Can Medical Second Opinions Really Benefit Insurers, Employers, and TPAs?
Transforming healthcare economics and patient care
Imagine a healthcare service that enhances patient care while reducing costs. By ensuring accurate diagnoses and avoiding unnecessary treatments, medical second opinions help to control healthcare expenses while improving care quality and patient satisfaction. This strategic approach aligns with the financial goals and enhances healthcare outcomes. Intrigued about how this can work for you? Keep reading!
Is misdiagnosis such a serious issue?
Absolutely. Each year, misdiagnoses affect around 12 million patients (about twice the population of Arizona) in the United States with profound health repercussions. Research from Johns Hopkins and the Harvard Medical Institutions illustrates the gravity of diagnostic errors. Their findings reveal that misdiagnoses result in serious harm to about 795,000 patients in the US annually.
Accurate diagnoses are crucial. Kara Connor, MediGuide’s Vice President of Clinical Operations emphasizes the importance of ensuring a precise diagnosis before treatment starts.
“Ensuring a precise diagnosis before treatment starts is essential. Without it, the path to recovery becomes uncertain, leading to prolonged and ineffective treatments that increase emotional, physical, and financial strain, escalating medical risks and costs.”
A comprehensive review from an expert second opinion can determine if a procedure is necessary or if there is a more appropriate alternative. This avoids unnecessary medical interventions, which saves money and enhances health outcomes.
How to justify a second opinion benefit?
Integrating this service aligns with key objectives for insurers, employers, and TPAs: cost containment and reducing the risks associated with medical errors. More than a precaution, second opinions increase patient confidence in their health journeys. By verifying diagnoses and optimizing treatment plans, these services encourage patient adherence to treatment regimens. This leads to more proactive and effective health management and substantial savings in healthcare spending.
Why consider MediGuide’s medical second opinion offering?
Our international network connects patients with leading medical experts worldwide. We deliver access to the best care, regardless of where patients are located.
Our approach involves a team of top-tier specialists rather than a single doctor. Each case is carefully reviewed based on the latest clinical research, providing a multi-disciplinary perspective that considers all aspects of a patient’s condition. Likewise, our process complements the expertise of the diagnosing physician, as opposed to undermining it.
‘This comprehensive approach is vital. We promote cooperation, benefiting the entire healthcare system. It also elevates the reputation of our clients as caring companies, building trust and loyalty among their members and employees.’
How MediGuide ensures a personalized and seamless end-to-end process?
Starting the second opinion process is as simple as making a call. We guide and support patients through every step of their healthcare journey. Our highly qualified case managers tailor the experience, with patients maintaining complete control of their healthcare decisions. From selecting where to have their cases reviewed, and collecting medical records, to facilitating treatment, we manage everything with the utmost care. Local partners provide culturally-sensitive and language support ensuring comfort and clarity throughout the process.
What results can you expect from MediGuide’s second opinion service?
Our service is trusted by our client partners and patients because we consistently deliver impactful results. We have a fast turnaround of just 7.9 days, which is crucial for timely healthcare decisions without compromising on the quality of the medical review. In as many as 79.6% of cases we see a change in diagnosis, treatment plan, or surgery avoided. Likewise, patient satisfaction is consistently high, with an NPS of 98.8%.
Integrating medical second opinions into benefit packages transforms healthcare outcomes. This strategy increases financial efficiency by significantly reducing misdiagnoses, incorrect treatments, and unnecessary surgeries, leading to considerable long-term savings. By choosing MediGuide, you are embracing a partnership that prioritizes both patient care and cost efficiency, helping not just to control costs but to predict them.
To find out more about our second opinion offering and extended services or to schedule a meeting to discuss how we can help you to improve patient care and save costs, get in touch with us today at www.mediguide.com.