2017-2018亚洲医疗趋势（英文版）_146页_9mb

Asia Healthcare Trends 2017/18 Summary

Core Content

The Aon Asia Healthcare Trends Report 2017/18 provides an in-depth analysis of healthcare trends and cost drivers across 11 Asian markets. It highlights the shift in focus from merely managing medical plan costs to addressing broader employee health and well-being, driven by the rise of the middle class and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases.

Main Themes and Key Insights

1. Changing Focus in Healthcare Management

• Employee health and well-being are now viewed as strategic priorities, not just cost management.
• Organisations are increasingly looking to enhance productivity, reduce absenteeism, and improve talent retention through health initiatives.
• The Aon Medical Inflation Index (AMII) is used to assess short-to-medium term medical inflation outlooks, with lower scores indicating better outlooks.

2. Inpatient Costs as the Principal Driver

• Inpatient costs are the main driver of medical inflation in 7 out of 11 markets.
• Factors include rising demand for hospital services, fragmented care delivery, and a lack of emphasis on primary and preventive care.
• In China, inpatient costs have historically dominated, with over 60% of health expenditure allocated to inpatient services.

3. Chronic Diseases and Medical Inflation

• Chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases are the top cost drivers.
• The shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major trend, exacerbated by lifestyle changes, aging populations, and urbanization.
• The prevalence of NCDs is expected to continue growing, necessitating more proactive cost management strategies.

4. Public-Private Healthcare System Interactions

• While some believe governments are shifting responsibility to the private sector, most markets are developing complementary public and private healthcare models.
• Universal healthcare is gaining popularity, with countries like Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea having well-established systems.
• Private healthcare works best in tandem with a strong public system, allowing for better access, outcomes, and sustainable financing.

5. Cost Management in the Private Sector

• The private sector is not yet fully leveraging data to manage chronic disease costs.
• Only a minority of insurers are tracking readmission rates or working with providers on chronic disease management programs.
• A lack of granular data and effective use by clients is a key challenge in cost management.

6. Medical Tourism and Its Impact

• Medical tourism is a growing trend in countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, driven by government support.
• It has contributed to the development of private healthcare infrastructure but has also distorted medical labor markets.
• The Philippines, in particular, has seen its healthcare professionals being drawn to higher-paying jobs in the Middle East and other regions, creating labor shortages.

7. Employee Wellness Programmes

• Employee wellness initiatives are popular but often superficial and not aligned with actual health risks.
• The most common programs are health screening and health promotion, which are often driven by compliance rather than genuine health improvement.
• Only a quarter of organizations are actively engaged in wellness programs, with cost management ranked as a low priority.

8. Technology and Innovation in Healthcare

• Technology is becoming a key enabler in the transformation of healthcare delivery, especially in preventive care.
• Wearables, telehealth, eHealth, and hospital information systems are expected to see explosive growth.
• The trend mirrors how emerging economies adopted mobile technology over traditional landlines.

9. Data Usage and Privacy Challenges

• Effective healthcare delivery is hindered by poor data aggregation and usage.
• Countries like Singapore are piloting health data cards and electronic health records (NEHR) to streamline care and improve efficiency.
• Data privacy regulations are a major barrier to the widespread adoption of such systems.

10. Regional Variations in Healthcare Trends

• Each market has unique drivers of cost and healthcare utilization, influenced by regulatory environments, infrastructure, cultural norms, and demographics.
• Some markets, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Pakistan, are expected to see accelerated medical inflation in 2018 and beyond.

Key Countries and Their Trends

China

• Medical inflation is expected to rise from 7.2% in 2017 to 8.2% in 2018.
• The public healthcare system is the foundation, with universal health coverage achieved for over 95% of the population.
• The government is pushing for stronger primary care and preventive services, with a focus on improving access and reducing inpatient utilization.
• Aon Pulse and Aon Care are being used to manage cost drivers and improve healthcare outcomes.

Hong Kong

• Outpatient costs are the main driver of medical inflation.
• Diagnostic procedures and medical fees are the top cost components.
• The market is highly developed and data-driven.

Singapore

• Has a robust public health system and is leading in the implementation of electronic health records (NEHR).
• Medical tourism is a key growth area, though it raises concerns about labor market distortions.

South Korea

• One of the markets with the lowest medical inflation due to its universal healthcare system.
• Strong focus on preventive care and technology integration.

Thailand

• Public and private systems are increasingly integrated.
• Rising demand for healthcare services and NCDs are key drivers.

Philippines

• Facing labor shortages due to the outflow of healthcare professionals to the Middle East.
• Medical tourism is growing, but at the cost of workforce depletion.

Conclusion

The report underscores the need for innovation, data-driven strategies, and balanced public-private healthcare systems to manage rising medical inflation and chronic disease burdens. It also highlights the importance of employee wellness and preventive care in improving long-term health outcomes and reducing costs. With Asia's middle class growing rapidly, the demand for affordable, equitable healthcare will only increase, requiring a coordinated and adaptive response from all stakeholders.