Recently, I had an opportunity to do a 2 month work rotation in China. My primary work assignment was to experience China Healthcare first hand, exchanging best practices and industry experiences with the local Microsoft teams. It was definitely an eye opening experience. Prior to the engagement, I assumed that China operated under a pure socialized Healthcare model. What I learned is that there actually operating under an emerging hybrid model that includes employer based insurance, tiered procedure based pricing, social service supplements, and incomplete population coverage models…very much like ours. Every US based Healthcare & Insurance company is current doing business in China or will be over the next year. Over the next few years, China will become a global focal point for Healthcare business and technology advancement. I believe the effects of these advancements will have a long tail on how Healthcare operates here in the states.
I’d like to share these learning’s and experiences with our Healthcare and Insurance customers/partners in an informal, interactive forum. James Chen, Director Business Development Microsoft China, is flying all the way from Beijing to Hartford to speak @ this event. James is a SME on China’s Healthcare and Insurance model. Additionally, we will be doing an executive overview of Azure Platform Services & S+S, tying it to relevant Healthcare and Insurance Industry solution scenarios. Please join us for this unique event.
Event Overview
What was once a model based on pure social services, China’s Healthcare is evolving into a hybrid blend approach that includes a mix of government price controls, fee for service disparities, social security coverage gaps/limitations, and emerging “western oriented” privatized healthcare insurance. China is in the midst of a Healthcare Reform…essentially a breakaway from traditional social service towards a new model that will better serve China’s population from a cost, quality, and availability perspective. Currently, China’s total Healthcare spending is 4.8% of the GDP, essentially the largest country (1.3B) has the lowest total spend. But, China is committed to significantly increasing its total spend…or, potential reversing the model making China a Healthcare leader vs. laggard. In this session, US & China based Microsoft representatives will share perspectives and insights on what we believe will rapidly became the next epicenter for Healthcare innovation.
Discussion Topics
China Healthcare Overview – “The world is flat”
“The world is flat”… a cliché that people use to illustrate broad commonalities. It is often backed with very little evidence to prove its truth in a real world context. But use in relation to Healthcare, and we believe it has real meaning. In this session, we will do a contrast/compare of Healthcare in the US to Healthcare in China and put the cliché’ to the test.
A Real World China Healthcare Example…
Zhoungshan City Hospital is one of China’s highest ranked Healthcare facilities from an overall quality and patient satisfaction perspective. In this session we will do a detailed walkthrough of their population coverage, operating principles, business workflows, and technology solution augmentations, giving you a birds-eye view of how Healthcare really works in China.
Emerging Technologies Sneak Peak: Microsoft Azure Platform Services
In this session, we will give a “hot off the presses” high level overview of Azure Platform Services providing perspectives and insights to how they might be leveraged to improve Global Healthcare.
Speakers
James Chen, Director Business Development, Microsoft China: As an experienced senior professional with 28 years who works in multi-national large corporations such as Microsoft, BellSouth and NEC. Strong experiences in strategic planning, investment, mergers and acquisitions, also in government relations, regulatory affairs, corporate communications and business development. Prior to Microsoft, he was a senior consultant for the President of NEC Mobility that has setup 3G wireless trial project in Shanghai. Before then James served 16 years for BellSouth in different management positions. Also, James has run two startups in USA, NetCommerce Company and the prototerra.com. James holds a MBIS degree in Business Information Systems, a MBA degree in Marketing and Finance, also a BS degree of Oceanic Biological Engineering. James was serving as a Board of Director of Atlanta China Round Table Meeting includes BellSouth, Coca Cola, UPS, Home Depot, Delta Airline, and Scientific Atlanta.
Ben Flock, Health & Life Sciences Industry Advisor: Ben is a technology leader and Healthcare Industry subject matter expert with over 21 years experience building architectural teams, technology practices, and business solutions delivery organizations. Prior to Joining Microsoft in 2005, he was responsible for leveraging advancements in business applications and technology for many of the nation's largest health care insurers including CIGNA, United Health Group, Aetna, and The Travelers. He has a BS in Computer Science from SUNY at Oswego, NY and an MBA from the Lally School of Business at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Hong Chong, Architect Advisor: Mr. Choing is a business and IT leader with 18+ years of business and technology implementation experience with proven results. He has worked in Health & Life Sciences industry, financial services, and professional services organizations leading strategy and architecture groups. Prior to joining Microsoft in 2004, Mr. Choing was the Manager and Solutions Architect for a business unit of Merck & Co., Inc. Prior to Merck in 2001, Mr. Choing was the Director of IT and Chief Architect at ProCaveo, Inc. In 1999, Mr. Choing was the Founder and Principle Consultant of LeviTron Consulting, a professional services IT consulting company for the Financial Services and Pharmaceutical Industry. In his role as Industry Architect Advisor, Mr. Choing serves as trusted technology and business advisor to Health & Life Sciences industry customers from Fortune 200 companies. He has a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA - USA.
| REGISTER! | |
| Location | Date & Time | Registration |
| Microsoft Office – Farmington, CT 74 Batterson Park Road Farmington, CT 06032 | December 11, 2008 2:00 PM–6:00 PM | Register Event ID: 1032395880 |
In Technology Circles, we use acronyms like B2B, B2G and B2C and they are generally understood by most people...In China there's a acronym widely discussed called "C2C"...or, Copy to China. Perhaps in a jokingly sort of way...but, If you stop to think about it, it has very profound meaning, especially when you're talking about software. Everything can be copied here in China...and its nearly impossible to distinguish between the copy and the real thing.
