Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A cohort study of U.S. households with children found that high medical expenses can strain household resources, making it difficult to afford basic necessities like food and housing. The study suggests a link between financial burdens and adverse health outcomes among this vulnerable population.
A new study found that demand for abortion and miscarriage hotlines increased by double digits before the Dobbs decision, with states later enacting abortion bans seeing a significant surge. The hotline saw a 210% spike in use from June 2022 to June 2023.
Massachusetts Medicaid members who received medically tailored meals experienced significantly fewer health emergencies, including 31% fewer hospitalizations and 20% fewer emergency department visits. The program also resulted in lower per-person healthcare costs of $3,433, offsetting 98% of the program's cost.
A new digital platform has lowered the cost of GLP-1 medications, making them more accessible to patients without insurance. However, sustaining treatment remains a challenge due to the cash-pay model's lack of financial protection for indefinite treatment.
A proposed 'polluter pays' tobacco levy scheme could raise billions in tax revenue and prevent thousands of hospital admissions. The UK could generate £1-£4.9 billion over five years, depending on the level of price cap and implementation speed.
The American Cancer Society has endorsed two new types of stool tests and recommends limiting the use of blood tests for colorectal cancer screening. The guidelines aim to encourage people to get screened while improving detection rates.
The Journal of Medical Internet Research publishes a theme issue on digital inclusion in the Global South, examining access, agency, and impact. The focus areas include measuring digital access, gendered digital realities, and digital innovations across health and livelihoods.
The Lancet MedZero provides comprehensive carbon analytics across healthcare products, enabling evidence-based decision-making for hospitals and health systems. The platform aims to reduce waste, improve patient care, and tackle climate change, with over 14,000 entries at launch.
Researchers at Brown University found that payments to Medicare Advantage brokers more than doubled between 2014 and 2022, rising from $3.9 billion to roughly $10 billion a year. The study also revealed that broker involvement is common and growing, with 70% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries generating renewal commissions.
A nationwide study found no significant association between telemedicine adoption and changes in US ambulatory visits or total medical spending. The expansion of telemedicine has eased concerns about increased utilization and spending, as the growth did not lead to large increases in these areas.
A new study found that telemedicine has not led to increased visits and medical spending across all payer types, easing concerns about ballooning costs. However, it also found that rural areas and commercially insured patients had higher spending, but these changes were not statistically significant.
The summit brought together endocrine leaders to identify opportunities to work closely together on increasing the visibility of endocrine health in policy decisions. Early findings from a workforce survey revealed challenges including long patient waiting times and retention concerns among early-career clinicians.
Researchers analyzed 13 years of federal data on Medicare Advantage enforcement actions, finding that CMS rarely used severe tools like contract terminations or suspensions. Instead, they relied on small fines, which may do little to change behavior and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
A new study reveals significant variation in sickle cell disease hospitalizations and costs across New York State, with regional differences in access to specialized care and treatment impacting outcomes. Long Island and New York City show high costs and complex cases, while Central New York has the longest average length of stay.
The American Heart Association warns that healthcare affordability has reached crisis levels, with total spending approaching $5 trillion annually. The association proposes five guiding principles for action by lawmakers and policymakers to address the issue.
A new review highlights the emotional, physical, and financial challenges faced by caregivers of women living with ovarian cancer. Caregivers experience anxiety, depression, grief, and burnout, alongside practical barriers such as financial hardship and limited communication with healthcare providers.
Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and Boston University School of Public Health have developed a national Medicaid claims data platform to illuminate spending variation across states, plans, and populations. The project aims to provide actionable data for policymakers to improve care and efficiency.
A new study found that Michigan Medicaid expansion helped enrollees significantly reduce their medical debt in collections by up to 75% within seven years of enrollment. Additionally, the study shows substantial drops in sub-prime credit scores, improving financial stability and long-term health outcomes.
Researchers from UH, Baylor College of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center propose a new treatment approach for Crohn's disease by targeting the stress signal that fuels inflammation. They found that repurposing two existing cancer medications can promote natural repair and regeneration of the intestinal lining.
