Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A new study found that pre-diabetes prevention efforts are worth every penny, with a one-on-one weight loss and exercise program showing a 58% reduction in Type 2 diabetes risk. Lifestyle interventions could delay the onset of diabetes by an average of 11 years and reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 20%.
A large-scale study of 39,462 members found that electronic medical records can reduce hospitalizations by 19% and annual paid claims by $817. The CareEngine system improved patient outcomes while reducing costs, highlighting the potential of clinical decision support tools.
A study by Harvard Medical School and Harvard Law School found that illness and medical bills contribute to at least 46.2% of all bankruptcy filings, with families often facing unaffordable co-payments and lost income from prolonged illnesses.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal article evaluates the economic impact of sirolimus-eluting stents, finding they are cost-effective in high-risk patients. However, their use is associated with a similar or higher cost per quality-adjusted life-year compared to other medical treatments.
A study by SLU researchers found that African-Americans receive less medical care and smaller compensation packages for work-related back injuries, leading to greater dissatisfaction and long-term disability. This disparity can result in increased costs for the system and individuals, highlighting the need for more equitable treatment.
A recent study suggests that whole-body CT screening for cancer and other diseases is not a cost-effective use of healthcare funding. The procedure's estimated $2,513 cost per patient yields only minimal gains in life expectancy, making it more expensive than many other interventions.
The Georgia Medicaid program implemented a prior-authorization program for anti-ulcer drugs, resulting in a net savings of $20.6 million. The program increased the use of generic histamine type-2 antagonists and decreased PPI drug expenditures by $30.9 million.
According to a study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) have significantly higher healthcare expenditures compared to their peers. The study found that CSHCN account for 42.1% of total medical care costs and 33.6% of total health care costs.
The study found that surgical treatment significantly reduced migraine frequency, intensity, and duration for 92% of patients. This led to a notable decrease in missed workdays from 4.4 to 1.2 days per month, saving employees approximately $6,687 annually.
A recent study published in the Journal of American Public Health found that African-Americans with higher body mass index (BMI) did not have significantly higher healthcare spending compared to those with lower BMIs. In contrast, white Americans and people under 35 with higher BMI had increased healthcare costs.
A study found that pharmaceutical sales representatives have limited influence on physician prescribing behavior, despite significant spending on detailing and free samples. Physicians rely on alternative sources of information, such as scientific papers and colleagues, which outweigh the persuasive power of sales representatives.
Researchers found that implementing a series of simple interventions, including education and safety checklists, significantly reduced catheter-related infections in an ICU setting. The interventions prevented over 40 infections and saved nearly $2 million in additional healthcare costs.
The study found that computer vignettes are more accurate than medical records in measuring physician performance, especially in assessing an individual doctor's strengths and weaknesses. Vignettes were shown to be effective in identifying areas of improvement for physicians within a clinic.
A new hysteroscopic sterilization technique has been shown to be less expensive than traditional laparoscopic tubal ligation, with patients typically leaving the hospital within an hour and recovering quickly. The method requires minimal sedation and no surgical incision, resulting in significant cost savings for patients.
Research by the American Heart Association found that overweight men spent $18.41 per month on coronary heart disease-related prescriptions, compared to $9.89 for normal-weight men. The study also showed a significant increase in costs for obese men due to various health issues such as high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
Researchers found that physical inactivity leads to higher medical costs, with heart disease being the most expensive outcome. The study estimated $83.6 million in medical expenditures related to physical inactivity among 1.5 million adult members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
A new study suggests that cruise ship living could be an attractive option for seniors who enjoy travel and require some assistance with daily activities. The research found that cruise ship living results in higher quality care over a 20-year period, despite being $2,000 more expensive than traditional assisted living facilities.
Obese individuals have significantly higher one-year health care costs compared to nonobese counterparts. Prescription drugs and hospitalizations are key drivers of these increased costs. The study found obese patients had a median total healthcare cost of $585.44, while nonobese patients averaged $333.24.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is addressing concerns about unethical medical expert witnesses. The society has created a document that calls for expert witnesses to affirm their expertise and provide truthful testimony based on industry standards.
A new study by Georgetown University Medical Center reveals that functional endoscopic sinus surgery significantly improves fatigue levels in patients with sinusitis. The procedure has been shown to offer substantial benefits for those not responding to medications, with cost savings also a consideration.
