Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
Researchers found that adults on the autism spectrum have increased use of primary care, mental health services, and laboratory services, but lower use of gynecology visits and cervical cancer screening. The study highlights the importance of considering autism throughout the lifespan and emphasizes the need for better access to afford...
A new automated text messaging service aims to curb opioid abuse by providing patients with regular check-ins and a panic button for immediate help. The study found that the service reduced substance use among patients, dropping from 43% to 10%, and saved caregivers $19 per patient annually.
The transfer of stroke patients out of smaller community hospitals has increased significantly since 2006, with national rates doubling between 2006 and 2014. This trend highlights the need for better coordination between hospitals to determine which patients require transfer to specialized centers.
A large Danish study found that individuals with clinically-diagnosed diabetes were identified 2.2 years later than those in the screening group, resulting in lower healthcare costs. The study suggests that early detection and treatment of type 2 diabetes could lead to significant cost savings.
Research reveals huge variation in gluten-free food prescribing practice in England, with the most deprived areas having the lowest rates. The study found that factors such as clinical commissioning group policies and deprivation levels play a significant role in determining prescribing patterns.
A study analyzed outcomes and costs for German patients with NAFLD/NASH who developed compensated cirrhosis, finding significant increases in comorbidities, mortality, and healthcare costs. The study highlights the need for new treatment options to improve patient outcomes.
A study found that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) improve blood glucose control, reduce hypoglycemia episodes, and increase quality of life for patients with type 1 diabetes. The use of CGMs is cost-effective over manual testing with strips, with savings of $3,796 per year.
A study published in The BMJ found that increasing cigarette prices by 50% would lead to significant gains in life years gained, treatment costs averted, and financial protection for low-income individuals. Men in the bottom income group would gain an average of five times more life years than those in the top income group.
Recruiting small primary care practices for large-scale quality improvement initiatives is difficult and costly. Investigators should budget adequate funds to support high-touch recruitment strategies, including building trusted relationships for a year or more.
A new study by the University of Southern California finds that high-deductible health plans increase the risk of financial trouble and out-of-pocket spending for low-income and chronically ill consumers, who are more likely to face excessive financial burden or financial disaster. The study shows that enrollment in high-deductible pla...
Researchers estimate that non-optimized medication therapy costs over half a trillion dollars annually, resulting from illness and death due to suboptimal treatment regimens. The study proposes expanding comprehensive medication management services to improve patient health and lower costs.
A recent study analyzing 44 million claims from 68,000 physicians found that Medicaid billing complexity is surprisingly similar to private insurance, contradicting conventional wisdom. The research suggests that Medicaid managed care programs have slightly lower billing complexity than state-run fee-for-service Medicaid.
A new study by Georgia State University estimates that child sexual abuse in the US has a total lifetime economic burden of $9.3 billion, with female victims facing an average lifetime cost of $1.1M and male victims facing a lower estimated lifetime cost due to insufficient data on productivity losses.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that taking a standard prostate cancer drug with food can boost its impact and lower costs. By decreasing the daily dose, preventing digestive issues, and cutting costs by 75 percent, patients could save up to $300,000 per month.
Research finds that people are 5% more likely to miss NHS hospital outpatient appointments following the clock change in spring. The study, published in Chronobiology International, analyzed over 2 million appointments in Scotland from 2005 to 2010, revealing a significant increase in missed appointments after the clocks go forward.
The MedSeq Project analyzed costs six months after genetic information was returned to physicians and their patients. Sequencing did identify health-relevant genetic information, but downstream costs were similar between sequenced and unsequenced patients.
Researchers found that medical expenses account for approximately 4 percent of bankruptcy filings, contrary to commonly cited estimates. Poor health leads to negative economic consequences, including a 20 percent drop in earnings and an 11 percent drop in employment among adults aged 50-59 who were hospitalized.
Patients taking chronic opioids before spinal fusion are at increased risk of complications, including wound complications, emergency visits, and repeat spinal fusion surgery. Long-term opioid use also associated with higher odds of constipation and increased healthcare costs.
The US spends substantially more on healthcare than other high-income countries despite poor population health outcomes, primarily due to higher prices for services and administrative complexity. Quality of care in the US excels in some areas but is not markedly different from that of other countries.
The US spent nearly twice as much on medical care as other high-income countries, but performed less well on population health outcomes. The main drivers of spending differences were pharmaceuticals, devices, and administrative costs.
