Consumers

A number of different diets are effective in producing some degree of weight loss; the significant issue is how to maintain weight loss over time.

Individualized clinical treatment guidelines can achieve greater care efficiencies compared to existing guidelines, according to experts.

Although they were introduced just seven years ago, health savings accounts have become pretty familiar to consumers.

Members of health plans under integrated delivery systems are considerably more satisfied, according to a study.

Alain Enthoven believes the best method for healthcare delivery is the managed competition model.

Equity of healthcare brands is on the rise, and smaller health insurers are making strides.

With technology seemingly taking over the healthcare field, managed care organizations are thinking of innovative ways to reach out to consumers.

The goal of Comparative Effectiveness Research appears to be something that everyone can agree on

After a 12-year upward trend, vaccination rates among children enrolled in commercial HMO insurance plans dropped almost four percentage points this year

As healthcare stakeholders try to steer consumers to the most effective care delivery, they first need to overcome longstanding hurdles, including reliable quality measures

Navigating legal issues to create the best possible program sometimes requires a delicate balancing act by plan sponsors

Conventional wisdom says families should set aside an emergency fund for unexpected expenses, however, one consumer group is recommending that health insurers' emergency funds should be rigorously examined.

Exchanges could bring in millions of potential customers. Insurers need to begin formulating marketing plans now.

Some 70% of survey prescription drug users reported concerns about therapeutic substitutions without a physician's consent.

Retirees can expect to shoulder more than half of the cost burden of health benefits-51% to 54%-according to Towers Watson's 2010 Retiree Health Care Cost Survey.

Timely access to treatment for HMO patients in California has been a long time in coming as HMOs, physicians, hospitals, and consumer groups battled it out.

Costs for the most popular types of healthcare coverage are projected to increase at double-digit rates for 2010.

Insurers are no longer shy about letting members comment on care experiences

Clinic openings slowed from 350% growth in 2007 to 30% in 2008

Medication adherence is the common goal of many stakeholders. Pharma is willing to help.

Dig into the minds of members and you'll find that they don't always make logical choices. Behavioral economics can shed light on their thought process

MCOs must evaluate outcomes of pilot programs before concluding that cost savings will follow quality trends

Individual, or short-term insurance is on the rise as more Americans face transitions due to difficult economic times.

Health plan industry keeps stakeholders informed in the midst of the swine flu outbreak.

Regina Herzlinger's prescription for reform calls for payment based on episodes of care.

One of the main criticisms of consumer-directed health plans questions whether members avoid needed medications to save money

Payer initiatives will encourage consumers to make educated choices, especially since prices can vary so dramatically.

Consumers would rather do their taxes than wade through their health benefits materials, but one managed care plan is offering free assistance to help make sense of it all.

Among the top emerging issues in 2009 is increasing consumer engagement, which comes as no surprise considering their increasing amounts of skin in the game.

Consumers are demanding fundamental changes in the U.S. healthcare system to gain more timely access and better coordination of healthcare, according to a survey.