Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
Researchers found that using medical specialists in intensive care improved patient outcomes, reducing hospital stays by two days and saving over $4 million a year. The collaborative staffing model between cardiologists and intensivists showed promising results, warranting further study.
Research in the UK found that people with disabilities face significant hurdles accessing healthcare services, with disabled women being disproportionately disadvantaged. Long waiting lists and cost of treatment were major obstacles, affecting over one-fourth of those with severe disabilities.
A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas found that patients with shorter-than-guideline hospital stays are more likely to be readmitted, while those with longer stays have a lower risk. The study suggests that early discharge can actually increase costs in the long run.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that private hospital care payments in Indiana are significantly higher than national norms and are increasing over time. The state's largest hospital systems command the highest prices, with some hospitals charging up to 3.5 times the Medicare rate.
A new blood management program at Johns Hopkins Health System has reduced unnecessary blood transfusions and saved the system over $2 million annually. The program, launched in 2012, included education and feedback to promote best practices and guideline compliance, resulting in significant cost savings.
A national survey of over 2,000 physicians finds that overtreatment is a leading driver of healthcare costs and wasteful spending. Physicians believe that at least 15-30% of medical care is unnecessary, with fear of malpractice being the primary cause.
Patients in a collaborative care model received more substance abuse treatment and reported higher abstinence rates compared to those receiving usual primary care services. The study suggests that integrating treatment into primary medical care can increase access to evidence-based substance use treatment.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that vaccination efforts in poor countries have prevented 20 million deaths and saved $350 billion by 2020. The researchers also estimated a broader economic value of $820 billion, with certain vaccines providing the greatest benefits.
The current approach to quality measurement in healthcare is characterized by inefficiency and imbalance, with measures that are duplicative, overlapping, or overrepresent certain areas of care. A lack of consideration for the cost of each measure hinders the ability to assess its value.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that 56% of people aged 57-61 will stay in a nursing home at least one night during their lifetime, contradicting previous estimates of 35%. The study analyzed 18 years of data and found that most people can afford nursing home care, with costs averaging $7,300 over a lifetime.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that the average cost of treating oropharyngeal cancer in Texas for two years is $139,749. The study suggests that HPV vaccination could prevent many cases of the disease and result in significant cost savings.
Two studies provide strong evidence that lowering systolic blood pressure to 120 mmHg is well-tolerated by patients and cost-effective. Participants on intensive therapy reported feeling as well as those receiving standard blood pressure control, and were equally satisfied with their care.
Adult survivors of childhood cancer are more likely to experience financial burden from out-of-pocket healthcare costs, leading to behaviors that may harm their health. Survivors with higher costs were more likely to skip treatments, postpone medical care, and worry about accessing healthcare.
A new simulation study shows that dementia can more than double the healthcare expenditure of aging individuals, with the majority of the financial burden falling on family members. The total average cost to care for a person with dementia was $321,000 over five years, compared to $137,280 without dementia.
A new study estimates that families of individuals with dementia incur $184,500 greater in lifetime care costs compared to those without dementia. Reducing symptoms by 10% can lower lifetime costs by $3,880 and $680, respectively.
A new study shows that community health workers can improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalization rates, and lower costs for Medicaid patients. The IMPaCT program pairs trained local residents with chronically-ill patients from low-income neighborhoods.
A report suggests that behavioral science can be used to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of American healthcare by encouraging healthier lifestyles and insurance plan enrollment. The study proposes policy recommendations for employers, insurers, and policymakers to reduce costs and promote evidence-based treatments.
A study by Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg and BRAIN AG found a clear correlation between sugar consumption and dental illness, resulting in significant costs. The researchers estimated that implementing the World Health Organization's 50g sugar per person per day target could save Germany up to 12 billion euros annually.
A study by Fumiko Chino and colleagues found that nearly all insured cancer patients experience financial burden, with those underinsured paying up to 31% of their income on healthcare costs. The research highlights the need for interventions to improve patient health care cost literacy and mitigate future treatment-related expenses.
A study by Duke University researchers found that one-third of insured cancer patients pay more out-of-pocket than expected, despite health coverage. This 'financial toxicity' can lead to decreased treatment adherence and worsen mental and physical state.
