Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
Researchers analyzed de-identified medical claims covering 6.3 million North Carolinians, revealing significant overall spending of $50 billion per year. Key takeaways include geographic variation, cost variation by payer type, and spending variation by service category.
A simulation model suggests that all tax designs would generate substantial health gains and lower health costs in the US. The tiered sugar content tax could generate the largest health gains and cost savings, particularly among younger adults, blacks, and Hispanics.
A new study by American Cancer Society finds that cancer survivors experiencing higher medical and nonmedical financial hardships are more likely to visit the emergency department, receive less preventive care, and have worse self-rated health. The study highlights the growing healthcare costs and their impact on worsening health dispa...
Researchers analyzed insurance claims from 2016 to 2019 and found that out-of-pocket costs for respiratory illnesses were particularly high for consumer-directed plans. Tens of millions of Americans with self-insured health plans may face significant financial burden due to COVID-19 hospitalizations.
A Rutgers-led study in Colombia used primary population data to assess surgical needs and identify gaps in care. The study found high out-of-pocket expenses leading to poverty and limited access to surgical services, highlighting the need for improved healthcare policies worldwide.
A free web resource improved men's health behaviours, including eating habits and exercise, with 75% reporting changes in their diets and 70% engaging in sports. The study found significant positive changes among regular users of the site, even without access to fitness facilities.
A new study by Harvard researchers finds that 18.2 million individuals at increased risk of severe COVID-19 are uninsured or underinsured, with racial minorities and lower-income individuals being disproportionately affected. The study highlights the need for adequate coverage to prevent financial ruin and ensure access to necessary care.
A Finnish study used machine learning to analyze the economic burden of alcohol use disorders, finding that patients with multiple chronic conditions faced significantly higher care costs. The study highlights the importance of rehabilitation services and non-alcohol related treatment for individuals with alcohol use disorders.
A report from Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends adding home visit codes to MIPS quality measures and fostering research on home-based primary care. Currently, only 12% of homebound patients receive their medical care at home, highlighting the need for improved quality measures.
The study found that CPC practices significantly increased their staffing with care managers and behavioral health staff, while non-CPC practices remained relatively unchanged. The authors suggest further research on the impact of team-based care and staff composition on healthcare costs and patient experience.
A simulated patient study in Northern California found that counties with limited new patient primary care appointments had higher rates of Medi-Cal patients' emergency room usage. Adequate access to primary care is crucial for improving health outcomes and controlling costs among Medicaid expansion beneficiaries.
A retrospective cohort study published in Pediatrics found that unplanned extubations in preterm infants were associated with worse in-patient outcomes, extended length of stay, and increased hospital costs. The study estimated direct hospital costs of about $60 million as a result of UEs in babies less than 28 weeks at birth.
A new study by researchers from the University of Zurich and Harvard Medical School found that the high cost of cancer drugs in the US is not always justified. The study analyzed the costs of 65 cancer drugs in five countries and found no correlation between monthly treatment costs and clinical benefit.
A new study reveals the economic burden of cancer care for Syrian refugees, estimating costs ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 per case. The findings highlight the urgent need for governments and international agencies to provide adequate funding and resources for cancer care in refugee populations.
The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health will focus on health and climate equity with $247,858 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Funding began in May 2020 and concluded in April 2021.
A new study finds that COVID-19 pandemic could lead to $654 billion in direct medical costs and strain on healthcare resources. Reducing infections through herd immunity strategies or social distancing measures can significantly cut these costs.
A study suggests a species of beetle could help control an invasive weed at the root of many people's suffering from seasonal allergies. Biological control may reduce the number of people affected by ragweed pollen and associated health costs in Europe.
A national poll reveals that nearly all older Americans support adding a dental benefit to the Medicare program, with 93% favoring inclusion in traditional Medicare. The poll also finds that cost plays a significant role in dental decisions, with one in five respondents delaying or forgoing dental care due to financial constraints.
A study of 101 wild mammal species found that females lived 18% longer than males for over 60% of the species, with a similar gap in humans. The researchers suggest complex interactions between environmental conditions and sex-specific costs of reproduction may contribute to this phenomenon.
Researchers found that phasing out coal can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% worldwide, while saving 1.5% of global economic output by 2050. The benefits of a coal exit outweigh the costs, with local and short-term impacts on public health and biodiversity being most significant.
A study by TTUHSC investigators found that an interprofessional patient navigation program reduced emergency room visits and hospital admissions among high-risk patients. The program, which used DSRIP guidelines, resulted in a significant decrease in hospital utilization, with participants experiencing 1.13 ER visits per year compared ...
A comprehensive analysis of 35 studies found AA to be nearly always more effective than psychotherapy in achieving abstinence and lowering health care costs. The fellowship's social interaction model provides emotional support and practical tips, facilitating behavior change.
FAIR Health has launched a groundbreaking website feature that combines clinical and cost information to support seriously and chronically ill patients in shared decision making with clinicians. The new tool offers three palliative care scenarios, including kidney dialysis, nutrition options, and breathing assistance.
The Journal for Healthcare Quality has published a special issue on quality as a business strategy, featuring six innovative approaches to improving healthcare. These programs include improving clinical documentation, assessing the costs of pressure injuries, and implementing bundled payments for joint replacement.
A new study from Michigan State University and Rutgers University reveals that five to 10 minutes are added to each surgery due to unplanned supplies, resulting in nearly $28 million annually in unnecessary costs. Implementing standardized planning processes for medical supplies can significantly reduce these waste costs.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.