Specialists dominate the U.S. health care system. Nearly nine in 10 physicians are specialists. They perform most health care encounters, are responsible for the bulk of Medicare and commercial spending, and account for a continually increasing share of outpatient visits and total expenditures. To improve U.S. health care, specialty care must get better. Specialists can achieve this by unbundling and optimizing the various services they provide.
4 Ways to Improve Specialty Health Care in the U.S.
The current practice of “bundling” care makes it less accessible, affordable, effective, and pleasant.
June 14, 2022
Miquel Llonch/Stocksy
Summary.
The current structure of specialty care in the United States makes it less accessible, increases costs, tarnishes patients’ experiences, reduces effectiveness, and strains specialists and staff. The remedy: unbundling and optimizing the various services that specialists provide. There are four ways this could be accomplished.