GiftCard Partners Blog

The rate of people with chronic health conditions is growing and, unfortunately, people often have more than one condition. Half of adult Americans have at least one chronic condition, and more than two thirds of Medicare patients have two or more, according to a 2019 Premier analysis of emergency rooms across the country.

Healthcare providers face perennial challenges that put them in the middle between patients who need the best care possible and insurance programs, who ensure providers are getting compensated fairly for that care. Layered on top of those challenges are the realities that doctors and hospitals care practices are measured, in some part, by their ability to help patients stay healthy.

Every new year brings renewed motivation to live healthier, but motivation alone rarely lasts. Research shows that while nearly 48% of adults set wellness goals in January, only around 20% stay on track by mid-year. For many, it’s not the lack of good intentions but the absence of tangible support and encouragement that makes the difference.

Health information technology (HIT) has the potential to change patient care in the future, but reality needs to catch up with the aspiration.

Do you use your health plan as a trusted advisor to guide your healthy lifestyle initiatives? If you do, you’re not alone. Health plan enrollees, especially those enrolled in public health plans like Medicaid, look for guidance and incentive reinforcement on how to live a healthy lifestyle. This interaction is crucial as it not only encourages healthy behavior but also helps reduce overall plan costs.