A study by Abbott found that a nutrition care program reduced 30-day readmission rates by 27% and average hospital stay by nearly two days. This resulted in cost savings of up to $3,800 per patient due to shorter hospital stays and lower readmissions.
A study found that prices for generic antibiotics vary significantly across different types of pharmacies, with independent pharmacies offering lower prices when using online coupons. The researchers estimate that consumers can save up to $100 or more by shopping around.
Using metformin to treat patients with prediabetes could save the US healthcare system approximately $20 per patient each year. The medication is underused, with only 0.7% of eligible patients currently prescribed it.
A study led by Queen Mary University of London found that offering HIV testing at health checks in high-prevalence areas is cost-effective. The researchers estimate that the annual cost of rolling out screening programs to all high-HIV prevalence local authorities in England would be approximately £600,000.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped close gaps in healthcare access between poor and higher-income households. In states that expanded Medicaid, the gap fell by 46%, while in non-expansion states, it declined by 23%. Despite gains, many low- and middle-income residents still lack coverage or avoid care due to cost.
A protocol called Enhanced Recovery After Colorectal Surgery (ERACS) has improved outcomes for colorectal surgical patients by reducing hospital stays by over half and complications by more than one-third. The study also found significant cost savings of up to $11,000 per procedure.
A new study by Harvard University suggests that reducing insurance coverage for mental health treatment leads to increased costs for the most severely ill, as they turn to acute and involuntary care. The reform also resulted in a decrease in regular mental health care usage, but with a significant increase in acute care usage among tho...
A US Department of Agriculture-funded study found that affordable health insurance is a major concern for American farmers, affecting their business risk and ability to run a successful enterprise. The study also highlights the impact of health-related costs on farm succession issues and access to land for young farmers.
A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers examines the direct medical costs of falls in adults with a transfemoral amputation, finding that high-functioning patients are often denied more expensive prosthetic knee technologies. The study aims to provide evidence for policymakers to evaluate the value of these advanced technologies.
A new study documents preeclampsia's alarming rise, with the condition costing $2.18 billion in healthcare expenditure in the first 12 months after birth. Mothers and infants affected by preeclampsia face increased risks of adverse health events, including cardiovascular disease and respiratory distress syndrome.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that patients experiencing delayed emergency surgery are at a higher risk of death and have longer hospital stays. The delays were primarily caused by staff and operating room unavailability, highlighting the need for spare capacity to ensure timely access to care.
A large-scale analysis found that non-Medicare patients accounted for nearly half of all short-term readmissions, while psychiatric disease and substance abuse were the most common diagnoses among non-elderly patients. Medicaid patients had very high rates of short-term readmissions across all age groups.
A new study reveals that non-adherence to medication regimens significantly increases healthcare costs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Adhering to prescribed medication can help reduce costs and improve health outcomes.
A new study found that snakebites in rural Sri Lanka result in significant economic losses for individuals and the healthcare system. The annual costs are estimated at over $10 million, with victims experiencing median out-of-pocket costs of $11.82 and a loss of income of up to $33.21.
A new poll reveals that many older adults aren't getting help from doctors and pharmacists on drug costs, despite taking multiple prescriptions. Patients who spoke up about cost received recommendations for less expensive drugs, but there's a need for health professionals to engage with patients more routinely.
A new study found that black patients on traditional Medicare are 33% more likely to be readmitted after surgery, while those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans are 64% more likely. The authors suggest lower quality care, follow-up support, and social factors may contribute to the disparities.
A pilot randomized trial found that about 22% of generally healthy adult patients with whole genome sequencing results had a previously unrecognized variant with potential risk for a rare Mendelian disease. However, only about 4% had a clinically relevant abnormality related to a variant.
A study found that 9 out of 10 A🌳 departments fail to identify young people with alcohol problems, preventing vital help. Over 85% of departments do not routinely ask young people or those over 65 about their drinking habits, despite NICE guidelines recommending screening and feedback.
A new relapse prediction tool has been developed to reduce the cost of rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The tool, which combines two measurements to predict the risk of relapse in patients with RA, allows for successful dose reduction of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), resulting in significant cost savings.
A Swedish study found a significant increase in gout hospitalizations between 2000 and 2012, with only one-fourth of patients receiving recommended urate-lowering treatment. In contrast, a UK study showed that nurse-provided patient education and support significantly improved adherence to ULT, leading to better patient outcomes.
