Scott MacStravic, Ph.D.
Health care organizations (HCOs), particularly hospitals, have engaged in screening or early diagnosis programs for decades. This can have at least two different kinds of benefits to their sponsors, in addition to the benefits for patients whose diseases are identified and addressed earlier. When screening services are offered at no cost to patients, or at a loss, they can add to the “community benefit” efforts that promote good PR, fulfill missions, and protect tax exemption for not-for-profit organizations. When they are offered as revenue-generating/profitable services, or improve the organization’s marketing success by increasing its share of patients identified as needing care for the conditions identified, they offer marketing and financial advantages.
