In an agreement with Humana Inc., WebMD will allow physicians to file claims electronically, significantly reducing the cost of each claim. Bad claims will be automatically returned for correction and good claims will be paid within a week or two instead of the current average of 45 days. A fee schedule analyzer allows the practitioner to develop fee schedules that fits their community. The practitioner enters their zip code and specialty and the system provides guidelines for reasonable and customary charges. An online diagnostic laboratory ordering service connects physicians to pathology laboratories.
Results appear on the physician's desktop as soon as they are available.
The Internet will transform many healthcare processes during the next decade. Those centers with vision, courage and efficient execution will decrease their overhead costs and improve efficiency. More importantly, healthcare consumers will become empowered and seek partnership with their physicians. The drive for evidence-based medicine and outcomes, combined with the capabilities of the Internet, will allow healthcare consumers to be more selective in choosing their providers. Those physicians and centers that provide a new level of service and measurable outcomes will prosper.