Health care ‘transparency,’ wellness programs to help consumers

(Sept. 14, 2006) Last month, President Bush signed an executive order that will increase the “transparency” of the health care system by giving many consumers greater control over how they spend their health care dollars.

The executive order requires health care providers that contract with government-sponsored health plans to reveal certain pricing and quality information.

The order also:

• Encourages the adoption of health information technology standards, including electronic medical records.
• Calls for more options that promote quality and efficiency in health care, including pay-for-performance models of reimbursement.
  

“When Americans buy new cars, they have access to consumer research on safety, reliability, price and performance — and they should be able to expect the same when they purchase health care,” said the White House.

Making health care more “transparent” will empower consumers by enabling them to know their options in advance, learn about the quality of doctors and hospitals in their area, and know what procedures will cost.

In Connecticut, where health insurance premiums have just about doubled in cost since 1995, the business community has endorsed similar reforms — and adopted wellness programs to improve the overall health of their employees and reduce costs.

Wellness programs

For example, a ConnectiCare study has estimated that for every dollar spent on health and wellness programs, businesses will save $3.14 in costs.
Wellness programs are designed to reduce health care costs by providing incentives for employees to make healthier lifestyle and behavioral choices. They make sense from an economic view, benefiting both the employee and employer.

• A national survey found that 75% of employers nationwide are now offering wellness programs to their employees, up from 73% a year ago. Wellness programs are almost as prevalent as disease management (90%) and employee assistance programs (81%).
  

Connecticut employers are deeply concerned about being able to afford health care benefits for their employees. Measures improving the availability of health care information to consumers and those encouraging better employee health, such as wellness programs, are constructive ways to reduce the costs of health care and help consumers.