Putting Money Where My Mouth Is: Welcome to Healthcare Trendsparency
Like the brothers Jake and Elwood from the movie the Blues Brothers, I have been on a mission. A mission and unwavering commitment to follow-thru on a promise made to de-confuse healthcare for anyone who had to access the health system and was baffled by a lack of transparency about cost and value. I promised to change healthcare for the better.
Sitting here in my office on this random Monday morning, I am really excited (I believe stoked may even be a better description of my demeanor). Today is the first of many days to come where I get to live out my personal mission – with the publication of the first quarterly Healthcare Transparency Index and the launch of this blog to support it.
After losing my parents to cancer in 2006, I was obviously overwhelmed with grief. Adding insult to injury was the confusing mess of medical bills and unanswered questions about their care that was left behind. During one of the worst and darkest times of my life, where the last thing I wanted to think about was money, I gained an amazing clarity about an issue that’s plaguing healthcare today – and one that I naively believe we can (nay, must!) fix.
No one argues that our current healthcare system is a mess – we’re all easily on board with that. But the number of theories about its core problems and how to fix them are astronomical. I bet you’re following 17 other blogs that say we need to focus on technology, quality or processes – all of which have their place. But, with that said, here are a few promises to our readers about this blog’s mission and why this one is different.
- We will show you the money – Does anyone even know what healthcare really costs? Because of the way the our healthcare system is inherently set up, we’ve all been shopping without price tags, the wool has been pulled over our eyes, another day another dollar – whatever cliché description you want to use to describe it. This blog is going to expose what the government, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and insurance companies don’t seem want anyone to know – the true costs of procedures, routine care and prescriptions.
- We will back patients and employers – For the most part, employers and the employees they are trying to insure have been the biggest victims of the mess that healthcare has become. Because of the rising cost of healthcare, employers can’t afford to cover employees the way they used to, and employees are now forced, for the first time, to become really “involved” with their healthcare and make decisions about care that they never had to before. This blog is intended to guide employers and their employees on how to become smart consumers of healthcare.
- We will advocate discussion, welcome debate and receive challengers – We know not everyone will agree with our opinions and perspective – even if they’re backed by three years and $220 million of medical claims data. Even if the most recent research points to a rising number of companies insuring their employees through a consumer directed health plan, we’re used to the arguments against it. So we’re asking you to please read, weigh in, ask questions and consider.
I hope that after you check out a few posts, you’ll be as excited as I am.
Tags: change:healthcare, HCTI, healthcare, healthcare costs, transparency
This entry was posted on Monday, November 22nd, 2010 at 2:36 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
November 22nd, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Hi there this post is nice and interesting. I’ll use it for my essay
. Can you say to me some related articles that I can read too?
November 23rd, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Hmmm this post is very good. Can you tell me any related articles?
November 24th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
If you are open to having a guest blog poster please reply and let me know. I will provide you with unique content for your blog, thanks.
November 25th, 2010 at 9:57 am
this post is very usefull thx!
November 26th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Thanks for that awesome posting. It saved MUCH time
November 30th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Thanks for some quality points there. I am kind of new to online , so I printed this off to put in my file, any better way to go about keeping track of it then printing?
December 5th, 2010 at 4:47 am
Superb blog post, I have book marked this internet site so ideally I’ll see much more on this subject in the foreseeable future!
December 6th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
great post! my two favorite things are reading blogs and music
December 8th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
We have some relevant articles posted on our company website
http://www.changehealthcare.com/media/industryarticles.html
Hope this helps!
December 13th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Howdy,This really is my personal very first time that I found aimed at your web as well as candidly, your website are great site using revolve around a number of facts i have not understand ahead of this. I am going to subscribe in addition to bookmark an individual blogbecause after this, it more convenient for us in the future all over again and look completely new posts that you just release. Lastly, exactly what do We explained is usually you need to go on writing on the web page simply because I realize this website possess a good and good upcoming.,Keep it up!! Good work.,Appreciate it.
December 17th, 2010 at 12:18 am
I am really Glad i discovered this site.Added http://www.trendsparency.net to my bookmark!
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:39 pm
thanks, very well written post, found it through a random bing search and i shared it on my facebook
Sent via AT&T Blackberry
December 28th, 2010 at 11:34 am
I love your site. It has been a real help for me as I deal with this subject. Thanks a lot.
