Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A new study reveals that Alzheimer's patients' healthcare costs increase significantly even before a diagnosis, primarily driven by hospital care and medication. The cost difference stabilizes two years after diagnosis, with AD patients having twice the healthcare costs of non-AD patients.
Research identifies falls as the leading cause of eye injuries, accounting for over 8,425 hospitalizations, with serious ocular trauma injuries being expensive and preventable. The median cost of treating eye injuries increased by 62%, from $12,430 to $20,116, between 2002 and 2011.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) released a position paper exploring the factors driving growth of 'concierge' and other direct patient contracting practices. The paper offers nine recommendations to mitigate potential adverse impacts on access for lower-income patients.
A U-M study of patients at a free clinic found that perceived cost and knowledge gaps about low-cost plans are major barriers to healthcare for the uninsured. The researchers hope their findings will prompt other safety net clinics to offer personalized insurance counseling services.
A new study suggests that hospital evidence-based practice centers (EPCs) can inform decision-making in medical settings, improving quality, safety, and value of care. EPCs can analyze scientific literature to fill critical knowledge gaps, leading to better outcomes and cost savings.
A national survey of 1,604 adult smartphone users found that 58% had downloaded a health-related mobile application, with 65% reporting improved health. However, concerns about cost, disinterest, and privacy barriers hinder wider adoption. More research is needed to maximize the impact of health apps on overall health.
Recent improvements in US diet have helped reduce disease and premature death, but the overall American diet remains poor. Researchers found that healthier eating habits can cumulatively prevent 1.1 million premature deaths over 14 years.
Severe obesity costs Medicaid nearly $8 billion annually, with research predicting continued growth due to expanded eligibility. States can slow the rise in obesity-related healthcare costs by identifying effective prevention and treatment services.
A new study by UCLA researchers reveals a wide range of costs for treating low-risk prostate cancer, with active surveillance being the most cost-effective option. The study used time-driven activity-based costing to analyze costs across an entire care process, finding significant variation in prices for different treatments.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that the average total cost for deceased patients with dementia was $287,038 in the last five years of life, significantly higher than those who died from other causes. Out-of-pocket spending for dementia patients was 81% higher.
Black men with localized prostate cancer had poorer quality care, higher costs, and worse postoperative outcomes compared to white men. However, the authors found no difference in cancer-specific or overall death between the two groups.
A Mayo Clinic study found stepping down daily asthma medicines can be done safely and at less cost for patients with stable asthma. Patients who stepped down their medicines saved an average of $34 per month compared to those who maintained the same level, without increased costs or reduced quality of life.
A study by the CDC found that excessive drinking cost the US $249 billion in 2010, with binge drinking responsible for most of these costs. The economic burden of excessive alcohol use includes reduced workplace productivity, crime, and healthcare expenses related to health problems caused by excessive drinking.
Firearm-related injuries result in thousands of deaths and injuries each year, with estimated economic costs of FRIs being immense. The average inpatient length of stay for an FRI was almost 7 days at a cost of $22,000, resulting in $679 million annually on inpatient care.
Researchers found that patients whose genomes were sequenced incurred a cost of $719 in follow-up tests and care over the following year, compared to $430 for standard treatment. The study suggests that genome sequencing may offset future costs through prevention or early treatment, but further analysis is needed.
A new study shows that anti-osteoporotic therapy can decrease the risk of subsequent fractures by 40% over three years. The treatment significantly reduces fracture risk for hip, spine, wrist, and upper arm fractures.
A new pneumatic compression device has been shown to significantly reduce cellulitis episodes in patients with lymphedema, resulting in an 80% decrease. The device also leads to a 37% reduction in lymphedema-related healthcare costs. This study highlights the potential benefits of advanced devices in managing chronic conditions.
Two new clinical decision instruments (DIs) can accurately identify blunt chest injury in patients. Chest CT-All correctly identified major or minor injuries 95.4% of the time, while Chest CT-Major identified major injuries with a high degree of accuracy. These DIs may reduce unnecessary scans by 25%-37%.
Researchers found significant differences in hospital care for children with medical complexity, including variation in intensive care unit days and diagnostic tests. The study highlights the need to identify best practices to improve quality and reduce costs in care for this growing patient population.