Brief delays in hepatitis B vaccine initiation result in substantial increases in virus infections, adverse health outcomes, and healthcare expenses. Economic evaluations reveal the significant financial burden of such delays on individuals and society.
The study aims to implement skills-based mental health and substance use training for community health workers, embedded with peer recovery coaches. Over 5000 patients will be followed to measure the approach's effectiveness in re-engaging patients with care.
A new analysis found that prescriptions for curable hepatitis C drugs have declined sharply in recent years, leaving millions without treatment. The researchers urge swift actions to deliver the drugs to those who need them, including increased screening and system-level changes.
The article highlights how advances in remote monitoring and portable medical technology are dismantling traditional hospital walls. Hospital-at-Home programs offer a scalable solution to acute care delivery, resulting in lower costs, reduced readmission rates, and improved patient outcomes.
A new study found that cancer types with high lethality receive lower federal research funding, prioritizing these cancers could help direct resources to diseases with greatest potential to reduce suffering. Additionally, certain cancers have a disproportionate impact on underserved populations and quality-of-life burden.
A study found that children who need dental care the most are less likely to participate in school-based cavity prevention programs, which can lead to significant savings for state Medicaid programs. Improving participation among high-risk children could save up to $2.4 million annually.
Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a suite of AI-powered tools, called YuelDesign, YuelPocket and YuelBond, to transform how new drugs are created. These tools can design drug molecules tailored to fit their protein targets exactly, even accounting for protein flexibility.
A study estimates that quitting tobacco could give a major economic uplift to over 20 million households in India, with the greatest impact felt in rural areas and among the poorest households. The analysis suggests that these households would receive a significant boost in income, potentially moving up one or two economic classes.
Public long-term care insurance in China's pilot program cuts catastrophic health spending by up to 52%, shifting care away from costly medical interventions. This model offers a powerful alternative for value-based end-of-life care.
People aged 50 and over who serve as unpaid family caregivers are more likely to support government-funded care, while non-caregivers prefer family or older adult payment. Concerns about long-term care costs and access persist among caregivers versus non-caregivers.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is enrolling adolescent and young adult cancer patients in various trials, including genetic services and treatment studies. These trials aim to address longstanding gaps in care and improve outcomes for AYAs with cancer.
Canada's health system would bear the burden of medical care in major armed conflicts, and lacks a coordinated command structure and surge capacity. A national framework with three pillars – sustained clinical readiness, dual-use capacity, and formal coordination – is proposed to address this vulnerability.
A new study by Tulane University found that Oregon's hospital financial assistance policy significantly reduced medical debt in collections. The policy was associated with 872-1,180 fewer people per county having medical debt in collections, and increased charity care spending.
A study estimated income losses from individual perspectives in Denmark from 2000 to 2023 after hospital diagnoses of depression, alcohol use disorder, stroke, and breast cancer. The researchers found that income losses were largest for mental disorders, with average losses growing over time, particularly among younger individuals.
A study found that Medicare beneficiaries with heart disease reported less cost-related medication non-adherence after new provisions limited out-of-pocket drug costs. This decrease was particularly notable among low-income seniors, who saw a significant reduction in skipped or delayed doses.
Researchers analyzed electronic health records from over 39,000 adults with diabetes, finding that those who lost insurance had poorer blood sugar control and needed more intensive medications. The study suggests that coverage gaps pose a direct threat to health, particularly for low-income patients.
A new poll finds that nearly a third of Americans over 50 provide regular care to an adult relative or friend with a health issue or disability, highlighting the need for increased awareness of existing programs such as adult day programs and respite care. Many caregivers face financial stress and don't know about or use these resource...
A 45-year study found that early life leisure-time physical activity is linked to better work ability in late adulthood. Higher levels of activity throughout the lifespan contribute significantly to work ability, with a dose-response association observed in late adulthood.
A systematic review of 42 studies reveals a rising trend in self-injury among children and youth in high-income countries, with significant variability across countries. The findings highlight the need for effective, contextually informed prevention strategies to curb this growing concern.
A $3.4 million NIH grant will fund a semi-automated feedback system to support people tracking diet, exercise, and weight in weight-management programs. The system aims to provide personalized feedback to increase tracking and weight loss success.
