Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A study by RAND Corporation found that telemedicine programs can provide good quality care for acute medical problems, with little evidence of misdiagnosis or treatment failure. Patients who used the service were younger, had fewer chronic conditions, and were more likely to be women and live in affluent areas.
The evaluation found measurable progress in reducing some targeted HAIs, prioritizing HAI preventing practices and coordinating national data sources. However, a steady flow of resources remains a challenge, slowing progress in identifying effective approaches to preventing HAIs.
Experts argue that stethoscopes may become obsolete due to the rapid advancement of point-of-care ultrasound technology, which has improved image quality, reduced cost, and increased portability. The shift towards ultrasound is driven by its ability to diagnose heart and lung problems with greater accuracy than traditional stethoscopes.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates that health disparities among US African-American and Hispanic men result in $341.8 billion and $115 billion excess medical costs, respectively. The total economic burden is over $450 billion, with indirect costs contributing an additional $436.3 billion.
A UCSF study found significant variations in hospital charges for uncomplicated vaginal deliveries and C-sections, with estimated discounts ranging from 37% to $71,000. The study highlights the opacity of healthcare pricing in the US, affecting both uninsured and insured patients.
A new study found that acute otitis media, or ear infection, is associated with significant increases in direct costs incurred by consumers and the health care system. The research showed that pediatric AOM accounts for approximately $2.88 billion in added health care expenses annually.
A RAND Corporation study found that workplace wellness programs can save $3.78 in healthcare costs for every dollar invested in managing chronic illnesses. However, lifestyle management components were found to have smaller savings or no significant effect on health care costs.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital found that a quality, payment initiative positively impacted pediatric care by improving preventive and acute care quality for the sickest pediatric patients. The study showed that children with chronic illness experienced higher quality gains.
A new Duke study found that nurse home visiting programs can reduce healthcare costs by $3 for every $1 spent, while also improving health and parenting outcomes. Participating families had lower rates of maternal anxiety and safer home environments than non-participating families.
A new study suggests that over 80% of consumers may struggle to estimate their healthcare needs, leading to costly plan choices. Researchers offer prescriptions to improve outcomes, including estimating costs first, educating through 'just-in-time' tutorials, and implementing cost calculators.
A survey of senior hospital executives shows they are highly optimistic about the future of the US healthcare system, expecting improved quality of care and cost reductions by 2020. Despite a pessimistic national dialogue, leaders believe reform will bring significant improvements in care delivery and management.
A recent Johns Hopkins study found that robotic colon surgery has similar outcomes to traditional laparoscopic surgery but comes at a higher cost. The study analyzed data from over 244,000 surgeries and revealed that robotic surgery costs nearly $3,000 more than laparoscopy.
Less than 15% of internal medicine residency programs have a formal curriculum addressing cost-conscious care, despite a national consensus on the issue. The study found that western US programs and university-based programs were more likely to adopt such curricula.
A study published in Obesity found that healthcare costs rose gradually with each unit increase in BMI, starting above a BMI of 19. Researchers analyzed health insurance claims data from 17,703 Duke employees and observed higher medical costs for overweight and obese individuals.
A meta-analysis found that healthier diet patterns cost significantly more than unhealthy ones, with an average daily difference of $1.50, representing a real burden for some families. The study suggests creating policies to offset these costs and reduce the economic benefits of healthy diets.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that patients with traumatic eye socket injuries fared equally well at half the cost when treated at a busy teaching hospital compared to other Maryland hospitals. The study's findings suggest that high-volume care and standardized protocols can lead to significant cost savings.
Innovative information technologies may remove the 'shroud of secrecy' around private health care costs by providing transparent price data. Reference pricing, a concept introduced in Germany, involves setting a fixed price range for medical procedures to control costs.
Researchers emphasize measuring orthopaedic care value through patient-reported outcomes and cost analysis, enabling real-time medical decision-making. The study outlines key principles for implementing value-based healthcare in musculoskeletal care.
A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that providing real-time cost information to physicians reduces the ordering rate of laboratory tests, including both high- and low-cost tests. This intervention increased physicians' knowledge about costs and their willingness to order cost-effective services.
A new study highlights the long-term benefits of rotator cuff surgery, showing significant cost savings and improved quality of life for patients. The study estimates that surgeries result in a lifetime societal savings of approximately $3.44 billion annually.
