Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A new publication by the Association for Molecular Pathology provides cost and value analysis of gene panels, including non-small cell lung cancer and hearing loss. The study demonstrates economic value in optimizing care for patients with hereditary diseases and cancer through targeted gene panels.
A review of 20 studies found little evidence that co-located primary care services can curb patient demand or improve emergency department throughput. In fact, set-up costs often outweigh marginal savings, and diverting patients to primary care may not be cost-effective.
Millennials with higher deductible spending are the most frequent comparison shoppers for healthcare services. The study found that women and younger adults use price transparency tools more than others.
A new study by NYU Langone Health reveals that air pollution in the US is responsible for approximately 3% of premature births, with a total economic cost of $4.33 billion annually. The majority of these births occur in urban counties, primarily in Southern California and the Eastern U.S.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University recommend revisiting current adult vaccination schedule due to long-lasting immunity against tetanus and diphtheria. A revised 30-year schedule could reduce healthcare costs by two-thirds, saving approximately $280 million annually.
A new study found that endocrine-disrupting chemicals may contribute to reproductive health problems, including uterine fibroids and endometriosis, affecting millions of women worldwide. The estimated cost of these conditions in the European Union is €1.4 billion annually.
Half of uninsured minority children are unaware they're eligible for Medicaid, leading to suboptimal health, special healthcare needs, and financial strain on families. Parents face significant stress and anxiety due to their child's health issues, with many experiencing financial problems and reduced work hours.
US out-of-hospital birth rates increased to nearly 1.5% of total births in 2014, with non-Hispanic white women experiencing the largest growth. Many women face difficulty accessing insurance coverage for out-of-hospital births, leading to high self-pay rates.
A study by Ohio State University found that PulseNet, a CDC-coordinated network, prevents about 276,000 cases of foodborne illness each year. The network's early detection capabilities and encouragement of safer business practices contribute to this significant reduction in illnesses.
A study analyzing US cancer survivor data reveals nearly 29% face financial burden due to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Cancer survivors with financial problems experience lower physical and mental health-related quality of life, higher risk of depressed mood and psychological distress.
A new study finds that the Cadillac tax will hit middle-income families hardest, while sparing the wealthy. The tax will reduce the financial burden of health benefits on lower-income workers and exacerbate inequalities in healthcare.
A recent study published in Health Affairs found that retail clinic visits may not be as cost-effective as previously thought. The research suggests that the convenience of retail clinics can lead to increased spending on new medical care, outweighing any potential savings from reduced office or emergency department visits.
A study by The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice found that large, urban hospitals are more likely to participate in ACOs, which involve managing hospital care to improve quality and lower costs. Teaching hospitals and those with more services also tend to join ACOs.
A study at Hospital for Special Surgery found that directing patients with knee replacement surgery to high-volume hospitals can significantly reduce complication rates, hospital readmissions, and revision surgeries. This could result in annual cost savings of up to $4 billion by 2030, according to the researchers.
Reported dog attacks on guide dogs in the UK rose from an average of three per month in 2010 to eleven attacks per month in 2015. Guide Dogs' stock were injured in 43% of attacks, with veterinary costs estimated at £34,514.30.
A three-year pilot program at NYU Langone Medical Center reported reductions in patient length-of-stay and readmission rates among Medicare patients undergoing total joint replacements. The bundled payment initiative resulted in lower overall costs while improving quality of care and patient outcomes.
The Ambulatory Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC) Outpatient Clinic at Boston University School of Medicine emphasizes education alongside patient care, offering complex diagnoses and literature review opportunities. This model aims to reduce costs and readmissions by concentrating health care efforts on unstable patients.
Researchers found that charges are inflated by a factor of three to one, disproportionately affecting the underinsured and uninsured. The study suggests targeting office-based events and procedures rather than operating room interventions for improved value within surgical care.
A clinical study from Mayo Clinic found whole-exome sequencing to be a viable diagnostic approach for identifying rare genetic conditions, resolving diagnostic odysseys and improving patient management. The study reported a success rate of 29%, twice that of conventional genetic evaluations, with insurance coverage existing for the test.
A new process of moving donor management out of hospitals to freestanding facilities has been shown to be more efficient and cost-effective. This approach results in a higher number of suitable organs being recovered for transplant, with an average increase of 3.4 organs per donor.
