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 new study from Case Western Reserve University finds that low- to middle-income individuals with subsidized health-exchange insurance are more likely to experience problems with access and affordability. They are 2.5 times more likely to have difficulty paying medical bills and skip needed care, compared to Medicaid recipients.
A new report suggests that incentivizing downsizing for 'last-time buyers' aged 55+ can ease the UK's housing crisis. The report highlights the role of financial services in expanding mortgage offerings and insurance policies to help older people monetize their housing wealth, thereby funding retirement and covering care costs.
A major Arizona health system implemented financial turnaround process focusing on improving productivity, efficiency, and revenue. By end of 2018, the system achieved a financial turnaround of over $150 million through price transparency initiatives.
A new study from UC Berkeley finds that a soda tax led to a significant decrease in sugary drink consumption, with water consumption also increasing. The results suggest that taxes may be an effective tool in reducing sugar-linked diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that African-American patients with blood type B can receive blood type A2 kidneys with similar outcomes. This new option has improved access to transplants for minority patients, increasing the number of available organs and reducing disparities in wait times.
Gun injury hospitalizations averaged $911 million from 2010 to 2015, with Medicaid and Medicare covering most of the costs. The study highlights the chronic nature of firearm injuries, with 93% of patients surviving their initial hospital stay and 15.6% readmitted within six months.
A new national poll suggests that many people in their 50s and early 60s harbor serious worries about their health insurance status, now and in the future. The poll found that 45% of those age 50-64 concerned they won't be able to afford insurance in retirement.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School found that Medicare's bundled payment model for hip and knee replacement surgeries resulted in a 3.1% reduction in costs, with $812 in savings per procedure. The model also reduced the use of skilled nursing care after hospitalization.
Research estimates that bidi smoking in India results in INR 805.5 billion (US$12.4 billion) in direct and indirect costs, including healthcare expenses and lost productivity. The habit disproportionately affects men, particularly those from lower-income households who already struggle with poverty.
Researchers found that providing universal vaccination against meningitis B infection to college students would be too costly, as the vaccine prevents only a small number of cases. However, they suggest that if the price is lowered, universal vaccination might be worth requiring on college campuses.
A new analysis in BJS reveals that women requiring breast-conserving surgery re-operation pay £4,511 more in hospital costs than those with clear margins. This finding emphasizes the importance of reducing re-operation rates to achieve significant cost savings.
A new study by IHME finds that the average US outpatient visit costs nearly $500, highlighting the high cost of healthcare in the country. The study also estimates that universal health coverage (UHC) for all nations would require a significant increase in admissions and visits, with costs estimated at $576 billion.
A £36k lifetime cap on care costs could cost £3.6 billion by 2035, while ensuring a minimum level of social care for all older people with high needs would also cost around £3.6 billion. The proposed reforms investigated include previous plans and suggestions for caps on care costs, free personal care, and easing the means test.
The study found that animal-related injuries in the US result in over $5.9 billion in healthcare costs each year. The majority of these incidents are caused by smaller animals and insects, with dog bites, insect stings, and snake bites being among the most common causes.
A study by Washington State University found that rural children with mild traumatic brain injuries receive less care and have significantly higher healthcare costs compared to urban youth. This disparity is attributed to limited access to specialized services and a shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas, leading to longer tra...
One in four patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes have reported using less insulin than prescribed due to high costs. This underuse of insulin is often accompanied by poor glycemic control and difficulty affording other diabetes management equipment.
The study found a significant increase in test ordering among GPs between 2000/1 and 2015/16, with an average of five tests per year in 2015/16. This has major implications for general practitioners' workload and the NHS budget.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) carries significant healthcare costs, with an average of $23,000 per person per year for children and $24,000 for adults. The condition also leads to substantial productivity losses and costs in corrections systems.
A systematic review of 15 studies found no strong evidence to support the effectiveness and safety of diverting low-need patients from emergency departments. The strategy was also not effective in reducing subsequent use of emergency care services.
Implementing a national pharmacare program in 2020 would require $9.7 billion in public funding, resulting in $13.5 billion in savings to the private sector. The authors suggest using a mix of federal revenue sources, including small increases in personal and corporate taxes.
