Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A new study has found that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) pay more for health care services than children with other conditions. They also use more services but have less access to coordinated care. The researchers highlight the need for better policies and medical home models to address these disparities.
The study analyzed Massachusetts General Hospital records to examine the value of healthcare over time. The analysis revealed four distinct eras: low costs and high mortality from 1821 to 1910, rising costs with declining mortality during the mid-20th century, and increasing costs with minimal changes in mortality since 2001.
Efforts to green operating rooms can result in significant cost savings for hospitals while reducing their environmental impact. Implementing greening initiatives such as separating waste streams, using closed collection systems and reprocessing single-use devices can generate substantial cost savings.
A new study found that hospitals are increasingly holding elderly Medicare recipients for observation instead of inpatient care, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs. The shift may be driven by hospitals and physicians seeking to avoid unfavorable Medicare audits targeting hospital admissions.
Patients with incomes under $50,000 were 27% less likely to participate than those earning more, with lower-income individuals expressing greater concerns about costs. The study highlights the need for better education and support for these patients.
A new study found that caring for patients with fecal incontinence costs over $4,000 per person each year, making it a significant economic burden. The condition affects 8.3% of adults and can lead to depression and social isolation.
Researchers found that smoking contributes to higher hospital costs for surgical patients, with an estimated $900 added cost per patient. The study suggests the need for preoperative behavioral interventions targeting smoking cessation to improve surgical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
Workers' compensation insurance is not used enough to cover workplace illnesses and injuries. Nearly 80% of these costs are paid by employer-provided health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other disability funds. The resulting low premiums provide little incentive for companies to promote workplace safety.
A study found that early physical therapist treatment for low back pain was associated with reduced risk of subsequent healthcare utilization and lower overall healthcare costs. Patients who received early care from a physical therapist had lower rates of surgery, injections, and opioid use, as well as reduced medical costs.
A recent study published in the journal Urology found that robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is significantly more costly than traditional open surgery. The study, conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), analyzed data from 473 consecutive patients treated between 2009 and 2010. Research...
The report shows facility prices outpaced general inflation, driving health spending growth among the privately insured. Per capita spending on healthcare services averaged $4,255 in 2010, with hospital and ambulatory care facility prices rising 5.1% and 10.1%, respectively.
A study of nearly 11,000 total knee replacements across five top health systems revealed significant variations in length of stay, operating room time, and in-hospital complications. The data showed that surgeons with higher volumes tend to have shorter procedures, while older and sicker patients had longer hospital stays.
A new Yale study found that hospitals performing expensive cardiovascular procedures are more costly for all heart failure patients. The median cost per hospitalization was $5,259 at low-procedure hospitals and $6,965 at high-procedure hospitals, with similar length of stay.
A recent OHSU study found that multiple sclerosis specialists have seen over 600 patients misdiagnosed with MS, resulting in unnecessary treatment costing $11 million per year. The study highlights the importance of clinical expertise in recognizing and correcting diagnostic errors.
The 'From Clinic to Community' project aims to improve health outcomes for at-risk populations in Southeastern US counties. It combines modern technology with community-based healthcare professionals to address the triple aim of better outcomes, better care, and lower cost.
A recent study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that hand and wrist injuries account for a significant number of annual emergency department visits in the US. The study estimated that the total cost of these injuries is substantial, with over $2 billion spent on healthcare costs and lost productivity each year.
A new study suggests that consumer-directed health plans could reduce healthcare spending in the US by $57 billion annually, equivalent to a 4% decrease in healthcare costs. The plans, which have high deductibles and personal health accounts, may encourage patients to make more informed decisions about their care.
The US healthcare system could face a surge in medical expenditures due to rising obesity rates. By 2030, up to 42% of the U.S. population may be obese, with severe obesity rates reaching 11%. To mitigate these costs, experts emphasize the need for effective strategies to prevent obesity.
A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that unnecessary imaging recommendations in PET/CT oncologic reports are common, with 43 out of 84 recommendations being deemed unnecessary. This highlights the need for radiologists to reduce frequency of additional imaging tests without compromising patient outcomes.
The US spent nearly $8,000 per person in 2009 on health care services, while other countries in the study spent between one-third and two-thirds as much. Higher prices and greater use of technology appear to be the main factors driving high rates of US spending.
