S+B: Do health plans need to collaborate on uniformity or standardization?
CORDANI: Absolutely. The quicker the industry is able to move to a consistent definition of clinical quality for services, the better off everyone is going to be. But the financing of health care is still complex. There’s a lot of cost, tension, and time related to paying for a health-care event, and there’s a lot of opportunity for improvement. Doctors and other health-care providers need help reducing the time it takes them to get paid and the administrative costs for managing their revenue, and controlling their bad debt. Addressing these issues will make the system easier and more seamless. Instead of forcing providers or consumers to review complex EOB forms, there could be a monthly statement that resembles a financing-vehicle statement, which is easier to understand. The consumer would know where his or her money is going and get a more rapid settlement.
David Knott (knott_david@bah.com) is a senior vice president with Booz Allen Hamilton based in New York City. He works with health services clients on corporate and business unit strategies and transformation programs.