Researchers found that patients with major HAIs after cardiac surgery were nearly twice as likely to be readmitted and incurred costs averaging $40,000 due to treating HAI infections.
A study published in Medical Care found that high-volume ERCP providers had lower failure rates and hospitalization rates compared to low-volume providers. The authors suggest establishing quality improvement guidelines and credentialing processes to improve patient outcomes.
Hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation in the US nearly doubled from 4.6 million in 1998 to 9.2 million in 2010, with a 46% increase over the decade. Researchers project a similar trend through 2020, with 541,000 hospitalizations expected by 2020. The estimated cost of hospitalizations is also projected to rise by 55% from 2010.
Cataract surgery yields significant patient value and economic wealth, saving $123.4 billion over 13 years with a 4,567% financial return on investment. The procedure also improves quality-of-life by 36.2%, enabling individuals to regain independence.
The US healthcare system has shown slow improvement in outcomes despite economic success, trailing peer nations in life expectancy and disease survival. The analysis found that cost increases are driven by price of professional services, not demand for services or population aging.
Penn Medicine researcher Ezekiel J. Emanuel recommends limiting US health care cost growth to match US economy's GDP growth for improved quality of care and transformed healthcare system. The proposal involves team-based care coordination, reduced hospitalizations, and more outpatient monitoring.
The US has much higher medical costs and worse outcomes than other developed countries. A new study suggests that the increasing prices of drugs, medical devices, and hospital costs are driving the high healthcare costs in the country. Meanwhile, patients are further removed from understanding the true cost of their care.
Pregnancies with twins or higher-order multiple births cost significantly more due to increased maternal morbidities, cesarean sections, and neonatal intensive care. Strategies to minimize multiple embryo transfer are recommended to reduce the burden associated with multiple pregnancies.
Researchers at UCSF advocate empowering all team members to care for a large number of patients based on their training and abilities. They recommend expanding the scope of practice for registered nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and medical assistants to provide care for uncomplicated medical problems.
The high cost of medical education is unsustainable and must be reduced to lower the overall cost of healthcare. Currently, students graduate with debt exceeding $150,000, which may lead to a market correction if healthcare costs decline.
The EU has launched a project called WE-CARE, which aims to create a strategic plan for reducing healthcare costs in Europe. The project will be coordinated by the University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-centred Care and involves several European research institutes, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
A new study found that oral nutritional supplements decreased the probability of 30-day hospital readmission, length of stay, and costs among hospitalized Medicare patients aged 65 and over. The use of oral nutritional supplements was associated with an 8.4% reduction in 30-day readmission rates among patients with any diagnosis.
A study by Western University found that cardiac rehabilitation programs lead to a 31% reduction in hospital readmission rates and a 26% drop in cardiovascular mortality. The program's cost savings exceed $400,000 over two years, making it a financially viable option.
A new study published in Health Affairs examines the pursuit of improved physical and mental health through various initiatives, including expanding home-delivered meal programs for seniors. The study also explores the economic benefits of biosimilars and how delaying aging could increase life expectancy by an additional 2.2 years.
A team of researchers has developed a model system using fruit flies to study traumatic brain injury (TBI), revealing the genetic underpinnings of susceptibility and links to human TBI. The findings suggest that genetics play a crucial role in determining the outcome of an injury, which may explain why current TBI drugs have failed in ...
The EU's total cancer cost was estimated to be €126 billion in 2009, with health care systems accounting for two-fifths of the expenditure. Lung cancer had the highest overall cost, while breast cancer was responsible for the largest share of spending on drugs.
A Mayo Clinic study found that cataract surgery rates are rising across all age groups, with a significant increase among 70- and 80-year-olds. The demand is expected to continue, highlighting the need to manage costs and ensure access to treatment.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine found that patients with high activation levels were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Patients with low activation had nearly twice the risk of 30-day post-discharge hospital service utilization, highlighting the need for tailored patient education.
A study by Henry Ford Hospital urologists found that while women are more prone to urinary tract infections, men are more likely to be hospitalized for treatment. The researchers discovered that older men and those with serious kidney infections were most often admitted to the hospital.
Researchers at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice found that more than half the US population lives in areas where ACOs have been established. These areas tend to have higher performance on quality measures, greater managed care penetration and lower poverty rates.
