10 health care trends to watch in 2015
December 23, 2014 10:38 AM
The U.S. health care sector will push forward in 2015 with an increased focus on do-it-yourself health care and the use of technology that will make it all possible, according to PwC's Health Research Institutes annual report. Health care transparency and personal well-being also rank as top issues, according to responses from more than 1,000 health care consumers and industry leaders. Here are 10 trends to watch:
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Do-it-yourself health care
Advancements in personal health care can be credited partly to technology such as wearable devices and smartphone applications that are now allowing individuals to track their health. Mike Thompson, a principal in PwCs global human resources services business, explains that this will undoubtedly continue in 2015.
Not all of this is new, but it is certainly becoming more and more important, says Thompson. A lot of it really reflects what we see in the new health economy, where consumers, in particular, are becoming central to that health experience.
[Image: Fotolia]
Not all of this is new, but it is certainly becoming more and more important, says Thompson. A lot of it really reflects what we see in the new health economy, where consumers, in particular, are becoming central to that health experience.
[Image: Fotolia]
From mobile apps to medical devices
Increased use of portable medical devices in patients homes and on their smartphones, according to PwC research, will ease diagnostic tracking and treatments.
When we start thinking about how consumers take care of themselves [and] how patients monitor their performance, wearable technologies are increasingly important, saysThompson. Moving beyond just mobile technologies and medical devices is integral to supporting the patients health.
[Image: Fotolia]
When we start thinking about how consumers take care of themselves [and] how patients monitor their performance, wearable technologies are increasingly important, saysThompson. Moving beyond just mobile technologies and medical devices is integral to supporting the patients health.
[Image: Fotolia]
The battle between privacy and convenience
With the proliferation of digital tools and services creeping into employees homes, PwCs annual Top Health Industry Issues report lists that patient privacy will lose ground to convenience in 2015.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Cost-saving efforts for high-cost patients
PwC data finds that rising costs for Medicare and Medicaid dual eligibles, aging baby boomers and patients with co-morbidities, will foster creative care delivery and management systems.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Positive emphasis on health outcomes
A focus on positive health outcomes, from both the employer and providers, will likely continue in 2015. Whether it is due to new products, or high-priced specialty drugs, there is a demand from participants and plan sponsors to see evidence of positive health results. Providers themselves are really becoming more accountable for the overall performance of what they do, explains Thompson.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Transparent take on health care
Most, if not all, expectations point to an increasing focus on transparency in the health care sector, due primarily to advanced role of personal health tracking and rising demand to see how money is being spent. As a result, PwCs research predicts there will be an improvement in patient care.
As people are increasingly being asked to play the central role in their own personal health experience, they need more information, says Thompson. That information needs to be better organized and create greater transparency around their choices.
[Image: Fotolia]
As people are increasingly being asked to play the central role in their own personal health experience, they need more information, says Thompson. That information needs to be better organized and create greater transparency around their choices.
[Image: Fotolia]
Understanding the newly insured
Post-ACA, 2015 will cast an interesting, yet preliminary, picture of the future of health care. PwC says better care management and marketing programs will be developed next year, as new health care plan participants begin to use their coverage.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Role of physician extenders
Physician extenders, such as nurses and nurse practitioners, are becoming the first line of care for many plan participants. PwCs research highlights that consumers will see patient care evolve into increased digital monitoring and risk-based payment models.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Health and well-being for the millennial generation
This new generation of employees is particularly focused not just on a job, but really their overall well-being, Thompson notes. Health plays an important part in their overall well-being, but its not limited to traditional wellness. Its a broad perspective around financial health, and even [extends to] their careers. As organizations adapt their focus on prevention and wellness to this broader context, they are really trying to move in a direction that better supports their employee populations both from an employee experience standpoint, as well as a broader framework for well-being.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Partner to win
Joint ventures, collaborations and many nontraditional partnerships will likely proliferate in 2015. According to Thompson, these new connections are not just limited to accountable care organization relationships, but also partnerships among traditional providers, tech companies and employers in order to take an assertive role to improve health plan performance and outcomes.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
