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AHIP: I.T. Key for Reducing Costs


May 30, 2008


America's Heath Insurance Plans highlights the role of information technology in its new plan that it estimates could reduce U.S. health care costs by $145 billion by 2015.

The board of directors for the Washington-based trade organization developed a series of cost containment and public policy principles and related proposals in the plan. The initiative is part of an 18-month effort by the organization to present a roadmap for payers and other industry stakeholders that offers solutions designed to help make health care more affordable.

One principle in the plan suggests that patients and their physicians must have the information and tools they need to evaluate treatment options and make health care decisions on the basis of safety, quality and cost. To meet this principle, AHIP proposes providers, patients and health care purchasers be given access to a trusted source where they can find up-to-date and objective information on which health care services are most effective and provide the best value.

Another principle maintains that patients and physicians want an efficient, interconnected health care delivery system that reduces medical errors. As a result, AHIP encourages widespread adoption of electronic health records systems, personal health records, online visits and electronic prescribing.

AHIP also suggests that health insurance plans transition to a system that more closely aligns payments with the quality of care patients receive. To meet this principle, AHIP proposes a broader adoption of pay-for-performance programs--many of which require electronic data submission--as well as giving consumers more actionable information about health care value.

Additionally, the organization says the United States must move toward a system of care that focuses on keeping people healthy through chronic care management and disease management, which often are facilitated through I.T.

For more information, go to ahip.org.

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