Researchers developed a new method to measure healthcare value transparently, combining quality and cost measures. They found that hospitals' ability to deliver high-quality, low-cost care varied across procedures, with those providing the highest-value care having more beds and beds than those providing the lowest-value care.
A new study from MD Anderson Cancer Center found substantial variation in costs of breast cancer treatment for different chemotherapy regimens, with insurer costs varying by as much as $20,354. Choosing equally effective but less costly regimens could impact the cost of breast cancer care nationally by $1 billion every year.
A free colonoscopy program for uninsured patients has been shown to detect cancer at an earlier stage and appears to be cost-neutral. The program, which was expanded to all hospitals in Louisville, is being hailed as a model for statewide implementation in Kentucky.
A study by Aarhus University researchers found that people across countries share a common intuition that ill individuals are unlucky and deserving of help. This psychological tendency makes it challenging to change attitudes towards healthcare costs, despite growing concerns about lifestyle diseases.
Researchers found that excessive drinkers would pay nearly $3 in $4 of the increased cost of alcohol following state alcohol tax increases. In contrast, non-excessive drinkers would pay less than $10 per year, regardless of hypothetical tax increase amounts.
A comprehensive analysis of data from 1.6 million hospital stays found that patients undergoing common operations at critical access hospitals had lower risks of major complications and were healthier before surgery. These hospitals also cost the Medicare system nearly $1,400 less than larger hospitals.
A recent study found that 92.2% of physicians believe doctors should control costs, but only 36.9% have a clear understanding of test and procedure costs. Primary care physicians reported greater awareness of the Choosing Wisely campaign, which aims to identify low-value services.
A new study has found that home-based pulmonary rehabilitation can be equally effective in improving fitness and quality of life for COPD patients as traditional center-based programs. The low-cost program resulted in comparable outcomes to the hospital-based program, with no significant differences in clinical outcomes at any time point.
The NHS should significantly increase weight loss surgery rates to help patients reduce weight and obesity-related conditions. Studies show surgery is clinically effective and cost-effective, with benefits including reduced healthcare costs in the long term.
A new simulator is being developed to help individuals and families select the most suitable health insurance plans based on realistic cost estimates and potential healthcare outcomes. The simulator combines buyer-specific information with bespoke databases, producing transparent output that enables informed decision-making.
A commentary in the journal Gastroenterology argues that current policy harms low-income patients by not waiving their share of coverage costs for screening. The authors recommend waiving coinsurance and copay for diagnostic procedures associated with screening, as well as value-based and evidence-based benefit design.
Physicians urge sweeping single-payer reform with publicly financed system, citing high administrative costs and profits in private insurance. The proposal aims to save $500 billion annually by eliminating overhead and profits.
A new UVM study examines the trade-offs between IVF financial savings and medical complications from multiple embryo transfers. The research found increased rates of cesarean-section deliveries, premature births, and low birth weight with two or more embryos transferred into the mother at one time.
A new study found that virtual dermatology care can nearly double the number of patients receiving dermatological care from a specialist. Teledermatology expanded access to younger and healthier patients with targeted skin conditions like acne and warts, while serving half of all enrollees who received any dermatology care.
A study published in JAMA found that providing patients with online tools to search for healthcare prices did not lead to lower spending. Researchers compared over 445,000 employees who used the tool to those who didn't and found no significant reduction in outpatient spending.
A recent study found that offering health care price transparency tools to employees did not result in lower outpatient spending. The study compared the spending patterns of employees who had access to the tool with those who did not, and found no significant difference in average outpatient spending.
Researchers found a 72% increase in opioid-related hospitalizations between 2002 and 2012, with serious infections rising 91% and health care costs nearly quadrupling to $15 billion. The study highlights the significant impact of opioid abuse on the US hospital system and health care costs.
A study published in JAMA Surgery identifies the top 7 emergency general surgery (EGS) procedures that account for most complications, deaths, and costs. These procedures include partial colectomy, small-bowel resection, and laparotomy, which collectively accounted for 80% of EGS frequency, mortality, and hospital costs nationwide.
A new study estimates that norovirus causes approximately $4.2 billion in healthcare costs and $60.3 billion in societal costs each year. The disease, which affects nearly 700 million people worldwide, also results in significant productivity losses.
HPV vaccination programs in Canada are currently limited, leaving men vulnerable to HPV-related diseases. The Canadian Medical Association Journal recommends expanding the programs to include males and negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to decrease costs.
Researchers argue that health systems need leaders who can think like designers to address complex challenges like obesity, diabetes, and cost control. Design thinking offers tools for empathy, radical collaboration, and rapid prototyping to innovate and improve healthcare.
Researchers found that high-volume lung transplant centers had lower transplantation costs and fewer early hospital readmissions. The average cost of lung transplantation was $135,622, with recipients at low-volume centers being 14% more likely to experience early readmissions.
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 new study shows a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened drinks could reduce annual health expenditure by up to $29 million. The tax would also result in an estimated 800 fewer new Type 2 diabetes cases each year.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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.