December 29th, 2010 at 8:06 am
This is so great that I had to comment. I’m usually just a lurker, taking in knowledge and nodding my head in quiet approval at the good stuff…..this required written props. Theory rocks…thanks.
January 9th, 2011 at 10:11 am
some genuinely grand work on behalf of the owner of this website , absolutely great content material .
January 10th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
There is a great quota of perception on this blog. I like your hand. I’ve added you to my Google Reader RSS subscriptions and leave interrupt support often.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:47 am
Super-Duper website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also
January 15th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Great stuff, was a helpful info – thx!
January 16th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
Very good information keep up your good work!
January 18th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Thanks for this interesting post. I will be sure to get the word out about this site
Excellent post. Can’t wait to see the next article.
January 19th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Thanks for the info – nice post.
January 20th, 2011 at 8:50 am
Adding to my bookmarks regards, certainly consider a follow up article.
January 26th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
January 27th, 2011 at 9:52 am
Only want to say your article is outstanding. The clarity in your post is merely impressive and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your rss feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the good work.
January 28th, 2011 at 8:44 am
hopefully this comment doesn’t appear multiple times (it seems to freeze once i try to post my comment.. not certain if it’s actually posting), but all I truly wanted to say was great post and thanks for sharing.
February 4th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
I honestly did not consider this problem that way. I feel that there is a point in this. Happy to be capable to participate. Wish you good luck.
February 5th, 2011 at 2:15 am
Thanks for the inteligent post regarding this issue – a lot of the things you have mentioned I was never aware of before.
February 5th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
Great post. I really appereciate your work done in developing this blog.
February 6th, 2011 at 5:11 am
This posting was very nicely composed, and it also includes quite a few helpful truth. WE liked your expert manner of writing this post. Bless you, you have made it a piece of cake for me to understand.
February 8th, 2011 at 4:43 am
his may be the ideal weblog for anybody who wants to learn about this matter. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want…HaHa). You absolutely put a new spin on the matter thats been created about for years. Fantastic stuff, just fantastic!
February 10th, 2011 at 1:58 am
I used to be more than happy to search out this net-site.I needed to thanks on your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely having fun with each little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.
February 11th, 2011 at 2:02 am
This is awesome, you do a good job. Thanks.
February 12th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Hiya! I just want to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice information you’ve right here on this post. I will probably be coming back to your weblog for more soon.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
I will right away grab your rss as I can not find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
February 19th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
thanks, and maintain up the good work
February 20th, 2011 at 4:06 am
This will be an exceedingly enceinte imagination that you are rendering and you pass on it away for free. I savor seeing websites that start to see the value of furnishing a prime resource for free. I truly enjoyed reading your Wiley Post. Thanks!
February 23rd, 2011 at 9:01 pm
I’ve bookmarked, Dugg, and I joined the RSS subscription. Thanks! .
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:21 am
Mate nice blog, but there is a problem with it in chrome
March 3rd, 2011 at 10:13 am
wonderful posting,,vrey instructional
March 4th, 2011 at 8:07 am
Thanks for finding the time and keep this web site kept up to date, I operate a site personally and it is hard work to locate enough time to keep it running!
March 5th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
I feel like you could probably teach a class on how to make a great blog. This is fantastic! I have to say, what really got me was your design. You certainly know how to make your blog more than just a rant about an issue. Youve made it possible for people to connect. Good for you, because not that many people know what theyre doing.
March 10th, 2011 at 6:23 am
Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
March 13th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Thanks for the great suggestions in this blogpost! I’m happy to see that I’m doing some things right. I hadn’t thought about putting an interactive question in a post.
March 14th, 2011 at 2:48 am
The thing i like about your blog is that you always post direct to the point info.,,,:;
March 14th, 2011 at 9:50 am
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
March 17th, 2011 at 11:14 am
This is exactly what I was looking for, in order to prove a debate. Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate it (just won £50) Whoop
March 17th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Thanks for the comment and yes, I’m have done some guest blogs. I also co-authored a book in 2008 (that is in the process of being updated) “My Healthcare is Killing Me: a Survival Guide for the American Healthcare Consumer“
March 22nd, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Great blog post and nice discussion among the comments.’“.-
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:15 pm
hello admin, I found your blog from yahoo and read a few of your other posts.They are awesome. Please keep it up!!
March 28th, 2011 at 4:20 am
You certainly deserve a round of applause for your post and more specifically, your blog in general. Very high quality material
May 23rd, 2011 at 5:23 am
Hola! I’ve been following your site for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic job!