This article serves as a blueprint for understanding the potential of the Healthcare Metaverse and why it is essential to work toward making it a reality. By focusing on innovation, efficiency, and accessibility, we can create a future where healthcare empowers individuals and economies alike.
Introduction
As of 2024, the U.S. healthcare sector accounts for a staggering $4.5 trillion, or 17.3% of the nation's GDP. Healthcare's economic impact is undeniable, but it's also one of the most inefficient sectors in the U.S. economy. Costs are driven up by administrative overhead, inefficiencies in insurance and payment systems, and outdated processes. The advent of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and real-time patient monitoring offers an opportunity to overhaul this system, creating what we can envision as the Healthcare Metaverse.
The Healthcare Metaverse, guided by companies such as Sir Roy G. Biv, powered by infrastructure providers like DivvyBloc, holds the promise of making healthcare more efficient, accessible, and cost-effective. This transformation could lead to stronger economic growth, more jobs, and a more prosperous future. This article will explore the current inefficiencies in healthcare, the vision for a Healthcare Metaverse, and the broader economic and currency implications of such a shift.
1. The Current State of Healthcare: Costs, Inefficiencies, and NAICS Breakdown
The U.S. healthcare system is notoriously complex, involving many different stakeholders—physicians, insurers, laboratories, and pharmacies, each contributing to higher costs. To understand the scale of inefficiency, let’s walk through a typical patient journey today, from scheduling an appointment with a medical specialist, such as an allergist, to receiving a prescription.
Today’s Customer Journey: Seeing a Medical Specialist
Step | Description | NAICS Code | NAICS Description | Estimated Costs |
| Patients typically search for an allergist using web portals, insurance networks, or referrals. | 519130 | Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals | Free |
| Patients verify that their chosen allergist is covered by their insurance provider. | 524114 | Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers | Free |
| Patients schedule an appointment, which may take weeks or months. | 621111 | Office of Physicians | Free or co-pay ($25-$100) |
| Patients visit the allergist to discuss symptoms and undergo an examination. | 621111 | Physicians | $150-$300 |
| Patients undergo tests, such as skin prick tests or blood work, to identify allergens. | 621511 | Medical Laboratories | $100-$1,000 |
| The allergist issues a prescription, either in person or electronically. | 621111 | Physicians | Free |
| Patients pick up their medication from a pharmacy. | 446110 | Pharmacies | $10-$100 |
Total Costs | $310-$1,700 |
Today’s journey through the healthcare system is marked by inefficiencies at every step, from the time taken to schedule an appointment to the layers of administrative processing involved in insurance and claims.
2. Envisioning the Healthcare Metaverse: Efficiency and Instant Care
In the Healthcare Metaverse, the patient experience would be drastically different. Instead of scheduling appointments, patients would be continuously monitored by AI-powered devices that track health in real-time. Quantum computing would enable instant analysis of vast data sets, including genetic information, and AI would automatically order personalized prescriptions, produced on-site, on-demand.
