High-Deductible Plans Present Challenges for Healthcare Providers and Consumers

High-Deductible Plans Present Challenges for Healthcare Providers and Consumers

A recent Kaiser Health News article, More High-Deductible Plan Members Can’t Pay Hospital Bills, highlights the challenges high-deductible plan designs present for healthcare providers and consumers. For consumers, there is confusion about their costs and quality choices. For providers, uncertainty around consumer out-of-pocket costs results in increased administrative efforts for collections of patient liability, increased accounts receivables, and potentially bad debt. To better manage these high deductible plans, consumers and providers both need highly accurate, real-time estimates of patient out-of-pocket costs that are easy to use and understand. At Truven Health Analytics, we believe that a critical component of transparency is ensuring that all stakeholders have access to accurate, consistent information that was created using the same methodologies and processes. To support our vision, we have created tools for both consumers and providers that support payer goals for transparency.

Anita Nair-Hartman
Vice President Market Planning and Strategy