Caring for men is different than caring for women.
Studies published by HHS report that women consume about 12% more healthcare services than men because they are more likely to have regular checkups and doctor visits and take prescription medications. Men have typically delayed care until they have a problem that requires costly intervention – but with emerging technology and new options for care that could change.
My last post about what patients value was distilled from comments made by women. Consequently, I was left wondering whether men and women have shared values when it comes to healthcare or not. So I found a comparable healthcare service for men and read the YELP reviews for several providers. There were very few reviews written but there were some notable comments.
1/ Data
One of the reviews described the charts, graphs and regression analysis a provider used to demonstrate the potential risks and outcomes of the specific procedure and the risks relevant to the author. The use of data in that way seemed to empower the author to make a decision about his care. Conversely, none of the reviews written by women referenced data or the use of data other than some basic stats about outcomes.
2/ Treatment Advise
Another review was written by a man that underwent a procedure that didn’t result in a noticeable difference in his condition. In his review, he summarized his condition and provided advice for men with the same condition that may be considering treatment. Conversely, reviews of a similar nature written by women offered an opinion about their provider more often than advise about their treatment.
Given the limited reviews, I expanded my search to a medical group known to serve the same commercial patient population. There were about 60 reviews from men which accounted for about 25% of the total.
3/ Cost
Almost every comment was a complaint about the cost and/or the incompetence of the billing staff. Authors used expressions like “watch your wallet” in reference to the high cost of routine services and the additional fees charged during annual checkups. Many reported discrepancies in trying to reconcile their provider statements with the remittance advice from their insurer. One even claimed to be “allergic” to the billing and collection practices of the provider. It makes me wonder whether men reconcile statements more closely than women or if they are just not as familiar with the documents and processes.
Granted it still isn’t enough information to draw definitive conclusions about what men value in the context of healthcare. However, it was enough to spur thought about how to engage men in their health in ways that could help reduce their cost of care and the potentially the care of others in their family.
Reducing the cost of care for men
1/ Digital Health
Following the NIH annual exam recommendations, much of the annual exam for men could be completed using emerging digital health solutions in the near future.
2/ Provider Portals
Data from the digital health solutions offer providers an opportunity to build early relationships with men by providing them with their health risks and outcomes profile and reviews by procedure to empower men in decisions about their health.
3/ Minute Clinics
Simple menus of services will make it easy for men to fulfill all the requirements of an annual exam especially now that prostate screening exams a thing of the past. Hard to understand bills and statements will likely be a thing of the past too.
High Deductible Plans
Men may become more influential in family decisions about health and healthcare consumption given that there is more at sake. More employers are offering high deductible plans with healthcare savings accounts and for some it will be the only option.