Comparison: Today’s Healthcare Journey vs. Future Healthcare Metaverse
Step | Today's Customer Journey | Future Healthcare Metaverse Journey |
1. Researching & Finding a Specialist | Patient searches for an allergist via online directories, insurance networks, or referrals. | No need to search; AI continuously monitors health and detects issues through real-time data, such as genetic info. |
Cost | Free | Free (built into healthcare subscription) |
2. Insurance Verification | Patient verifies allergist’s coverage with insurance provider. | No insurance verification; AI assesses costs instantly based on a direct-to-source commodity-based payment system. |
Cost | Free | Free |
3. Scheduling Appointment | Patient schedules an appointment either online or by phone, often weeks in advance. | Instant AI diagnosis occurs in the background without patient scheduling; health status is continuously monitored. |
Cost | Free or nominal ($0–$10) | Free |
4. Pre-appointment Forms | Patient fills out medical history and symptoms forms either online or in person before the appointment. | No forms needed; real-time data from wearables, genome information, and past health history is always accessible. |
Cost | Free | Free |
5. Initial Consultation | Patient meets the allergist, discusses symptoms, and receives a diagnosis. | AI continuously monitors patient’s real-time data and genetic markers, diagnosing instantly without a physical visit. |
Cost | $100-$300 | Free |
6. Diagnostic Testing | Patient undergoes various tests (e.g., skin prick test, blood work) to identify allergens. | AI and quantum computing use genetic data and real-time biometrics for instant diagnostics—no tests required. |
Cost | $100–$1,000 | Free (diagnostics are part of the real-time AI monitoring system) |
7. Follow-up Appointment | Patient returns to discuss test results, and the allergist prescribes medication. | No follow-up needed; AI instantly updates the patient with findings and a treatment plan through wearable devices. |
Cost | $100-$300 | Free |
8. Prescription Issuance | The allergist prescribes medication, which the patient must take to a pharmacy or have delivered. | AI orders ingredients directly from the source, and a custom prescription drug is synthesized instantly on-site. |
Cost | Free for prescription issuance (medication costs depend on prescription) | Direct commodity-based costs (e.g., raw ingredients cost only) |
9. Pharmacy Fulfillment | Patient picks up the prescription at a pharmacy or has it delivered. | Prescription is instantly produced using on-demand 3D bioprinting or nanotechnology at home or in a healthcare hub. |
Cost | $10–$100 depending on medication and insurance | $5–$20 based on the commodity price of ingredients |
10. Insurance Claims | Insurance company processes the medical service, tests, and prescription claims, leading to additional co-pays. | No traditional insurance model; commodity pricing and quantum AI financial models replace claim processing. |
Cost | Deductibles and co-pays vary depending on the insurance plan | Free |
11. Treatment & Follow-up Care | Patient starts treatment and may schedule future appointments for monitoring. | Continuous AI monitoring adjusts treatment in real-time, automatically updating medications as needed. |
Cost | $100–$500 per follow-up appointment (varies) | Free |
Cost Breakdown Comparison
Step | Today's Total Cost Estimate | Future Healthcare Metaverse Total Costs |
Research & Scheduling | Free to $10 | Free (automated via real-time AI) |
Initial Consultation | $100–$300 | Free |
Diagnostic Testing | $100–$1,000 | Free |
Follow-up Appointment | $100–$300 | Free (continuous real-time health monitoring) |
Prescription Fulfillment | $10–$100 | $5–$20 (commodity-based raw material costs only) |
Total | $310–$1,700 | $5–$20 (plus nominal subscription fees for monitoring |
Explanation of Future Healthcare Metaverse Costs
AI-driven Diagnosis: AI will analyze patient data continuously from real-time health monitors (e.g., wearables) and stored genetic data, meaning there’s no need for a traditional consultation or diagnostic tests. The upfront costs of diagnostics and doctor visits are completely eliminated.
Commodity-based Prescription Fulfillment: Instead of going through the traditional pharmaceutical supply chain (manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer), AI will order raw materials directly from suppliers, and drugs will be synthesized instantly. The cost is tied directly to the price of raw ingredients, avoiding markups, shipping, and other middlemen.
No Insurance or Appointment Hassles: Since all health management is automated through AI, patients won’t need to deal with scheduling, insurance verification, or claims. The overall healthcare experience is streamlined into a subscription model that covers everything from monitoring to treatment.
Total Cost Summary
Today’s Journey: $310 to $1,700, depending on insurance coverage, diagnostic needs, and prescription costs.
Future Healthcare Metaverse: $5 to $20, based on direct commodity costs for custom medication, plus possible nominal subscription fees for the healthcare AI monitoring service.
This future vision drastically reduces costs, improves access, and increases speed, allowing for near-instant healthcare that is far more personalized and data-driven.
3. How the Healthcare Metaverse Could Drastically Reduce Costs
The current healthcare system is bogged down by several inefficiencies that the Healthcare Metaverse would eliminate. These include excessive administrative costs, middlemen (e.g., insurance companies), and the high costs of physical infrastructure (e.g., pharmacies, labs). In the Metaverse, AI would automatically diagnose conditions and order treatments based on real-time data, and personalized medication could be produced on demand, greatly reducing costs.
