Health care consumerism is often accompanied by visions of a data and technological revolution. The desire to provide health care consumers with choice and convenience is a worthy one, but — as this Forbes article points out — the implementation of that is often relevant only to a key consumer: one that is digitally savvy, engaged, highly educated, and with significant disposable income. As digital natives come of age, it will continue to be important to cater to them. However, health care costs are not generated evenly by each generation.
Chronic diseases are among the most prevalent and costly health conditions in the United States. The prevalence of chronic disease has increased steadily among people of all ages in recent years. A study by RAND found that 60% of the population has at least two chronic conditions, and 42% have two or more chronic conditions. These patients account for 90% of all health expenditures in the United States.
The profile of this patient differs greatly from the tech-savvy millennial typically conjured up when it comes to health care consumerism. The CDC reports that these patients tend to be older and are more likely to be covered by Medicare — three out of four Americans aged 65 and older have multiple chronic conditions. And according to the American Journal of Managed Care, Medicare patients with multiple chronic conditions:
Are generally sicker,
Are more likely to use hospitals and emergency departments,
Have greater limitations in their daily living, and
Experience accelerated decline in their quality of life.
Prevalence and Spending by number of chronic condition Graph.
This is due to the fact that people with multiple chronic conditions have more complicated health needs than their peers—adding another layer of complexity and cost to their health care. Due to the nation's rapidly aging population and a nationwide increase in risk factors for chronic disease—such as obesity—this trend shows no sign of dwindling.
However, the bulk of advice on the rise in health care consumerism mostly addresses the 40% of the population without chronic conditions. The health care industry is taking note, as are others, leading to a new view of health care consumerism that is sorely needed. The initiatives listed below take the definition of health care consumerism to heart: they protect or promote the interests of consumers — in this case, patients.
