CONTACT:
- Peggy Frank Lyle
- VP, MCOL Public Relations
- 954.385.2128 (v) pflyle@mcol.mcareol.com (e)
Defined
Care Web Site Launched to Provide Public With Greater Understanding Of Evolving
Trend
According to Clive Riddle, MCOL President and author of the article, “We have seen the future, and its name is ‘Defined Care.’ Just as the term ‘managed care’ was coined two decades ago as an umbrella description for HMOs, PPOs and other related entities, Defined Care describes rapidly evolving scenarios in which health, dental, vision and related benefits are purchased and care delivered in the 21st century --- an environment in which employers and other traditional purchasers of care provide an allowance, called Defined Contributions, that empowered consumers use to purchase and select their benefit options.”
In commenting on the article, Riddle notes that the new term is needed because “Defined Care is about much more than just Defined Contributions. All aspects of the system will change, for consumers, providers, employers and plans. With Defined Care, the boundaries of care are defined as opposed to managed. With defined boundaries comes responsibility. With consumers more responsible for their own care, consumers then become part of the management as opposed to the managed. With Defined Care, expectations can be defined. Under managed care, expectations have to be managed. With the consumer more empowered, informed and enabled, roles and requirements change accordingly.”
Riddle’s
ten-page article cites an example of how Defined Care works, provides a detailed
definition of Defined Care, and explains why:
Defined Care does not replace managed care;
Defined Care will take time to emerge as the pre-dominant system
Defined Care is not a policy or a reform proposal
Information tools for the consumer are essential
As with any system, Defined Care has its drawbacks.
Defined contributions for health and other benefits are not a brand new concept
Defined Care is an opportunity for a fresh start
In response to the article, Henry Loubet, MCOL Board Member and co-founder, Health Plan 2.0, an Internet defined contribution plan, says, “This article accurately captures an emerging trend which has the potential to transform the provision of employee benefits in the U.S. Just as HMOs swept the country in the mid-80s and beyond, defined care will similarly change the provision of health benefits. Utilizing the power of the Internet, it will empower consumers to directly manage their benefits and place the responsibility much more in their hands.”
Peter Boland, PhD, President, Boland Healthcare, Inc., and
noted author comments, “The market is ripe for Defined Care.
It's a natural next step for employers who want to decrease their
day-to-day involvement in healthcare and give more responsibility and purchasing
power directly to employees. And it goes hand-in-hand with managed care because
most employees will choose a PPO or HMO for their coverage. Defined care will
likely become a mainstay of the benefits landscape during the next few years.”
MCOL is a five-year-old healthcare Internet Company delivering business-to-business managed care resources. MCOL has become the recognized Internet leader in the delivery of knowledge resources to professionals involved in managed care. MCOL business lines include: Membership -based services through Managed Care On-LineÔ and Global Health Resources.com; e-Commerce through the Managed Care Store; and Business e-Solutions. MCOL is based in Modesto, California with additional offices in Portland, Oregon. For more information, please visit www.mcol.com/about.htm
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