Healthcare is an evolving field built on new understanding gained from new information provided by consumers, healthcare providers, analysts, and scientists. Our understanding of “wellness” as a concept has changed dramatically over the past decade and has come to encompass much more than it once did. As a society, we have traditionally thought of “health” as one-dimensional and synonymous with measurable physical health. More recently, we have come to recognize that health is complex and multifaceted, and we have come to recognize the human condition as a deeply layered and multidimensional aspect.
Wellness is a complex component of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health, all of which are intertwined. It is no longer enough for healthcare providers to focus strictly on physical health. Healthcare providers must build on complementary and integrative techniques that are more comprehensive and holistic in nature and can address these other factors.
just a few precautions
Additionally, as we understand more about the causal relationships between various diseases and the chronic nature of the conditions that contribute to them, there is a growing appreciation for proactive, preventive care. Even if your shoulder hurts today, it could develop tendonitis tomorrow and a torn rotator cuff a week later. We have found that by getting to the root cause as soon as symptoms appear, or ideally before they occur, we can prevent more severe symptoms from developing.
Therefore, proactively seeking care can improve your overall health. This makes practical sense not only from a personal perspective but also from a healthcare provider perspective. Healthcare providers recognize that more advanced and terminal stages of the disease are more difficult and more expensive to treat. By seeking preventive care, you may be able to make lifestyle adjustments such as quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, and eating a healthier diet to prevent future cardiovascular disease. Early diagnosis of cancer leads to simpler, more effective and lower-cost treatments, and cancer screening saves lives and money. In fact, the study found that cancer screening has saved the United States up to $6.5 trillion over the past 25 years.
Financial barriers to aggressive care
However, recognizing the value of preventive care and practicing it are not the same. Despite known benefits and a more holistic, modern view of health care, a 2022 KFF report found that 43% of households are delaying seeking some level of medical care because of cost. , and this is one of the most impactful obstacles to health. Most people realize that by postponing treatment, they are not deferring the same cost to another day, but rather increasing future costs in the form of more complex treatment later on. not. Increasing complexity can lead to higher financial costs as well as higher costs in the form of lost time during recovery. Therefore, delaying care for financial reasons only further complicates the problem and causes further problems that hinder health goals.
As a wellness knowledge base, healthcare providers have a professional responsibility to effectively address these barriers to ensure patients (consumers) receive the care they need.
Role of the healthcare provider
Given their role as trusted advisors as wellness facilitators, healthcare providers should have important questions about what payment options exist, including financial assistance (if applicable), health insurance, and third-party agencies. Providing education may help patients receive the care they desire. Financing and internal payment plans. Providing these services in combination or individually can help you manage costs and help patients better seek and receive the care they need. According to the KFF report, up to 90% of adults have insurance, but there are several wellness services that are often not covered by health insurance, including spa facilities, mental health services, acupuncture, and cosmetics. If you are unable to receive these services due to cost or are faced with the option of finding alternative payment methods, there are a variety of third-party financing options and plans available to meet the needs of eligible consumers. I am. Through these payment services, certain wellness options become more accessible.
comprehensive outlook
Health care integrity depends on recognizing the importance of prompt and aggressive treatment, which ultimately leads to better health outcomes and, in the long run, better economic outcomes. It may even promote positive outcomes. If we want to promote optimal health for all, we must do everything we can to ensure that cost does not get in the way of accessing services when they are needed.
At the end of the day, overall health is not a luxury, but a necessity. Healthcare providers are at the interface between consumers and these services and can inform patients of their financing options. By raising awareness and expanding funding possibilities, we can work together to help people achieve better self-care across the spectrum of physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health and, ultimately, overall health. can lead you to.
Photo: Nuthawut Somsuk, Getty Images
Erin Gadhavi is Senior Vice President and Director of Wellness at Synchrony, one of the nation’s leading consumer financial services companies. Erin is responsible for leading Synchrony’s Wellness division, which includes key initiatives including co-branding, new product integration, global sales of retail, pharmacy, wellness, dual card, and expansion of distribution channels for new markets such as behavioral health. We are focusing on growth areas. Erin joined Synchrony in 2013 and since then she has played a variety of roles. She led the platform’s strategy and initiatives, first in the consumer banking team and then in the strategy team for health and wellness.
