“Take it to the limit, one more time.”
When the Eagles released that classic single in 1975, they weren’t talking about the national debt. But here we are, almost 50 years later, having yet another debate about raising the debt limit because we can’t afford to pay our bills.
The usual suspects are on the chopping block: Medicare and Social Security. Even if some “Witchy Woman” magic inspired Congress to negotiate changes to either of these programs, time is still a problem. Implementing rules quickly and then effectively enforcing them is not a core competency of the U.S. government. “I Can’t Tell You Why,” but less than 20% of hospitals are fully complying with price transparency rules mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).
Health care spending is a major contributor to America’s debt limit issue. Almost one out of every five dollars in our GDP is eaten up by health care costs. Over $4.3 trillion is spent on health care and over one in every four of those dollars is waste. Waste comes in many categories, like administrative inefficiencies, a lack of care coordination and everyone’s favorite “Lyin’ Eyes” category, fraud.
Since the government can’t figure out what to do, it’s up to the private sector to come up with solutions that reduce health care spending in America. That’s why we at KnowThyself are focused on eliminating waste by targeting unnecessary health care. Our calculations show that the average adult on private insurance wastes $1,500 a year on unnecessary health care. The number is higher for women because women access the system more than men.
Our solution helps you weigh the pros and cons of prescribed care. We focus on the stuff you’re told to do that:
- Is the most aggressive form of treatment when other options may be available
- Will not lead to a change in a diagnosis or treatment
- Has high rates of false positives that could expose you to even more unnecessary care
- Is to be delivered at the most expensive site of care
Use KnowThyself before and after you go to the doctor. We want to bring that “Peaceful Easy Feeling” to your health care experience.
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