Research on the cost of health care and how to control it. Covers cardiovascular care in Latin America, emergency-visit costs, insulin pricing, and screening gaps.
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...
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.
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 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.
A study found that general probiotic use could save the US healthcare system $1.4 billion annually by reducing acute respiratory tract infections, including influenza-like illnesses. Probiotics were associated with a decrease in doctor visits and sick absences, leading to significant cost savings.
The study found that disposable devices might lead to lower rates of post-colonoscopy infection, but institutions with thousands of procedures per year could better benefit from improved disinfection methods. High-volume centers tend to have lower infection risks due to increased experience and faster turnover of colonoscopes.
A new study estimates that hospital harm in Ontario cost the healthcare system over $1 billion in 2015/16, with patients experiencing a significant increase in length of stay and subsequent health costs. The study found that the most common harm was medication-associated conditions, with costs ranging from $800 to $51,067.
A new research study suggests that redesigning the contract for the Medicare Shared Savings Program could lead to significant cost savings. The proposed changes aim to align provider incentives with performance-based subsidies, increasing reimbursement payments and improving healthcare outcomes.
The 5-year $50-million strategy aims to overcome challenges with measures like research funding and ageism stigma reduction. Canada needs to learn from provinces and other countries to ensure the strategy's success.
A population-based study in Alberta, Canada, found that hospital-acquired C. diff is associated with significant attributable cost and length of stay among adult inpatients. The analysis used micro-costing data and a propensity score-based design to determine the economic burden of HA-CDI.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that around 6% of patients are affected by preventable harm, which accounts for significant financial costs and can lead to permanent disability or death. The study highlights the need for strategies targeting preventable patient harm to improve medical care and reduce healthcare costs.
A recent study found that incorporating physical activity into daily life through walking and cycling can significantly improve population health. The research estimates health gains ranging from 1.61 to 25.43 QALYs per 1000 people, with healthcare cost savings up to $2.1 billion over the remaining lifespan.
Researchers found that ACOs with a balance of primary care providers and specialists had lower annual spending per beneficiary. The study suggests policymakers consider adding medical specialists to ACO governance and creating better financial incentives for specialists.
A new study found that while the number and variety of ACO contracts have increased, downside risk contracts remain relatively rare. Researchers analyzed data from 2012 to 2018 and found that only a third of ACOs chose contracts with downside risk in 2018.
Researchers found a significant jump in medically unnecessary ambulance rides for minor injuries like abrasions and muscle sprains after the ACA expansion. In New York City, these dispatches increased by 37%, equivalent to 2,868 additional rides per year.
A healthcare system implemented chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing to reduce infections, achieving a 65% reduction in CLABSI, 30% reduction in CAUTI, and 100% reduction in MRSA. Estimated total cost savings were $515,000 between April 2017 and March 2018.
A new study found that prioritizing nutrition care for home health patients at risk for malnutrition can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization by 24% and healthcare costs by over $2.3 million per patient.
Researchers found that Ohio Medicaid's switch to managed care saved $145 million annually due to lower prescription claims prices. The study highlights the need for policy changes to address opaque pricing practices and anti-competitive tactics used by pharmacy benefit managers.
A study estimates that a national SSB tax could prevent around 17,000 new obesity-associated cancer cases and save $2.4 billion in lifetime medical costs. Health warnings on SSBs can also reduce purchases and consumption, with potential to reduce average body mass index by about 0.6 kg/m2 over 5 years.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that teaching hospitals have similar costs to non-teaching hospitals for common medical conditions, with lower costs for follow-up care and readmissions. The findings suggest a reevaluation of the relationship between teaching hospital costs and patient outcomes.
A new Michigan Medicine research found that intensive care unit admission was associated with improved 30-day mortality rates for patients who had a STEMI heart attack and weren't clearly indicated for an ICU or non-ICU unit. The study analyzed Medicare data from over 100,000 patients hospitalized with STEMI and showed a clear benefit ...
