3 Population health management Implications for 2013 identified in recent PwC ‘sHealth Institute annual report, Top Health Industry Issues for 2013.
PwC’s Health Research Institute (HRI) annual Top Issues report, identifies 10 issues to watch for in 2013. According to HRI, the pace of change will only quicken in 2013 with the effects of technology, consumerism, budgetary pressures and the Affordable Care Act converging on the healthcare industry. Population Health Management was identified as one of the 10 issues to watch in 2013 according to the report stating that there will be more partnerships in 2013 as companies build their population health management infrastructure to include shared responsibility for patient outcomes and satisfaction, data collection and analysis, member education and engagement, and a focus on at-risk populations.
The shift towards compensation based on value is just beginning with only 47% of hospitals participating in a recent PwC Health Research Institute survey said they have a compensation plan based at least partially on metrics of quality, efficiency, or health outcomes.
The report states that it is important to for healthcare organizations to start small in targeting specific chronic diseases, patient groups, and tap remote expertise. Some recent collaboration that have exhibited this approach include:
- Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and Michelin North America provide integrated care for Michelin employees and dependents with diabetes. C
- Mayo Clinic Care Network connects nine systems, including Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Chicago’s NorthShore University HealthSystem that allows patients and practitioners to gain from Mayo Clinic expertise through e-consultations and an online database of clinical information.
Below are three implications for population health management in 2013 include:
1. Population health management requires major investments over multiple years
PHM requires trial and error. Convergence and consolidation must accelerate among otherwise disparate players.
2. The push for higher quality and value requires standardization of processes
PHM requires standardization of processes and the ability to continually improve or risk losing reimbursement.
3. Collaborations need a strong technology foundation
Systems must support analytics across a wide spectrum of inpatient, outpatient, post-acute, and community services. These systems include web-based reporting tools that connect to clinical, financial, and administrative systems.
Visit PwC to view the entire report on Top Health Industry Issues for 2013
