Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
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A survey of UK parliamentarians found that those with additional work roles or probable mental health issues were more likely to engage in hazardous drinking. The study suggests that the high-stress nature of MP work may contribute to increased alcohol consumption, highlighting the need for better support and resources for MPs' wellbeing.
A new PSU study found that decreasing out-of-network primary care across all Medicare ACOs could save the system $45 million a year. Higher specialty care leakage was associated with higher costs for ACOs, driven by outpatient care and emergency room visits.
Nearly half of middle-aged adults in their 50s and early 60s lack confidence they can afford health insurance in the next year. Two-thirds worry about potential changes to health insurance policies affecting them. Many avoid seeking care due to cost concerns, with those in fair or poor health being four times more likely.
A new report by West Health Institute outlines common sense approaches to reducing America's healthcare cost crisis. The report recommends empowering Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices and accelerating the adoption of value-based care.
A recent analysis estimates that kidney transplant failure incurs significant medical costs of $78,079 per patient and a loss of 1.66 quality-adjusted life years. The total incremental lifetime costs are $1.38 billion, highlighting the urgent need for reducing graft failure rates.
A community health worker program in Philadelphia reduced hospital admissions by 38% and saved Medicaid $1.4 million annually, resulting in a $2.47 return on investment for every $1 spent. The program's success was demonstrated through a randomized controlled trial, improving quality of care and patient outcomes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have proposed five quality measures for medical billing, including itemized bills, price transparency, and service quality. The measures aim to reduce financial toxicity and promote transparency, enabling patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare costs.
The Value Transformation Framework (VTF) provides a step-by-step guide for healthcare organizations to shift to value-based care, focusing on improving quality of care and outcomes. The framework addresses three domains: Infrastructure, Care Delivery, and People, with 15 Change Areas offering flexible steps toward improvement.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that households in the bottom fifth of income groups pay an average of 33.9% of their income toward health care, while families in the highest income group pay 16%. The analysis also reveals that payments to finance health care account for 18.7% of average household income.
A 20-year study found that insured US adults faced worsening access to healthcare due to cost constraints, with increases in unmet needs for physician visits and services. Meanwhile, some preventive services showed improvements, such as increased guideline-recommended cholesterol tests and flu shots.
Researchers developed a machine learning-based method to estimate life-years lost and cost associated with air pollution exposure. The study found that the elderly population is most vulnerable, with those with chronic conditions facing over 30 times higher mortality risk than typical Medicare beneficiaries.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) releases a new vision for a better US healthcare system, emphasizing universal coverage, reduced barriers to care, and value-based payment systems. The plan aims to improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and promote patient-centered care.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that virtual physical therapy after knee replacement surgery is safe and effective, with similar outcomes to traditional in-person PT. Virtual PT also resulted in lower healthcare costs, with patients completing more exercises and having fewer hospital readmissions.
Research shows that older patients with untreated sleep apnea need greater medical care due to higher costs and increased health risks. The study found that Medicare beneficiaries with OSA had nearly $20,000 more in costs per year compared to those who were diagnosed and treated.
A recent study found that standard radiation treatment costs for prostate cancer vary greatly between hospitals, with some centers not listing prices at all. The lack of common terminology and unbundled cost reporting hinders the value of price transparency in helping patients estimate and compare care costs.
A prehabilitation program that encourages patients to move more, eat healthier, cut back on tobacco, breathe deeper, reduce stress, and focus on their goals after surgery has been shown to reduce hospital length of stay and total costs. The study involved hundreds of patients in 21 hospitals across Michigan and found that prehab patien...
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that older adult Medicare beneficiaries with untreated obstructive sleep apnea had greater health care utilization and costs. The researchers suggest routine screening for sleep apnea to better contain treatment costs.
A single payer system would replace private insurance and simplify billing, leading to savings through lower drug costs and efficiencies. The study found that 19 of 22 models predicted net savings in the first year, averaging 3.5% of total healthcare spending.
A 2018-2019 survey of rural US adults highlighted health care costs and access as major concerns. The study also found a growing addiction to opioids in the region.
A study finds that US healthcare bureaucracy cost $812 billion in 2017, accounting for 34.2% of total health spending. Cutting administrative costs to Canadian levels could have saved over $600 billion.
