MCDM AG.COM | JA N UA RY/ F EBRUA RY 2016 | Medical Construction & Design
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BY WILLIAM EVELOFF
The healthcare industry continues to ex-
perience signifi cant change in the ef ort
to reduce costs and improve ef ciency,
much of which has been infl uenced by
the healthcare law and other incremen-
tal regulatory changes. For example, the
recent enactment of the U.S. Bipartisan
Act of 2015 added distance parameters
for provider-based, of -campus outpa-
tient departments, which will change
reimbursement and reconsideration of
some outpatient program strategies.
Government initiatives such as
these have sparked disruption, but
much of the impact will be driven
by market forces. Enterprising new
entrants continue to nibble at the edges
of the $3.1-trillion national healthcare
expenditures, of which consumer out-
of-pocket spending already constitutes
20 percent and is rising.
These changes are driving the
consumer to be more accountable and
also more empowered, particularly as
technology advances, further enabling
better communication, access and
transparency. At fi rst, more af uent
and connected consumers will drive
the strongest initial impact; however,
RISE OF THE
EMPOWERED
HEALTHCARE
CONSUMER
Located directly behind the main medical
center building, the center cares
exclusively for patients having surgery or
endoscopic procedures and going home
the same day.
Right: The Queen of the Valley Outpatient
Surgery and Procedure Center in Napa,
California is the perfect combination of
high technology, extraordinary comfort
and functional effi ciency.
QUEEN OF THE VALLEY OUTPATIENT SURGERY AND PROCEDURE CENTER