Explanation of Future Healthcare Metaverse Costs
In the future, healthcare will shift to a commodity-based pricing model, where costs are driven by the raw materials and processing of user information, which is data, the purest form of energy, appropriately named, Living Oil ™, unlike today's highly inefficient, wasteful fossil fuel counterpart, based on matter that lived on earth millions and millions of years ago, needed to produce personalized treatments. Here’s how this would work:
AI Diagnostics: Continuous monitoring by AI eliminates the need for physical consultations and expensive diagnostic tests, which can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 today.
On-Demand Prescription Fulfillment: Instead of waiting for prescriptions to be processed, AI would source the ingredients and create custom medications instantly, using 3D printing or nanotechnology.
These innovations drastically reduce costs while improving speed, convenience, and personalization.
4. Is Today’s Healthcare Sector Overvalued?
Given the potential cost reductions in a Healthcare Metaverse, it’s worth questioning whether today’s healthcare sector is overvalued. In 2022, the healthcare sector accounted for $4.5 trillion of the $27 trillion U.S. GDP, representing 17.3% of the economy. This share is projected to grow to 19.7% by 2032.
However, if technologies like AI and quantum computing are fully realized, much of today’s healthcare spending could be eliminated. Let’s explore whether today’s system is overvalued by examining key factors.
High Transaction Costs in Today’s Healthcare
Middlemen and Markups: Today’s healthcare system includes numerous intermediaries (pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers, pharmacies, insurance companies, etc.) that add layers of cost without directly improving patient outcomes. These layers—diagnostics, insurance billing, and prescription fulfillment—lead to significant markups. The future Healthcare Metaverse scenario suggests that these costs could be vastly reduced or eliminated.
Cost of Services vs. Value: Many healthcare services today are expensive because of overhead, administrative complexity, and inefficiencies rather than the inherent cost of providing care. AI-driven monitoring, instant diagnostics, and direct-to-source prescriptions would eliminate much of this complexity, reducing costs to patients.
Overhead and Administrative Burden
A significant portion of today’s healthcare spending goes toward non-medical costs such as administration, insurance claims processing, compliance, and hospital system overhead. The future model envisions a more direct, leaner system where these expenses are minimized or eliminated. If AI and quantum computing could optimize diagnosis and treatment delivery, the need for expensive infrastructures—like large hospital systems or extensive billing departments—would diminish.
In the U.S., estimates suggest that around 25% of healthcare spending is administrative, rather than directly related to patient care. If this is removed or reduced in the future, today's healthcare systems could indeed be viewed as overvalued based on the inefficiencies they currently sustain.
Role of Insurance
Insurance as a Cost Layer: Insurance companies play a significant role in today's healthcare pricing. They negotiate prices, control networks, and manage risk—but they also add a significant administrative burden and take profits. The future scenario implies a world where AI-driven risk models and direct patient engagement could lead to more transparent, commodity-based pricing, and potentially reduce the need for complex insurance frameworks. This shift would greatly impact the valuation of the insurance sector.
Innovation and Investment in Healthcare
Current R&D and Capital Investment: The present healthcare system includes significant investment in research and development, particularly by pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. While these costs drive up short-term expenses, they are also necessary to develop the technologies that may underpin the future Healthcare Metaverse.
The healthcare industry may not be "overvalued" if we consider the potential long-term value of innovations being developed today. For instance, today’s high prices fund ongoing research into personalized medicine, AI diagnostics, and other cutting-edge healthcare solutions.
Long-term Economic Value of AI-driven Healthcare
Efficiency Gains: The future model envisions lower costs through AI efficiencies, but it also presupposes significant investment in new infrastructure—such as AI, quantum computing, and personalized medicine. The capital required to develop and integrate these technologies would be enormous, and the savings in healthcare costs might not be realized immediately.
Transition Period: Healthcare won’t transform overnight. Today’s model has built-in structural, regulatory, and institutional inertia. For example, even as AI-driven healthcare grows, there will be transitional periods where traditional and new systems co-exist, which can create inefficiencies or maintain high costs.
Accessibility and Equity
Global Healthcare Needs: While the Healthcare Metaverse envisions a high-tech, personalized experience, many parts of the world still struggle with access to basic healthcare. Valuing today’s healthcare systems only through the lens of technological advancement ignores the challenges faced by underdeveloped or underserved markets. In many regions, even today’s healthcare may not be fully priced in, given the massive need for infrastructure and service development.