A new study reveals a significant increase in US hospital admissions for neonatal abstinence syndrome, caused by mothers using opioids during pregnancy. The condition carries a substantial burden on healthcare resources, resulting in nearly $316 million in costs and extended hospital stays.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that the level of benefit, risk, and cost significantly influence patients' decisions to receive a diagnostic test. The researchers discovered that participants were more likely to accept a diagnostic test when the cost was lower, highlighting the impact of financial burden on medi...
A new study published in Social Science and Medicine found that a rewards programme increased weight loss magnitude and duration by more than twice as much as a control group. The programme, which offered cash or lottery tickets for meeting monthly weight loss goals, also led to higher rates of sustained weight loss.
A UC3M study found that hospitals with more research output have shorter patient stays and lower healthcare costs. Basic and clinical research both contribute to improved efficiency in public health centers.
Researchers studied data from nearly 4 million Medicare beneficiaries over 65 with multiple chronic conditions, comparing hospitalizations, deaths, and medical costs between those who saw PCPs and specialists. People who saw PCPs had fewer hospitalizations and lower costs.
A new study found that generous health insurance plans with low deductibles and copays can lead to unnecessary treatments for chronically ill patients. The study suggests that personalized medicine interventions, providing more information about treatment effectiveness, can reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
A new study found that bicycle injuries to adults in the US resulted in $237 billion in medical costs over a 17-year period. Medical costs from non-fatal bike crashes increased by 137 percent, with older men accounting for a significant proportion of total costs.
A Cedars-Sinai study found that quality improvement programs can significantly reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients and older adults with diverse health issues. However, the study's findings also showed that these interventions may not always result in net savings for healthcare systems.
Researchers found that only 20.2% of major birth defects had a definite cause, highlighting the need for better research to prevent and care for these conditions. The study emphasizes the importance of population-based preventive interventions for known causes, such as smoking or diabetes.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that only 38% of emergency medicine healthcare professionals can accurately estimate the costs for three common conditions. This lack of transparency has the potential to lower costs for patients and the overall healthcare system.
A new study at Penn Medicine identified several barriers to discussing cost transparency in cancer care, including patient fear of being 'profiled' based on socioeconomic status. Strong doctor-patient relationships, availability of financial expertise, and scalability are potential facilitators for improving cost transparency discussions.
A new study by an international team of economists found that urban heat islands could increase the economic costs of climate change in cities by up to 2.6 times, with the worst-off city facing losses of 10.9% of GDP by the end of the century
The INCA-Peru study developed an ultrafast CMR protocol, reducing scan time to 10 minutes and cost to $150, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes in Peru. The test revealed new diagnoses in 20% of patients, changing clinical management in 33%.
A comprehensive medical weight-loss program showed no significant difference in one-year weight loss outcomes between patients with insurance coverage and those who paid out of pocket. However, insurance-covered patients had slightly lower dropout rates compared to self-paid individuals.
A recent study found that nearly 1 in 5 patients with lap-band surgery undergo multiple device-related reoperations, and complication rates range greatly. Accredited bariatric centers also vary significantly in their rates of serious complications, with a 17-fold difference between the highest and lowest rates.
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a new method to measure proteins in dry blood samples, allowing for easier and cheaper healthcare. The study found that this method has great potential to save resources and enable early diagnostics, with minimal changes to protein levels over time.
Generic hepatitis C drugs available in India offer significant cost savings by increasing life expectancy by more than eight years and reducing lifetime health care costs by over $1,300 per person. The payback period for the upfront costs of DAA drugs is under 5 years for advanced-stage patients.
Psychologist Robert Gatchel's research highlights how patients' irrational beliefs about chronic pain can impact treatment outcomes and pain management. His work suggests that a more comprehensive approach to treatment is needed, incorporating lifestyle habits, attitudes, and social support systems.
A study published in The BMJ found that patients treated by older physicians have higher mortality rates than those cared for by younger physicians, except for those with high patient volumes. However, the researchers note that clinical skills and knowledge accumulated by more experienced physicians can lead to improved quality of care.
A study published in CMAJ found that adding a modest 2% income-based deductible to British Columbia's public drug plan did not decrease prescription medication use among seniors. However, it reduced the number of people who qualified for public subsidy and decreased public drug spending.