The emerging business models and value proposition of mobile health clinics
Aung, Khin-Kyemon; Hill, Caterina; Bennet, Jennifer; Song, Zirui; Oriol, Nancy E.
Why this matters
As the U.S. healthcare system transitions from a fee-for-service model to a value-based payment model, mobile health programs must adapt. They can also take advantage of the opportunity to focus on outcomes rather than volume. The commentary proposes accountable care organizations, payers, and employers as sustainable sponsors, and notes that roughly 2,000 vehicles in the United States deliver 5 to 6 million visits a year.
Abstract
Mobile health clinics are increasingly used to deliver healthcare to urban and rural populations. An estimated 2000 vehicles in the United States are now delivering between 5 and 6 million visits annually; however, despite this growth, mobile health clinics represent an underutilized resource that could transform the way healthcare is delivered, especially in underserved areas. Preliminary research has shown that mobile health clinics have the potential to reduce costs and improve health outcomes. Their value lies primarily in their mobility, their ability to be flexibly deployed and customized to fit the evolving needs of populations and health systems, and their ability to link clinical and community settings. Few studies have identified how mobile health clinics can be sustainably utilized. We discuss the value proposition of mobile health clinics and propose 3 potential business models for them-adoption by accountable care organizations, payers, and employers.