Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A systematic review of 15 randomized controlled trials found that biologics significantly reduce accumulated missed workdays and improve work productivity among patients with rheumatic diseases. This suggests a potential economic benefit to treating these conditions.
Harvard researchers argue that mobile devices could revolutionize healthcare by linking app data to electronic health records. This integration could reduce costs and advance precision medicine, but current electronic health record systems lack standardized interfaces for accessing genomic data.
A new program at Johns Hopkins Hospital implemented consistent use of experienced medical teams, preemptive antibiotics, and early patient mobilization to reduce complications and accelerate recovery in colorectal surgery. The approach resulted in a significant reduction in hospital stays, surgical infections, blood clots, and costs.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that 50 US hospitals are charging out-of-network patients and the uninsured up to 1,000% more than their actual costs. This price gouging is leading to financial burdens on vulnerable populations and driving up overall health spending.
The Person-Event Data Environment (PDE) database captures financial, health, medical and other data for every soldier from entry to separation. The database includes information on soldiers' military experience, contractors and dependents, representing a heterogeneous population with various socioeconomic backgrounds.
A new NYU study finds that healthcare workers' wages are only slightly higher than those in other sectors, and professional staff like doctors and nurses earn more due to their education and experience. To contain healthcare costs, the study suggests improving productivity through using fewer or less-skilled employees to produce services
A new study found that millions of seniors with Medicare Advantage plans face large out-of-pocket costs for hospital and skilled nursing care, including those with low incomes. The study highlights the need for policymakers to protect Medicare Advantage consumers from high copays, particularly for unpredictable catastrophic illnesses.
A new study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology finds that early palliative care consultation within six days of hospitalization reduces hospital costs by $1,312 compared to traditional care. Early provision also leads to a 14% reduction in hospital stay cost.
A study published in the June issue of Health Affairs found that PEPFAR funding was associated with a 13% increase in male employment in ten sub-Saharan African countries. The authors suggest that these findings could inform future aid allocation decisions, potentially generating significant economic benefits.
Research suggests that implementing a full seven day service in the NHS would cost up to £831m, exceeding initial estimates. The study found that removing weekend risks would eliminate some deaths, but not all, and may move problems to other days of the week.
A new study predicts that British military amputees will require medical care and rehabilitation for more than 25 years, with estimated costs of up to £288 million over 40 years. The study suggests that long-term financial commitment is necessary to provide sustained support and resources.
ER revisit rates exceed expectations, with one in five patients returning within 30 days and one in 12 after three days. Total cost of revisits is higher than initial visits, highlighting the need to understand what leads to these repeated visits.
A psychiatrist advocates for the reclassification of psychedelic drugs as Schedule 2 compounds, citing their potential benefits in treating various psychiatric disorders. He notes that these substances were extensively used and researched before prohibition in 1967, but are now subject to strict regulations that hinder further research.
Researchers at UC Davis found that pediatric telemedicine consultations with rural emergency departments save an average of $4,662 compared to telephone consults. The study also revealed significant savings from reduced transfers between hospitals and lower costs for urban hospitals.
The cost of treating babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has increased dramatically, with costs rising from $1.1 million in the first year to $1.8 million in the third year, a 15-16 fold increase compared to healthy infants. Proactive screening and treatment are recommended to address this growing public health concern.
Research finds that family physicians with a broader scope of practice have patients with 10-15% lower costs and fewer hospitalizations. The study suggests comprehensiveness in family medicine is both measurable and important for bending the cost curve and achieving the nation's Triple Aim.
A new study finds that combining an evidence-based enhanced recovery program with infection prevention significantly reduces hospital stay time and costs for patients undergoing colorectal operations. The program also decreases surgical site infections and sepsis rates.
A new study found that expanded hospice care improved indicators of care quality, including reduced reliance on intensive care and feeding tubes. However, it also led to increased costs to Medicare of $6,761 per patient on average due to longer stays and increased provider numbers.
A first-year undergraduate at the University of Chicago discovered a significant decrease in coronary revascularization interventions following the implementation of AUC, resulting in potential cost savings of over $2.3 billion nationwide. The study suggests that informed decision-making among physicians can lead to decreased costs whi...
A study found that obese patients undergoing common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures had higher rates of complications, hospital visits, and emergency department visits. The findings link obesity to increased healthcare costs, with average cost differences ranging from $3,900 to $7,400.
