The subject of population health management is a topic that’s garnered attention in a number of health journals, and it’s an idea I believe deserves much attention and exploration. While the concept of health management is still in its infancy, I believe that its implementation will create a sense of urgency for leaders and healthcare executives to prepare for the changes that will affect how our organizations care for patients and how reimbursement will be handled over the next ten years.
In order to remain relevant and successful in the delivery of superior health care, healthcare providers must be committed to a long-term vision. This measure of excellence must be observed by all providers, whether you are a healthcare management company, a physician practice, surgery center, surgical or community hospital, or a health system.
A paradigm shift away from previous actions is crucial in order to create a clean slate for how things will function in the future. The most significant of these changes being the integration of reimbursement. This is especially true as the U.S. and other parts of the world move away from a fee for service or payment for episodic care into a reimbursement system that recognizes only a finite amount will be available to manage all aspects of a defined population’s health.
Obviously the subject of population health management is a concept fraught with many thoughts and options and is one worth further exploration. I hope that you will join with us in the discussion of this lively and important topic over the coming months.
Dan Tasset, Chairman
Nueterra