Managed care organizations spend most of their clinical technology budgets on utilization management, case management and evidence-based guidelines, according to a survey, Health Data Management reports.
The annual study, called "MCO Clinical Technology Expenditures 2007," was conducted by market research and strategy consulting firm Gantry Group. The survey found that responders are beginning to pay more attention to business intelligence and care management applications. Thirty-six percent of the managed care organizations surveyed reported using business intelligence software and that use will increase to 50% during the next year. Survey respondents indicated that use of care management applications will grow from 40% to 55%.
The survey of 42 payers also found that:
- Most managed care organizations spend less than 20% of their annual IT budget on clinical software;
- Nearly half of respondents said they expect to increase their use of third-party vendors and move away from in-house products; and
- Respondents who are keeping in-house technology cite greater product control as the reason for the decision, while those moving toward vendor products cite faster deployment (Health Data Management, 9/21).