The Concept

Quality Healthcare

Cost Savings

Easy Access

New Model That Works

Drop In Clinic
By Phone

Overview

Convergence

Flow Chart

Trend Charts

FAQ

Challenges Solutions

Case Studies

Advisory Board

We have a type of multi-specialty clinic without walls. A way you can obtain timely cost effective quality care and then the follow up treatment you may need. This is important in complex problems -where your primary provider needs some additional information or when the situation may become costly. .Local referral patterns and control is emphasized.

From your healthcare providers office or elsewhere we provide an 800 # for one stop live phone and personal interaction between patient , local provider and specialist. This leads to a correct diagnostic decision most of time (80% +)- before unneeded tests and treatment. Other technology is used when needed. Currently--in addition to frustrating delays-more than 50% of money spent on health care is wasted. Our approach helps decrease this waste a great deal.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Who pays for the service?
A: Self insured corporation, HMO, or Government Program An added value -paid for as extra premium is another source that will develop. With a large population the savings will more than offset the start up costs and extra costs incurred with some patients.

Q: How will you get the health providers to cooperate with the scheduling and other changes required?
A: Providers have indicated they will be happy to participate when they are compensated For the telephone time used and can provide good quality care. The costs incurred to pay participating providers will be no more-less in some situations than now. Providers schedule time available -on call -as now -but can have some other less activity planned so that they can respond within a 15 minute window. Payment will be for services rendered and as needed for a stand by fee.

Q: How can you demonstrate- in advance of a pilot project-the cost effectiveness?
A: We can show the self insured group doing a pilot how to analyze their data to convince the CEO involved. Using previously collected data-especially with high cost patient problems the savings and benefits will be very evident. At first we can focus on problems as: neck injuries with questions of need for imaging studies, consults, hospitalizations, treatment of depression and related problems. The same approach for low back pain problems, and upper gastro-intestinal questions-reflux. Endocrine problems- thyroid questions -same issues-especially if one has a patient with allergies, thyroid disease and depressiol This can be done without our seeing confidential corporate information .Many other examples available.

Q: Why hasn't program been adopted?

A: Many fragments of the model are in use or being developed. However there is no such integrated program operational. Most of the senior people making healthcare policy decisions have the idea that as soon as you bring more personal interaction into the
medical decision loop- the costs become much greater and out of control-compared to computerized or other "artificial intelligence" methods. Technology is incorporated in ways that are currently-user friendly. There are ways we have in our model to provide more levels of progressive interaction between human brain power, software, and patients that result in lower costs and improved quality of care.

Q: Legal issues-who is responsible for decisions?

A: This is answered in the same way as currently. The provisions for ongoing corrective feedback between patient, local provider and specialist - produce better quality of care.

Q: Issues of privacy and confidentiality?

A: This area can be resolved satisfactorily in a number of ways. The local health care delivery system will help determine specifics.

Q: Have any large HMO's ,large clinic groups, or insurance carriers said they are willing to do a pilot study?

A: Yes- if there is a demand from a large self insured corporation or if we present a shared risk proposal.

Q: Are there published articles documenting some or much of what you propose?
A: Yes. We have many articles in a number of respected journals -that agree with these ideas. The Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association has a number of such articles. I am happy to provide these and other references.

Q: Aren't there other frequently asked questions?
A: Yes! Our advisory group feels confident we have answers to most if not all that have been presented and will be able to work out satisfactory solutions to the unexpected.

For additional information please contact:
Isaac N. Silberman M.D.
415-235-7805