Web technology is touted as the antidote to a multitude of healthcare woes: rising consumer dissatisfaction, increasing consumerism and ever-escalating healthcare costs. But for consumers to embrace e-health tools, health plans and employers must entice them with a healthy mix of autonomy and handholding. In this special report, "e-Health Initiatives: Driving Behavior Change and Fostering Consumerism," a panel of experts discusses state-of-the-art healthcare e-tools, strategies for engaging members to use them and the impact e-tools can have on consumer-driven plans. You'll hear from Kim Bellard, Vice President of eMarketing, Highmark Inc., and Erin Lenox, Associate, Hilb, Rogal and Hobbs, on strategies for harnessing the power of e-tools that enable consumers to collaborate in their own healthcare design. This 37-page report is based on the January 19, 2005 audio conference "Using Web Technologies in Consumer-Driven Healthcare" during which Bellard and Lenox described how healthcare organizations are utilizing the web in consumer-driven healthcare plans. You'll get details on: -The role of web applications in consumer-driven healthcare; -Evolving trends in consumerism; -Web tools that can assist consumers in behavior change; -The 10 key technological components of a healthcare web site; and -The e-health options from Highmark Inc. Table of Contents Using Web Technologies in Consumer-Driven Healthcare -Moving Toward Consumerism -Key Technological Components -Going from High-Tech to High-Touch -Evaluating the Credibility of Web-based Health Information -Examples of Online Tools -The Future of e-Health Initiatives -Build, Buy or Partner -Evolving TrendsIn Electronic World, Informed Consumers Drive Marketplace -Highmark's Consumer-Centered Strategies -Breadth and Depth of Information Critical -Website Health Centers Target Specific Demographics -Provider Profiles Encourage Comparisons, Choices -Informing Consumers? Health Plan Choices -Increased Choice Improves Customer Satisfaction -Diverse Approaches Serve Diverse Needs -Spending, Savings Accounts on RiseQ&A: Ask the Experts -Strategy for Developing Web-based Tools -Rating Online Tools -BlueChoice Growth Predictions -Front-end Administration vs. Back-end Ease -Integrating with Pharmacy Benefits -Making the Move to e-Visits -Determining ROI -HIPAA's Impact on Web Self-Service Applications -Recommended e-Tools for Employers -Comparing Provider Pricing