Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that using antibiotics alone to treat children with uncomplicated appendicitis is a cost-effective and safe alternative to surgery. This approach resulted in lower costs and similar quality-of-life scores compared to upfront surgery.
A new study found that 5% of Canadian respondents skipped or reduced dosages due to cost-related issues. The research highlights the burden of prescription costs on vulnerable populations, including females, bisexual, and Indigenous individuals. The authors suggest that national pharmacare plans can help address these disparities.
A USC Schaeffer study found that over half of Medicare beneficiaries with stand-alone Part D plans did not switch due to lack of plan comparisons, with many unaware of how to change plans or missing out on better coverage options. This complacency allows insurers to exploit beneficiaries' inattention and boost profits.
Researchers at Mount Sinai identified a task-grouping approach that can help hospitals reduce AI-related costs by up to 17-fold while maintaining model performance. By grouping clinical tasks, LLMs can handle them simultaneously without significant drops in accuracy.
A new study found that individuals with Long Covid experience persistent functional impairment and poor quality of life, leading to significant economic burdens on patients and the economy. The study estimated that the economic cost of Long Covid could reach £20billion annually due to productivity losses and working days off.
A Chinese Medical Journal study reveals that patients with prostate cancer can undergo surgical removal without a pre-operative biopsy, using a combination of mpMRI and PSMA PET/CT imaging. This approach reduces costs and complications associated with traditional biopsy methods.
The Ochsner Accountable Care Network achieved its eighth consecutive year of top-ranking results in clinical performance and healthcare savings. The network saved Medicare $30.9 million for over 58,000 beneficiaries in 2023, improving health outcomes while reducing costs.
A recent study by IADR and AADOCR estimates the global economic impacts of oral health conditions in 2019, revealing a substantial burden on individuals and society.
The study reveals that many individuals and households incur significant financial burdens for abortion care, with those traveling from out of state facing the most extreme costs. To address this issue, expansion of insurance coverage to ensure equitable access to abortion care is needed, regardless of a person's state of residence.
A new University of Michigan study analyzed 2022 data from Michigan Medicare participants to assess the impact of virtual care on low-value care. The study found that high-telehealth-use clinics did not see a rise in unnecessary tests and scans, while some saw a faster drop in these procedures.
A Columbia University study finds that lower-income families with commercial insurance experience significant financial hardship due to high childbirth and postpartum care costs. Medicaid coverage provides greater financial protection, with most people with a Medicaid-covered birth having no out-of-pocket spending on childcare or healt...
Research from an interdisciplinary team at Virginia Tech has shown that sewage surveillance is more efficient and comprehensive than testing individuals in detecting antimicrobial resistance. The study revealed significant correlations between antibiotic resistance genes and socio-economic factors, highlighting the need to address thes...
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that the federal government may be paying for veteran healthcare twice due to high-veteran Medicare Advantage plans. The research found that nearly one in five veterans enrolled in these plans did not incur any Medicare services, highlighting concerns about inefficient s...
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a significant adjustment to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS), unbundling diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals costing above $630. This change aims to improve access to life-saving nuclear medicine scans, providing critical insights for patient treatme...
Research by UTHealth Houston found that ownership changes in home health agencies can result in increased Medicare spending and reduced staffing levels. The study also found that quarterly star ratings increased, but this may be due to upcoding of quality measures.
Upgrading home insulation can lower medical bills and extend healthy lives by reducing blood pressure and CVD risk. Simulations showed that upgrading or retrofitting insulation is cost-effective for many homeowners, with significant health benefits justifying the costs.
A new study published in JAMA found that reports of drug supply-chain issues were 40% less likely to result in drug shortages in Canada compared to the US. The analysis looked at drugs with reports of supply-chain disruptions between 2017 and 2021 in both countries, and found nearly half resulted in shortages in the US within 12 months.
A study published in Neurology found that average out-of-pocket costs for neurological disease drugs increased by 217% over a nine-year period, with multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs experiencing the largest increase. Generic versions of these drugs led to a decrease in overall costs, but not necessarily in patient out-of-pocket expenses.
Researchers develop transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) as a non-invasive therapy for brain-related issues, with potential for personalized treatments. A 'search and rescue tool' for the brain, TUS enables precise targeting of specific areas before treatment.
A study found that up to 50.7% of Medicare beneficiaries with modest incomes may not have sufficient funds to cover out-of-pocket costs associated with a single hospital stay. This financial precarity is more prevalent among Black and Hispanic beneficiaries, those with lower education levels, and those with multiple chronic conditions.
A new commentary found that power plants' use of air pollution control devices (APCDs) saved up to 9,100 lives and up to $100 billion in health costs in 2023. The researchers estimated that APCD use could plummet and severely jeopardize the health of the public if Project 2025 or the America First Agenda is enacted.
A study by Ohio State University found that ground ambulance providers raised their prices in response to a New York law aimed at preventing surprise, expensive out-of-network emergency ambulance bills. The law increased prices by 13%, which is likely to hit health consumers' bank accounts through elevated insurance premiums.
A new study by MIT scholars finds that hospice care generates substantial savings for the US Medicare system, with $29,000 in cost savings over five years for patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Hospice care provides palliative-type care at a lower cost than elaborate medical procedures, saving lives and reducing suffering.
Researchers found that brief interventions with core physician teams boosted internal coordination, leading to better learning and productivity among trainees. Team coordination with external roles, such as nurses, also enhanced trainee learning and patient stays were shorter.
