Comments on: The Nuclear Option http://www.seefirstblog.com/2009/12/11/the-nuclear-option/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-nuclear-option Insights into the uncertain world of healthcare Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: valjonesmd http://www.seefirstblog.com/2009/12/11/the-nuclear-option/comment-page-1/#comment-623 valjonesmd Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:33:02 +0000 http://www.seefirstblog.com/?p=1694#comment-623 I think most employers/insurers agree with your view, Evan. However, I think we may be close to a tipping point where financial realities will simply drive employers nuclear and employees really won't have a choice in it. It will be scary and there will be blowback - but with careful education ("hey guys, you're actually going to SAVE money") and a great team of primary care docs with pay-as-you-go practices to support consumerism, this HSA approach is actually a fine healthcare reform strategy.<br><br>Unfortunately we're in a chicken-egg point in history where there aren't enough HSA type patients to fuel pay-as-you-go practices on a large scale, and without those practices, switching to HSAs and high deductible plans feels scary for patients (and doesn't necessarily improve their HC experience).<br><br>However, I can tell you that I've personally witnessed a quiet revolution in my corner of Virginia where people are die hard fans of my practice model. Many have high deductible plans and HSAs from which they pay me cash for my time. I'm available 24/7 via phone/webcam/home visit/office visit/texting/email... It's really been great and I know that this could take off if given the chance. :) It may not, and that would be a crying shame. But I'm willing to "die trying." I think most employers/insurers agree with your view, Evan. However, I think we may be close to a tipping point where financial realities will simply drive employers nuclear and employees really won't have a choice in it. It will be scary and there will be blowback – but with careful education (“hey guys, you're actually going to SAVE money”) and a great team of primary care docs with pay-as-you-go practices to support consumerism, this HSA approach is actually a fine healthcare reform strategy.

Unfortunately we're in a chicken-egg point in history where there aren't enough HSA type patients to fuel pay-as-you-go practices on a large scale, and without those practices, switching to HSAs and high deductible plans feels scary for patients (and doesn't necessarily improve their HC experience).

However, I can tell you that I've personally witnessed a quiet revolution in my corner of Virginia where people are die hard fans of my practice model. Many have high deductible plans and HSAs from which they pay me cash for my time. I'm available 24/7 via phone/webcam/home visit/office visit/texting/email… It's really been great and I know that this could take off if given the chance. :) It may not, and that would be a crying shame. But I'm willing to “die trying.”

]]> By: valjonesmd http://www.seefirstblog.com/2009/12/11/the-nuclear-option/comment-page-1/#comment-563 valjonesmd Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:33:02 +0000 http://www.seefirstblog.com/?p=1694#comment-563 I think most employers/insurers agree with your view, Evan. However, I think we may be close to a tipping point where financial realities will simply drive employers nuclear and employees really won't have a choice in it. It will be scary and there will be blowback - but with careful education ("hey guys, you're actually going to SAVE money") and a great team of primary care docs with pay-as-you-go practices to support consumerism, this HSA approach is actually a fine healthcare reform strategy.<br><br>Unfortunately we're in a chicken-egg point in history where there aren't enough HSA type patients to fuel pay-as-you-go practices on a large scale, and without those practices, switching to HSAs and high deductible plans feels scary for patients (and doesn't necessarily improve their HC experience).<br><br>However, I can tell you that I've personally witnessed a quiet revolution in my corner of Virginia where people are die hard fans of my practice model. Many have high deductible plans and HSAs from which they pay me cash for my time. I'm available 24/7 via phone/webcam/home visit/office visit/texting/email... It's really been great and I know that this could take off if given the chance. :) It may not, and that would be a crying shame. But I'm willing to "die trying." I think most employers/insurers agree with your view, Evan. However, I think we may be close to a tipping point where financial realities will simply drive employers nuclear and employees really won't have a choice in it. It will be scary and there will be blowback – but with careful education (“hey guys, you're actually going to SAVE money”) and a great team of primary care docs with pay-as-you-go practices to support consumerism, this HSA approach is actually a fine healthcare reform strategy.

Unfortunately we're in a chicken-egg point in history where there aren't enough HSA type patients to fuel pay-as-you-go practices on a large scale, and without those practices, switching to HSAs and high deductible plans feels scary for patients (and doesn't necessarily improve their HC experience).

However, I can tell you that I've personally witnessed a quiet revolution in my corner of Virginia where people are die hard fans of my practice model. Many have high deductible plans and HSAs from which they pay me cash for my time. I'm available 24/7 via phone/webcam/home visit/office visit/texting/email… It's really been great and I know that this could take off if given the chance. :) It may not, and that would be a crying shame. But I'm willing to “die trying.”

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