Julia Heaton

Background:
If patients are unaware of the differences between the various forms of care, then they pay the price. There is a vast difference in cost between going to a minute clinic compared to the Emergency Room. Depending on the severity of the condition, the minute clinic may be a faster and more affordable option. Recently legislation signed an executive order calling for price transparency in health care. There is now a need to organize the data in a user-friendly way so patients are educated about their best-suited options to address their health concerns.

 

Methods:
pAId, using artificial intelligence and matching algorithms, will provide the patient with data about the cost and quality of any procedure, doctor visit, drug, etc. Using the same algorithms as Yelp and other tools to compare price and quality, the patient will be able to input their needs and find the most convenient, best quality, and most cost-effective treatment plan. For example, most often generic drugs are cheaper than brand-name drugs. If you were to price match these two items with the same active ingredients, the patient will be able to make a more informed decision on choosing the less expensive option.

 

Conclusion:
Based on health needs, patients will use pAId to determine what level of care needed and the location and best price to match their needs. Ranging from a visit to Urgent Care or high-risk procedures, the pAId algorithm will filter through results to provide the best level of care with no hidden costs. Not that health care should become a shoppable commodity, but patients should be able to make informed decisions about the price and quality of their care.

 

Acknowledgments:
Thank you Dr. Taraman and Dr. Chang for inspiring and encouraging the MI3 interns to explore innovations in healthcare.