A randomised controlled trial found that gut-directed hypnotherapy delivered by psychologists was effective in relieving IBS symptoms, with benefits persisting at 9-month follow-up. Group hypnotherapy was as effective as individual sessions, potentially offering a new treatment option for IBS patients.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that surgery remains the best treatment option for appendicitis, despite being more expensive upfront. Patients treated with antibiotics alone had higher rates of hospital readmissions and abdominal abscesses, highlighting the risks of this alternative approach.
A new study by Yale University estimates that ageism costs the US healthcare system $63 billion annually, affecting conditions like cardiovascular disease and mental disorders. The study found that 17.04 million cases of these conditions were linked to ageism among those aged 60 and older.
A recent study published in Pediatric Research found that children who received wishes were 2.5 times more likely to have fewer unplanned hospital admissions and 1.9 times less likely to use the emergency department. This led to a decline in healthcare costs, even after accounting for the average cost of the wish.
Research using 2011 Medicare claims data found a strong association between higher primary care physician continuity and lower healthcare costs, as well as decreased hospitalization rates. The study suggests that continuity of care is a valuable aspect of primary care that should be incorporated into quality measures.
A new study reveals that patients with untreated hearing loss incur significantly higher total health care costs over time, totaling $22,434 per person over a decade. The study found that older adults with untreated hearing loss generated nearly 46% more in total health care costs compared to those without hearing loss.
A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that implementing communication-and-resolution programs does not increase liability costs for hospitals. The programs promote transparency and patient safety by openly communicating with patients after medical injuries.
A new report suggests that addressing chronic diseases like diabetes could save tens of billions of dollars in healthcare costs annually. Proper nutrition therapy and exercise can effectively cause remission of Type 2 diabetes, with a one percent decrease in HbA1c levels resulting in significant savings.
The economic impact of obesity and excess weight in the US has reached $1.7 trillion, according to a new study by the Milken Institute. Direct health-care costs total $480.7 billion, while lost productivity adds another $1.24 trillion.
A new study estimates that bullying and harassment in the NHS in England may be costing over £2 billion per year. Productivity loss due to presenteeism is estimated to cost £604.4 million annually. The authors hope their research will provide a financial incentive for policymakers to tackle the issue.
A Canadian-led international study found that every hour of delay in stroke treatment results in poorer outcomes, diminished quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. The study concludes that delays within the first six hours lead to significant losses in full quality of life and health-adjusted life years.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed wearable electronic stickers that can monitor physical activity and alert users to potential health risks in real-time. The low-cost, disposable devices are made from paper-like cellulose and can be used to track sleep patterns of patients or monitor athletes' health during exercise.
A study found that Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) costs may be higher than expected reimbursements, potentially limiting access to recommended services for minority and low-income patients. The program aims to prevent diabetes in Medicare beneficiaries, but insufficient reimbursement may deter healthcare providers.
A study in Germany shows that cancer patients face substantial financial impacts, including income loss and material hardship, with adverse psychological effects. The survey of 247 patients revealed that 80.6% faced higher out-of-pocket costs and 37.2% experienced significant income loss.
A new analysis found that nonfatal injuries in the US cost over $1.8 trillion in 2013, with falls and being hit by objects causing most prevalent causes of injury. The study highlights preventable measures, such as well-designed safety devices and laws, to reduce deaths caused by injuries.
A study of top-ranked US hospitals reveals noncompliance with federal and state regulations regarding patient medical records request processes. Patients may face discrepancies in information provided, hindering their right to access protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
A study by Yale researchers found that many top US hospitals fail to comply with federal regulations regarding patient access to medical records. Despite HIPAA guarantees, hospitals often make it difficult or expensive for patients to obtain their own records, violating state and federal guidelines.
Wraparound services, co-located with primary care, are associated with a reduction in hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Researchers estimated potential cost savings of $8.2 million from 2011 to 2016, representing an average annual savings of $1.4 to $2.4 million.
A study from Tufts University suggests that SNAP policy interventions, such as food incentives and disincentives, can improve food choices and reduce disease burdens in low-income families. The study estimates that these interventions could save $6.77 billion to $41.93 billion in healthcare costs over a lifetime.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Maryland Health Enterprise Zones linked to significant reductions in inpatient stays (18,562 fewer) and overall health care cost savings ($93 million). Despite a jump in emergency room visits, the initiative brought large net cost savings.
A new study reveals that cardiac implants in the US are significantly more expensive than those in European countries, with prices ranging from $340 to $4,200 for a single device. The research suggests that health system-level factors contribute to these price differences and may influence hospital incentives to contain costs.