Despite NICE guidelines stating cataract surgery is cost-effective, NHS commissioners are restricting access to the procedure. Over 2,900 prior approval requests for cataract surgery were rejected in 2022, more than double the number two years ago.
Research suggests that high-deductible insurance plans can lead to delayed medication dosages and hospitalizations among COPD patients. Patients with high deductibles are more likely to forgo needed healthcare due to financial constraints.
As the population ages, surgery rates are increasing, leading to a higher risk of complications and death for elderly patients. The BJS analysis reveals that more than one in ten people in England will undergo surgery at 75+, with estimated costs exceeding €3.2 billion by 2030.
A study suggests that transitioning to electric vehicles could reduce cardiopulmonary illness due to air pollution, leading to improved quality of life. The research found that the financial costs of building charging infrastructure are lower than the health benefits in many scenarios.
Spatial neglect affects over half of stroke survivors, causing functional disability and poor motor recovery. Implementing a care pathway can improve outcomes by incorporating assessment and treatment options.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that physicians in ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices were more likely to schedule different-day procedures, resulting in higher costs. The study suggests that financial incentives may be a contributing factor to this trend.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that private health plans pay hospitals an average of 241% of what Medicare would pay, with significant variations in prices among states. The analysis suggests that employers can redesign their health plans to better align hospital prices with care value.
A rare but potentially fatal infection of the genitals has been identified as a side effect of SGLT2 inhibitors, requiring immediate attention and surgical intervention. Awareness of this association can inform prescriber-patient discussions about appropriate diabetes therapy.
A joint study between University of Utah Health and Intermountain Healthcare found that inducing labor one week early costs the same as waiting for spontaneous labor. The study analyzed data from over 6,000 low-risk mothers and found that increased costs from longer hospital stays are offset by cost savings from avoiding additional tes...
A new study by American Cancer Society researchers finds that more than half of Americans experience medical financial hardship, with 56.0% of adults reporting at least one domain of hardship. The study estimates that 137.1 million adults in the US suffer from this issue, which can lead to delays in care, distress, and economic hardship.
A study found that patients enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid had higher healthcare costs, cognitive impairments, and social support needs. Researchers propose adjusting reimbursement to account for risk factors in this population.
A new genetic test accurately identified over 200 disease-causing gene variations in the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities. The test could help reduce morbidity and mortality by detecting asymptomatic newborns with rare genetic disorders.
A new study suggests that genetic testing, such as Oncotype DX, can help women with early-stage hormone-positive breast cancer avoid chemotherapy and save on treatment costs. The test is estimated to cost around $3,400, and its use could lead to a 8% reduction in chemotherapy costs, resulting in savings of about $338 million annually.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that over half of women with cardiovascular disease do not meet recommended physical activity levels. The researchers suggest targeted counseling could reduce risk and healthcare costs for these women.
A new study shows that feces transplantation for Clostridium difficile colitis saves at least $1.2 million annually per 50 patients, reducing hospital costs from 37 to 20 days per year. The treatment provides significant cost savings without compromising patient care.
A new study compares the effectiveness and cost of gene therapy to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with major beta-thalassemia. Gene therapy was found to be associated with fewer complications and hospital admissions over 2 years, but was nearly twice as costly.
Researchers estimated that bacterial infections resistant to antibiotics resulted in a 20% higher death rate and an additional €1100 hospital stay cost. Infections accounted for 12% of all hospitalizations, with the majority caused by E.coli, MRSA, and P.areuginosa.
Achieving sugar reduction targets could lead to a 5.5% reduction in obese children and adults, as well as significant decreases in type 2 diabetes cases and NHS costs. However, the potential benefits may be lost if goals are not fully met.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that primary care services account for only 2.12% to 4.88% of total medical and prescription spending among Medicare beneficiaries. This estimate is lower than previous studies, and highlights the importance of investing in primary care for better outcomes and lower costs.
Researchers found that eliminating routine but low-value preoperative tests for cataract surgery patients can lead to significant cost savings. The study showed a savings of $67,241 over three years at one medical center, without measurable negative effects on patients.
