The last three years of pandemic life have accelerated unprecedented levels of healthcare change out of necessity to account for the unique challenges of social distancing. While much of the world has loosened its pandemic precautions, many of the healthcare initiatives started during the pandemic are here to stay.
Namely, mobile and remote healthcare continue to take center stage in ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to those it serves. In 2023, healthcare providers can leverage the latest technology to provide more effective care and treatments. Additionally, the healthcare industry is becoming increasingly data-driven and is using predictive analytics to identify trends, track patient health, and improve patient outcomes.
The Continuing Impact of the Pandemic
The pandemic is still here, and SARS-COV-19 isn’t going to disappear. 2022 was a year of learning how to live with the daily reality of the pandemic. 2023 started with a triple-demic. COVID, the Flu, and RSV pose a triple threat to hospital strain and our healthcare system. Absenteeism and mental health are prime concerns for employers.
It’s essential to continue to meet employee needs in a multidimensional health system, particularly since the costs of living and healthcare are rising. If we want to continue to meet the unique needs brought on by the realities of the pandemic and the effects the pandemic has had on healthcare infrastructure, flexibility, and transparency are needed.
It is essential to stay current with the latest research and definitions to provide the best care for those affected. Healthcare providers must have access to the resources and information needed to make informed decisions about Long COVID (also called post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, or “PASC”) care. Additionally, research into the long-term effects of Long COVID should be a priority.
The Importance of Offering Remote Healthcare
Those still needing caution in avoiding contracting COVID and other illnesses are likely to be reluctant to head into medical offices. Those in rural areas may need more time to get ready access to their specialists. Thus, it’s imperative that the push towards remote healthcare, when possible, continues.
An American Medical Association (AMA) survey found that while only 14% of healthcare providers offered remote services in 2016, in 2022, that number had significantly increased to 80%. Insurers must take steps to ensure patients have access to the care they need while limiting risks of exposure. Covering telemedicine and remote patient monitoring should be a priority. This helps ensure patients have access to the healthcare they need – when and where they need it the most.
In addition, increasing the availability of remote services through training more healthcare providers in their use helps ensure more patients have access to virtual healthcare services when needed.
Mobile Apps and Healthcare
Mobile apps that help facilitate remote patient monitoring and telehealth continue to gain popularity. Hospital systems offer apps where patients can monitor test and lab results and message providers directly. Pharmacies are beginning to deliver apps, and so are pharmacy benefits managers. Clara, the virtual pharmacist app Araya offers, is one such tool.
These apps are a great way to help improve patient care, as they allow patients to access their medical data on the go and connect with their healthcare providers remotely. They also enable healthcare providers to track their patients’ health in real-time better, ensuring they get the best care possible.
Additionally, mobile apps can reduce the administrative burden for providers, enabling them to spend more time with their patients. Finally, mobile apps can provide an easy way for providers to track and review patient data, helping them make informed decisions about their care.
Rising Popularity of High-Deductible Plans
High-deductible plans have become increasingly popular in the last few years, especially for those looking for lower monthly premiums. These plans deliver on offering lower premiums, but they require consumers to pay more out of pocket for medical expenses.
These plans may be better for those with little to no medical expenses, as they make it so that payers and patients alike can save money on their premiums. However, for those with chronic illnesses or who are at a higher risk of medical emergencies, high-deductible plans may not be the best choice.
There are other ways to reduce healthcare costs for payers and patients. These include:
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- Choosing Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that use a transparent pass-through model.
- Exploring health savings flexible spending accounts to save money on medical expenses.
- Choosing generic medications over brand-name drugs when they are the best price.
- Ensuring preventative care services are easy to use and are paid for so that illnesses can be caught early on.
- Ensuring telemedicine and virtual visits and consultations with healthcare providers in network are easy to access.
- Taking advantage of apps like Araya’s Clara to ensure patients get the most effective treatments at the best cost.
AI in Healthcare
Artificial Intelligence has made a lot of progress. The implementation of machine learning in healthcare is forecasted to top $20 billion in 2023. There are many practical uses for artificial intelligence in the healthcare industry. These applications include streamlining processes, detecting diseases, predicting outcomes, and providing personalized treatment plans.
Artificial intelligence can also help reduce errors, improve the accuracy of diagnoses, and process and interpret medical data. When fed medical images and data, AI can help detect anomalies that could go undetected without help connecting the dots. When applied to pharmaceuticals, it can forecast a patient’s response to new therapies based on their response to previous medications and treatments.
AI is also used in developing new drugs and treatments. It helps compile data from trials and predict any potential side effects that may occur with a given medication. In the coming year, AI will spread across all areas of healthcare – from clinical and healthcare settings to clerical and administrative environments.
Working Toward a Unified Method of Tracking Medical History
Speaking of administrative settings, the pharmaceutical industry has done well in compiling real-time information about prescriptions and treatments. The healthcare industry is moving toward a unified method for tracking patients’ medical histories.
This unified system will be invaluable, allowing medical professionals to identify a patient’s history and current health needs quickly and accurately. Additionally, having access to this data will enable medical organizations to identify patterns and trends that can be used to improve the overall quality of care. Finally, implementing this unified system will provide greater security for confidential patient data.
Personalized Healthcare
Each patient’s needs differ, so why should healthcare be the same across the board? Employers have unique needs to ensure their employees have the best healthcare possible. Thus, it’s unsurprising that healthcare is moving away from a one-size fits all approach and toward personalized healthcare plans.
By using data from each patient, such as gender, age, lifestyle, etc., tailored plans can be crafted to best benefit that patient’s care. Similarly, taking industry data from employers helps to create insurance packages that better fit employee needs. This approach allows for the best possible care and reduces healthcare costs by shifting the focus to preventative rather than curative care.
Employee Well-Being and Health Taking Center Stage
Preventative care keeps employee absenteeism to a minimum. When chronic conditions are caught early and care is established, long-term impacts on health can be minimized. With a mental health crisis burning through our country, employee well-being is becoming a top priority for payers and employers.
Organizations recognize the importance of providing access to mental and physical health services. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are becoming more common, providing resources to employees struggling with mental health issues. Additionally, employers are offering more flexible work schedules and providing access to telemedicine to make preventative care more accessible.
Payers Gathering Data on Pricing Transparency
Another big push over the past year has been toward transparency in pricing practices. Traditional models, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy benefits management, are starting to evolve. Instead, payers want to know how their PBM makes a profit.
This movement has led to payers gathering data on pricing transparency. They want to know what discounts are being negotiated, the number and dollar amount of rebates, and the number of and amount for medication mark-ups. Payers are also interested in understanding the administrative costs associated with the PBM and how they are passed on to them.
Payers want to ensure they are getting the best value for their healthcare dollars. To do this, they will confirm providers adhere to published rates and that the services provided are high quality. Additionally, they want to make certain that the cost structure is fair and reasonable and that the services are being provided in a timely manner. Transparency helps them do this.
Going Forward
Heading into 2023, artificial intelligence, mobile applications, predictive analytics, and other advanced technologies will take center stage. This is due to the need to reduce healthcare costs and the increasing demand for healthcare services.
The pandemic will continue to have an effect, and mental health will become a priority for payers and employers. Additionally, digital healthcare and retail healthcare will become more common. Transparency in pricing will be increasingly important, and PBMs like Araya already promoting this aspect will be a step ahead of the game.