Precision oncology uses advanced molecular diagnostic technologies to select targeted therapies, resulting in improved overall survival and lower average total healthcare costs. Average weekly costs were significantly lower for the targeted treatment group compared to the control group.
Falls among older adults are a significant contributor to healthcare costs, with nonfatal falls resulting in $28.9 billion Medicare payments and fatal falls costing $754 million. Preventive strategies can help reduce these costs and improve health outcomes.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that larger hospitals with more procedures performed under bundled payments showed significant cost savings. Non-profit and major teaching hospitals were also more likely to succeed under this model, with improved care quality and lower costs per case.
A new study reveals that elderly Medicare patients underwent fewer minimally invasive surgeries compared to the general population, missing out on potential benefits of lower complication rates and readmissions. The study highlights the underuse of minimally invasive surgery in eligible candidates as an example of low-value care.
A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that implementing the Paris Climate Agreement could lead to significant health savings due to reduced air pollution-related disease and death. Estimated costs range from 0.5-1% global GDP, while potential health benefits could be as high as 2.5 times greater than these costs.
Research by NICM Health Research Institute and Western Sydney University finds effective childbirth education programmes can reduce caesarean births, saving the healthcare system millions annually. The study suggests antenatal education could reduce birth-related healthcare costs by up to nine percent.
Researchers recommend routine screening for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in offenders to improve medical support and reduce crime. Young people with TBI are at greater risk of early, violent offending due to compromised neurological functions and increased risk of behavioral disorders.
A systematic review found that stroke survivors and caregivers feel abandoned by primary care services, lacking necessary support and information. The study suggests that active follow-up and tailored information provision could improve patient self-management and reduce disability burden.
A new study finds that early consultation by a dermatologist can improve health-related outcomes and reduce costs associated with misdiagnosed pseudocellulitis. The researchers estimate that this intervention could prevent up to 256,000 hospitalization days and $210 million in net cost savings annually.
Research finds that abusive supervision affects more than 13% of U.S. workers, leading to retaliatory behavior and decreased productivity. The study also reveals cultural power distance influences employees' perceptions of justice and deviant behavior, with lower power distance countries experiencing stronger deviations.
The prevalence of obesity in the US has risen dramatically, but its economic impact on individual states is less understood. A recent study found that health care costs devoted to treating obesity-related illness vary significantly across states, with some spending over 12 percent of their total medical expenditures on obesity treatment.
The American College of Rheumatology now supports the use of biosimilars in treating patients with rheumatic diseases, citing rigorously acquired data. Communication between providers and patients is crucial to alleviate anxiety around newly available agents.
A pilot study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a home hospital model reduced direct costs up to half compared to traditional hospital care. The model also decreased hospital utilization and improved patient physical activity, with no significant impact on quality or safety.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that an enhanced recovery program reduced hospital length of stay, narcotic use, and total direct pharmacy costs. The protocol improved clinical outcomes and provided financial benefits to hospitals.
A study published in Diabetes Care found that diabetes-related complications in Germany result in high healthcare costs. The research analyzed data from over 300,000 people with type 2 diabetes and estimated the costs associated with each complication, including eye disease, kidney damage, and cardiovascular diseases.
Research estimates that asthma costs the US economy $81.9 billion per year, with 15.4 million people affected annually. The study also found significant disparities in healthcare costs between insured and uninsured individuals.
A new study reveals that younger patients account for half of hospital-acquired pneumonia cases, most of which occur outside the ICU. The research highlights gaps in pneumonia preventive measures as a contributing factor to the increased risk. Standardizing protocols for preventive care can help reduce rates of NV-HAP.
Medical professionals in the US should use trained medical interpreters to ensure patients with limited English proficiency receive accurate communication. Language access plans involving professional interpreters improve health outcomes, ethical patient care, and patient satisfaction, reducing costly repeat visits.
The STARS (Students and Trainees Advocating for Resource Stewardship) program at Boston University School of Medicine aims to help medical students develop skills to identify the appropriate amount of patient care. Through the program, students will review ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely value-based care campaign and use tools like t...
A study of 13,237 veterans found that elective coronary revascularization procedures at VA hospitals had better travel distances but more variable outcomes compared to community-based facilities. The researchers also noted differences in costs between the two settings.