A recent study found that over half of elderly colorectal cancer patients receive ineffective treatments, leading to significant financial burdens. The study examined data from over 20,000 Medicare patients between 2000 and 2009, revealing a 32% increase in treatment costs and only a one-month increase in median survival.
A new study highlights the potential positive impact of consuming EPA and DHA omega-3s derived from menhaden on US public health. The consumption of 1000mg per day may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and nationwide healthcare costs by $1.7 billion.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that using frozen section analysis during lumpectomies can reduce the need for second operations by 95%, saving patients time and financial burdens. The study estimates annual cost savings of $90.9 million to payers and $1.8 million to providers.
Seven major pharmaceutical companies have signed up to a groundbreaking Parkinson's consortium aimed at accelerating the development of safe and effective therapies. The consortium will share data, expertise, and resources with leading academics and industry members to promote and develop new treatments for Parkinson's.
A new study by Charité researchers reveals that the true cost of treating patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease exceeds reimbursement levels under the current German DRG system, highlighting the need for a more accurate cost recovery method.
The cost of an effective stroke clot-busting drug, alteplase, has more than doubled to $6,400 for a standard vial, but Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement have only increased by 8%. This disparity highlights the need for better reimbursement rates to ensure hospitals can provide high-quality care without losing money.
Researchers found that adding mechanical clot removal to clot-busting drugs lowered stroke survivors' medical bills by $20,396 compared to medication alone. This translates to a potential healthcare cost savings of $13,491,564 if all patients were treated with clot removal plus medication.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that vaccinations in 94 low- and middle-income countries could save up to $44 for every dollar spent. The study estimated a total cost of immunization programs at $34 billion, with averted costs of illness totaling $586 billion.
A new paper outlines how the University of Utah hospitalists used a tool developed at University of Utah Health Care to reduce unnecessary lab testing, decreasing lab costs by nearly 10 percent per patient visit. The approach resulted in significant cost savings and improved resource allocation.
A new analysis shows that team-based coordinated specialty care (CSC) is more cost-effective than typical community care for young people with first episode psychosis. CSC produces better clinical and quality of life outcomes, making it a better value despite modestly higher costs.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that the use of biological mesh materials for abdominal wall hernia repair does not demonstrate added clinical benefits over synthetic mesh. The authors reviewed 20 studies and concluded that the expense associated with these devices cannot be justified without clear evidence of superiority.
A UT Southwestern study found no conclusive evidence supporting the use of more expensive biologic mesh materials over synthetic mesh in abdominal wall hernia repair. Despite their potential benefits, biologic meshes have not been proven to significantly reduce infections or erosions.
A new study finds that government funds account for 64% of US health care spending, exceeding private spending and surpassing other nations with universal health programs. Taxpayers pay the highest health-related taxes per capita, yet millions remain uninsured.
A new UCLA study found that hospitals with shorter lengths of stay and higher readmission rates tend to use more post-acute care services. This can lead to patients being discharged prematurely, resulting in higher readmission rates.
Enrollees in high-deductible health plans show no difference in considering alternative care or comparing costs with those in traditional plans. Despite perceptions of price differences and quality disparities, HDHP enrollees don't shop around for better deals.
A study published in Medical Care found that patients with high-deductible insurance plans used fewer imaging tests and had lower costs for diagnostic imaging. However, the study could not determine whether this was due to high- or low-value utilization, raising concerns about potential drawbacks of high-deductible plans.
Patients with high-deductible health plans use 7.5% fewer diagnostic tests like MRI, X-rays, and CT scans than those without such plans. High-deductible plans may discourage test use due to lack of informed decision-making by patients.
Transforming primary care practices into 'medical homes' requires substantial investments, with median one-time costs ranging from $7,694 to $117,810 per practice. Ongoing costs include adding staff and investing in information technology, constituting a significant financial burden for small medical practices.
A study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that five percent of Ontarians account for 65% of provincial health care costs, with the top 1% accounting for one-third of these costs. The study tracked $30.5 billion in healthcare spending, which is about 75% of total government health expenditures.
A nationwide survey of 1,000 Americans seeking depression treatment and 250 clinicians reveals a disconnect between patients' and clinicians' prioritization of information needed for treatment decisions. Patients prioritize cost and insurance information, while clinicians do not always share this priority.