The UN is calling for the establishment of prevention programs to reduce tuberculosis among miners and others exposed to silica dust. Implementing primary prevention in high-risk occupations can prevent 300,000 new cases annually with improved ventilation, water spray misting, and personal protective equipment.
A new study estimated the costs of informal care provided by daughters to their mothers, finding that these costs are similar to those associated with full-time institutional care. The study also highlighted the impact of memory-related diseases on caregiving costs and experience.
A new cell phone app and lab kit enable a smartphone to identify bacteria from patients anywhere in the world, leading to faster recovery and lower treatment costs for patients. The test uses a smartphone's camera to measure a chemical reaction and determines a diagnosis in about an hour.
A study by Daniel J. Scott and colleagues found that surgeons spent significantly less time interacting with patients (10.03 minutes) after implementing an electronic medical records system. Despite initial increases in labor costs, the time spent on documentation persisted, leading to a negative trade-off for patient care.
Gunshot victims require significantly more blood transfusions due to severe injury severity, with a 14-fold increased risk of death compared to non-GSW trauma patients. Blood products cost a lot and are scarce, making it crucial for hospitals to improve outcomes for trauma victims.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics emphasizes the need for affordable treatment options for rare and ultra-rare diseases. Key recommendations include preventing abuses of the Orphan Drug Act and aligning drug packaging with dosing recommendations to reduce waste. The organization urges policymakers to develop simple,...
A study analyzing 538 vaccine candidates found that only about 128 are likely to reach the market, with many critical products lacking. The researchers estimate it would cost $16.3 billion to move current candidates through the pipeline, highlighting the need for increased investment and innovative approaches.
A study by Washington University researchers found that community outreach and educational support led to a higher enrollment rate in ACA plans among Missourians in 2018. The initiative also developed an online decision support tool, Show Me Health Plans, which reported higher health insurance knowledge and confidence among users.
Kenneth Tyler's review article in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the need for improved diagnosis and treatment of acute viral encephalitis. The condition, which affects about seven patients per 100,000 population annually, imposes a heavy economic burden on healthcare systems.
A new study by Harvard Medical School and Tufts University finds that immigrants use significantly less health care than US-born individuals, with lower rates of utilization and expenditures. Immigrants also pay more out-of-pocket health care payments, effectively subsidizing private insurance and some public programs like Medicare.
A single-payer health care plan in New York could expand coverage for all residents without increasing overall spending, according to a RAND Corporation analysis. The plan would require substantial new tax revenue and shift financing among households and businesses, with the highest-income households paying substantially more.
A new study found that UVA's Hospital-to-Home program significantly improves survival and other outcomes for heart failure patients while saving money. The program slashed mortality rates by 41% and reduced hospital readmissions by 24% compared to non-participants.
The DEEP study examined the costs and quality-of-life of individuals with persistent orofacial pain (POFP) and estimated outcomes from pain onset. The results showed that high pain levels led to increased healthcare costs and decreased quality-of-life, highlighting the burden of POFP on health.
Patients with advanced cancer who discussed personal care goals with a trained nonclinical worker were more likely to talk with doctors, report higher satisfaction, and incur lower health costs in their final month of life. The study suggests that these conversations can improve the quality of end-of-life cancer care while lowering costs.
A study found that delayed endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for stroke patients reduces their quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) by 40 days and economic value by $10,000 per 10-minute delay.
A new study reveals that developing a standardized stroke protocol can significantly reduce the time it takes to treat ELVO stroke patients. The protocol, which includes having a neurointerventional team meet patients upon arrival, achieves a median door-to-recanalization time of less than 60 minutes.
A new study found that a bundled-payment system did not lower Medicare costs for patients hospitalized for serious medical conditions. Despite providing financial incentives, hospitals saw no significant reductions in costs, with average costs remaining largely unchanged.
Research suggests VMMC has already impacted Zimbabwe's HIV epidemic and will continue to provide significant health and economic benefits. By 2021, the program aims to reach 80% coverage among 15-29-year-olds and 30% among 10-14-year-olds.
Patients with persistent facial pain incur significant costs, including £650 per year out-of-pocket expenses. An electronic referral system using a Graded Chronic Pain Scale could improve quality of life and reduce costs to employers by providing a structured care pathway.