Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
Researchers have developed new qPCR assays to quantify the transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using water and wastewater samples. These methods provide a more exact way to determine AMR by measuring DNA in wastewater samples.
The new ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline provides comprehensive guidance on diagnosing, staging, and treating patients with metastatic breast cancer. The guideline incorporates recent clinical trial data to inform treatment choices, taking into account tumour biology and emerging targeted therapies.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine shows that participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) among older adults dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid is associated with fewer hospital visits and lower healthcare costs. Researchers used data from over 115,000 people aged 65+ in North Carolina to d...
Two new studies examine rising cancer drug spending in the US, finding that many patients receive treatments with no documented overall survival benefit. The studies suggest that the combination of regulatory, pricing, and reimbursement policies contributes to wasteful healthcare spending.
UK military veterans are nearly 11 times more likely to be problem gamblers than non-veterans, leading to higher health and social care costs. The study found that veterans incurred substantially higher healthcare costs, including hospital stays, visits to GPs, and contact with social workers.
A new study analyzed 4,000 COVID-related hospitalizations and found that patients with private insurance could face $3,800 bills, while those with Medicare Advantage plans might owe $1,500. The lack of waivers for hospitalization costs could lead to increased financial burden on patients.
The cost of establishing laboratories to track antimicrobial resistance in Southeast Asian hospitals is substantial, making it challenging for many countries to implement such programs. Financial support is crucial to overcome these costs and provide effective antimicrobial resistance monitoring.
A Tanzanian study found that laser treatment (SLT) successfully reduced eye pressure to normal levels in 61% of patients after one year, compared to 31% with daily eye drops. SLT may be an affordable alternative for glaucoma care in Africa.
A CHOP-led study found that healthy full-term infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic had substantially shorter hospital stays, with a significant increase in early discharge rates. Despite shorter hospital stays, infant rehospitalizations within a week of discharge remained unchanged.
The National Kidney Foundation has released a research roadmap to accelerate innovations in treatment and increase understanding of kidney disease. The report calls for increased funding in preclinical science, genetics, health equity, and implementation science to tackle the most vexing challenges in kidney disease.
New studies show that patients with abnormal screening results may face significant out-of-pocket costs for follow-up tests, potentially delaying care. For women, colposcopy costs rose sharply over 13 years, with some facing bills of nearly $1,000. Lung cancer screening CT scans also led to high costs for invasive procedures.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new treatment that pairs essential proteins with lysophosphatidylserine to build immune tolerance and prevent antibody development, potentially treating autoimmune disorders and allergies.
A study by Intermountain Healthcare found that notifying pharmacies of discontinued prescriptions can prevent almost 200 safety events over two months. By using a CancelRX functionality in their electronic medical record system, the team was able to avoid these events and ensure patients only receive correct medications.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 35.7% increase in global development assistance for health in 2020, reaching $13.7 billion. However, this surge still falls short of the estimated $33 billion to $62 billion needed to address the pandemic in low- and middle-income countries.
Danish adults have made significant strides in preserving their natural teeth and visiting the dentist more frequently. However, social disparities in dental health persist, with those from lower-income backgrounds receiving less preventive care.
A survey of 5,589 cancer patients found widespread unawareness about immunotherapy's mechanism, efficacy, and cost. Non-oncology doctors also face challenges in keeping up with the latest developments in oncology.
The Primary Care 2.0 model demonstrates increased team development, linked to improved staff wellness, but not sufficient in preventing burnout. Labor costs decrease over time with the new model.
Analysis of survey data reveals shifts in health care spending in different US population groups, with significant increases in prescription drug spending between 2001 and 2018. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these trends and promote more equitable healthcare distribution.
A new study suggests that lowering the age when older adults can enroll in Medicare might save them a significant amount of money. The study found that average out-of-pocket healthcare costs dropped by 27% for those turning 66, while nearly 9% of 64-year-olds were considered 'catastrophic' due to high health expenses.
A new RAND Corporation study models likely savings from legislative proposal to adopt reference pricing, which could reduce US spending on prescription drugs by at least half. The study found that caps on prices set at 120% of what is paid in six other nations could lower US spending on insulins and 50 top brand-name drugs by 52%, savi...