A new study by King's College London found that up to 7% of households in 41 countries faced catastrophic dental health expenditure, often due to inability to pay. Wealthier households and those with better healthcare systems were less likely to struggle with costs.
The study found that reducing alcohol-fuelled car crashes in the US increased national income by $6.5 billion and created 215,000 jobs in 2010. The economic gains resulted from a substantial fall in road traffic collision since 1984-6.
A new Commission estimates that 5 billion people worldwide cannot afford proper surgical care, leading to millions of deaths from treatable conditions. Investing $420 billion in surgery by 2030 could scale up access to life-saving procedures, according to the report.
A recent UTMB study found that oxygen therapy is being prescribed more frequently among COPD patients, especially women over 75 with multiple health conditions. The study's results show an increase in oxygen use from 2001 to 2010, likely due to improved survival rates and decreased stigma around the treatment.
A bundled intervention at Johns Hopkins Medicine significantly reduced central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in seven Abu Dhabi hospitals. The program, which included evidence-based infection prevention practices and teamwork improvements, achieved a 30-40% reduction in CLABSI rates across all ICUs.
Research suggests heroin assisted treatment can improve outcomes, reduce harm, and lower societal costs for a subgroup of patients who do not benefit from conventional treatments. This approach could provide savings that could be redirected to addiction prevention programs.
Family physicians play a crucial role in advising young women about egg freezing, providing accurate information on its benefits and risks. The procedure can help preserve fertility, but costs are high, and evidence on success rates is limited.
Countries with higher cancer spending have consistently lower cancer mortality rates, with a 17% decrease in amenable mortality. Increased spending on breast cancer treatment also leads to improved survival rates without significant cost increases, but more research is needed to contain costs.
A study published in BMC Health Services Research found that early physical therapy following an initial episode of acute low back pain resulted in lower healthcare costs and reduced use of resources. Patients who received physical therapy within 14 days had significantly lower costs for advanced imaging, injections, surgery, and opioids.
Researchers found a significant excess of obstetrics beds in NYC hospitals, resulting in wasted resources and estimated annual costs of $26.4 million. Reducing cesarean section rates by even a small percentage could lead to large savings and improved patient access to care.
A new study estimates that using a diagnostic test for candidemia can reduce hospital costs by up to $5,858,448 per year. The T2Candida Panel provides species-specific Candida detection and identification directly from whole blood in 3-5 hours.
Osteoporosis-related fractures in China are expected to double by 2035, with costs rising to approximately US$25.58 billion by 2050. The study also found that women account for 73% of total costs, sustaining three times more fractures than men.
A national survey of US healthcare providers found that fewer than half were 'very likely' to prescribe PrEP to high-risk patients. Concerns included daily pill regimen, regular follow-up care, effectiveness, and side effects. Despite strong evidence supporting PrEP use, cost remains a significant issue.
A Yale University study found that higher breast cancer treatment costs are associated with better survival rates. Over a decade, Medicare costs increased from $18,100 to $32,600, while five-year survival improved from 38.5% to 51.9%. The cost increase was largely due to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
LUT researchers highlight the importance of understanding users' daily life needs when planning new healthcare service models. The study found that people's attitudes change slowly, but continuous changes in the operating environment can lead to exclusion from services.
A new study reveals UK hospital costs for hip fractures to be approximately £1.1 billion annually, highlighting the need for preventive measures. Fracture liaison services have been shown to reduce secondary fractures and improve quality of life.
A new study from NYU Langone Health has identified the most common causes of hospital readmissions following total hip and knee arthoplasty procedures. The study found that surgical complications accounted for 54% of readmissions, with an average cost of $36,038 for total hip replacements and $61,049 for total knee replacements.
A Swedish study shows that implementing Fracture Liaison Services can prevent a significant number of fractures, saving lives and reducing healthcare costs. The model predicts a reduction in fractures by 50% among patients identified with bone mineral testing, resulting in 19 quality-adjusted life years saved.
The study found that increased use of minimally invasive surgery for common procedures can reduce post-operative complications and save $280-$340 million a year in healthcare costs. By adopting more minimally invasive procedures, hospitals can prevent thousands of complications and reduce hospital stays.
A Mayo Clinic study found that frequent attendance at work site wellness centers led to significant weight loss and healthcare cost savings. Members who visited the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center (DAHLC) more than 360 times were 72% more likely to experience weight loss, with corresponding reductions in healthcare costs.
