Increasingly providers of care are rolling out programs that enable the consumer pay a membership fee and in return get care or products that bypass the higher out-of-pocket costs experienced when insurance “covers” the expense. This is especially turn with medications. The latest entrant is Kroger. IT offers a program where consumers can get significant discounted prices or even free drugs if they pay an annual fee. We see this as an emerging trend of innovation that will take hold in healthcare services and require new tools and skills and innovation to implement.
Read Statnews: A grocery chain launches a discount program for prescription drugs. Will patients save money?