A recent study published in the Journal of American College of Surgeons found that removing a child's ruptured appendix within 24 hours significantly lowers hospital costs and charges. The study showed an estimated $10,000 savings in hospital charges when pediatric general surgeons removed the ruptured appendix early.
A recent study by Loyola Medicine found that even relatively minor burns can lead to serious complications and prolonged hospital stays for binge drinkers. The study compared burn patients who were intoxicated above the legal limit with those who had no alcohol in their blood, finding similar rates of sepsis and pneumonia.
The US Commission on a High Performance Health System proposes a community-based initiative to enhance health and reduce spending, focusing on chronically ill patients and quality improvement efforts. The plan aims to save $184 billion in health spending over the next decade by improving care for patients with multiple chronic conditions.
A study of nearly 20,000 cases of routine appendicitis at 289 hospitals and medical centers in California found significant discrepancies in hospital charges, ranging from $1,529 to $183,000. The median charge was $33,611, with county hospital charges being 37% lower than nonprofit hospital charges.
The American College of Physicians recommends testing a premium support program on a demonstration project basis to ensure patient access to care. The College also suggests policies to reform payment and delivery systems to reduce costs and maintain access to affordable care for beneficiaries.
A Mayo Clinic study found that therapeutic hypothermia, also known as body cooling, has reduced in-hospital deaths among sudden cardiac arrest patients. The research analyzed over 1 million patients and found mortality rates dropped from 69.6% to 57.8% between 2001 and 2009.
A study reveals a £300 million annual funding shortfall for emergency laparotomies in England, with high death rates among elderly patients. The study also found that older patients were three times as likely to die in hospital and within 30 days of surgery.
A new study suggests that policies to reduce healthcare costs may compromise quality care by depriving patients of needed services. The research found that regions with high rates of inappropriate imaging also had high rates of appropriate imaging, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach.
A study reveals that cancer patients overwhelmingly prefer risky treatments with a chance of longer survival to safer options. This approach is driven by patients' desire for hope and limited remaining life expectancy, indicating a shift in how value should be defined from the patient's perspective.
A study by The Commonwealth Fund found that consumers nationwide could have received nearly $2 billion in rebates if the Affordable Care Act's medical loss ratio rules had been in effect in 2010. This would have resulted from insurers issuing rebates or reducing premiums to meet minimum quality and care standards.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that early surgical intervention for children with perforated appendicitis reduces hospital charges and clinical complications. Early appendectomy patients had better outcomes and fewer adverse events compared to those who underwent the procedure later.
Autism has more than tripled in cost since 2006, reaching $126 billion in the US and £34 billion in the UK. The lifetime costs of caring for individuals with autism affected by intellectual disability are significantly higher, up to $2.3 million in the US and £1.5 million in the UK.
A study published in Hepatology found that diagnosing minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) with the inhibitory control test and treating it with lactulose is cost-effective, preventing car accidents and reducing societal costs. The treatment prevents motor vehicle collisions and saves up to $3.6 million over a 5-year period.
A cost-utility analysis shows the DC Female Condom program prevented significant HIV infections and saved over $8 million in future medical care costs. The program's success suggests promoting female condoms as an effective HIV prevention intervention for women at high risk.
A new CMS requirement mandates deeper sedation, adding $844 to ICD implant costs; Researchers recommend revising guidelines to minimize unnecessary expenses while preserving patient safety
A three-year longitudinal study found that periodontal treatment reduced hospital admissions, physician visits, and overall medical care costs in diabetics by an average of $1,814 per patient annually. This significant reduction was attributed to a 33% decrease in hospital admissions.
A new NIH study finds that programs to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in high-risk adults can improve quality of life, reduce healthcare costs, and result in significant savings over time. Lifestyle interventions and metformin treatment were found to be cost-effective options for preventing type 2 diabetes.
A study by RAND Corporation found that the use of anesthesia providers during GI procedures is increasing rapidly, with substantial regional variation. The study suggests that up to $1.1 billion in annual health spending may be unneeded, as most low-risk patients do not require this service.
Freezing eggs or ovarian tissue for delayed childbearing proves costly for society, with an additional $130,000 required per live birth. The study suggests doing nothing is the most cost-effective option, while freezing eggs is less expensive than ovarian tissue.
Researchers found that lowering the HbA1c cutoff from 6.4% to 5.7% increases the health benefits of preventive interventions, while also being cost-effective with a higher threshold.
