Incentivize People to be Healthy

[James_OConnor]

Medical Insurance is designed to obfuscate the true cost of visiting a doctor. Most people visit a doctor and are charged a co-pay. The co-pay is typically a fraction of the total cost the insurance company pays the doctor leaving the patient largely in the dark. My plan is to have the patient pick up the full cost of the doctor visit and, based on the patient health metrics and status, the insurance company reimburses the patient. This is where the incentives come into play. If the patient is healthy, not obese, non-smoker, normal blood pressure, and exercises regularly the patient is reimbursed 95% of the cost of the visit. If the patient is obese and a smoker, the patient get reimbursed 30% of the cost but if they improve their health metrics within 18 month period the reimbursement would be increased. These are just simple exampes of course. I think a model like this provides transparency to patients on the real costs of visiting the doctor. That 15 min visit for a cold cost $350 might make you reconsider going at all. As for the incentive model, I truly believe that the only way to get some people to focus on their health is to impact the cost they pay. If someone decides they want to smoke or generally does not take of themselves health wise should pay more than other who eat right and exercise. Given the obesity epidemic in the country, the rising costs of health care (sick care) it should be our Patriotic Duty to get healthy to lower the burden on Medicare. LFG!