A different model....
Kaiser Permanente is a different model in the US. Except for drugs it is a closed system: insurance, hospitals, doctors, labs, pharmacies (who have to purchase drugs externally) all part of one system.
This 'solves' a number of problems of the open-market system, specifically the pay-for-procedure incentive for doctors and hospitals to order up things 'just because'. It also provides incentives for 'the system' to foster health among the membership.
Also; the largest non-governmental EHR system in the world; 9+ million members, all health records computerized (most available to you online).
kp.org
Signed: A guy paid to keep the systems up.
Thrive!
Biting the hand that feeds IT