A study by Helmholtz Munich found that lung cancer patients incur an average of €20,000 in costs over three years. Surgery proved to be the most cost-effective treatment option, while chemotherapy and radiation therapy were more expensive.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a strong link between elevated blood eosinophilia and late complications in preterm infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. High levels of eosinophils after NEC onset can predict life-threatening conditions like bowel rupture, fibrosis, and intestinal strictures.
A study by researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School found that health care costs in one year were $18,000 higher in smokers with peripheral artery disease than non-smokers. Hospitalization rates among tobacco users with PAD were also significantly higher, at 49% within one year.
Research findings suggest that intensive care units (ICUs) may be beneficial for older adults with pneumonia, with a nearly 6% improvement in survival associated with ICU admission. The costs to Medicare and hospitals were the same for both groups, despite the ICU's reputation as a high-cost place to care for patients.
A study of Medicare beneficiaries found that older patients with pneumonia who were admitted to the ICU had lower mortality rates compared to those admitted to general wards. The study also showed no significant differences in Medicare spending or hospital costs between the two groups.
The Medicare Pioneer ACO program saw a modest reduction of 0.8 low-value services per 100 beneficiaries, with a 1.9% decrease in service quantity and a 4.5% reduction in spending on these services. Organizations providing more low-value care saw greater reductions.
Researchers compared clinical outcomes between patients receiving nafcillin and cefazolin for MSSA bacteremia, finding that cefazolin had similar treatment failure rates but fewer adverse events. The study suggests that cefazolin may be a cost-effective alternative to nafcillin due to lower costs.
Direct treatment costs of dental diseases worldwide total US$298 billion yearly, while indirect costs due to productivity losses amount to US$144 billion. The combined economic impact amounts to US$442 billion in 2010.
A new study suggests that obese patients with type 2 diabetes may benefit from priority access to obesity surgery, as they often experience remission of diabetes and reduced complications. This can lead to lower accumulated drug costs and overall healthcare expenses.
New research suggests that obese patients with type 2 diabetes should be prioritized for obesity surgery, as they often experience remission of diabetes and reduced healthcare costs. The study, based on the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study, found that total healthcare costs were lower in surgery patients who had prediabetes or diabetes.
A study of 100 multiple myeloma patients found that nearly half tapped into their savings and 17% delayed treatment due to high costs. The rising cost of novel therapeutics has led to financial toxicity, affecting patient wellbeing and potentially contributing to increased mortality.
A study by University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that women discharged from rural hospitals had higher readmission rates than urban hospitals. The researchers attributed this to a lack of family support, disease burden, and limited obstetrician availability in rural areas.
A total ban on trans fatty acids in processed foods in England could potentially prevent or postpone about 7,200 deaths from coronary heart disease over the next five years. Policies to improve labelling or simply remove trans fatty acids from restaurants and takeaways could save between 1,800 and 3,500 deaths
Researchers find PCMH costs per physician FTE were $7,691 in Utah and $9,658 in Colorado. Family physicians with high HIV experience are more likely to adhere to antiretroviral therapy protocols. Adequate compensation is critical for practices to sustain medical home services.
A reference payment initiative implemented by California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) shifted 90.5% of colonoscopy patients to lower-priced ambulatory surgery centers, saving $7 million in the first two years. The average price paid for colonoscopy decreased from $1,716 in 2011 to $1,508 in 2013.
A new study found that providing antiretroviral therapy programmes in the workplace can lead to significant cost savings for companies, particularly in South Africa where HIV prevalence is high. The study estimated that annual cost savings would decrease by 5% and average cost per HIV positive employee would decrease by 14%.
A study of over 55,000 CABG patients found diabetics had more postoperative complications and decreased long-term survival. The proportion of diabetic patients undergoing CABG increased 5-fold between 1970-2010, driven by higher costs and clinical risks.
A study from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine finds that Medicare patients with multiple observation stays face financial liability, with cumulative out-of-pocket costs exceeding the deductible for an inpatient hospital admission for over a quarter of beneficiaries
A recent UBC study found that planned home births attended by registered midwives in BC between 2001-2004 saved an average of $2,338 compared to hospital births. The study also showed lower health costs for babies born at home, with first-year health costs being $810 less than those for hospital births.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Cardiology found that home-based treatment (HBI) for chronic heart failure patients was more cost-effective than traditional clinic-based intervention. The study showed that HBI resulted in longer patient survival, reduced hospital stay duration, and lower healthcare costs
Researchers have developed a new capability to minimize human health effects of air pollution from electric power generating facilities. The Air Pollutant Optimization Model provides a hybrid approach that balances health and cost savings, reducing health impacts by $176 million while increasing costs by $84 million.