Existing health information exchange studies show little to no correlation between their use and improved patient care outcomes. Researchers found that high-quality evidence linking HIE adoption to clear benefits is scarce, with most studies having methodological limitations.
A new study finds that routine bisphosphonate treatment can significantly reduce the risk of additional fractures in women over 65 who sustain a distal radius fracture, but at an estimated lifetime cost of $19.5 billion.
States expanding Medicaid under ACA see 23% increase in newly diagnosed diabetes patients compared to non-expansion states. Early detection can prevent complications and improve quality of life for those with diabetes.
A study by RAND Corporation and American Medical Association found that physician practices need help adapting to new payment models, which can improve quality and reduce costs. The report suggests that operational details of alternative payment models can either support or hinder practices' efforts to improve their processes.
A study by MIT economist Ernst Berndt and colleagues found that the prices of leading cancer drugs increased by 10% annually from 1995 to 2013, even after adjusting for inflation and incremental health benefits. The researchers suggest that rising prices reflect a greater social tolerance for significant healthcare costs.
A new study reveals the significant economic impact of diabetes globally, with high healthcare costs and lost wages in various countries. The review highlights the burden on individuals, families, and societies, especially in low- and middle-income nations where people with diabetes face limited access to affordable care.
A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that implementing a universal public drug plan could reduce Canada's spending on prescription drugs by $7.3 billion per year, while employers and unions could save an additional $8.2 billion. This cost savings is attributed to economies of scale in price negotiation...
A study comparing CT angiography and functional stress tests found similar clinical outcomes and minimal cost differences over three years. The tests had the same rate of death, heart attacks, and hospitalizations, despite initial cost savings from CT angiography.
The Desyre architecture has been shown to reduce hospital costs and replacement rates of medical devices by using 28% less energy and 48% less chip area. This is achieved while offering a nine times lower hardware failure rate, making it an extremely reliable design for critical applications.
A new study estimates that endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure in the European Union costs around €157 billion ($209 billion) each year, mainly due to lost productivity and healthcare expenses. The estimated cost burden includes conditions such as lowered IQ, male infertility, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
A new Duke University study estimates that a gallon of gasoline costs around $3.80 more than the pump price when health and environment are factored in. The social cost of diesel is about $4.80 more, while natural gas becomes cheaper than its initial price. Solar and wind power also become cheaper.
Adults with eczema experience significantly increased healthcare utilization and costs, with estimated annual out-of-pocket costs of $37.7 billion. Eczema patients also face challenges in accessing care, including delayed appointments and unaffordable prescription medications.
A global review of health issues highlights the UK's National Health Service (NHS) reduced spending on low-value procedures, while sub-Saharan Africans rate their health among the lowest in the world. The study also suggests that US cancer care may provide less value compared to Western Europe.
Research at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health finds that income inequality affects worker health, with stagnant wages and increased healthcare costs contributing to high stress, cardiovascular disease, and lower life expectancy. The study highlights the need for policies addressing workplace conditions and improving working-class h...
A new study finds people with disabilities have unmet medical needs and poorer overall health, emphasizing the need for recognition as a health disparity group. This could lead to improved access to healthcare, increased data on the disabled population, and enhanced emergency preparedness.
The study assesses the value of care provided by Partners for Kids, a pediatric Accountable Care Organization (ACO), from 2008 to 2013. Results show that PFK reduced growth in healthcare costs compared to Medicaid fee-for-service programs and managed care plans.
A study of 5,050 patient-clinician encounters found that only 1% were clinically inappropriate, and physicians complied with fewer than 1 in 10 requests. The findings challenge the myth of the 'demanding patient' and suggest a need to redirect attention from unnecessary costs.
The RAND Corporation suggests that studies evaluating health information technology should consider both costs and benefits, as well as the long-term implications of adoption. The proposed standards aim to provide a more robust picture of the technology's impact on patients, providers, and payers.
A new protocol for colorectal surgical care has been shown to decrease hospital stays by 2.2 days, reduce complications by 17%, and increase patient satisfaction with pain control by 55%. The approach also results in significant cost savings of up to $7,129 per patient.
Two-thirds of primary care health professionals want to widen exemption criteria for long-term conditions and lower or abolish charges altogether. The current system is seen as a barrier that prevents some people from receiving necessary prescriptions.