A study led by Duke University researchers found that nearly 2.7 million people in the US lost employer-based health insurance during the spring and summer of 2020, but gained coverage through government programs like Medicaid. The study suggests that recent policy changes created a safety net to support those affected by job loss.
A new poll suggests that older adults are not using tax-advantaged savings accounts to save for future health expenses, with those who do more likely to have high incomes and education levels. The findings highlight the need for better understanding and support for low-income and vulnerable populations.
A new study found that non-Hispanic Black and Mexican American adults are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at an average age of 46-47 years old, four to seven years earlier than non-Hispanic white adults. Preventive measures such as nutrition counseling and physical-activity programs can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
Researchers developed GripAble to improve arm function in stroke survivors with severe arm weakness. The device enables users to play arm-training games and track progress, achieving an average of 104 upper limb repetitions per day.
A study developed by HSS experts shows improved patient outcomes, including reduced hospital stays and readmissions, after implementing an optimized recovery pathway for complex spine surgeries. The new approach also lowered complication rates and enabled patients to recover faster at home.
A low-cost prototype breathing device designed for poorer-resourced healthcare settings has shown promising results in a pilot trial involving healthy volunteers. The device provides continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and operates with oxygen concentrators, which are commonly used in low-pressure systems.
The Telehealth Service Implementation Model (TSIM) offers a comprehensive approach to developing and sustaining successful telehealth programs. TSIM addresses key challenges such as provider and patient engagement, technical, financial, regulatory, and administrative burdens.
A survey study found significant racial and ethnic differences in self-reported measures of health status, healthcare access, and affordability. The study analyzed data from 20 years, revealing persistent disparities across various racial and ethnic groups.
Prices paid to in and out-of-network anesthesiologists decreased after surprise billing legislation was introduced, with California and Florida seeing significant drops. In-network prices also decreased in these states, suggesting a direct impact on provider-payer negotiating dynamics.
More than 100 resolutions have been passed naming racism a public health crisis, with less than 1 in 5 explicitly mentioning funding for initiatives. The surge is linked to greater national attention brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements.
A UK team developed a portable ventilator to treat COVID-19 patients in developing countries. The Field Ventilator can be used beyond COVID-19 to treat various respiratory diseases and patients needing respiratory support.
A new study found that only 7% of patients who switched from Truvada to Descovy had a documented clinical reason for doing so, highlighting the need for cost-effective PrEP options. The significant price difference between the two medications may be a major barrier to broad and equitable PrEP use in the US.
A review by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences found that QI studies in Ireland enhanced multiple elements of healthcare quality, including effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, and safety. The studies primarily focused on improving patient care and hospital operations.
A new study by AKASA finds that its Read, Attend and Code machine learning model exceeds the performance of current state-of-the-art models for automatic coding of inpatient clinical notes. The technology surpasses human coders in terms of both efficiency and accuracy.
The study found that democratic countries increased government health spending by $275 per person between 1990 and 2019, while autocratic countries saw only a $115 increase. Democracies are also more likely to maintain universal health coverage even during economic recessions.
A Harvard study found that 20% of diabetes patients with high-deductible health plans reported skipping medications due to cost, compared to 16% in traditional plans. Patients with insulin reliance were 31% more likely to miss medication.
A new study found that patients with employer-sponsored insurance were billed up to $219 million in total for preventive services that should be free. The study revealed that OOP charges varied widely depending on the type of service and geographic location, with rural areas more likely to be billed.
A new MIT study estimates that disposable N95 masks generate up to 84 million kilograms of waste during the first six months of a pandemic, equivalent to 252 Boeing 747 airplanes. Reusable silicone masks could reduce this waste by 80-90%.
A study in Beijing, China from 2016-2018 found a significant decrease in the quantity of diabetes medications used, with an 18.39% reduction in estimated annual medication costs. The decrease is attributed to rational use of medications and reduced usage of insulin.
Research found that patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) had twice as long hospital stays and double the total health care costs compared to those receiving standard care. Delivering ECT in outpatient settings may make treatment more cost-effective.
A new study found that establishing safe nurse staffing standards in hospitals in Chile could significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. The research revealed that private hospitals had better nurse-to-patient ratios than public hospitals, resulting in lower avoidable deaths and hospital readmissions.
