The Perfect Partner

Here are some American health system partnership arrangements that have changed the way we receive and pay for care. 

1960     The patient and the doctor are partners in health.

You feel sick, you call the doctor's home. His wife says he'll be right over.  He leaves you some medicine and you give him a check. If you don't get well, it was just your time to go.

1970     The patient and the employer are partners in health.

You feel sick, you go down to medical. The staff gives you some medicine and tells you to go back to work and enroll in the company exercise class.  If you don't get well, you can always go on disability or collect on your pension.

1980     The patient,  the clinic and the insurance company are partners in health.

You feel sick, you stop at the clinic in the mall. They do some tests. The secretary gives you a prescription. You wait for your pills to come in the mail. It's all billed to your insurance plan. If you don't get well, you can pursue the options up to the maximum of your plan allowance. Then you can pay the bills from your pocket or claim bankruptcy.

1990     The patient, the provider and the payer are partners in health.

You feel sick, you call your primary care facility. A nurse practitioner discusses your symptoms. She says they will call in a prescription to your pharmacy plan.  If the medicine doesn't work , you can come in next week for an approval form to see a specialist. Your HMO pays the bill. If you don't get well, you can change HMO's or your heirs can sue for malpractice.

2000    The Consumer, the Supplier and the Provider are partners in health.

You feel sick, you go on the Internet to upload your symptoms to the Provider Benefit Manager's web site. You wait for EMail competitive bids for alternative treatment options from Suppliers. Enter your card number to have the amount deducted from your health savings account. Print out a receipt and bring it to any Super Store for Self-Directed Healthcare.  If you don't get well, call the consumer health partner support group.

Author; Caryn Isaacs