A new way to fund healthcare is now available. The Houston Healthcare Initiative (HHI) is a member owned, non-profit medical co-op that is now open for business. Led by Houston based neurologist Dr. Steven Goldstein, the HHI (http://houstonhealthcareinitiative.org) will replace traditional health insurance for qualified individuals and families and provide incentives for members to adopt healthier lifestyle habits. HHI will provide affordable medical coverage through a combination of negotiated rates, low monthly payments, personal accountability and lifestyle incentives. The medical co-op promises to save qualifying individuals and families money on health insurance. At the same time, HHI will help uphold quality care by asking members to bear some responsibility and individual accountability for maintaining their personal health.

Complexities of Health Coverage

Healthcare and what causes rates for services and insurance to go up at a startling rate are complicated. What is not that complex is the need for an affordable way to pay for most medical and doctor related expenses. That is what the Houston Healthcare Initiative (HHI) is offering in the form of a member owned co-op. The HHI initiative can replace traditional health insurance for qualified individuals and families. HHI will provide affordable medical coverage through a combination of negotiated rates, low monthly payments, personal accountability and lifestyle incentives. The medical co-op promises to save qualifying individuals and families money on health insurance. At the same time, HHI will help uphold quality care by asking members to bear some responsibility and individual accountability for maintaining their personal health.

What HHI Offers

The HHI is similar to traditional insurance but with some unique distinctions. One is the health of the person(s) applying impacts the price charged by the co-op. The amount of the monthly payment is based on personal lifestyle outcomes. For example, a non-smoker who has a body mass index of less than 25 and can walk a mile in less than 30 minutes gets the best rate because he/she is the healthiest.

People who do not match these criteria pay more but have the opportunity to get the lowest rates if their weight and fitness levels improve. “We wanted to have a system that rewarded people who are healthier with lower rates while at the same time, provide incentives for them to improve,” said Dr. Steven Goldstein, founder of HHI. “With the exception of charging more for smokers, traditional insurance generally does not distinguish between healthier people nor does it give them a financial incentive to lose weight or become more physically fit. HHI does both.”

HHI Issued Debit Card

Members of the co-op receive a personal/family healthcare account that allows payment for routine medical procedures with a member debit card, issued by the HHI bank. The other is a trust that is maintained to allow members to pay for non-routine charges like hospital stays, specialists, surgery, and extensive tests to name a few. In addition to the cost savings, members receive a free screening (check-up) and access to the 24-hour free doctors’ hotline for routine questions. “Not every question for a doctor requires an office visit, which is why the hotline is so handy,” Dr. Goldstein said. “We believe that this approach to paying for health care will be a big help to people who are unable to afford it or do not receive employer subsidized health insurance.”

Summary of Benefits Defining Types of Health Care/Health Challenges

Preventative – covered by the free yearly HHI check-up and doctor hot line.

Behavior modification – leads to lower priced coverage under HHI.

Injury treatment – covered by HHI.

Acute illnesses – covered by HHI.

Degenerative and/or genetic illness – covered by HHI.

End stage care – covered by HHI.[1]