| For more information,
please visit
www.vericom.net or call
1-800-800-1090 |
 |
| Was this newsletter forwarded to you by an associate? Subscribe to HealthLink. |
|
| Want to contact us? Contact Vericom |
|
Health Observances:
2005 Health Observances Calendar Highlights.
February:
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
Kids E.N.T. Health Month
National Burn Awareness Week - February 6-12
National Women's Heart Health Day - February 18
March:
American Red Cross Month
National Sleep Awareness Week - March 28-April 2
Vericom clients have full access to our Health Observances Calendar.
|
|
Access the Health Observances Calendar.
Please call 800-800-1090 if you need a password or have forgotten yours.
|
|
Choosing and submitting SoundCare messages is now easier than ever!
Visit the client section of the Vericom web site for our NEW and IMPROVED SoundIdeas submission process. |
|
| Access More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
|
| HealthLink Newsletter Archive |
| |
|
|
| Consumer-Driven Healthcare; Marketing's Next Big Challenge
|
 |
Some think that consumer-driven healthcare is one
of the last hopes for our healthcare system. While this may not be the case, no one can argue that health consumers are taking a much more active role in their own care.
Where is consumer-driven healthcare headed?That's the subject of this month's HealthLink.
Robert J. Loeb, President & CEO
Vericom Corporation |
|
|
|
| Consumer-Driven Care: Eight Directions for 2005
|
|
Consumer-driven healthcare may be the "next big thing" after managed care. Indeed, it may change healthcare as profoundly as managed care
did 20 years ago. Consumerism drivers include double-digit premium hikes, employers desperate to cover employees yet to lower costs to remain competitive, and 45 million uninsured. The latter, increasingly unable to pay, could undermine investments in our healthcare infrastructure, causing
a cascade of personal bankruptcies, bad debts, failing hospitals, closing emergency rooms, falling income for insurers and suppliers, and widespread economic contraction. The healthcare industry is undergoing a shrinking paying customer base. This is occurring because the health inflation rate, now five times the rate of general inflation, is unsustainable for growing numbers of ordinary Americans, including many in the middle class.
Given these circumstances -- and American's desires for choice and access to medical technologies, and skepticism about government -- CDHP may be the only remaining workable alternative, outside of massive government intervention, for our health system.
I believe consumer driven care will fundamentally transform existing relationships between major healthcare participants by moving to a more consumer (a.k.a., patient) centered system. As we begin 2005, consumer-driven care seems to be driving down eight paths:
|
| Read the full article - Powered by HealthLeaders |
|
|
| Case Study: Vericom Supports Arroyo Seco's Consumer-Driven Healthcare Focus |
|
 |
Arroyo Seco Medical Group is a patient-centered primary care group in the Greater San Gabriel Valley area of California. Arroyo Seco knows that healthcare works best when consumers are well informed, understand the options available to them, and know the cost of care. As part of their consumer-driven focus, Arroyo Seco works
to make healthcare more accessible for patients. This philosophy of care also serves as a major point of differentiation for Arroyo Seco in their market.
Arroyo Seco supports choice as an essential component of the healthcare they provide. "We take choice seriously and try to provide our patients with as many choices as possible -- from types of physicians, to office locations, to programs and services we offer," says Earl Bernard, CEO of Arroyo Seco. "When consumers take greater accountability for their decisions, we believe the patient, the physician, and the healthcare system, as a whole, benefit."
Demonstrating their commitment to patient choice, Arroyo Seco offers alternative medicine options and provides an Oriental medicine doctor
and licensed acupuncturist in their office several days a week. They offer "concierge medicine" for those patients who desire a higher level
of personalized care, and have created programs such as Fast Track,
an expedited appointment program. "As far as we are concerned, good healthcare is all about choices," adds Bernard.
Arroyo Seco also knows that good patient-centered care is all about good communication and having the right communications tools. Authoring articles, offering health tips, advertising in non-traditional arenas, and using SoundCare to communicate with their callers are all ways Arroyo Seco reaches out to their community.
"SoundCare is an important tool in our communications strategy," says Bernard. "It allows us to share important news with our patients in a timely, effective manner. We enjoy its flexibility, and our patients have told us that they enjoy keeping up-to-date on important medical group news. Our patients also appreciate the health education information SoundCare provides. As a patient-focused group, that feedback is important to us."
|
|
| Read the complete Arroyo Seco Medical Group Case Study |
|
|
| |
| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
|
What is the difference between SoundCare and other forms of media/advertising?
Radio, TV, and print advertising all are somewhat targeted, with the goal of getting people to call you. SoundCare is very targeted in that it communicates critical information to those who are already calling your facility. These callers are very open to the services and programs you offer, making them much more qualified and valuable than the average consumer who sees your ad in a magazine or hears your radio spot. SoundCare also creates the perception of a shorter wait on hold, increasing consumer satisfaction. Providing an opportunity to reach every caller to your facility makes SoundCare the most targeted health communications tool you can use.
SoundCare also offers you ultimate flexibility in your communications. Unlike radio, TV, or print ads, SoundCare can be changed within 24 hours
at a fraction of the cost of other media. Whether you are dealing with
a drug recall, disease outbreak, or weather emergency, we can quickly change your SoundCare program.
For more information on how SoundCare can expand your communication efforts, call us at 1-800-800-1090, or visit us online at www.soundcare.com.
|
|
|
|
|
