Consumerism

Digitally enabled consumer experiences are becoming must-haves rather than nice-to-haves for hospitals and health systems. And while health care leaders recognize that digital acumen is a new business imperative, achieving meaningful progress toward digital transformation remains incredibly…
The direct-to-consumer (DTC) telehealth market is growing rapidly, and hospitals and health systems that are developing their own platforms for these services should brace for stiff competition and rising consumer expectations for a broader array of virtual care options. That became even more…
With CVS Health’s launch of several HealthHUB stores and plans to launch other outlets in Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia, many have been speculating about whether the company’s strategy is now centered on primary care.
As consumerism and population health management continue to take hold in health care, the demand and need for health data transparency and sharing will continue to grow. Patients will want more data and information on their health status from providers. And, they will want it in a usable format,…
In an attempt to lower cost and improve quality, Walmart on Jan. 1 will launch a “featured providers” pilot to incentivize workers to choose higher-quality physicians. Workers who opt for the featured providers program will pay less out of pocket. If successful, the program will expand.
The direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing market is booming after getting off to a slow start more than a decade ago. Millions of consumers are buying test kits and related services outside of health care providers to learn more about their ancestry, genealogy or kinship, risks of developing…
If you needed any more proof that consumers are getting more aggressive in finding ways to lower their health care costs, look no further than the growing presence of Groupon and MDsave in offering coupons and vouchers for health care tests.
As digital health technologies enable changes in how and where care is delivered, hospitals and health systems must evaluate their strategic direction. A new AHA Center for Health Innovation report — “Digital Transformation: Anywhere Care” — offers insights and analysis about the three shifts made…
Last week’s Aspen Ideas: Health festival reflected many of the changing dynamics in health and health care. Notably, a number of sessions across the four days examined how consumerism and technology are shaping the patient experience of care.
If hospitals and health systems are to compete effectively in the battle for consumer loyalty with outside mega disruptors in outpatient care, they must bridge a widening gap between their organizational priorities and capabilities. This extends to all sorts of consumerism initiatives — from…