NHS trusts under severe financial pressure are least likely to terminate expensive PFI contracts, warns expert. Alternative solutions, such as adjusting commissioner payments to compensate for capital costs, are considered more effective.
Keystone Symposia has received a five-year, $2.25 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support Global Health Series meetings and Travel Awards for scientific investigators and clinicians from low and middle-income countries.
A study published in CMAJ found that people with food insecurity use more health care services and incur higher health care costs. Adults in marginally food-insecure households had 23% higher health care costs, while those in severely food-insecure households had 121% higher costs.
A major new review reveals that every country can afford to support its smokers to stop, with effective measures like cytisine, brief advice, telephone helplines, text messaging programs, and books available globally at low cost. Implementing these solutions could save thousands of lives worldwide.
A new study estimates the cost of implementing revised physician board recertification requirements will be a significant burden on physicians and patients. The study found that most costs arise from the time required for physicians to fulfill requirements, rather than fees payable to the American Board of Internal Medicine.
A recent report by the King's Fund shows that increasing day surgery has led to improved patient outcomes and reduced NHS expenditure. By 2013, day case activity had increased from 7% in 1974 to nearly 35%, saving an estimated £2bn for the NHS.
A new RAND analysis reveals that enrolling in a health insurance plan is only the first step for consumers to be actively engaged in their healthcare. The study found that low health literacy and limited access to primary care physicians are significant barriers to consumer engagement. To overcome these challenges, a collaborative and ...
UC Davis researchers estimate that the total costs of caring for people with autism spectrum disorder will range from $162 to $367 billion in 2015 and potentially reach $1 trillion by 2025. The study recommends increased investment in research and early intervention programs to reduce these costs.
A new study found that mechanical thrombectomy in stroke treatment reduced hospital stays to 14 days from 90 days and saved the UK healthcare system £3.2 million. The procedure also led to over 9 in 10 patients being discharged home.
The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) has launched a new program to provide independent analysis on pricing linked to patient benefit for new FDA-approved drugs. The program will produce public reports near the time of FDA approval, providing a transparent basis for price negotiations and coverage decisions.
A doctor argues that long sleeved white coats spread infection and lead to avoidable harm and cost to patients. He advocates for banning doctors and medical students from wearing white coats to reduce hospital acquired infections in India.
The Low Risk Ankle Rule reduces unnecessary radiation exposure and healthcare costs for children with ankle injuries. Implementing the rule leads to a 22.9% decrease in x-ray orders and $36.93 less in healthcare costs.
A national initiative launched in 2007 to improve hip fracture care has led to substantial improvements in the use of early surgery and mortality rates among older people. The study, published in Medical Care journal, found a 7.6% annual relative reduction in 30-day mortality after the initiative's introduction.
Peter Fisher argues that homeopathy is misunderstood and that some reviews have omitted key evidence, while Edzard Ernst claims that most independent systematic reviews have failed to show homeopathy's effectiveness due to methodological flaws.
Researchers at UTHealth found that mental illness was the most common reason for hospitalizing children ages 10-14, while pregnancy/birth was a leading cause for adolescents. The costs were staggering, with $51 million spent on mental disease-related hospitalizations of teens aged 15-17.
A new study aims to increase the accessibility of mental health research in community clinics by developing practical measures for implementing evidence-based practices. The project will explore two methods for integrating measurement-based care into routine clinical work.
The study estimates the total cost of smoking in California at $18.1 billion for 2009, down from $7.6 billion and $15.8 billion in previous years. This decline is attributed to a decrease in adult smoking prevalence and a shift towards less intense smoking habits.
A study by Yale University researchers found significant variation in the cost of low-risk childbirth across hospitals in the US. The average estimated facility cost per maternity stay ranged from $1,189 to $11,986, with higher costs associated with hospitals that performed more cesarean deliveries or had more maternal complications.
Research conducted by King's College London found a 50% increase in females reaching age 100 between 1990 and 2013, with women four times more likely to reach this milestone than men. Centenarian men, on the other hand, tend to be healthier, experiencing fewer chronic illnesses and disabilities compared to their female counterparts.
A Cochrane Review found a lack of conclusive evidence on how to care for patients with dementia who suffer from hip fractures. The review highlights the need for better research into post-operative care strategies, particularly in hospital settings and the community.