🌍Regulatory and Legal Challenges
The healthcare system today is heavily regulated, adding to costs in terms of compliance and risk management. While the future vision may reduce or bypass many of these barriers through automation, regulation and legal frameworks take time to evolve, and this adds to current healthcare costs. These regulatory frameworks could mean that
healthcare is not purely “overvalued,” but rather expensive due to the legal structures supporting patient safety and privacy.
Conclusion: Overvaluation or Structural Inefficiency?
The comparison implies that significant structural inefficiencies exist in today’s healthcare sector, particularly in terms of cost overhead, middlemen, and administrative complexities. However, to say that the sector is overvalued depends on whether you believe the current prices are justifiable based on the quality of care, innovation, and the investment required to sustain healthcare services.
In the future, as AI and quantum technologies reduce costs by streamlining processes and making healthcare more efficient, the current pricing model might seem inflated in retrospect. However, today's high costs could also be viewed as a necessary phase of investment and development that ultimately leads to the futuristic model.
Key Takeaway: Today’s healthcare sector has areas of inefficiency and cost layering, which could be significantly reduced through future technologies. Whether it is currently overvalued depends on whether the inefficiencies are viewed as necessary for current healthcare delivery or as structural problems that could be eliminated with future innovations.
5. Economic and Currency Implications of the Healthcare Metaverse
Beyond its potential to reshape the healthcare landscape, the Healthcare Metaverse could have significant macroeconomic effects on the broader U.S. economy, particularly in relation to the value of the U.S. dollar and economic growth.
Impact on the U.S. Dollar
1. Lower Healthcare Costs and Inflation:
As healthcare costs drop due to the efficiency of AI-driven processes and quantum computing, inflationary pressures within the healthcare sector would ease. Given that healthcare is such a significant portion of the U.S. economy (17.3% of GDP in 2022), reducing costs in this sector would lower overall inflation. In turn, lower inflation strengthens the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar. As inflation weakens a currency, reducing healthcare costs would likely bolster the dollar over time.
2. Reduced Government Expenditures:
The U.S. government is one of the largest payers in the healthcare system, particularly through programs like Medicare and Medicaid. In 2022, Medicare spending reached $944.3 billion, and Medicaid spending totaled $805.7 billion. If the Healthcare Metaverse reduces healthcare costs, the government could spend significantly less on these programs, leading to lower budget deficits. Lower deficits reduce the need for government borrowing, which generally supports a stronger U.S. dollar by improving investor confidence in U.S. fiscal stability.
3. Capital Flows and Foreign Investment:
As the U.S. healthcare system becomes more efficient and technologically advanced, it could attract substantial foreign investment, particularly in healthcare technology companies and related sectors. This influx of foreign capital would increase demand for U.S. dollars, driving up its value in the global market. Additionally, innovations in the Healthcare Metaverse could lead to new healthcare-related exports, such as AI-based diagnostic tools, wearable health monitors, and personalized medicines. An increase in healthcare exports would also contribute to a stronger dollar by improving the U.S. trade balance.
4. Productivity Gains and Economic Growth:
The Healthcare Metaverse could lead to significant productivity gains across the U.S. economy. Healthier workers, enabled by real-time AI-driven healthcare, would miss fewer workdays, improving labor force participation and productivity. Additionally, faster diagnoses and treatments would allow individuals to recover more quickly and re-enter the workforce sooner. Sustained economic growth generally strengthens the dollar by boosting investor confidence in the U.S. economy and increasing the demand for U.S. assets.
5. Impact on Trade Balance:
If the U.S. becomes a global leader in Healthcare Metaverse technologies, it could boost exports of medical technology, software, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. A rise in exports relative to imports would improve the U.S. trade balance. Conversely, if the U.S. healthcare sector becomes more self-sufficient and relies less on imported pharmaceuticals and medical devices, the reduction in imports could also strengthen the dollar by reducing the outflow of dollars for healthcare-related goods.
