Misaligned Incentives in Healthcare

In ancient China, doctors were paid a retainer to keep their patients healthy. If a patient became ill, the doctor wouldn't be paid for that person until they recovered. This concept is now known as “alignment of incentives.” The patient's desire to be well is aligned with the doctor's incentive to keep them healthy.

Our society, however, is rife with misaligned incentives. A commissioned salesperson, for instance, is motivated to sell products regardless of the customer's actual needs. Many restaurants serve large portions laden with salt, sugar, and fat, aiming to entice customers to return, even though such food is detrimental to health. Junk food manufacturers have effectively become the largest drug dealers, creating highly addictive products that offer little to no health benefits.

The US healthcare system is a prime example of misaligned incentives. The system often aims to minimize costs until individuals turn 65 and transition into government care. This results in numerous obstacles to obtaining proper healthcare, allowing health to deteriorate until intervention is unavoidable. Shockingly, some insurers require a BMI of 35 before approving weight loss medications.

At Well3, we believe in providing access to healthcare tools before it's too late. Individuals should be able to access weight loss medications before becoming overweight, and mental health treatments before enduring years of depression and anxiety. We advocate for proactive healthcare, ensuring you receive the necessary tools to address health issues early, before they escalate.