Change creates confusion. Tossing yesterday’s playbook leaves us with nothing.
In times of confusion, we’d rather sit on the sidelines rather than dare play out there.
It’s easier to consume than to create. Until we relocate our center of gravity.
The more changeless our core, the easier it is to confront change.
Continuity of care is fundamental to high-quality care.
In its absence, fragmented care results in more ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths. Especially among those who are already at a greater risk.
Continuity, like unity and generosity, is a human invention.
It doesn’t just happen; you have to make it happen despite what may happen: renegotiations, practice closures, provider turnovers, changes in insurance, new models of ambulatory care (retail clinics, commercial e-visit websites, smartphone apps, freestanding urgent care centers), and the inability of a provider to administer certain drugs.
The only way to engage with someone is to begin where they are, to see what they see, to gain enrollment in a conversation that leads to forward motion.
“You can’t be angry and curious at the same time.” -Cat Hoke
Strong leaders have a powerful vision for the future.
MLK Jr. didn’t wish for it…he dreamt about it.
“I slept and dreamed that life was a beauty. I awoke and found that life was a duty.” -Ellen Cooper
What is your dream for American health care?
We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. -Jim Rohn
Provider: “Inflation is making it hard for us to pay our employees and keep the lights on. We need higher reimbursement for theses CPT codes. We’ll terminate the contract if we don’t hear back or cannot come to an agreement.”
Payer: “Due to inflation we are not able to entertain any rate increases at this time. Our CEO needs to continue his $25 mil base salary and if we give you an increase, he won’t meet his bonus goals.”
Provider: “No worries. Please notify your patients ASAP that they should find another provider. Their services aren’t covered here anymore.”
When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. –African proverb
A low churn rate means you can continue business as usual, but a high one means time to shake things up. Why do your patients discontinue your drug? Is it really because of safety/efficacy issues? Or could it be due to discontinuity of care?
Payers and providers can renegotiate their contracts mid-year, resulting in network changes. They’re not proud of it, but they do it due to financial pressure. What they don’t realize is that such simplistic across-the-board cuts only achieve marginal savings that often result in higher total systems costs and poorer outcomes.
What if one of your patient is left to find another provider in the middle of his treatment? The No Surprises Act helps with this…kind of.
The doctor-patient relationship cannot be overstated. It is the main factor that influences adherence.
What’s your churn rate?
Did you know that a patient’s in-network provider could change at any time before the end of the policy’s term?
Did you know that even if a procedure is listed as covered under a plan, all tests and ancillary services normally associated with the procedure might not be covered?
Formulary placement is just one access hurdle. If your drug is covered but is facing one of these access barriers, you just bought a car without wheels.
Imagine the company you’re working as a person. How is he expected to show up in the world?
Even though he can’t vote, marry, or take custody of a child, your company is a legal personhood who owns property, enters into contracts, lends/borrows money, sues/gets sued, and pays taxes.
Think about an insurance company. He will raise his medical loss ratio…if he’s asked to. He will provide coverage for all drugs in a category…if he’s asked to.
A good servant does it because he’s asked to. A great servant does it because he gets to.
Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission. -Zig Ziglar
By the way…us employees are serving a servant. Imagine that!
“The most important thing is to be where your feet are.” -Jalen Hurts
Our work IS our worship.
