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| Get Ahead of Consumer-Driven Healthcare |
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Consumer-driven healthcare is still relatively new. However, all indicators are that it is here
to stay. This new wrinkle in the fabric of our healthcare system, will perhaps change the way healthcare is delivered like nothing else before it.
What do you need to know as a hospital marketing professional to position your organization to succeed and thrive in this new era? Read on to find out.
Robert J. Loeb, President & CEO
Vericom Corporation |
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Hospitals and Consumer-Driven Healthcare:
Five Marketing Moves |
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Consumer-driven healthcare is a hot topic these days, but there are many misconceptions about what it actually is. To adequately plan for future initiatives, hospital executives need to have a firm understanding of the concept.
First, let's dispel the idea that employers are leaving the healthcare benefits arena and consumers are getting ready to run amuck--totally empowered over their healthcare dollars and decisions. Employers are indeed reducing their role and employees are shouldering more of the burden. The move is starting to take shape through the introduction of consumer-driven plans and associated health savings accounts. Now, instead of a $5 to $10 co-pay or a $500 deductible, an employee may face hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in bills.
The tradeoff for higher out-of-pocket costs is a lower premium. And health savings accounts are a means to put money aside to pay for those higher out-of-pocket costs. This reality gives employees an incentive to avoid unnecessary care, to stay healthy, to participate in disease management programs and to shop, not just on quality, value and service, but on price.
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| Read the full article - Powered by HealthLeaders |
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Case Study: Vericom supports Arroyo Seco's
consumer-driven healthcare focus |
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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 differentiator 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."
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| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
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What is the advantage of using the "Client Login Section" at www.vericom.net ?
How can SoundCare drive revenue for my organization? ·
SoundCare is a time-tested and proven source of revenue. Promoting your high-profile service lines to callers on hold and in queue exposes them to millions of highly qualified consumers who already have, or desire a relationship with your organization. Often times callers contact our clients about one issue, and end up inquiring about a service line they heard about from a SoundCare message. Don't forget about your smaller, less profitable service lines either. While your core services often get the lion's share of the marketing budget, your smaller lines always have a voice with SoundCare.
SoundCare can also promote screenings, educational events, and clinical trials that lead to referrals for your top service lines. You can also announce the addition of a physician, equipment, or a new wing that supports a particular service line or event.
SoundCare has a proven return on investment by directing callers to:
•Utilize your profitable service lines
•Register for events
•Make appointments
•Schedule screenings
•Fill clinical trials
•Fill job openings |
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