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs can save hospitals money by reducing patient lengths of stay and direct variable costs. Implementing ERAS protocols requires significant upfront investments, but the model shows that these costs are more than offset by savings.
Charging patients for GP consultations could raise much-needed funds for the NHS, according to some. However, critics warn that this approach may lead to increased costs, reduced access to care, and decreased health outcomes.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion resulted in a 50% decrease in uninsured hospital stays and a 20% increase in care for people with Medicaid coverage. This has significant implications for the financial status of hospitals, particularly those in states that did not expand Medicaid.
A new study published in Health Affairs found that palliative care consultation within two days of hospitalization resulted in significant savings in hospital costs for cancer patients with multiple chronic conditions. Patients with higher numbers of comorbidities showed greater reductions in direct hospital costs.
A new study by CAMH and ICES found that heavy users of mental health care account for 88% of total costs, with psychiatric hospitalizations and visits to doctors making up the majority. The average cost of healthcare used by these individuals is 30% higher than others.
A study suggests that treating all suspected cases of nail fungus with oral terbinafine is more cost-effective than performing confirmatory diagnostic tests beforehand. However, confirmatory testing before treatment with the expensive topical medicine efinaconazole resulted in reduced costs and overall savings.
Even before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), cancer survivors in non-expansion states had limited access to healthcare. The study analyzed data from the 2012 and 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and found that these survivors were less likely to have a personal doctor, receive an annual checkup, or see a doctor due to cost.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that exchanging secure emails with doctors improved overall health for 32% of patients with chronic conditions. Patients who used email as their first method of contact reported reduced phone contacts and in-person visits.
A large inner city hospital in England found that almost three-quarters of weekend emergency care cases are linked to excess alcohol intake, resulting in significant costs for urban emergency care departments. The analysis, published online, reveals substantial costs for treating alcohol-related cases, with an annual bill of £1 million.
A new study finds that treatment resources for non-veterans with PTSD are much less cohesive and helpful than those available to veterans. The review of research literature highlights the need for better guidance on treating PTSD in specific vulnerable subpopulations, such as victims of sexual assault and natural disasters.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers analyze 20,000 employee plan choices and find most employees select inferior plans leading to over-spending. They argue simplifying health insurance plans can improve consumer choices and reduce anxiety.
Researchers Warren Sanderson and Sergei Scherbov propose new measures to replace the old-age dependency ratio, providing a more nuanced understanding of population aging. The new measures take into account factors such as health care costs and pension payouts, offering a more accurate assessment of future consequences of aging.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that modifiable health risks like obesity, stress, and smoking cost companies billions in healthcare costs. The study suggests that workplace wellness programs can help reduce these costs by promoting healthier behaviors.
A multidisciplinary accountable care team model has been shown to decrease hospital stays and lower costs by $649 per stay. The ACT model, implemented across an urban hospital, has also improved communication with patients and families, as well as employee engagement and job satisfaction.
A new University of Illinois at Chicago study examines the impact of cutting teacher benefits on taxpayer savings. The researchers found that most of the cost of health insurance is passed onto teachers themselves through deductions from their salaries.
Researchers at Penn State have created a reusable microfluidic device that can sort and manipulate cells for cheap and convenient biomedical diagnosis. The device, called acoustic tweezers, uses gentle vibrations to manipulate cells and has the potential to be used in diagnostics, therapeutics, and biology labs.
A new study found that openly sharing patient satisfaction metrics created a culture of empathy, communication, trust, and shared decision making between patients and providers at University of Utah Health Care. This led to improved patient outcomes and cultural change in healthcare.
A new study found that periarticular injections reduced postoperative hospital stay and number of inpatient physical therapy sessions after total knee replacement surgery. Patients who received these injections recovered quicker due to maintaining control over the quadriceps muscles, allowing for faster walking independently.
A new analysis suggests that paying for sex reassignment surgery and hormones is actually cost-effective, with costs comparable to treatment for depression and substance abuse. Providing health care benefits to transgender people makes economic sense, improving quality of life without a huge financial impact on society.
A computer simulation model projected that universal HCV testing and treatment in prisons could reduce HCV transmission in the general community, prevent liver-related deaths and cancer, and become highly cost-effective over 30 years. This would benefit not only the prison population but also society as a whole.