A new study found that nearly 1 in 3 US adults (82 million) make daily financial trade-offs to pay for healthcare, with prescription rationing and borrowing money being the most common actions taken. Healthcare costs are affecting both immediate household stability and long-term life planning, with 25% of households earning $90,000 to ...
A new study warns that reduced international funding for tuberculosis services could lead to significant economic hardship for 40 million households globally, with the poorest households bearing the greatest burden. The study estimates that complete elimination of external funding for TB could cost families up to $80 billion annually.
The Alliance trial explores the combination of zanubrutinib and sonrotoclax for CLL treatment, aiming to send cancer into remission and allow patients to stop treatment earlier. The study has the potential to be life-changing for patients and their families, reducing the burden of ongoing therapy and improving quality of life.
A study found that radiologists who reviewed imaging tests twice after AI flagged them as abnormal were 53% less likely to be held liable in court compared to those who reviewed once. This suggests that changes to radiologist workflow could reduce legal risk, but may also come with increased costs.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is spotlighting new trials for colorectal cancer in March, focusing on early detection methods and treatments for treatment delays and loss of appetite. The trials aim to improve patient outcomes, with several enrolling patients with newly diagnosed colon or rectal cancer.
A new study by King's College London found that specialist palliative care can reduce NHS costs by up to £8,000 per person and improve quality of life. Home-based specialist palliative care was associated with reduced costs, while hospital-based care also showed cost savings.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that young adults are more likely to consume healthcare through online apps, especially when no patient fees are charged. Women tend to have higher consultation rates than men, who experience a sharper decline in consultations once they turn 20.
A modelling study suggests that reduced international donor funding increases the household economic burden of tuberculosis in low- and middle-income countries. The research found that decreased funding leads to a significant rise in healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Researchers found that sunscreens with the same SPF of 50 and active ingredients can range from $0.04 to $3.79 per application, highlighting huge variations depending on product price and skin exposure.
The study found that telemedicine patient visits were billed $400 less and resulted in fewer follow-up visits compared to in-person appointments. For respiratory symptoms, telemedicine appointments were cheaper by roughly $800 on average, highlighting its cost-efficiency.
A new study reveals that Australia's mental health system inadequately protects patients from high healthcare costs, leading to financial burden. The research emphasizes the need for increased rebates for mental health services to address this inequity.
A study analyzing data from 44,000 adults found that those with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience substantially higher rates of anxiety and depression. The study also highlights significant healthcare treatment and access barriers facing this population.
A study by University of Virginia Health System researchers found that Medicare Advantage patients had better access to preventive care and rehabilitation after a stroke, leading to faster recovery times. In contrast, traditional Medicare patients were less likely to receive these services due to prior authorization requirements.
A new Cochrane review found that nurse-led hospital care matches doctor-led care for safety and effectiveness, but may achieve better outcomes in some areas. Nurse substitution is not a one-size-fits-all approach, requiring the right training and support to work well.
A new study published in Health Economics finds that universal free prescription drug coverage reduced average out-of-pocket medication spending by 23% and catastrophic drug expenses by 62%. However, the policy also led to unintended behavioral responses, such as increased spending on unhealthy goods.
A new report published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health highlights the significant global palliative care gap among children, with 96% of those in need living in low- and middle-income countries. The study estimates that $1 million per year is sufficient to cover pain medications for all children ages 0-14 years in need who live...
A new guideline published in CMAJ advises hospitals to implement 21 recommendations to increase environmental sustainability in operating rooms. The guidelines include reducing energy use, using reusable devices, developing recycling programs, and rethinking disposal of unused supplies.
A new study finds that the 2010 WHO Code initially reduced physician migration from World Health Organization-designated shortage countries, but did not improve their physician supply. The code showed promise in reducing physician emigration by approximately 2,600 fewer physicians each year, but its effects diminished over time.
The new guidelines outline standardized infrastructure planning, workforce development, technology integration, and emergency preparedness measures to standardize critical care across hospitals in China. The initiative aims to reduce disparities in care and ensure evidence-based treatment nationwide.