Researchers project that the cost of family health insurance premiums will surpass household income by 2033, with a current estimate suggesting this could happen as early as 2021. The study highlights the challenges and opportunities facing the US healthcare environment following the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Car...
Researchers find diacetylmorphine cheaper and more effective in keeping people with opioid dependency in treatment. The treatment strategy could reduce costs in treating chronic opioid addiction by retaining patients in treatment longer.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed nanotube-based sensors that can perform lab tests in minutes, speeding diagnosis and treatment while reducing costs. The technology has almost tripled the speed of prototype nano-biosensors and holds potential for applications in medicine, toxicology, and environmental monitoring.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers finds that aggressive treatment for severe traumatic brain injuries significantly improves outcomes and reduces long-term costs. The study suggests that invasive interventions like ICP monitoring and decompressive craniotomies are cost-effective across all patient populations, inclu...
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that most stroke patients undergo both MRI and CT scans, resulting in unnecessary redundancy and increased costs. This practice contributes to the growing burden of healthcare expenses nationwide.
Massive increases in insurance coverage and inpatient reimbursement have been achieved, especially in rural areas and hospitals, leading to greater equal access to basic health services. However, patients still face catastrophic health expenses, highlighting the need for improved risk protection measures.
A new study by RAND Corporation concludes that eliminating the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act would sharply decrease health coverage, but not dramatically hike insurance prices. The number of Americans predicted to get coverage in 2016 would drop from 27 million to 15 million if the individual mandate were eliminated.
Hospitalizations for US underage drinkers are common, with an estimated 700,000 young people hospitalized in 2008. The majority were drunk upon arrival, and the average age of those with alcohol-related discharges was 18 years old.
A study published by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine finds that in utero surgery is more cost-effective for children with spina bifida, resulting in improved quality of life. The study also highlights the significant healthcare costs associated with caring for a child with significant deficits.
A recent study has estimated the annual cost of defensive orthopaedic care in the US at $2 billion. The study found that 96% of orthopaedic surgeons ordered tests and referrals primarily to avoid malpractice liability, resulting in a significant increase in healthcare costs.
A national survey of 2000 orthopedic surgeons found that 96% practice defensive medicine, accounting for 24% of imaging studies, laboratory tests, consultations, and hospital admissions. The average cost per month is $8,485, totaling $2 billion annually.
A new study from VCU researchers found that a managed care plan can reduce the cost of caring for the uninsured population who gain coverage through the Affordable Care Act. The study showed that emergency department visits and inpatient admissions declined, while primary care visits increased during the seven-year period.
A new study by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that online support after joint replacement surgery can save patients time and money. Patients who used web-based follow-up care reported fewer routine visits, lower travel costs, and reduced time spent on appointments.
The financial burden of prescription drugs is decreasing, with generic medications playing a key role. In 2008, over 8 million nonelderly Americans faced high drug-cost burdens, with nearly 1/4 living in families where out-of-pocket costs accounted for more than half of all healthcare expenses.
A combined public health campaign in Kenya successfully tackled HIV/AIDS, malaria, and diarrhea by distributing bed nets, water filters, condoms, and educational materials. This approach saved over $16,000 per 1,000 people reached, resulting in 16 lives saved and hundreds of years of healthy life.
A new study from Henry Ford Hospital found that less than 1% of CT scans performed in emergency departments revealed a serious underlying cause for dizziness. The study suggests that stricter guidelines could be implemented to reduce unnecessary CT scans and save costs.
Researchers found that the total cost of asthma due to pollution is significantly higher than past estimates, with an additional $18 million in annual costs in Long Beach and Riverside, Calif. The study reveals that exposure to traffic-related air pollution is a major cause of asthma and exacerbates attacks.
A new study reveals the true extent of healthcare costs associated with living close to busy roads, estimating annual costs of $18 million in two Southern California communities. The 'asthma career cost' method takes into account childhood asthma cases and broad costs, exceeding average household income levels.
A regional surgical quality collaborative significantly improved surgical outcomes, reducing rates of acute renal failure and surgical site infections. The Tennessee Surgical Quality Collaborative saved $2,197,543 per 10,000 general and vascular surgery cases compared to 2009 results.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that comorbidities such as high blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and congestive heart failure significantly raise hospitalization costs and length of stay for hip fracture patients. Recent weight loss or malnutrition also had a major impact on hospitalizat...