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"Sickness Insurance"
According to a study by the State of Illinois most consumers purchased "sickness insurance" compared to the insurance policies of today. The study discovered the largest expenditures were due to lost wages from missing work, so consumers were more inclined to purchase insurance similar to "disability" insurance to supplement lost income (Thomasson 2003) -
Private Health Insurance
In the 1920s the American Medical Association made a push for the federal government to support private insurance efforts. This is a primary factor in the insurance system that exists today. While there were initial proposals for national health insurance programs, the status of the AMA as the primary authority of healthcare at the time persuaded the federal government (Niles 2018, 11) -
Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Blue Cross was developed to assist patients in paying for hospitalization, without infringing on physicians wages. Original plans required a prepayment of 50 cents per-month and would cover annual hospitalization for up to 21 days. Blue Shield came about as illness and occupational hazards were accentuated. Mining and logging organizations in the Pacific Northwest began to provide plans through specific medical providers at a monthly fee to the employee (BCBS 2019). -
Tax Cuts to Employers
By 1950 a majority of the population had hospital insurance. Prior to 1950 employers began offering insurance coverage to attract employees. The War Labor Board froze wages, and Blue Cross seized the opportunity to create a national doctors network. Because of the rising amount of employer based insurance plans, tax cuts were initiated to encourage employers to provide policies to offset costs of care for employees (Niles 2018). -
HMO Act Signed
The Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) act offered grants and other incentives to expand HMOs. The act, signed by President Nixon required companies of 25 or more employees to offer buy in options to HMOs if they offered standard plans. HMOs became more popular after the signing of this act and promoted HMOs as the primary insurance plan for many across the United States (Farlex Financial Dictionary 2012). -
Health Insurance Mareketplace Exchanges
While the Health Insurance Marketplace has been a popular addition to the US healthcare jargon since the ACA, the first exchanges were actually established in the early 1980s. These exchanges developed easier opportunities and screenings for consumers to get enrolled in insurance plans. Marketplace exchanges have expanded significantly since the passing of the ACA -
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Formed
Facing financial concerns, Blue Cross and Blue Shield consolidated staff and operations resulting in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. To compete with the growing list of competitors, the newly formed BCBS Association, expanded services and promoted new innovative programs. Due to the success of these initiatives BCBS maintained its status as one of the most trusted names in the American Health insurance industry (BCBS 2019). -
HIPAA
When HIPAA was passed, regulations related to the sharing of health data were established and determined by the United States government. Health Insurance companies utilized this regulation to develop systems that promoted electronic translation of healthcare data. This communication of data has helped advance health care billing and insurance policies into the 21st century and set the stage for technological advancements of today. -
PPACA Signed
President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. This act was established to expand coverage and access to care. The ACA created health insurance exchanges and introduced mandates requiring citizens to carry insurance or face financial penalties. Implementation of the ACA took place between 2010 and 2017 through close to 50 healthcare reform initiatives (Niles 2018, 291). -
Insurance Mobile Apps
Apps like MyCigna, developed by Cigna health insurance put consumers of health insurance in the drivers seat of their own insurance policies. In the mobile world of Healthcare, these applications allow patients to view their statements, pay bills and track insurance claims and their use of insurance services. -
Wearable Technology Used to Set Premiums
To reach clients in the Millennial age, Insurance providers started using wearable technology such as the Fitbit to set premiums and reward clients with financial incentives. United Health Care and Oscar Healthcare took the lead in developing programs that have shown to improve the lifestyle of clients and reduce premiums (Next-Gen Technology 2016). -
KLAS Report
The KLAS report is presented annually to assess the use of technology in healthcare. Initially reported in 1996 the data from 2017 was specifically noted to be crucial in the world of insurance in 2018. In his article, Beaton (2017) describes the use of these technologies in making waves in health insurance industry. https://healthpayerintelligence.com/news/what-to-look-for-in-a-health-insurance-enrollment-technology. -
APIs
Promoting a trend of integrated communication of the billing process in healthcare, APIs are taking center stage in the future. The more integration available to insurance companies and providers, the reduction of error, increased cost, and interrupted billing will create a more well-rounded patient centered service. 2018 and beyond will truly be a turning point in healthcare technology and insurance billing (Capgemini 2017).
