If the goal is to unleash consumers to pursue the best care at the best price, the design of the plan must include more than handing employees a sum of money earmarked for health care expenses. DC is too restrictive in many cases. The plan design must allow consumers to make decisions and choose with as little restriction as possible each time they interact with the health care marketplace and must provide extensive information and access to trustworthy resources to help them navigate the system and their options. We need to put the money and the information back into patients' hands, and, as providers, we need to facilitate its judicious use. A few new companies are building defined or shared contribution, consumer-driven models.
Different models embrace different levels of consumerism.
The designs that highlight a consumer-driven model are those of HealthMarket, Lumenos, and Definity Health. MyHealthBank is a classic DC model. Vivius is a DC model in which members select a personalized provider panel at each enrollment. Destiny Health is a DC plan with a medical savings account focus aimed at individuals and small employers. The role of quality and care management in new models for health care delivery We need to revamp the system of measuring, reporting, and paying for quality and provide a reason for physicians to promote and implement change.