Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A recent study found that self-referral in medical imaging contributes to increased diagnostic imaging growth, with a 59.7% utilization rate of imaging services attributed to non-radiologist self-referers. The study estimates $3.6 billion in excess costs to Medicare Part B annually due to unnecessary imaging.
A simple roll of duct tape has been proven to be an effective solution for hospital communication with isolated patients. The 'Red Box' safe zone saves up to 2,700 hours and $110,000 annually by reducing the need for personal protective equipment.
The University of Cincinnati's research on hospital supply chains offers promising solutions for reducing costs and improving efficiency. By adopting a hybrid model that combines periodic and continuous resupply, hospitals can save up to 18% in labor costs, while also ensuring sufficient inventory levels.
The World Health Organization's latest Dengue Bulletin documents the substantial growth of dengue cases in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The report reveals alarming increases in dengue deaths, with Brazil experiencing a 6.2% rise per year from 1999-2009.
Researchers at Oregon State University have confirmed that ultrawideband technology could enable the development of body-area networks for continuous health monitoring. The technology has the potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve medical care by providing non-invasive, low-cost solutions for real-time health diagnosis.
A study found an inverse relationship between temperature and falls on snow and ice leading to emergency admission, with older men most vulnerable. The cost of these falls was estimated at 42 million GBP in the UK during winter 2009-2010.
A new report reveals that osteoporotic fractures have a significant impact on European society, resulting in an estimated 2.5 million new fractures annually and €30.7 billion in health costs. The report estimates that the economic burden of fractures will increase to €38.5 billion by 2025.
A new study by the Commonwealth Fund reveals that Medicaid managed care plans owned by publicly traded for-profit companies spend an average of 14% on administrative costs, compared to 10% for non-publicly traded plans. The report highlights concerns about quality of care and efficiency in these plans.
A new poll finds that most Massachusetts residents support the state's landmark health reform law, with 63% in favor and only 9% opposing it. The majority of residents also believe the law has been successful in providing health coverage to nearly all state residents.
Researchers found that migraine sufferers often experience fatigue, anxiety, mood changes, and yawning before an attack. Early intervention using triptans during the premonitory phase may help prevent or reduce the severity of attacks.
A study suggests that radiology benefit managers can have a negative impact on referring physicians, shifting significant costs to them. The study found that while RBMs aim to lower healthcare costs, they often result in cost savings being offset by increased fees for physicians and staff.
A new IOF position paper advocates for coordinator-based systems to optimize outcome in fragility fracture patients, improving diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. This approach has been shown to reduce the risk of fractures and save money in healthcare systems.
A new study led by St. Michael's Hospital found that private weight-loss surgery clinics in Canada offer significantly shorter wait times than the public system, with median wait times of only one month compared to 21 months in the public health-care system. However, the quality of patient care may be suffering due to a lack of critica...
A new report by the Commonwealth Fund found that nearly half of young adults (45%) couldn't afford needed healthcare in 2010, with 40% struggling to pay medical bills. The Affordable Care Act is already making a difference, with over 600,000 young adults gaining new insurance coverage since 2010.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that comprehensive tort reform in Texas resulted in an 80% decrease in surgical malpractice lawsuits and a significant reduction in associated costs. The study, which spanned 18 years, showed that the prevalence of lawsuits dropped from 40/100,000 operations to ...
A study found that expanded use of electronic medical records would substantially reduce infant mortality in the U.S., saving approximately 16 babies for every 100,000 live births. A complete national transition to electronic records would save an estimated 6,400 infants each year.
A study published in Archives of Surgery found that obese patients are at a significantly higher risk of developing surgical site infections after colectomy. The study also showed that these infections result in increased costs, lengthier hospital stays, and a higher rate of hospital readmissions. As pay-for-performance models penalize...
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that obese patients undergoing colon surgery are 60% more likely to develop costly surgical-site infections. These infections result in extended hospital stays, increased costs of $17,000 per patient, and a three-times greater risk of hospital readmission.
The Affordable Care Act is expanding health insurance coverage to nearly all uninsured women, addressing the issue of millions unable to afford needed healthcare. The law includes premium subsidies and new rules protecting women from high costs, aiming to increase access to preventive care and reduce medical debt.
Despite concerns about bias, most health professionals are unwilling to pay higher fees to eliminate commercial funding sources. The majority of respondents believe that commercial support introduces potential bias in CME activities.
