More than 80% of payers are integrating social determinants of health into their member programs, and nearly all payers no longer believe that high-deductible health plans drive positive consumer behaviors. These are just two of several insights revealed in the 8th annual Industry Pulse survey, a new national research survey released Feb. 12 and commissioned by Change Healthcare and the HealthCare Executive Group (HCEG).
The research draws from more than 2,000 healthcare leaders, 52% VP and above, including Change Healthcare customers, HCEG members, and Health Plan Alliance members. The researchers targeted the leaders of these organizations, 27% of whom are at the president or C-suite level. The survey is designed to annually provide healthcare stakeholders with timely insight on opportunities, challenges, and trends in the healthcare market.
Among the findings: “Social Determinants of Health” has transcended buzzword status with more than 80% of respondents already taking steps to promote value-based healthcare by addressing the social needs of their members. Meanwhile, only 3.4% of respondents identified high-deductible health plans as the best approach for converting passive patients into active healthcare consumers. In fact, they seem to be having the opposite effect—spurring more care avoidance than shopping. However, respondents are having success with other approaches that are detailed in the report.
The survey also revealed that mobile/digital health adoption is not just about functionality and interoperability, but more about trust, with nearly 50% of respondents indicating that digital health tools are not more widely embraced due to security and privacy concerns. And while technologies such as blockchain are gaining rapid momentum in healthcare and industry attention is turning to artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, and other advanced technologies, 63% of respondents pointed to clinical data integration as a leading factor supporting administrative cost efficiencies.
In addition to providing perspective on population health and consumer engagement trends, the survey offers a wealth of insight on topics ranging from clinical and data analytics to risk sharing and value-based care.
The Industry Pulse survey focuses on payer organizations, but includes the perspectives of other industry stakeholders such as provider organizations and vendors. The survey is developed in partnership with the HealthCare Executive Group and is based on the HCEG Top 10 list compiled by HCEG members during their Annual Forum.