In terms of technology/software, its important to put things into perspective. Total IT spending in China is approximately 1.5B, with software spending in the order of $200M. Essentially, the largest country in the world has the lowest IT spend...but things are changing at a very rapid pace. That also includes legalized software percentages...2 years ago software piracy rates were well north of 90%...today, they are in the high 80's and continually improving.
So what needs to happen to continue progress...or better yet, dramatically effect how people/businesses in china use/acquire software. I start with the notion of Software + Services...something that Microsoft is making a big strategic bet on. Simply put, it means you get value beyond the software you get in the box...this value could be realized in many ways, including flexible hosting, multi-platform/device support, add-on applications, information subscriptions/services... If people (anywhere in the world) see value in something beyond the advertised/basic service, I believe they will be willing to pay for it...perhaps, pay for the legal/licensed version instead of the copy.
Something to think about...
China is an amazing Country...this has, and continues to be an eye opening life experience for me...I will continue to share my thoughts and observations with all of you. Your comments are welcome.
While doing a rotation in Beijing China, I was able to purchase a local SIM card from China Mobile for local cell and email. As we traveled from city to city, I kept getting these strange text messages...
Same number with boxes every time. I asked a few locals what this meant...actually, China Mobile (Government owned company) is sending me a text message. If my phone supported Chinese characters (and I could read them) this message would say welcome to Zhongshan City. The message includes local information/tourism links. The point of interest here is that they know where I am at all times. I did a little research...I believe this is accomplished via Assisted GPS (see diagram below). Cell towers throughout China with GPS receivers...those receivers are constantly pulling down Satellite info and computing the data. Every unlocked phone has A-GPS capability.
http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/gps_vs_agps_a_quick_tutorial.html
At first, the notion of someone knowing where I am at all times is a bit unsettling...But, the commercial/consumer embedded mobile application possibilities are intriguing. For instance, emergency response units knowing someone's exact location would have a profound effect on their ability to save lives. I'm certainly not a mobility expert...so I welcome comments from those that can shed much more light on the subject. BTW, I've been told they can also listen in on your phone conversations...Let's not talk about that subject. :)
xie xie,
Ben
Ni Hao
From a distance, you would assume that China has a socialized Healthcare model that covers the entire population...similar to the UK or France. Actually, their Insurance model is somewhat similar to ours here in the states. Prior to China's social reform in the mid 1980's every citizen was covered under a centralized government model. Social Reform changes removed this coverage and created a privatized employer based insurance model similar to ours in the states. Unless you were a government official prior to the reform shift, you were required to get coverage from your employer or pay for Healthcare services out of your own pocket. At first glance, this seems like a pretty harsh change. But through conversations with many people here, it seems that the cost for most basic Healthcare services is minimal, in comparison to ours. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to delve into this topic much further and provide more insight on how Health Insurance or service delivery really works here in China.
Xie Xie,
Ben
I've been here a little over 24 hours and I'm dying for a good cup of coffee, Instant seems to be the only viable option. Coming from the northeast of the United States, we're all very addicted to caffeine and can't throw a rock without hitting a Starbucks, I found it odd having difficulty finding a coffee shop...or even buying it in the store for that matter. So how does a country of 1.3 billion people wake up without coffee in the mourning? Here's what I observed...
I awoke bright and early today 5:30am and decided to wander around and take in the sites. Directly across from my apartment building, there was a park called Chaoyang. As I walked through the gates, I noticed that it was bustling with people of all ages...some were walking/jogging...others were doing tai chi, dancing,aerobics, weightlifting, and a variety of stretching/slapping of hands exercises. The park included well over 400 acres of trails through picturesque views of trees and lakes. I walked slowly trying to take it all in...
I was taken back by the thousands of people engaging in various forms of exercise so early in the mourning. I get the sense that this is a daily ritual for many throughout China...very different to what we do in the states. Perhaps I'm having difficultly finding a coffee shop because people here don't need it...instead of coffee, the use exercise and peaceful rituals to wake up and energize themselves. Over the next six weeks I'm going to delve much further into the subject of Health & Wellness here in China and throughout the far east.
Getting back to that cup of coffee...I'm currently sitting in a nice restaurant eating breakfast...and the coffee I ordered...you guessed it...instant...Starbucks, I need you badly. :)
-ben
Over the next 6 weeks, Hong Choing (Microsoft Healthcare colleague) and I will be doing a work rotation @ Microsoft's Beijing China offices
During this journey, we will work with Healthcare & Life Sciences entities throughout China, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan. I plan on visiting many Healthcare & Life Sciences facilities like the one pictured here in Beijing
My first impressions of China is that it is a country with great history, pride, and enthusiasm for a prosperous future. I plan on observing their Healthcare philosophies and ideals doing a contrast and compare to western medicine and operations. I will share these observations with all of you throughout my time here in the far east.
Yesterday, we visited Mings Tombs just outside of Beijing.
One of the locals explained that when walking through a emperors passage or entrance into someone's home, it is proper for men to enter left foot first...and women to enter right foot first. So today as I start my journey @ Microsoft in China, I will be certain to enter left foot first and eyes wide open to everything this fascinating part of the world has to offer.
-Ben Flock, Health & Life Sciences Industry Advisor, Microsoft Corporation
Hello, I'm the Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Advisor @ Microsoft covering Health Plan, Provider, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Device Companies. Prior to coming to Microsoft, I spent 17+ years running Healthcare Research & Development, Architecture, Infrastructure, and Business Startup Organizations. The Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry is experiencing tremendous change. In my role @ Microsoft, I have the unique opportunity to work across all domains. I would like to use this blog as a forum to share and exchange observations, opinions, ideas, and innovative concepts.