A study analyzed cost-effectiveness of strategies to treat infant tear duct obstruction, finding that immediate office-based probing surgery is more expensive than waiting but slightly less effective. The optimal approach depends on the spontaneous resolution rate, with varying costs and outcomes depending on the setting of intervention.
New policy proposals aim to reduce toxic chemical exposure and subsequent burden of disease on children, with estimated annual costs of $76.6 billion. The studies also found a statistically significant association between air pollution and infectious respiratory illness in children.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that even families with insurance face financial burdens that lead them to delay or forgo medical care. Excessive costs relative to family income and having a child with a limitation increase the likelihood of delayed care.
A new report by the Commonwealth Fund finds that 90% of American families living above the federal poverty level will be able to afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. However, high out-of-pocket costs will still be a challenge for some families, particularly those with incomes between 100-300% of poverty.
Experts warn that Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) could be designed to exclude minorities and widen health care disparities. Hospitals and practices may 'cherry-pick' wealthy institutions to form ACOs, leaving poor and minority-heavy patient populations behind.
A quick, inexpensive, and easy-to-administer physiological measure of pupil dilation in response to emotional words can predict which patients are likely to respond to cognitive therapy. This technology has the potential to improve treatment response rates in mental health clinics.
Implementing ACOs effectively has the potential to achieve better care, population health, and lower costs. The Commission's recommendations for ACOs include strong primary care foundation, accountability for quality, informed patients, commitment to serving the community, and innovative payment methods.
A collaborative quality improvement program between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Health System has improved safety and quality in several clinical areas, resulting in significant cost savings. The program achieved measurable drops in surgical complications, with a reduction of $20 million annually.
A survey by the Commonwealth Fund found that seven in ten adults think the US healthcare system needs to be fundamentally changed. The concerns include access barriers, poorly coordinated care, and growing costs. Strong support was also shown for patient-centered care systems and innovative use of teams and information systems.
Cardiac device infections lead to significant increases in hospital stay, hospitalization costs, and mortality rates, including up to double the mortality after one year. The study found that more than one-third of excess mortality occurred after hospital discharge.
A new RAND Corporation study found that high-deductible health plans reduce healthcare spending, but also lead to cuts in preventive care such as childhood vaccinations and cancer screenings. Costs only decrease significantly when deductibles reach $1,000 per person.
The Commonwealth Fund survey reveals a bleak picture for working-age adults who lost their jobs and health insurance, with 57% of those who were insured through a job that was lost becoming uninsured. The survey also finds that health care costs are preventing people from getting the healthcare they need, with 75 million adults skippin...
A new evidence-based model of geriatric care management, GRACE, optimizes the health and functional status of community-dwelling lower-income older adults. GRACE improves health and quality of life, decreases emergency department visits and hospital admission rates.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital found that homeless patients cost an additional $2,559 per hospital stay compared to housed patients, after adjusting for age and illness severity. This excess cost is largely due to the severity of psychiatric illnesses among homeless individuals.
A study by Ohio State University found that passive news reporting can lead readers to doubt their ability to find the truth in politics. The researchers suggest that journalists should resolve factual disputes to avoid misleading audiences.
Research at University of Missouri finds Aging in Place model provides better care for seniors, reducing relocation and hospitalization costs; improves mental and physical health outcomes, enabling most older adults to remain independent
Researchers found that carotid artery stenting (CAS) with embolic protection is a cost-effective alternative to endarterectomy (END), offering reduced post-procedure hospital stay costs. The study results showed lower rates of death, heart attack, major stroke, and repeat carotid revascularization for CAS compared to END.
Researchers propose collaborative clinical trials to revitalize the US research engine, cutting time and costs while increasing approved treatments. The approach involves companies sharing costs to test new therapies or devices, promising safer and more effective treatments sooner.
A study of 309 hospitals found that higher hospital spending is not associated with better short-term survival rates for sepsis patients. Hospitals that spent more on care had mortality rates similar to those that spent less.
A study published in the Annals of Surgery found that high-quality trauma hospitals have significantly lower death rates and spending compared to average-quality hospitals. The research suggests that achieving better quality may be less expensive in the long run, with fewer patient complications translating into cost savings.