The Harris SAFE System is a minimally invasive technology that improves the field of hair restoration by allowing virtually all patients to undergo hair transplantation. The system reduces pain, healing time, and scarring, while also increasing transplant efficiency and potentially driving down costs.
A study by Penn State found that postnatal home nurse visits significantly reduce hospital readmissions and ED visits for jaundice and dehydration in newborns. The cost savings for insurance payers is estimated to be around $181.82 per child, making this a cost-effective alternative to traditional hospital care.
A study of US patients treated with ZYVOX for complicated skin infections caused by MRSA found significantly better clinical cure rates (92% vs. 86%) and reduced healthcare costs ($652 per patient). The treatment's oral option also facilitated earlier discharge, contributing to cost savings.
A European study found that shorter chemotherapy courses for children with Wilms' tumour are as effective as traditional treatment, but with reduced side effects and healthcare costs. The two-year survival rate was around 90% in both groups.
A study found that oral amoxicillin was as effective as injectable penicillin in treating severe pneumonia in young children. The treatment has the potential to reduce referral, admission, and treatment costs in developing countries.
The study found that CT scans for facial trauma reduced hospital costs by 22%, mainly due to time savings. This is because CT scans take only 10 seconds, while X-rays take 25 minutes, resulting in less room use and technologist time.
A study finds that two-thirds of chronically ill patients cut back on prescription drugs due to cost concerns, but few inform their doctors. The researchers recommend healthcare providers take the initiative to ask patients about cost issues and educate them on necessary medications. Most patients who spoke up received help through fre...
A study of 660 chronically ill adults found that many patients with high medical expenses underuse essential medications, leading to increased emergency department visits and poorer health outcomes. Despite this, healthcare providers often fail to address medication costs, leaving patients vulnerable to financial burden.
The ICMJE editors announce that major medical journals will require registration of clinical trials prior to patient enrollment, aiming for full transparency and accessibility. This policy applies to any clinical trial starting after July 1, 2005, and encourages other biomedical journals to adopt similar policies.
The chicken pox vaccine has resulted in a 74% decrease in national hospital discharges for the disease, saving $100 million annually. Herd immunity also protects unvaccinated individuals, leading to lower hospital costs among teens and adults.
Researchers found hospitalizations drive cost increase before dialysis, emphasizing the importance of optimal chronic kidney disease management. Early diagnosis and intervention may prevent avoidable morbidity and reduce future healthcare expenses.
Researchers found that patients cared for by hospitalists had a one-day shorter length of stay and a 10 percent reduction in hospital costs compared to non-hospitalist physicians. Hospitalization costs for hospitalist patients were also lower, with an average savings of $917.
Research found that injured methamphetamine users stayed in hospitals longer and incurred higher costs, compared to those who tested negative. The study, which analyzed records of 212 patients, showed that positive test results were linked to increased hospital admissions, stays, and charges.
The current method of discounting in economic evaluation may not accurately reflect individuals' true preferences, as time preference varies widely. Healthcare programs with longer-term benefits are often undervalued, highlighting the need for a revised methodology.
A study found that financial incentives encouraged Hawaii's 13 hospitals to implement a cardiovascular guidelines program, which led to improved follow-up care for patients with cardiovascular disease. The program resulted in significant improvements in secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in Hawaii.
A study found that state-mandated reimbursement policies were associated with an increase in phase II clinical trial enrollment, but not overall or phase III enrollment. The authors suggest that knowledge and attitudes about trials held by physicians and patients play a greater role in participation than state mandates.
The cost of care for those with Alzheimer's is projected to rise dramatically, with direct costs alone increasing by 60-200% as the disease progresses, and reaching $50 billion in less than 10 years.
Lack of physical access, high subscription costs, and irrelevance of available information hinder developing countries' healthcare. A proposed international collaborative group seeks to create a 'pot of money' for initiatives promoting universal access to essential health-care information.
A study of 167 men with chronic prostatitis found that the condition incurs substantial direct and indirect costs, with procedures, tests, and healthcare visits accounting for a significant portion. The average annual cost per person was $4,397, with work loss valued at an additional $551.
A study found that a compulsory second opinion from another obstetrician reduced the incidence of non-emergency caesarean sections by around 7% in Latin American hospitals. The intervention did not affect maternal and infant outcomes, but is well accepted by pregnant women and attending physicians.
