Patient Access to Care and Treatments in the Cost Shifting Era

To maintain the cost-effectiveness of health insurance, many organizations, including government agencies, routinely evaluate and choose to adopt alternative treatment modalities such as utilization management.  If utilization and cost-saving measures are not implemented wisely, patients with more complicated conditions may be placed at risk.

These interventions have not been subjected to in-depth studies to assess the impact on patient outcomes and quality of life or the total cost of care.   Recent studies of broad industry data have shown negative impacts on patients when the drugs they need are subject to restriction resulting in decreased patient adherence to the treatment plan, poorer medical outcomes and increased total system costs.

This talk reviews the effects of different utilization management strategies and gives suggestions on how to avoid unintended pitfalls.

Presenter:

Ralph McKibbin, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF
Blair Gastro – Gastroenterology Associates

This webinar is open to PBGH Employer Members and Associate Members.  Contact laura.wicker@pbghpa.org to register.