A new study found that out-of-pocket health care spending for maternity care increased significantly between 2008 and 2015, with 98% of women paying some costs. The Affordable Care Act requires full coverage of preventive services but leaves room for plans to impose co-pays, deductibles, and cost-sharing.
The American College of Physicians recommends treating testosterone deficiency for only sexual dysfunction, discontinuing treatment if symptoms don't improve, and avoiding other reasons for treatment. Testosterone treatment should not be initiated to boost energy or cognitive function due to lack of evidence.
A meta-analysis of North American and European studies found that less intense lawn mowing leads to increased pollinators, plant diversity, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, intense mowing favors pest species, weeds, and drought events. Long grass also reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
A new analysis by the West Health Policy Center finds that extending Medicare Part D rebates to beneficiaries could result in $29 billion in savings over 7 years. This would be achieved through rebate dollars being used to lower beneficiaries' cost-sharing at pharmacy counters, rather than reducing manufacturers' liability.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine estimates that approximately $50.4 billion of the annual healthcare cost of cardiometabolic disease in the US population is associated with suboptimal diet. The highest costs are linked to low consumption of foods like nuts, seeds, and seafood-derived omega-3 fats.
A new study provides national estimates of neonatal abstinence syndrome and its associated healthcare costs, shedding light on the impact of opioid exposure during pregnancy. The findings highlight the need for increased support and resources for affected families.
The home hospital model, where patients receive hospital-level care at home, has been shown to lower costs and improve care. The randomized controlled trial found that home hospital patients had 38% lower total direct costs, fewer lab orders, and lower readmission rates.
A new study analyzes the value of Medicaid for low-income adults in Oregon, finding they value it at a fraction of their medical costs. The study suggests that Medicaid effectively acts as a subsidy for healthcare providers and state programs covering uninsured patients.
Researchers found that out-of-network, non-emergency hospital costs rose rapidly from 2012 to 2017, affecting 16% of individuals with an average cost of $621. Average costs for emergency and non-emergency care increased significantly.
A new machine learning app developed by Houston Methodist aims to prevent severe fall-related injuries and death in patients. The AI technology uses clinical parameters and demographics to predict risk and triggers tailored interventions.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reveals that incentive-based smoking cessation programs can significantly reduce infant morbidity and mortality. The Baby & Me Tobacco Free program provided financial incentives to pregnant women, resulting in a 24-28% reduction in preterm birth and neonatal ICU admiss...
A Finnish study uses GIS data to compare the costs of warfarin and direct oral anticoagulant therapies, finding that DOACs are more cost-effective for patients living far from INR sample collection points or requiring frequent monitoring. The researchers developed a geospatial model to determine market areas and costs for each therapy.
A US study found short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with several newly identified causes of hospital admissions, including sepsis and kidney failure. The researchers suggest the World Health Organization air quality guidelines need revising.
A RAND Corporation study finds that allowing people aged 50-64 to buy into Medicare would lower health care premiums for this group. However, it would drive up costs for younger Americans who buy health insurance on exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act. The estimated premium to buy into Medicare would be around $10,000 per y...
A new economic study by USC researchers suggests that breakthrough treatments for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) offer significant patient benefits and societal value. The treatments generate $5.1 to $8.2 billion in patient benefits, translating to $0.9 to $3.0 billion in societal value over three years.
Researchers studied ambulatory care teams caring for socially complex patients in an A-ICU setting, finding that team cohesion and flexibility are key to successful care. Participants prioritized improving patient engagement over reducing utilization or cost.
New research finds that brand-name drug discount cards lead to higher health care spending in Canada, with private insurer costs increasing by 46 per cent. However, for some patients, using a discount card can result in increased out-of-pocket costs, potentially up to $10 more.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that brand-name drug discount cards lead to higher health care spending in Canada, increasing private insurer costs by 46% and public insurer costs by 1.3%. Despite offering some savings, these cards financially disadvantage patients who fill prescriptions with them.
A new study published in Economic Inquiry reveals that prolonging emergency department wait times increases hospital costs, with moderate and severe cases bearing the brunt of the expenses. The study found a 3-6% cost increase for moderately severe cases and 6% for serious cases.
A recent study found that teens who visit emergency departments for self-harm are five times more likely to have repeat visits and three times more likely to die from any cause compared to non-self-harming youth. The study also reveals that these adolescents incur significantly higher health costs over the following five years.
