Consumerism is about transforming a health benefit plan into one that puts purchasing and decision-making power into the hands of participants. It's about providing information, decision support tools, along with rewards and other benefits that encourage personal involvement in both healthcare benefits and involvement in improving personal health.

The misconception is that consumerism just means high-deductible plans, cost shifting, or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Those may or may not be options, but the real objective is developing strategies that put the member in the driver's seat of directing their own health. We all are aware that healthcare is in much need of an overhaul and we believe, after much research, that consumerism is a start in the right direction.

If you doubt the need for this transformation, you need to ponder these six questions:

1. Is there waste in the healthcare system?
2. Are emergency rooms sometimes used unnecessarily?
3. Are prescription drugs used excessively or inefficiently?
4. Are wellness programs in areas like prenatal care being used adequately?
5. Are patients with major conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and congestive heart failure being treated effectively?
6. Are cost/quality measures being used to select healthcare providers?

The good news is that where there is waste, there is potential for savings.

Our goal at Benefit Associates is to change attitudes and behaviors through providing information about costs, financial involvement, compliance incentives, and education. To find out more about how to judge whether your current platform is working as well as it should, contact Pam Bales at pbales@workingwell4you.com