The study found annual cost savings ranging from $510,000 to $13 million for different ICU bed sizes, with a best-case scenario demonstrating up to $4.2-$13 million in savings. Implementing intensivist staffing can also reduce hospital mortality by 30% and potentially save 162,000 lives annually.
A zinc supplement reduced treatment time for severe pneumonia in children by an average of one day, with a corresponding decrease in hospital stay duration. The treatment was also found to be safe and well-tolerated, with significant implications for reducing antimicrobial resistance.
A study published in Medical Care found that 75% of participants would trade some healthy life for better end-of-life care. The research highlights the importance of end-of-life care and suggests that existing measures may not accurately capture its value.
A study of 2,097 patients found that those who felt economically burdened had a higher mortality rate (5.9%) compared to non-burdened patients (3.5%). The burdened group was also more likely to have received angioplasty and other comorbidities.
Research shows that obesity-related surgeries can be completed as outpatient procedures, reducing associated costs. Adjustable gastric banding surgeries may also be suitable for certain obese patients, offering a safe and convenient alternative.
A recent study found that requiring hospital gowns in intensive care units (ICUs) can save hospitals over $400,000 in annual costs associated with the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. The analysis, conducted over two-and-a-half years, also showed that gowns can provide a net benefit in terms of infection control.
A comprehensive review of hundreds of studies on living wills finds they fail to meet five key criteria for success. The researchers argue that living wills offer a false promise of control over end-of-life treatment and recommend using durable powers of attorneys instead.
A study by RTI International and the Mayo Clinic found that calibration errors in calcium laboratory tests can add up to $89 per patient, affecting approximately 3.55 million patients and increasing healthcare costs.
A recent study found that obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of auto collisions by 28%. Treating the condition with CPAP could prevent 980 fatalities each year, saving $11.1 billion in collision costs.
A study found that 73% of Canadian doctors can't estimate treatment costs within 25% of actual costs. They tend to underestimate expensive treatments and overestimate cheap ones, which can lead to unnecessary prescribing. The pharmaceutical industry's reluctance to provide cost information further hampers this process.
Researchers at Cornell University Institute for Health and Productivity Studies estimate that presenteeism costs companies up to 60% of total worker illness expenses. Common conditions such as allergies, headaches, and mental health problems incur significant on-the-job productivity losses.
The study analyzed medication use patterns in 133,624 hypertensive patients in Pennsylvania and found that switching to evidence-based antihypertensive regimens could reduce costs by nearly a quarter. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for affordability of prescription drug benefit programs.
A UCLA study found that providing Head Start parents with easy-to-understand health-care guidance can lead to significant reductions in emergency room and clinic visits, resulting in cost savings for Medicaid. The study showed a 48% reduction in unnecessary ER visits and a 37.5% decrease in clinic visits for routine illnesses.
A study published in Endocrine Practice found that continuous insulin monitoring and endocrinologist involvement did not increase the cost of treating diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery. The protocol showed significantly better glycemic control, leading to shorter hospital stays and fewer deep sternal wound infections.
The new database contains approximately 100 Reference Measurement Procedures, including 30 developed and maintained by NIST. The database lists 96 approved reference materials; NIST is the source for 72 of these, facilitating worldwide comparability of clinical measurements and reducing technical barriers to trade.
A study of premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding found that hysterectomy improved health-related quality of life within six months compared to expanded medical treatment. Another study in Finland compared the LNG-IUS to hysterectomy for menorrhagia, finding similar outcomes and lower costs for the intrauterine system.
Researchers have identified the optimal dosage of a bat-derived clot-buster for acute ischemic stroke treatment, finding a dose of 125 micrograms per kilogram to improve neurological function scores. Carotid artery screenings in seniors may also help prevent strokes and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs.
A team of Duke University Medical Center researchers found that patients with back pain incur significantly higher health-care expenditures than those without back pain. The study's results highlight the substantial economic burden of back pain, which varies widely across patients and demographics.
A recent study by the University of California - San Francisco found that dependent older patients incur significantly higher hospital costs compared to independent patients. On average, dependent patients stayed in the hospital for 2 days longer than independent patients, resulting in a 23% increase in costs.
A new study suggests that increasing funding for immunizations by just $1 per month could lead to improved practices in children's clinics. However, the cost of implementing recommended upgrades, such as auditing and feedback systems, may be prohibitively expensive for some clinics.