New Product for Group Health Cases!!

[DBKuhnke]

"I've heard it said"...what a great way to gather your facts... Then 6 paragraphs all based on fallacious assumptions. Whoa... now I get it..edited at 1:30 am, lol insomnia makes one do strange things.

 

[leevena]

"I've heard it said"...what a great way to gather your facts... Then 6 paragraphs all based on fallacious assumptions. Whoa... now I get it..edited at 1:30 am, lol insomnia makes one do strange things.

To some small extent I agree with assessment, but a large part of the fault does lie with you.

Early on I asked for some type of testimonial or success story, which you did not provide. This leads me to believe that there are none.

There were a few responders, myself being one, that mentioned that this service is somewhat expensive. We have many groups self-funded and none have shown any interest in this type of service at your cost. We have seen other versions of this product, most lower cost, and still no success.

Lastly, you did not provide us with any value proposition for the employer/employee. This service will not lower a groups claims experience and has limited use at the employee level.

Sorry.

 

[DBKuhnke]

leevena:
Sorry...you could not get the information you wanted however I found that on this forum that whatever is said is turned against you by the trolls. Anyone really interested will look into it or contact me and I'll be happy to share fully....but not on here where it is impossible to have honest discussions..
Best,
David

 

[leevena]

leevena:
Sorry...you could not get the information you wanted however I found that on this forum that whatever is said is turned against you by the trolls. Anyone really interested will look into it or contact me and I'll be happy to share fully....but not on here where it is impossible to have honest discussions..
Best,
David

I did go to the website and reviewed everything there. Your service is not new or unknown to me, we have had several of your competitors pitch the idea for our groups. I say to you what I say to all of them, "show me how the dollars spent will lower claims costs or improve the health of the membership." No one has been able to prove either, which in the final analysis is what will help a benefits person sell this to an employer group.

I can see where an individual might want to purchase this service, and as a voluntary/payroll deduction product you might have a market. But I just don't see much of a market as an employer sponsored product.

 

[Ann H]

"I've heard it said"...what a great way to gather your facts... Then 6 paragraphs all based on fallacious assumptions. Whoa... now I get it..edited at 1:30 am, lol insomnia makes one do strange things.

First of all 1:30 am in Florida (where your flag shows that you are located) is 10:30 pm in Arizona where I am located.

You cannot disarm the 6 paragraphs by claiming they are based on fallacious assumptions. Seriously, anyone who has worked in health insurance for some time, especially partially self-funding is aware of the principles of assumption of risk. These are pretty well known facts. Do you want documentation? There are PLENTY of reports about medical utilization, and they repeatedly show these 3 categories. Here is one from arhq.gov, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

How Are U.S. Health Care Expenses Distributed?

A Small Proportion of the Total Population Accounts for Half of All U.S. Medical Spending

Half of the population spends little or nothing on health care, while 5 percent of the population spends almost half of the total amount.2 In 2002, the 5 percent of the U.S. community (civilian noninstitutionalized) population that spent the most on health care accounted for 49 percent of overall U.S. health care spending (Chart 1, 40 KB). Among this group, annual medical expenses (exclusive of health insurance premiums) equaled or exceeded $11,487 per person.

In contrast, the 50 percent of the population with the lowest expenses accounted for only 3 percent of overall U.S. medical spending, with annual medical spending below $664 per person. Thus, those in the top 5 percent spent, on average, more than 17 times as much per person as those in the bottom 50 percent of spenders.2

From 1977 to 1996, the overall distribution of health care expenses among the U.S. population remained remarkably stable (Table 1), according to data from MEPS and its predecessor surveys.3,4 In 1977, the 1 percent of the population with the highest expenses accounted for 27 percent of all expenses, the top 5 percent accounted for 55 percent, and the bottom 50 percent accounted for 3 percent.

However, the concentration of expenses at the top has decreased in recent years. The total expenses accounted for by the top 1 percent of spenders declined from 28 percent in 1996 to 22 percent in 2002, and the amount for the top 5 percent dropped from 55 to 49 percent in the same time period.4 The lower 50 percent of spenders remained at 3 to 4 percent of total expenditures during this period.
​

Here's a link to the report: The High Concentration of U.S. Health Care Expenditures

 

[DBKuhnke]

I've heard of assumption of risk before, thanks. Thanks for the report and your consideration of the product. Not everyone can or will sell any product. I'll put you down as a no. Have a great day!

 

[arnguy]

IMHO not a worth while product. I believe that most people prefer a personal relationship with their health care provider.

 

[0b1kanobee]

IMHO not a worth while product. I believe that most people prefer a personal relationship with their health care provider.

Hey just because you and your doctor were on the same spelling bee competition doesn't mean everybody else was.

 

[DBKuhnke]

Telemedicine should never be considered as a replacement for either a primary care physician or health insurance if available. It is simply a support/convenience and time saving access to primary care.. Doctors that I've spoken with support the telemedicine concept and are willing to work with patients they know well and diagnosis/prescribe via the phone when they can. However, most are not set up to work this way.

 

[leevena]

Telemedicine should never be considered as a replacement for either a primary care physician or health insurance if available. It is simply a support/convenience and time saving access to primary care.. Doctors that I've spoken with support the telemedicine concept and are willing to work with patients they know well and diagnosis/prescribe via the phone when they can. However, most are not set up to work this way.

I agree with this assessment of telemedicine. Where I don't agree, and where I believe most of the kickback is coming from, is when it is positioned as an employee benefit or some kind of claim cost reduction strategy.

The telemedicine prgogram you have does not provide any meaningful reduction to claims. And with the significant monthly cost, the market for employer sponsorhip is minimal at best.