In the ongoing debate surrounding the reform of healthcare in the US, the words "waste", "administrative costs" come very often as many experts and commentators see them as one reason why the US healthcare system is the most expensive (18% of GDP) among industrialised nations, leaves about 45 million people un-insured or under-insured and has an overall ranking of 18 (some say 37) in quality of care.
A proven way to eliminate some of the waste and administrative costs would be to replicate what France has done when it started the "CARTE VITALE" (Vital Card) in 1997.
The vital card, shown above, looks exactly like a credit card. It has an electronic chip, a picture of the owner, his name and issue date.
Having tried this card for couple years in France before moving to the US, let me tell you one thing. It works GREAT and I trully think the US will gain a lot from adopting a similar approach.
The gains are not limited to cost savings because quality of care will significantly improve and let me tell you why.
1. Cost Savings: The electronic chip on the vital card has all relevant insurance information for the card holder. Once, a person walks into a Dr. office, the person working at reception will insert the card in a reader that will provide her with up-to-date information on the patient and his insurance. No more forms to fill every time you walk into a doctor's office. During the visit, the doctor enters, via a computer, the information relevant to that visit. That information is then automatically and electronically transmitted to the insurance company based on the information coming from the vital card. The insurance company then pays the doctor upon receipt of that information.
The whole process is automated: information capture / processing / payment which means less paper work and less cost paid for non-value-added steps in the process.
2. Quality Improvement: In addition to personal and insurance information on its holder, the vital card has critical medical information that are important to know to ensure quality of care. An example would be as simple as "allergies" or "medical history". The vital card would contain such information which means that rather than relying on the patient remembering what he is allergic to, the doctor would never prescribe a medication that would cause an allergic reaction in the patient because the patient forgot to mention it or may be because the doctor forgot to ask about it.
Another instance would be for a patient rushed into the ER after an accident. With his vital card, the medical staff has immediate access to important information such as: his age, his blood type, his medical history ..etc which makes them more capapble to make timely decision while having all or most relevant decision elements at hand.
France healthcare system is one of the best in the world and is considered by many an expensive one. However, it costs around 9% of France GDP (1/2 of what the US federal government pays) and provides universal coverage to all French citizens and residents.
The "vital card" provides a proven way of reducing costs while improving healthcare quality. The US healthcare reform should consider implementing a similar solution for the people in the US.
