Healthcare Fragmentation

819 Words2 Pages

The Destruction of Healthcare Fragmentation in the United States The United States healthcare system has the potential to learn a vast number of things from the systems present in other developed countries. The largest attribute that the country can learn is how detrimental fragmentation can be for the overall healthcare system. The United States performs the worst in overall health-system performance out of eleven developed countries studied.1 The common denominator between all these countries is that their healthcare systems are comprised of a single unified model for every citizen. This is opposed to the four models present in the United States: the Beveridge model in Veterans’ Affairs, the Bismarck Model in employment-based insurance, the …show more content…

A single model can ultimately lead the way to universal healthcare, thus leading to a plethora of opportunities for citizens and is exemplified by the leading nation in equity, United Kingdom.3 Much of the limited access to healthcare services in the United States is due to costs; an issue the United Kingdom does well in combating. In the United States, 37% of individuals claimed that issues dealing with cost has prevented them from getting the proper care they need as opposed to the United Kingdom with 4% of citizens claiming this.4 With a standard universal insurance for all citizens, it provides an even playing field for all who may require services. The Beveridge Model present in the United Kingdom has no copays and no premiums and relies on one set of rules and prices for care.5 This allows citizens of all incomes to get the treatment they require. As opposed to the system currently in place in the United States in which there are hundreds of insurance plans, each with a unique set of benefits and premiums.5 No participant, the patient nor the provider, is aware of the true price of the treatment. The method of the United Kingdom to promote equity in access can be a powerful tool that the United States may implement in order to improve the health of the population, as well as, the quality of the system as a …show more content…

Hospitals in the United States tend to overcharge their patients for the same procedures when compared to other countries. For example, the same appendectomy that costs $75,345 in the United States amounts to almost double the cost in the second highest country, Australia, at $42,130.6 This United States healthcare system can benefit from learning from the one Japan has in place. Japan has a rate of total healthcare spending of $3,713 per capita in contrast to the rate of $9,086 that the United States spends in 2013.6 The Japanese healthcare system does well in containing the cost of their services. They are able to achieve this by having a single fee schedule for every doctor, hospital, and provider that is determined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.5 No matter where or from whom you receive care in the Japan, the price will be consistent. The country follows the Bismarck Model, so there are various private insurance plans and a multi-payer system with competition; however, the government regulation allows it to function like a single-payer system.5 For improvement in the United States, the country does not have to necessarily adopt a single payer system, it just has to act this way. As a result, multiple private insurance companies can allow for citizens to have freedom of choice when it comes to insurance providers, but a regulatory agency should be in place to

Open Document