savings accounts, or some other forms of savings plan mainly for minor health expenses. A catastrophic health insurance plan usually caters for more serious and complicated health care issues, which consists of a large deductible and can therefore not be used for various things such as going for routine doctor visits (Hughes-Cromwick, Root & Roehrig, 2007). Medical consumerism is mainly the basic intent of CDHC (Consumer Driven Health Care), and it refers to a movement, which strongly advocates for the involvement of the patient in their own individual health care decisions (Ha & Yun, 2011). Health consumerism usually tries to encourage the transfer of knowledge as well as health information empowerment to the patients so that they can be informed (Hughes-Cromwick, Root & Roehrig, 2007). This assists the patients to make informed decisions and they are fully involved in the entire decision-making process regarding their health. Health consumerism tries to encourage public comprehension of the chronic disease processes, understanding about the functions of the basic organ, and how to prevent these diseases (Catherine, 2010).

Arguments against CDHC

However, many critics of CDHC argue that this noble system will only burden the consumers or the patients with more expenses. These critics state that free-market variables cannot exist mainly in the health care industry because there is a lack of pricing transparency. These critics further state that the success of CDHC is subject to the ready access of the plan users to available information about pricing, services, and health products. The reality on the ground according to these critics of CDHC state that the marketplace is notable for its inadequate information about health care prices and quality. This precludes eventually the ‘consumer choice type of model workability (Rodwin, 2003).

In addition, the majority of the people in the current society are less concerned about their health care issues and they will therefore lack the necessary information. The trend towards a consumer-driven health care system can have the possibility of damaging the health of the less wealthy and less educated since they lack this vital information. Accessible information about the efficiency, effectiveness, price, and quality of the healthcare providers and services is developing at a slow rate. This has eventually led to many people not having their critical health care information required during the decision-making process. Critics of CDHC have further argued that these CDHC plans simply transfer the costs from businesses and insurers onto families (Rodwin, 2003).

How the recently adopted National Health Care Plan will affect the Consumer Driven Healthcare Plan

Congress recently adopted the National Health Care Plan and this will directly affect the Consumer Driven Healthcare Plan since it provides for information disclosures to the patients on the quality, pricing, efficiency, and effectiveness of the CDHP. This has recently seen a drastic enrollment of many employees into CDHC plans. This ultimately means that many employees will be shopping for additional savings mechanisms such as HSA (Health savings accounts) or FSA (Flexible spending accounts). This will greatly assist the employees to save and budget for their future and current out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. It is paramount to note that the employer is able to save money and there is substantial value for the employee since they are given the opportunity of enrolling in CDHC accounts via an exchange.

In addition, the recently adopted National Health care Plan has opened momentous opportunities by opening up the health care industry through ensuring the provision of superior and affordable health care services to all the citizens. This plan also advocates for an increase in price and quality transparency mainly in the health care market so that many citizens can be informed (Ha & Yun, 2011). This plan also utilizes the Internet, which is readily available to many people, and thus, health care information is available. This will encourage many people to learn more about their health care issues. Medical consumerism mainly empowers individuals to improve effectively their skills in decision-making through appropriate usage of medical services. Individuals also comprehend the importance of self-management practices concerning their health care issues (Catherine, 2010).  

 

 

 

 

 

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