The total cost of preterm birth in the US was estimated to be $25.2 billion in 2016, with an average cost of $64,815 per birth. Preterm births are a leading cause of infant mortality and maternal health issues, with over 22,000 babies dying before their first birthday annually.
A study by Dr. Shizue Masuki found that Interval Walking Training (IWT) improves aerobic capacity and reduces lifestyle-related disease in elderly individuals. IWT involves walking at 70% of maximum capacity for 3 minutes, then at 40% for the next 3 minutes, repeated for 5 or more sets.
A study by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center found that shortening surgeon shifts from 24 hours to 12 hours resulted in shorter hospital stays and lower overall costs for patients with acute appendicitis. This change also led to faster patient access to the operating room and reduced infection rates.
A Veterans Affairs study found that bariatric surgery did not result in lower healthcare costs for nearly 10,000 veterans over a 10-year period. Despite the benefits of weight loss and improved health, patients required additional treatment for short-term complications, such as nausea and dehydration, which increased costs.
Simone Vais, a fourth-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has been awarded the AMA Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship. The $10,000 award will assist in covering her medical education expenses as she applies for residency in family medicine and focuses on improving healthcare access for underserved p...
A widely used healthcare algorithm was found to show significant racial bias in predicting health risks of black patients. The algorithm underestimates the health needs of black patients and overestimates their health, leading to reduced care allocation.
A new study by Rice University experts found that freestanding emergency departments increased average emergency department spending by 3.6% per insured beneficiary in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina. In contrast, entry of a freestanding emergency department resulted in higher out-of-pocket payments for emergency care in three states.
Researchers at WVU are using artificial intelligence to develop more efficient and accurate diagnoses of cardiovascular diseases, potentially leading to cost savings and improved patient outcomes. The four-year project aims to address research challenges associated with AI in healthcare, including data analysis efficiency and privacy m...
The study found that clawbacks occur frequently in the market for topical prescription drugs, resulting in significant financial losses for patients. Insurers pay less than the patient's copayment, leading to overpayments of up to $1000 per year.
A new study estimates that about one-quarter of total US health care spending is waste, ranging from $76 billion to $94 billion. The authors found that the estimated annual cost of waste was $265.6 billion, with potential savings ranging from $191 billion to $282 billion
New research suggests that many ICU admissions can be prevented with timely outpatient care for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or uncontrolled diabetes. Investing in preventive services could be a complementary strategy to increasing critical care workforce as the US population ages.
Researchers found decreased utilization among patients enrolled in a comprehensive care coordination model for Medicaid-covered children and young adults with chronic health conditions. Despite this, the mean cost of care remained nearly identical between groups, limiting savings from care coordination.
Replacing seasonal vaccines with universal ones could avert over 17 million cases and 251,000 hospitalizations per year. States with high hospitalization costs and elderly populations would experience the greatest economic benefits.
An interdisciplinary team of Indiana University scientists found a link between healthcare industry payments to medical providers and their billed medical costs, with a 10% increase in industry payments associated with 1.3% higher medical costs and 1.8% higher drug costs.
A new study reveals that poor diabetes control leads to significant excess hospital costs, with people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes experiencing five-fold to eight-fold higher costs for elective and emergency care. The NHS in England spends £3 billion annually on avoidable hospital treatment related to diabetes.
A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that emergency clinicians can use the 'surprise' question to identify patients at greatest risk of near-term death, prompting essential end-of-life conversations. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between clinician responses and patient mortality, with those who answered they wou...
New research reveals that only 21 cents per drink in taxes cover alcohol-related costs, with the majority falling on non-drinkers and moderate drinkers. The study suggests increasing prices through higher taxes could reduce excessive consumption and related harms.
A new study by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers found that providing adolescents with same-day access to long-acting reversible contraception can lead to significant cost savings for insurance providers. The study also found a decrease in unintended pregnancies and abortions associated with same-day placement.
A study by Rice University found that when physicians integrate with hospitals, costs rise, even if care quality doesn't improve. The researchers analyzed insurance claims and found patients treated by doctors in hospital-owned practices incur higher spending on services such as X-rays and MRIs.
A new study reveals traditional Medicare spends significantly more on post-hospital care for people in their 60s than private insurance, despite similar clinical outcomes. The additional spending could be reduced by changing the payment structure to bring it closer to that used by private insurance.