Cost-effectiveness research is crucial in developing new medical technology to control healthcare costs while maximizing health outcomes. The effects of science and technology on healthcare costs depend on policy context, with current policies resisting the use of cost-effectiveness methods, leading to rising healthcare expenses.
A new study found that nearly 35% of orthopedic patient encounters in Pennsylvania were ordered for defensive purposes, resulting in $113,369 of total imaging charges. The study also revealed that surgeons are more likely to practice defensively if they have been in practice for over 15 years.
A study found that Medicare costs in the last six months of life are driven more by patient characteristics such as ability to function and family support than regional factors. Patient impairment or decline was a strong predictor of higher Medicare costs, accounting for ten percent of variation.
The myVitali system enables healthcare professionals to monitor and communicate with larger numbers of people, maintaining independence and quality of life for seniors. It also reduces doctor visits and provides personalized health records.
Doctors argue that current hospital quality-improvement programs have little evidence to show improved patient outcomes, despite high administrator buy-in. A formalized 'physician management infrastructure' is proposed to encourage doctors to take leadership roles in quality improvement.
The American College of Physicians recommends limiting routine imaging for low back pain due to lack of evidence on its health benefits, recommending only in higher-risk patients. ACP aims to preserve high-value, high-quality care by controlling unsustainable healthcare costs.
A study published in CMAJ found that restricting angiotensin-receptor blockers could save Canada $77.1 million without negative effects on health. The policy would benefit from the cheaper and effective alternative, ACE inhibitors.
African American patients with hypertension who viewed stories about real patients experienced better blood pressure control compared to usual care. High-volume hospitals for congestive heart failure showed improved patient outcomes but higher costs, contradicting previous studies that only focused on cost-effectiveness.
New research reveals that high-end hospital design features like private rooms and natural light can reduce healthcare-acquired infections and costs. Two case studies demonstrate the benefits of evidence-based design in hospitals and community health centers.
The estimated total cost of cancer care in the US is expected to reach $158 billion in 2020, driven by an aging population and increasing prevalence of cancer. Breast and prostate cancers are projected to experience significant increases in costs, with breast cancer projected to be the highest-cost cancer at $20.5 billion.
A new NIH study projects that cancer costs will increase to at least $158 billion in 2020 due to the growing US population and cancer trends. The projected costs are based on an aging population and the introduction of new, expensive cancer treatments.
People with sleep apnoea or obesity-related respiratory difficulties incur twice as high medicine and hospital costs as healthy control subjects, with unemployment rates 30% higher. Violent snoring costs €705 per person, while sleep apnoea costs €3860 and obesity-related respiratory difficulties cost €11,320.
A recent study by McGill University Health Centre demonstrates that single-patient rooms in Intensive Care Units (ICU) significantly reduce the acquisition of infections such as C-difficile, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus. The results show a 50% reduction in infection rates and a 10% decrease in length of stay.
The PRIMA study found that rituximab-maintenance therapy significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates compared to no treatment in patients with follicular lymphoma. After 2 years, 71.5% of patients in the rituximab group achieved complete or unconfirmed complete response compared to 52.2% in the observation group.
The study found that individuals with untreated hypersomnia incur significant economic costs, including increased medication use, hospital admissions, and unemployment. The researchers estimate that each person with violent snoring or narcolepsy costs society approximately €10,223 per year.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that neonatal intensive care provides substantial population health benefits in Mexico relative to its costs, even for very premature babies. The study suggests that including neonatal intensive care in Mexico's Seguro Popular program is highly efficient in terms of overall benefits provided com...
A retrospective study found that 31% of adult acute care visits in Massachusetts involved patients visiting two or more hospitals, resulting in higher costs and increased hospitalizations. The study highlights the need for health information technology to address fragmentation and improve patient safety.
Researchers found that private insurance paid for healthcare costs in the under-65 population significantly reduced disparities in per-capita Medicare healthcare spending between McAllen and El Paso. For this age group, inpatient admissions were 89% higher in McAllen than El Paso, but outpatient medical service spending was 22% lower.
The report found that employer-sponsored family health insurance premiums rose 41% across states from 2003 to 2009, outpacing median incomes. By 2020, average annual premiums would increase by 79%, reaching $23,342 for families. ACA reforms aim to slow cost growth and improve coverage.
Health care costs in Canada are expected to increase due to rising expenditures. Governments have options to deal with this, including increasing revenue through taxes or social insurance.