What can today's healthcare industry learn from Apple circa 2007? In fact, a lot.

In June 2007, Steve Jobs took to the stage wearing his signature black turtleneck and did what he did best: reinvent reality. He promised the audience three new products: “an iPod, a phone and an Internet communicator.” Then he secretly took out a device from his pocket – an iPhone.

The physical design of the first-generation iPhone was sleek and groundbreaking, and it was based on a closed system of software and applications. Sixteen apps in total, all developed by Apple. Jobs even declared that software developers should really become hardware developers and emphasized that Apple would remain closed. But, as time went on, Apple couldn't and didn't block everything.

Within months, hackers had successfully jailbroken iPhones and built the apps people wanted on Apple iOS. Apple has two options: double down on trying to control everything themselves, or accept what the world clearly tells them they need to do and empower an emerging ecosystem of third-party app developers to do it safely. Apple has done just that, focusing on what it does best, which is hardware and operating systems, and creating a platform that allows others to do the rest. The result is explosive growth, a better user experience, and products that truly change the world.

So, what does this have to do with healthcare today? everything.

Healthcare today is a lot like the mobile phone industry in 2007: siled, fragmented, and convinced that it can do it all. But the reality is that no one payer, provider or technology company can solve the complexity of healthcare alone. Just like Apple recognizes that it can and should help others build apps to kick-start the nascent mobile app ecosystem, healthcare must recognize the power of partnerships and specialization to drive innovation in our industry.

I believe healthcare needs an “app store moment” to be open, inclusiveAn integrated ecosystem where each player focuses on their own strengths while working together seamlessly. What is needed is a flexible platform that can integrate best-in-class health plans, networks and benefit models to meet the unique needs of each organization. This makes it easy for platform users like health plans to leverage their expertise while providing members with a seamless, modern experience.

we have to Provides a technology platform designed to simplify and clarify healthcare processes. By working together, we can develop a health benefits system that is user-friendly and efficient, similar to the ease of use found in everyday consumer products.

This need is felt most keenly by employers. They are paying their bills, but the system makes it nearly impossible to strategically manage costsLily.

So how do we serve them?

• For employers: Advanced analytics and reporting tools, and highly reliable financial claims accuracy (up to 99.1%).
• For members: A simpler, more intuitive healthcare experience that seamlessly connects all benefits, drives engagement and delivers measurable results.

The future of healthcare is not one where one company “owns it all.” This is about building the ecosystem that Apple unlocks through iPhone and its App Store—an ecosystem that empowers and changes the game for everyone. This is a bet we make with our partner programs and employers. If the Apple story is any indication, that's correct.

Photo: CASEZY, Getty Images