Historical Correlations: U.S. GDP and the Dollar
Historically, there is a general correlation between U.S. GDP growth and the strength of the U.S. dollar. When the U.S. economy is growing, it tends to attract foreign investment, increasing demand for U.S. dollars and driving up its value. For instance, during periods of strong economic expansion, such as the late 1990s and early 2000s, the U.S. dollar appreciated due to robust GDP growth and increased foreign investment in U.S. assets.
However, this relationship is not always perfectly aligned. During times of global uncertainty, the U.S. dollar often acts as a "safe haven" currency, appreciating even when U.S. GDP growth is slow. For example, during the 2008 financial crisis, despite a shrinking U.S. economy, the dollar appreciated due to global risk aversion, as investors moved capital into dollar-denominated assets for safe.
Results: Likely Dollar Appreciation
If the Healthcare Metaverse leads to significant cost reductions, productivity gains, and improved economic growth while maintaining or enhancing the overall U.S. economy, the U.S. dollar is likely to appreciate over time. Lower healthcare costs would reduce inflationary pressures and government debt, both of which are supportive of a stronger dollar. Furthermore, the U.S. could become a global leader in healthcare technology, attracting foreign investment and improving the trade balance. These factors would likely drive demand for U.S. dollars, pushing its value higher.
That said, the overall strength of the dollar will continue to depend on broader economic conditions, including monetary policy, global demand for U.S. assets, and geopolitical factors. The Healthcare Metaverse represents a promising future for both healthcare and economic stability, but its full impact will unfold alongside these broader dynamics.
6. The Future of Jobs in the Healthcare Metaverse
The adoption of the Healthcare Metaverse will not only transform how healthcare is delivered but also generate significant employment opportunities across several sectors. As AI and quantum computing drive healthcare efficiencies, the nature of healthcare jobs will shift from traditional roles to more technologically focused positions.
New Job Creation
1. AI and Quantum Computing Specialists:
The Healthcare Metaverse will rely heavily on AI for real-time diagnostics and decision-making, as well as quantum computing for processing vast amounts of healthcare data. This shift will create a demand for specialists who can develop, implement, and maintain these advanced systems. Jobs in AI, machine learning, and quantum computing are likely to increase as the healthcare sector becomes more data-driven.
2. Healthcare Technologists:
New roles will emerge for healthcare technologists who work at the intersection of healthcare and IT. These professionals will manage healthcare platforms, monitor the performance of AI-driven diagnostic tools, and ensure that data flows seamlessly between patients and providers.
3. Printing in 3D and Nanotechnology Experts:
As the Healthcare Metaverse enables on-demand production of custom medicines through 3D printing and nanotechnology, there will be a growing need for experts in these fields. Specialists in bioprinting, drug development, and nanotechnology will be responsible for creating personalized treatments tailored to individual patients' needs.
4. Health Data Analysts:
The vast amounts of data generated by AI-powered diagnostics, genetic information, and real-time patient monitoring will require skilled health data analysts. These professionals will be tasked with interpreting data, identifying trends, and making recommendations for improving patient care. The role of data analysts will be crucial in ensuring that the insights generated by AI are actionable and beneficial to patients.
5. Ethics and Compliance Officers:
With the increased use of AI and real-time monitoring, privacy and ethical concerns will become more pronounced. Healthcare providers will need ethics and compliance officers who specialize in ensuring that patient data is handled responsibly and that AI systems are transparent and free from bias. These professionals will play a critical role in building trust between patients and healthcare providers.
Impact on Traditional Healthcare Roles
While the Healthcare Metaverse will create new jobs, it may also reduce the need for certain traditional healthcare roles. For example:
Physician Consultations: AI-powered diagnostics may reduce the need for frequent in-person consultations with physicians. However, physicians will still play a vital role in overseeing care and addressing complex cases that require human judgment.
Pharmacists: As medications are increasingly produced on-demand through 3D printing and nanotechnology, the role of traditional pharmacists may evolve. Instead of dispensing pre-manufactured drugs, pharmacists may become specialists in ensuring the quality and accuracy of personalized medications.
