Consumer Driven Health Care: The Changing Role of the Patient

May 2005 Consumer-Driven Health Care: The Changing Role of the Patient This study reviews the technological, legislative, and financial changes that may lead patients to assume more responsibility for their medical care. Many employers offer health plans with high deductibles and free or low-cost preventive care which encourages plan members to manage their health care utilization. Based on this research, the author states that if obstacles to consumer-driven health care were removed, health care quality would improve, and rising health care costs would be better contained. The study provides examples of how patients respond to opportunities to . . .