weak spot 10.11.16 Cost. Quality. Access. These three words represent one of the highest priorities for patients, payors and providers: ensuring that high-quality care is available at an affordable cost. To better understand how the cost-quality-access dilemma affects how consumers make decisions about their health care, we conducted a public opinion poll in September 2016 with 2,000 registered voters. Here are a few of the insights we gained from their responses. Cost is an Important Influence in Consumer Health Care Decision-making Our poll revealed that consumers are heavily focused on cost when choosing how to receive health care. For example, in the past month: 28 percent of respondents put off needed medical care because of affordability concerns 21 percent put off filling a prescription because of affordability concerns Quality is the Top Factor When Consumers Assess and Seek Health Care Although the poll showed how important cost is when making health care decisions, we learned that quality is most important to consumers, many of whom rely on their own research to guide their choices: 29 percent shop around for health care providers and services "Always" or "Sometimes. Of this group, 67 percent regularly or sometimes select care based on their research. When seeking a health care provider, 52 percent say quality of care is the most important factor in considering whom to see, followed by trusted advice (17 percent). It Doesn t Have to Be Cost vs. Quality Fortunately, consumers don t have to sacrifice cost for quality, or quality for cost. Health care providers can play an important role in making sure patients don t have to choose between the two. Retail clinics, such as MinuteClinic , offer convenient access to expert care from nurse practitioners and physician assistants beyond regular physician office hours. Care from retail clinics can also be significantly more affordable than other care alternatives, such as the emergency room. Our goal is for half of all Americans to live within 10 miles of a MinuteClinic, which has had 30 million patient visits in 1,100 clinics with a 95 percent customer satisfaction rating. Consumers in remote areas, or those faced with mobility challenges may also opt for high-quality, cost-effective care through telehealth programs . As the U.S. population continues to embrace online and mobile platforms, we are investing in advanced technologies to enhance and extend telehealth, such as through our partnership with American Well, Doctor On Demand and Teledoc, which leverage mobile technology. In one MinuteClinic telehealth study , 95 percent of patients were highly satisfied with their experience. One-third said they preferred it to a traditional doctor visit. Meeting Evolving Patient Needs in the Future As the cost of health care steadily increases, the demand for high-quality, accessible and affordable health care options will continue to rise. So we re expanding the reach and scope of affordable care through our extensive suite of assets, including traditional pharmacy and health care services, as well as services made possible by new technologies. Related Articles By the Numbers: The State of Health Care in the United States Frustrated by the U.S. health care system, Americans want change, yet remain optimistic about its future outlook. On Target: What the New Hypertension Guidelines Mean New hypertension guidelines could mean lifestyle and medication changes for consumers. CVS Health tools and experts can help. 5 Things Pharmacists Do Beyond the Pharmacy Counter CVS pharmacists are on the front lines of health care and do much more for our patients than fill prescriptions. Related Press Releases 09.06.17 CVS Pharmacy Addressing Access, Affordability and Quality Care with Annual Free Health Screening Campaign 07.25.17 CVS Health Expands Clinical Affiliation with Cleveland Clinic to Increase Access to Patient-Centered Care and Improve Coordinated Health Care Delivery 04.18.17 Phoenix VA Health Care System, TriWest, and CVS Health Partner to Increase Veteran Access to Health Care Services 12.05.16 CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic Encourage Families to Get Their Flu Shots During National Influenza Vaccination Week 09.07.16 CVS Health Increasing Access to Health Care with Annual Project Health Campaign 08.22.16 CVS Health Research Institute Study Shows Value in Tailoring Medication Adherence Interventions to Specific Patient Populations you may get
carriers By the Numbers: How Health Consumers Weigh Cost and Quality you bought
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