What will healthcare look like in 2020?

My first blog! This is exciting.

As a healthcare consultant for the last 5 years and someone who's heard healthcare become a pressing issue, I realize that we are in a pivotal moment in time. This is the time when healthcare moves into the next generation. People are demanding change: the government, consumers (members and employers), and health plans. The agenda is sizzling and the topics include:

• Universal coverage
• Lower premiums and deductibles for the insured
• A possible shift toward individual or employer mandated insurance
• Tax credits or subsidies to supplement health insurance costs
• Increased consumerism or cost transparency through the use of HSAs & HRAs and high deductibles
• Reforming the U.S. system to look like Canada, England or Cuba

These are all pressing topics and frankly no one has the right answer to fix our problems. I don't intend to discuss these potential solutions in this blog, but I would like to know is:

WHAT PROBLEMS DO YOU HAVE WITH YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE?

I have consulted with major health plans throughout California and I can tell you there is a major initiative to modernize the way you look at, perceive and receive health insurance. In an era of computers and technology, health insurance and healthcare is playing a catch up game. Health insurers are making a valiant effort, although it may seem slow, to give you more information on a more timely basis and in a more simplified format.

However, there are still holes in the system needing patches. For example, I can go on the internet and find hundreds of reviews for a local restaurant, where I may spend $20 for a meal. This site may even give me $$$ scales to reflect cost or *** ratings to indicate quality. Yet, finding a review for a primary care physician or a pediatrician is almost impossible to find on the internet. A doctor visit is much more personal and expensive than dining at a restaurant. I should be able to find pertinent and resourceful information at the click of a mouse. Why is finding a good doctor only through word of mouth? This is one pet peeve I have about healthcare. What are yours? What do you expect your health insurance company to offer in the year 2020?