The difficulty in evaluating all of these tools and technologies is that we can easily be swayed to just continue on our present path. Our current vendors would prefer that, and in a larger sense, so would the carriers. Despite being negatively impacted by the status quo, even employers can be very hesitant to change.

I spoke on a panel about transparency this past April. I said “consumer-driven” health plans are a farce and misnomer. Going to a high-deductible health plan does absolutely no good for driving consumerism when the employer doesn't combine it with powerful tools for accurately comparing costs and quality, as well as educating employees on how to do that. If a patient cannot accurately shop price and quality, they cannot be a good consumer, which leads to delaying care, resulting in larger claims, more pressure on the rates, and therefore, decisions to further dilute benefits. It's a vicious cycle.

After the talk, a VP of HR approached me. She said they were considering going to all HDHP plans because their current consultant suggested it alone would drive consumerism. Apparently, my scenario resonated and we continued to chat after the conference ended. She was the right person at the right time to hear the ideas I was talking about. Finding the right audience is very important.

At some point, however, you also need to take a chance. Once you have evaluated as best you can, figured out the message and results you expect, and have in hand the best available tool to help you deliver that, at some point, you just need to take a leap and go all in.