Research on the cost of health care and how to control it. Covers cardiovascular care in Latin America, emergency-visit costs, insulin pricing, and screening gaps.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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