How Technology Can Close Gaps in Healthcare Delivery

In a perfect world, we would all have healthcare that covered 100% of our needs. Until that time, many organizations are working to close gaps in healthcare delivery. Those with chronic conditions often face gaps in care due to having to see several doctors, resulting in poor physician-to-physician communication and conflicting information given to the patient. In addition to preventing the relief and treatment of these conditions, this care gap also has a major financial impact. Those with chronic conditions in the U.S. are responsible for a whopping 86% of healthcare costs. That’s not surprising when you consider that 60% of Americans have a chronic disease.

Some chronic conditions carry higher lifetime costs than others. For example, research shows that an employed person with major depression has average annual healthcare costs of $10,836. In comparison, a person taking insulin for diabetes may spend $4,800 annually to manage their diabetes.