OSE_1301_part1_Layout 1 1/11/13 10:52 AM Page 21
BUSINESS ADVISOR
FOOTING THE BILL As patients pay out of pocket
for a greater percentage of their healthcare costs,
they'll become shrewder consumers.
As consumers research insurance options and pay out of pocket,
they'll likely become more aware of and interested in the cost of health
care and how they use it. They may delay or completely forgo procedures based on price. Also, more sophisticated consumers may be reticent to have elective procedures, fearing insurers could punish them by
increasing premiums during the next renewal period.
The proliferation of health savings accounts is probably the biggest
change surgical facilities are seeing. More than 13.5 million people now
have health savings account/high-deductible health plans, up from 6.1
million in 2008, according to a May 2012 America's Health Insurance
Plans report. Consumers are likely gaining a better understanding of
healthcare costs by reviewing account statements and explanations of
J A N U A R Y 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
2 1