A team of experts re-analyzed data from 31 clinical trials to compare single vs. multiple-use catheters and urinary tract infections. They found that studies tend to favour single-use catheters, indicating potential risks with catheter reuse.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that pride levels are inversely associated with the risk of falling in older adults. High levels of pride were linked to a 19% lower odds of reported falls. The researchers analyzed data from over 6,400 adults aged 60 and older, suggesting that pride may be a protective factor against falling.
A cost analysis shows that individualized blood sugar goals for diabetes patients can save more than $13,500 over a lifetime compared to uniform national recommendations. Lower medication costs are the primary factor in these savings.
The largest ever analysis of NHS patients who fail to attend reveals socio-economic deprivation as biggest risk factor. Nearly 20% of patients missed more than two appointments over a 3-year period, with 46% missing one or more appointments.
A new report highlights the benefits of health literacy for both patients and providers, achieving the quadruple aim of quality care, community health, reduced costs, and improved patient and provider experiences. Health literacy can improve patient outcomes, reduce hospitalization rates, and lower health expenditures.
The number of laboratory services associated with diagnoses of anaphylactic food reaction increased by 871 percent from 2007 to 2016, and billed charges for those services rose even more. Milk product allergy was the most expensive food allergy in terms of average costs and services per patient.
Patients with multiple sclerosis who adhere to medication schedules experience significantly better physical outcomes, including reduced disease impact and disability. However, their overall healthcare costs are higher due to more frequent hospitalizations and medical appointments.
A new study suggests that despite the rise in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), most Americans who have them aren't pursuing consumer-like behaviors such as saving, shopping around, or discussing costs with healthcare providers. Key findings include low savings rates and limited engagement with providers.
Research in CMAJ found that motorcycle crashes result in 3 times the injuries and 10 times the severity compared to car accidents. Motorcycle accidents also cause 5 times more deaths and 6 times higher medical costs.
A study by University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers found that hospitals with higher midwife-attended births had lower rates of cesarean deliveries and episiotomies among low-risk pregnancies. The findings suggest that increased access to midwifery care could enhance perinatal care and reduce costs.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that routine laboratory screenings for children entering foster care carry high costs and questionable medical benefits. Targeted screening may be a more cost-effective approach, particularly for conditions such as anemia, lead poisoning, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
Researchers estimate that Australian smokers will lose an estimated 2.9 million years of life and 2.7 million years of productive years, resulting in a significant impact on the country's economy. The study highlights the importance of smoking prevention and the need to address this issue.
Research found that 15% of heart attack and stroke patients, and 9% of CABG patients, were uninsured during 2008-2012. Hospital bills exceeded 40% of annual income for 85% of heart attack patients, 75% of stroke patients, and 83% of CABG patients.
State cancer drug parity laws have had a mixed impact on treatment costs, with modest improvements for many patients and increased monthly out-of-pocket costs for others. The laws aim to ensure that oral cancer treatments are not more costly than infusions, but they may not fully address affordability concerns.
Researchers identified 71 low-value general surgical procedures, with the highest impact interventions including inguinal hernia repair and routine endoscopy in asymptomatic patients. Experts emphasize the importance of maximizing patient care value through precise treatments and challenging existing dogma that 'more is better'.
A new study measures the causes behind the US health care spending increase, attributing 50% to price and intensity of services. The analysis reveals that factors like population growth, age, disease prevalence, and utilization drive most of the spending increase.
A study of over 19,000 knee dislocation cases found obesity increases complications and costs of care. Obese patients are more likely to experience vascular injury, which can lead to amputation if left untreated. Hospital stays for obese patients with vascular injury were 15.3 days, costing $131,478 on average.
A new study found that Medicare beneficiaries in low-income US counties utilize observation care more commonly, leading to high out-of-pocket expenses. Patients in poor counties were 17% more likely to incur high costs compared to wealthier counterparts.
A pilot study found that partnerships between rural hospitals and academic surgery departments can substantially increase patient satisfaction due to increased accessibility of quality surgical care. The partnerships also lead to cost savings for both the hospitals and the state, with projected savings of approximately $7 million.
A new policy proposal by Dartmouth economist Elizabeth Cascio aims to relieve the burden of child care costs on low-income families, particularly those with children under five. The proposed reform recommends replacing current federal child care tax policies with a new, refundable tax credit that would benefit lower-income families.