Intersection of Big Data and Health Insurance: Optimizing Care … But Privacy Concerns?

Familiar scenario: Person is hospitalized with serious complications, and is treated to the point of discharge. What are the odds he/she is re-hospitalized? This question has huge cost implications— direct and indirect— for employers. Independence Blue Cross is trying to bring big-data to bear on predicting who is likely to be re-hospitalized in three months after discharge. The insurer uses the data beneficially— to assign a high-risk return-patient a “health coach,” who works at no charge to the client (e.g., employer) to see what extra services may stave off a return to the hospital. (Thanks to LER Alum Sarah Johns for this tip!) http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/06/08/408190121/insurer-uses-personal-data-to-predict-who-will-get-sick. Consulting support from Vynamic: http://vynamic.com/. On the privacy concern, e.g., HIPAA, see http://morningconsult.com/2014/07/uncharted-territory-hipaa-big-data-era/ .