Dive Brief:
- A new study by Valence Health has found that nearly one-third of Americans are likely or somewhat likely to buy health insurance through their local hospital or health system, with 39 percent saying they felt that getting healthcare through a health system would mean better coordinated care.
- Seventeen percent of respondents thought hospital-sponsored plans would be somewhat less expensive than standard insurance plans, while 18 percent thought such plans would be somewhat more expensive.
- Nineteen percent though hospital-sponsored plans would offer higher quality care, while 15 percent expected to get somewhat lower quality of care.
Dive Insight:
These survey results come at an interesting time, With some hospitals currently considering buying health insurance for patients through the health exchanges, it's clear that they consider the insurance model a way of cushioning the blow they suffer when caring for the indigent. Perhaps this is a good time to consider skipping that step entirely and launching their own health plan; after all, it would give them more control than any other model. The idea is worth a look.