[January 23, 2017] |
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Redirect Health: Counterpoint on "Repeal and Replace" Fears
With a new Administration and clashing viewpoints on the success and
viability of the Affordable Care Act, many Americans believe the next
president holds the future of healthcare in his hands. Redirect
Health, a national healthcare company based in Scottsdale, Ariz.,
contests this view.
"Whether it's Obamacare, Trumpcare or some other variation, it doesn't
really matter," said Janice Johnston, M.D., medical director and
co-founder of Redirect Health. "We won't fix the healthcare system by
focusing on how much government must do - and how much the government
must subsidize - to fix a broken system. The solution is much simpler:
we can fix the system by unraveling its complexity and making true costs
transparent."
Redirect Health transformed the traditional healthcare model for
employers by putting
healthcare first and insurance last, eliminating the waste,
administration and profit margins built into traditional health
insurance plans. A complement to self-funded plans, Redirect Health
offers business owners a healthcare plan that includes unlimited primary
care, chiropractic, preventive visits, labs, immunizations and 24-7
access to a physician. The plan costs $105 per employee per month, with
$0 copay and $0 deductible. Employers purchase stop-loss insurance to
cover catastrophic or complex diagnoses and injuries.
"Redirect Health has shown that this model is a viable solution for the
issues in healthcare today - regardless of what happens with the ACA,"
added Dr. Johnston.
To that end, Dr. Johnston addressed four common questions about the
future of healthcare under President Donald Trump, shedding light on
cost, value, transparency and consumer disillusionment:
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How will healthcare differ if the ACA is repealed?
For
decades, individuals and employers have been forced into a health
insurance model. They choose their plan and pay monthly premiums,
whether or not they access care. When they do require services, they
pay even more for copays and deductibles. For ordinary people this
model didn't work before the ACA, and it won't work after.
Americans
increasingly can't afford basic healthcare, and they refuse it as a
result. When their situations worsen, they end up receiving treatment
in a hospital. Care in hospitals - whether a high level of care is
needed or not - can be five-to-30 times higher than in a doctor's
office orclinic, even for the exact same services.
The
best solution is to help customers navigate the system away from
unnecessary hospital services, eliminate co-payments and deductibles
for basic health services, and provide full cost transparency so
consumers can make better choices.
At Redirect Health, we
don't believe traditional insurers will achieve this - their
profitability is enhanced by this confusion, administration and excess
in the industry - so
we set out to do it ourselves.
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How can Americans break out of the insurance-first cycle?
Reducing
the complexity of healthcare is the key to reducing costs and getting
the right care at the right price. Self-insurance is gaining
popularity among companies of all sizes, as this model gives control
back to businesses and their people. A smart self-funded plan paves
the way for a highly functioning healthcare delivery system, and
allows purchasers and users to save money, time and hassle.
Companies
that self-fund create their own benefit plans and pay claims directly,
or work with a third-party administrator to handle claims and
administrative responsibilities. Benefits can include medical, dental,
vision, prescription medications and workers' compensation, and plans
can be customized to the workforce's needs.
Employers may
also tap a partner like Redirect Health to serve as a healthcare
concierge. Material savings occur by bringing together primary care,
chiropractic, preventive visits, laboratory services and 24-7 support
to help our members navigate the system. This creates synergies that
protect employers from overpaying and ensure members get the care and
experience they need.
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What tools will simplify access and bring down the cost of care?
Commonsense
low-tech technology is key to providing simple, convenient, 24/7
access to routine healthcare and will amplify the impact of the
"healthcare first, insurance last" model.
For
example, the ability to connect via phone to the healthcare team and
doctor with a complete and updated electronic medical record at their
fingertips is an essential solution in addressing basic health needs
in a convenient and cost-effective way. When our members are sick or
injured, they contact a care logistics specialist who quickly
evaluates their needs and determines the next steps in a treatment
plan - no more not knowing and guessing. More than 70 percent of the
time, an in-person visit to the doctor or hospital can be prevented.
It's cost-effective, convenient and reduces time away from work.
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How can a new administration solve healthcare?
We
have to reduce healthcare costs so more people can access it. The only
way to do that is to decrease complexity, increase transparency and
empower consumers.
Government, by itself, won't solve the
problem. Large insurance companies, government regulations and a
government-run system stifle innovation. Rather, the healthcare
problem will be solved by innovative entrepreneurs in a free market.
Self-insurance is an example of entrepreneurship at work. The model is
turning healthcare upside down by spurring innovation and cutting
administrative costs. All told, this model allows for high-quality,
comprehensive health coverage at a fraction of the cost of fully
insured products when it's done strategically.
Now more
than ever before, our nation's leaders have the power to change the
healthcare game. Removing the friction will empower entrepreneurial
thinkers, stimulate innovation, cut wasteful spending and improve
healthcare for all Americans.
To learn how Redirect Health solves healthcare challenges for employers
and their people, visit RedirectHealth.com
or register
for a webinar.
About Redirect Health
Founded in 2013, Redirect Health helps entrepreneurial businesses and
their brokers build affordable healthcare plans using a self-insurance
model. Solutions comply with government regulations, reduce waste and
administration costs associated with many traditional health insurance
plans, and enhance the employee's healthcare experience. The company
uses a process that quickly identifies the most cost-efficient route to
address healthcare needs, enabling employers to significantly cut costs
and reinvest savings back into their businesses. Visit RedirectHealth.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170123005573/en/
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