Accountable care organizations, formed by consolidating doctors and hospitals into large networks, are more common in regions with payment risk sharing at hospitals and larger integrated hospital systems. These organizations aim to improve quality and cut costs without offering lower premiums to consumers.
A randomized trial assessed whether wearing gloves and gowns for all patient contact in ICUs reduces MRSA or VRE acquisition. The study found a lower risk of MRSA acquisition alone, but no overall reduction in the composite rate of both bacteria.
A Rice University study finds that technology growth and sicker patient populations contribute significantly to rising hospital costs in Texas. The study contradicts the common assumption that uninsured patients are driving price increases, suggesting a need for greater attention to understanding cost drivers.
A Mayo Clinic study of 370 patients found that robotic mitral valve repair surgery had similar total hospital costs to conventional open-chest methods, but patients who underwent robotic repair recovered more rapidly and returned home earlier. The study also showed that systems innovations led to a significant decrease in costs over time.
A RAND Corporation study finds that out-of-pocket medical expenses will decrease for most consumers who become newly insured or change their health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Low-income people in states without expanding Medicaid may see higher health spending compared to those with expanded Medicaid.
Research found that patients with more primary care visits have lower colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates. Increasing access to primary care may reduce the national burden of CRC.
A new tool called the HARM score reliably measures quality and clinical outcomes for colon and rectal surgery patients. The score is calculated from routinely captured data elements and has a strong correlation with the quality of clinical outcomes.
Michigan's Medicaid expansion provides a unique blend of public and private sector approaches to health coverage, blending compassion with economic realities. The Healthy Michigan plan includes market-oriented reforms and provisions that limit the state budget impact if certain benchmarks aren't hit.
A nationwide Feed America study revealed that one in three low-income families had difficulty affording basic household necessities. The University of Illinois Family Resiliency Center contributed to the study by conducting interviews with food-bank clients about essential household products and strategies for obtaining them.
A CDC and Massachusetts General Hospital study finds that pretravel consultations and preventive medications can save money for both payers and most travelers. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 travelers to West Africa and found that the costs associated with contracting malaria outweighed the costs of preventive care.
A collaborative approach to information sharing on violence in Cardiff has saved £7 million in health, societal, and criminal justice costs. The programme uses anonymized data to create crime hotspot maps, targeting prevention activities more precisely.
A recent study estimates that childhood food allergies result in substantial medical costs, including hospitalizations, doctor visits, and special diets. The overall economic burden is approximately $24.8 billion annually, affecting both families and the healthcare system.
New research published in The Lancet finds that caseload midwifery is just as safe as standard maternity care, with similar outcomes for women of any risk. Women who received caseload midwifery care had lower costs and improved breastfeeding rates.
A study of over 2,300 US medical students found that 62.1% expected debt above $150,000, with Black students facing the highest burden. The finding may help explain why matriculation among Blacks is declining despite rising Hispanic enrollment.
A new study shows significant health benefits for uninsured people living in suburban areas when they receive access to primary care. After one year, participants reported improved preventive care and screenings, as well as better overall health status.
A revised Medicaid sterilization policy could remove logistical barriers, reducing unintended pregnancies by 29,000 annually and saving $215 million in public health costs. The updated policy would prioritize informed decision-making and equitable access to sterilization, benefiting vulnerable populations.
A public opinion poll reveals a significant disparity between medical experts and the general public regarding the need to cut Medicare spending. While many experts believe future spending reductions are necessary, only 31% of the public agrees, with most believing Medicare recipients already pay or have prepaid their healthcare costs.
New research shows hydroxyurea treatment can lower medical costs for children with sickle cell disease by preventing complications and reducing hospitalizations. The study found that children treated with hydroxyurea incurred $3,000 less in medical costs per year compared to those who received standard therapy plus placebo.
Researchers found that replacing positive and negative needleless connectors with zero fluid displacement connectors reduced CLABSIs by 60% and 94%, respectively. This simple change saved an estimated 13 lives and over $3 million in healthcare costs.
A national ad campaign by the CDC's Tips From Former Smokers program more than doubled its original quit goal of 500,000 attempts, with over 1.6 million smokers attempting to quit after seeing the ads. The campaign resulted in over 100,000 Americans quitting smoking permanently, saving millions of years of life for the US population.