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Most people today agree that the best way to remain healthy is to embrace a lifestyle that incorporates regular exercise and a balanced diet. But even though you’re doing this correctly, you’ll want some form of insurance for that which can’t be predicted like injuries, illnesses and other unexpected health-related issues. In such cases, health insurance solutions can help you. However, getting the right type of coverage is easier said than done.
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If you don’t qualify for federal government assisted healthcare insurance, and you don’t have any healthcare benefits from your employer, you can expect to spend anywhere in between $300 and $3000 a month depending on the type of health insurance you choose and its parameters. Whichever way, the good news is that the health insurance market has come a long way, from limited options to the now burgeoning trends that are reshaping the entire industry.
In this guide, we’re going to discuss the top trends shaping the healthcare industry today.
Big Data Set to Become an Intrinsic Part of Health Insurance
The healthcare insurance industry is continuously collecting data. From personal details to medical facility visits and patient recovery and medication data, all of these are reflections of big data as applied to the medical industry. But it’s not the amount of data collected by insurance companies that matters. It’s what they do with that data that matters. As health insurance companies embrace the potential of big data, this move is set to revolutionize the industry.
Big data can be thoroughly analyzed for deeper insights that lead to better decisions and strategic business moves, and is set to be an intrinsic part of the health insurance market now and in the future. As it quickly becomes a trend across major industries, the health insurance industry must leverage big data to ensure that companies see the larger picture based on what they provide and how they provide it. This definitely leads to prosperity for better services.
Healthcare Personalization to Expand Drastically
With so much data across the healthcare and insurance markets, you can expect healthcare personalization to expand dramatically, especially among millennials. Patients will be able to choose the doctors they wish to work with, and doctors who also prefer not working with certain patients will be able to avoid them. As big data revolutionizes the medical industry, healthcare personalization is set to streamline how patients get health insurance services.
Data that’s focused on patient preferences and healthcare personalization is expected to dominate the health insurance market. It’s wise for individuals to work with insurance companies that understand such trends, and are working to provide the best insurance coverage options that best suit them. While industry trends and demands in the market may not necessarily reflect the best health practices, there’s no doubt that healthcare personalization is expanding.
Smart Technology and Wearable Devices in Healthcare
As technology in the healthcare market advances, smart technology is being used to build relationships between insurance customers and insurers, with the goal of eliminating as many potential issues as possible while offering services to customers and cutting costs for insurers. Technology in the health insurance industry in mainly focused on solutions to keep consumers fit and healthy. For instance, wearables that help set activity goals.
Convincing insurance customers to embrace smart technology and wearables is a trend that is expected to be the next frontier in healthcare, as it benefits everyone. With wearables recommended by insurers, customers can end up paying lower premiums and maintain a safer lifestyle, while insurers can end up paying out substantially less in claims. Tech innovations like insert molding process for the medical industry are also playing a bigger role in improving medical devices, according to a leading provider of medical device assembly services.
Augmented Reality in Telemedicine and Training
Telemedicine and other similar technological advances in the healthcare and insurance market are increasingly predicting the need for physicians and insurers to embrace augmented reality. AR or Augmented Reality, has lots of potential. With the maturation of this technology, physicians will be able to perform complex operations even at a distance. With real-time access to medical data in front of real-world situations, medical experts are able to make quicker and more appropriate decisions about their patients.
There is no doubt that available, secure data that is properly leveraged through the right service providers like insurers will help define a variety of healthcare options and health insurance solutions, going forward. Despite the challenges that the health insurance market faces, implementing tech innovations like augmented reality, artificial intelligence and virtual reality will play a huge role in improving telemedicine and medical training, which will also impact how insurers look at healthcare providers and insurance coverage options.
Considerable Changes in Medicare
Despite the great efforts to try and harmonize Medicare, a number of considerable changes are expected as the health insurance market adapts to federal changes. While Medicare has come a long way to become a more streamlined insurance option for the masses, the government assisted medical insurance solution, has never been the simplest of provisions. There’s still a lot to be done to streamline it, and this means considerable changes in the programs provided.
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There are four main Medicare parts – Medicare Part A, B, C and D, and how each of them affects you, differs in one way or another, according to Health Markets. Each option provides its own type of coverage, and depending on what option you choose, the enrollment options will also be different. Of course, it’s best to choose a Medicare enrollment option that matches your particular situation. With considerable changes expected, it’s wise to consult with your doctor so you can choose wisely.
Trends in the health insurance market are set to trickle down to Medicare and other government solutions eventually, and this is set to begin with the changes expected in the future. For instance, wearable data-collection technology would be something that the government would be interested in, so don’t be surprised when such tech innovations start defining Medicare. The application of new technology solutions is one of the trends expected to shape the market.
The Bottomline
When you look at these trends, you’ll realize that no matter what kind of technology or change is involved in your health insurance solution, you as the consumer will still decide what type of health insurance coverage you want and from what insurer. While these and other trends are expected to have an impact on the overall insurance market as a whole, what matters most is being able to find the most effective healthcare solution for your situation.
For instance, if you’re healthy and young, with no known hereditary conditions, you may opt to go with a limited health care plan. For those with known medical conditions, going for more innovative solutions like wearables can help you stay aware of your condition and ensure you get access and connectivity to necessary health coverage. By staying on top of trends shaping the health insurance industry, you can get to choose the best coverage options for your needs.