A new study estimates that the FDA's added sugar labeling policy could prevent nearly 1 million cases of cardiometabolic disease, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes, over a 20-year period. The label is expected to save $31 billion in net healthcare costs and $61.9 billion in societal costs.
A new study by UCSF research suggests that reducing smoking among Medicaid recipients by 1% could lead to significant cost savings, with the median state saving an estimated $25 million. This reduction in smoking prevalence is expected to result in $2.6 billion in total Medicaid savings within a year.
A study by Penn State researchers estimates that the US government lost up to $37.8 billion in tax revenue between 2000 and 2016 due to opioid-related employment loss. The state of Pennsylvania was among the hardest hit, with approximately $638.2 million lost in income and sales tax.
A new study found that the current 'repeal and replace' debate is already affecting women's health by increasing interest in IUDs as a cost-efficient form of reversible birth control. The study used Google Trends data to track searches for IUDs, showing a significant increase following the 2016 presidential election.
Research published by the European Society of Cardiology found that victims of heart attack and stroke who return to work are 25% less productive in their first year back. The study estimated direct medical costs of acute coronary syndrome as €1,547-€18,642 and stroke costs as €5,575-€31,274.
A new study found that continued smoking by patients with cancer adds significant costs to subsequent cancer treatment. The analysis conservatively suggests a total of nearly $11,000 in increased treatment costs for each smoking patient after their initial cancer treatment fails.
Researchers found that patients with vision loss experienced longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs compared to those without vision loss. The study estimates excess health costs of over $500 million annually due to vision loss in hospitalized patients.
A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that counties with more forests and shrublands tend to have lower Medicare costs. The analysis revealed an average Medicare expenditure savings of $4.32 per person per year for each 1 percent of forest cover.
Thousands of migrant agricultural workers have died in Italy due to exploitation, with many facing poor working conditions, low pay, and lack of access to basic services. The doctors' call for action aims to address these issues and promote fair treatment for these vulnerable workers.
A recent study found that adults who experienced three or more adverse childhood experiences have significantly higher household medical costs, with medical debt doubled. The study highlights the long-term effects of childhood adversity on adult health care expenses.
A new study suggests that healthy food prescriptions for adults in Medicare and Medicaid could prevent millions of cardiovascular disease events and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs. The study found that programs incentivizing diet, particularly through fruit and vegetable purchases, could be highly cost-effective.
A new study finds that a drug given to pregnant women at risk of premature birth also lowers healthcare costs. The analysis revealed that pairs who received the treatment had average costs of $4,681 compared to $5,379 for those who did not receive it.
Researchers found that increased access to e-cigarettes containing nicotine could lead to a significant health benefit, equivalent to adding 19 healthy days to the life of each living New Zealander. The study suggests that this could result in cost savings of NZ$3.4 billion due to reduced tobacco-related diseases.
A study using models of infection and hospital behavior found that matching dollar-for-dollar subsidies for low-transmission rates yielded the greatest reduction in infected patients. This approach effectively encourages hospitals to prioritize infection control efforts.
Patient-centered care has merged with the concept of patients as consumers, potentially causing harm. The consumer metaphor fails to account for health care's distinct characteristics, such as lack of information and time to select options. Instead, costs are driven by physician compensation and government failure to negotiate prices.
A study found that paying patients to use lower-priced medical providers can reduce healthcare spending by an average of 2.1%. The program offered a cash reward to patients who used lower-priced providers, resulting in a 4.7% decrease in MRI prices, 2.5% decrease in ultrasound prices, and 1.7% decrease in mammogram prices.
A new study estimates that living in districts with intense crop residue burning increases the risk of acute respiratory infection three-fold among children. The study also found that crop burning causes an estimated USD 30 billion annual economic loss due to exposure to air pollution. Implementing targeted government initiatives can i...
A study by Bocconi University found that a new sanitation system reduced healthcare-associated infections by 52% and drug consumption by 60.3%, resulting in a 75.4% decrease in related costs. The system, which uses ecologically sustainable probiotic-based detergents, also led to an 83% decrease in detected pathogens on hospital surfaces.