How much money do you think the DoD wastes for healthcare?

2014-04-01T16:12:05-04:00

With the ongoing healthcare debate I'm curious what people think in terms of efficiency of the government system already in place (military).

Actually that's somewhat of a loaded question because the government doesn't do anything efficiently. So I know they are wasting millions.

In addition to the ongoing debate another thing also sparked my interest in how simple things can save millions. Not sure if anyone has seen the story about the kid who told the government they could save like 400 million a year by switching to a different font (http://foxnewsinsider.com/2014/03/31/sixth-graders-discovery-could-save-government-almost-400-million).

So a few things just from sitting here today.

1) medical records are fully electronic. AND every single screening before you see the doc they ask you about suicide etc (at least the last two duty stations). Yet every single appointment you fill out the piece of paper that ultimately probably gets shredded asking the same questions.

2) wasted time asking the same questions. My medications, surgical history, you name it including that I've never smoked in my life are all sitting in front of you yet they have to ask again. They can't even ask "anything changed to your medical history?" This results in backing up of appointment etc so you're basically paying for everything for longer. And prolly having to hire more docs and administrators but in reality you might be able to cut back if you made the system more efficient.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 6:28 PM

2014-04-01T18:28:04-04:00

I have said the same for years about medical records being fully electronic. Each Soldier should have their entire record on a CD and when going to an scheduled appointment all they do is had over the CD and boom its updated. All medications, surgeries, etc will already be on hand.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jul 1 at 2014 7:51 PM

2014-07-01T19:51:44-04:00

I think the healthcare problem isn't just with the military but with the civilian sector as well. We definitely have an antiquated system and need to upgrade it for more efficient care.

I see much of the industry in silos that don't talk to each other. I read that for some ERs, 5% of those that go take up over 80% of the resources. Then they start going to other ERs if they get found out what they are doing.

Hospitals across the state should be able to pull up a medical record and see the entire history, regardless of where they came from. I wish we could privatize medical care in this sense, it would be done by now!