Payers should be focusing on creating a healthcare "ecosystem" that supports members with convenience and preventive care, said Jaime Murillo, MD, senior vice president and chief cardiometabolic health officer of UnitedHealth Group.
Part of that wave is embracing technology, including supporting the power of wearable technology that acts as both a preventive tool and a warning sign if a patient is in need of care before it is too late.
But wearables are only a fragment of leveraging technology to promote convenience, and digital tools like telehealth and apps also play a role in meeting members where they are, Dr. Murillo said on "Becker's Payer Issues Podcast."
Below is an excerpt from the podcast. Listen to the full interview here.
Dr. Jaime Murillo: I'm excited about building this ecosystem where people receive care and advice at their convenience and on a timely basis. Just think about the banking industry, for instance. When's the last time you went to a bank? You can really get care anywhere. I'm not advocating completely eliminating face-to-face. We know trust is very important between providers and patients, but we also know that doctors are very busy and that they can actually take care of people when they actually need them the most. Then there are all the parts of healthcare that can be done either virtual or using technology.