A survey of 1,590 Australian IVF patients found that 82% have used fertility add-ons despite limited evidence supporting their effectiveness. The most commonly used add-ons were acupuncture and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, with significant costs associated with these treatments.
A study by Stanford University found that pediatric firearm injuries in the US result in a median cost of $12,984 per patient under 18 years old. The authors analyzed data from the national Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database to identify factors contributing to variation in hospital costs.
The national tender system in Norway has significantly reduced the cost of biologic and targeted drugs for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Over a 10-year period, the average annual costs were lowered by approximately 50%, with current users experiencing a 50% reduction and new patients seeing a 75% decrease.
A study found that drug rebates are associated with increased out-of-pocket costs for patients, particularly those without insurance. On average, patients with commercial insurance paid $6 more, Medicare patients $13, and the uninsured $39 due to rebates.
A recent study has revealed a wide range of cost variations and transparency levels in the treatment of thyroid cancer. The research, conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital, found that only half of the cancer centers studied reported payer-negotiated prices for services, with some costs varying by up to 70-fold across institutions.
A majority of Americans, including Democrats and Republicans, favor empowering the federal government to negotiate lower prescription drug prices under Medicare. The survey found that only a minority believe this would harm innovation or competition from the pharmaceutical industry, with 39% of Republicans among them.
Experts recommend making COVID-19 jabs free in India to boost uptake and curb the death toll from the infection. The country is facing a critical shortage of hospital beds, ICU beds, medicines, ventilators, oxygen, and healthcare staff due to high infections.
A new study estimates global economic burden of P. vivax malaria, finding that widespread access to radical cure could reduce costs substantially and achieve elimination of the disease.
A new analysis by the West Health Policy Center estimates that the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) could result in hundreds of billions of dollars in lower commercial health insurance costs by 2030, primarily due to a $195 billion reduction in employer costs and $98 billion in savings for workers.
A group of researchers from 14 countries is urging a universal recognition of the need to control airborne pathogens in buildings. The experts recommend improved ventilation systems, including higher airflow rates, filtration, and disinfection, as well as real-time monitors to track indoor air quality.
A group of scientists recommends introducing new mechanisms to keep pathogen levels in building air flow low, citing the need for a paradigm shift in building design and operation. This approach can also reduce exposure to other air pollutants and improve wellbeing.
According to a new study by Mass Eye and Ear, sleep disorders are associated with significantly higher health care utilization rates, resulting in an estimated $94.9 billion in annual costs. Patients with conditions like sleep apnea account for 60% more healthcare expenses, with nearly double the number of doctor visits and prescriptions.
A new study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that vaccinating half the US population by summer can prevent 5.8 million cases and $7.8 billion in societal costs. Increasing vaccination coverage to 70% can save even more lives and reduce medical costs.
A new survey found that one in six US adults (16%) are staying in jobs they might otherwise leave out of fear of losing their employer-sponsored health insurance. Black workers are 50% more likely to stay in an unwanted job than their White and Hispanic counterparts.
A new study published in Medical Care Research and Review found that Medicaid expansion provided a financial boost to hospitals, with uncompensated care costs declining by 28% in states that expanded Medicaid relative to 2013 levels. The study analyzed critical data at state and national levels using IRS and CMS data sources.
A new study of short-term acute care hospitals acquired by private equity firms found that they have higher markups and profit margins, but slower staffing growth. Hospitals acquired by private equity firms had operating margins 5.6 percentage points higher than non-private hospitals at the start of the period.
Veterans who received temporary financial assistance for housing had fewer hospital visits and an average reduction in health care costs of $2,800 over two years compared to those who did not receive the benefit. This model could help better serve homeless Americans, including non-veterans.
A UCLA-led study reveals that seven preventive medical services have no likely health benefit to patients and may even be harmful. These services, including asymptomatic bacteriuria screening and prostate cancer screening, are ordered over 31 million times annually at a cost of nearly $500 million per year.
A new study found that Aboriginal families with children suffering severe burns often struggle to pay healthcare costs and travel expenses, exacerbating existing economic hardship. The research also highlighted the importance of family networks in mitigating financial burdens, but called for improved access to government initiatives ai...