Update Articles: Predictions vs. Realities

A series of articles was launched in June 2017 to bridge the predictions from our Emerging Trends report to current health care realities. Each article outlines updates in several key areas related to one or more trend identified in 2014. Thematic takeaways for patients, physicians, industry, pharmacists and health plans are also presented in each piece.

August 2018: The Patient's Paramount Place: Emphasis on Empowerment, Engagement, Experience. 

Patient empowerment is a critical component for the success of health care consumerism, and it plays an important role in: Increasing Patient Cost Sharing, Migration to a Value-Oriented Marketplace, The Role of Technology in Patient Engagement, and Health Care Everywhere. Empowered patients may be more adherent to treatment, and they may contribute to an improved health care system.

June 2017: Maximizing Value in Health Care. 

The move to a value-oriented marketplace was one of the top 10 trends. In this update, we highlight four important areas of progress: Value in Oncology Care; Value in Reimbursement; Improving the Patient Experience; and the Emergence of Value-Based Pharmaceutical Contracting.

September 2017: The Rx Affordability Crisis. 

“Spending and utilization for specialty pharmaceuticals” was one of the top 10 trends, as payers and purchasers struggled to control specialty pharmacy costs and ensure the affordability of effective medications while addressing access issues. This ultimately affected two other key trends, increasing patient cost-sharing and the migration to a value-oriented health care marketplace.