Why We Should Work Toward the Healthcare Metaverse
The Healthcare Metaverse represents a transformational shift in how healthcare is delivered, with the potential to address some of the most pressing issues facing the healthcare industry today. From cost inefficiencies and administrative burdens to limited access and inequitable outcomes, today’s system is ripe for disruption. The Healthcare Metaverse offers a solution that is not only more efficient and personalized but also scalable, inclusive, and capable of driving global economic growth.
1. Cost Reduction and Efficiency
One of the most significant advantages of the Healthcare Metaverse is its potential to drastically reduce healthcare costs by eliminating inefficiencies inherent in today’s system. By automating administrative tasks, reducing the need for intermediaries (such as insurance companies and pharmacies), and enabling real-time diagnostics through AI, healthcare delivery will be streamlined. Patients will benefit from personalized treatments created instantly, while governments and businesses will save billions on healthcare spending.
2. Improved Global Health Outcomes
The ability to continuously monitor patient health and deliver instant, data-driven care through wearable devices and AI will revolutionize patient outcomes. Early diagnosis, personalized treatments, and real-time monitoring of chronic conditions will significantly improve public health. Better health outcomes not only reduce healthcare costs but also contribute to increased productivity and workforce participation, driving broader economic growth.
3. Expanding Access to Healthcare
Access to healthcare is one of the greatest challenges facing both developed and developing countries. The Healthcare Metaverse has the potential to break down geographic, financial, and infrastructural barriers to care by democratizing healthcare access through technology. Continuous monitoring, AI-driven diagnostics, and on-demand treatment options will bring healthcare to even the most remote or underserved populations. This expansion of access will lead to healthier global populations and, ultimately, a more stable and prosperous global economy.
4. Economic and Employment Growth
The development of the Healthcare Metaverse will drive significant job creation, particularly in fields such as AI, quantum computing, nanotechnology, and healthcare IT. As traditional healthcare roles evolve, new opportunities will emerge for healthcare technologists, data analysts, and specialists in advanced healthcare manufacturing techniques like 3D bioprinting. Moreover, the increased efficiency and accessibility of healthcare will enable workers to remain healthy and productive for longer, boosting overall economic output.
5. Strengthening the U.S. Dollar and Global Competitiveness
As the U.S. healthcare system becomes more efficient, the nation will experience lower inflationary pressures and reduced government healthcare expenditures, leading to stronger fiscal management. These factors are likely to strengthen the U.S. dollar over time. Additionally, by leading the world in healthcare technology innovation, the U.S. can attract foreign investment and improve its trade balance, further boosting the value of the dollar and enhancing its global economic standing.
Builders of the Healthcare Metaverse
At the forefront of this healthcare revolution are companies like Sir Roy G. Biv, supported by DivvyBloc’s Healthcare Metaverse infrastructure. These organizations are building the technological backbone of the future healthcare system, pioneering AI-driven diagnostics, personalized medicine production, and real-time data analysis.
Sir Roy G. Biv is uniquely positioned to act as a guide in helping healthcare providers, governments, and businesses navigate the transition to the Healthcare Metaverse. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and fostering strategic partnerships across industries, Sir Roy G. Biv and DivvyBloc are laying the foundation for a more efficient, inclusive, and globally impactful healthcare system.
Time is Now to Take Action
The future of healthcare is not just about treating illness—it’s about transforming how we approach health and well-being on a global scale. By embracing the Healthcare Metaverse, we can create a system that is efficient, personalized, and accessible to all. Sir Roy G. Biv, with the support of DivvyBloc, is paving the way for this future. Governments, businesses, healthcare providers, and investors must work together to make this vision a reality, ensuring that we not only improve healthcare outcomes but also strengthen the global economy and build a more prosperous future for all.
If you’re an Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) Family Office, as we presented in Living Oil™ is the Energy That’ll Fuel the Healthcare Metaverse, now is the time to invest in the technologies and infrastructure that will bring the Healthcare Metaverse to life. By doing so, we can create a healthier, more equitable world, where healthcare is no longer a burden but a catalyst for economic growth and global prosperity.
References
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA): Data on U.S. GDP and healthcare spending
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Data on healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP
World Bank: Global healthcare expenditure data
Copyright ©️ 2024 Sir Roy G. Biv
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