A new study found that 3% of people with traditional Medicare switch to Medicare Advantage each year, but many switch back after a short period. The researchers discovered that people who switched from MA to traditional Medicare were more likely to choose higher-rated plans or those with broader networks.
A pilot study found that AI tools can accurately process hospital quality measures, achieving 90% agreement with manual reporting. This can lead to more efficient and reliable approaches to healthcare reporting, especially for complex measures like severe sepsis and septic shock.
The American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification program reduces surgical death rates by nearly half and increases the percentage of patients with documented care preferences. Implementing the program also enables hospitals to improve patient-centered care and reduce costs.
Implementing a preoperative nutrition program leads to significant reductions in hospitalization days and postoperative complications, resulting in cost savings of $7.8 million annually. The program's financial implications include reduced 'outlier days' and long-term complication rates, contributing to overall cost savings.
A study led by UMass Amherst found no significant improvement in asthma care for Medicaid-insured children compared to those with private insurance. Despite the launch of primary care-oriented Medicaid ACOs in Massachusetts, disparities in quality of care persist, with worsening emergency department/hospital use for children with Medic...
A peer-reviewed study published in NEJM Catalyst found Waymark's early intervention model significantly improved clinical outcomes for patients receiving Medicaid, reducing hospital and ED visits by 22.9%. The study also showed improved patient goal completion and care quality.
A recent poll found that 74% of people over 50 would not trust health information generated by artificial intelligence. Only 32% of older adults reported it's very easy to find something accurate online. Health systems, academic institutions, and government agencies can use the results to improve health information accessibility.
A study from Lehigh University and Seattle University found that making patients aware of biases in human healthcare decisions increases receptiveness to AI recommendations. By highlighting the limitations of human judgment, healthcare providers can create a more balanced relationship between patients and emerging technologies.
A new study suggests that introducing a smaller vial size for the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab could reduce waste by 74% and save Medicare up to $336 million per year. This is due to the high amount of unused medication being discarded, with each patient often receiving a dose lower than the available vial sizes.
A first-of-its-kind study assesses how closely patients' perceptions of network adequacy align with those of insurers. The survey found strong support for definitions related to timely access, specialty care, and mental health care, as well as broader concepts like public transportation access and cultural competency.
Researchers at Brown University found that the federal government may be paying more than $78 billion annually to care for U.S. military veterans enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, raising questions about federal overpayments to those private plans. The study suggests that dual enrollment of some veterans could result in more federa...
Researchers found that living with dementia in communities with senior centers providing adult day health and social services was associated with fewer hospitalizations and lower Medicare costs. The study suggests that senior centers can minimize healthcare costs and acute care usage among those with dementia.
A new study finds that fatal falls among older people in the US have a higher cost than firearm deaths, with an estimated average medical cost of $1,427,773,589 for fatal falls compared to $246,456,666 for firearm injuries. The researchers highlight the urgent need for preventive measures to address this growing public health challenge.
A recent Cochrane review confirms that giving women at risk of premature birth a simple magnesium sulphate infusion can prevent their babies from developing cerebral palsy. The drug costs approximately £5 (~$6.50) per dose and has been recommended by the World Health Organization since 2015.
A Northwestern University study finds that cancer patients prefer their providers assess their financial concerns early in treatment. Most patients (83%) want their providers to reach out regarding financial needs, with 82% preferring this at diagnosis or starting treatment.
A new study by Michigan Medicine found that the Inflation Reduction Act's limit on Medicare Part D spending leads to significant savings for cancer patients prescribed oral chemotherapy. The average annual cost for these medications decreased from $11,284 in 2023 to $3,927 in 2024, resulting in median cost savings of $7,260.
A new framework from a global team of scientists aims to overcome translational hurdles in nanomedicine development. The DELIVER guidelines provide early-stage recommendations for maximizing clinical translation and enabling the successful development of new nanomedicine treatments.
A new study from Tulane University found that state-level COVID-19 vaccination mandates increased vaccine rates among health care workers by 3-4%, with improvements seen in states that required vaccinations without opt-outs. The policy was particularly effective among health care workers between the ages of 25-49 years.
A new US study found that most people who challenged problematic medical bills received financial relief, including 74% of those who reported a billing error and 76% of those who sought financial assistance. However, those who may struggle most with medical debt, such as those without college degrees or lower financial literacy, were l...
A study found that substituting lower-wage nursing staff for RNs leads to increased mortality rates, readmissions, and prolonged hospital stays. Hospitals experience a negative return on investment under this model.
A new study found that private clinics in Ontario increased cataract surgery rates for higher-income patients after receiving public funding, while lower-income patients saw a 9% decrease in access. The researchers suggest policy changes to address conflicts of interest and ensure equitable access to surgery.
A study by Texas A&M University found that Americans want their state governments to reduce Medicaid's administrative burden, allowing more people to enroll. The survey, which assessed burden tolerance during the pandemic, showed broad support for burden reduction, with bipartisan agreement on the need for easier enrollment processes.
A new study shows that healthcare costs, including medical care, prescription drugs, and long-term care, are among the top health-related concerns of older adults heading into the US election. Financial scams and fraud also made the top six concerns, with significant differences among age, gender, and political ideology.
A nationally representative survey reveals older adults' leading health-related concerns include rising healthcare costs and financial scams. The survey also highlights significant differences in concern levels by gender, political ideology, and demographic groups.
The researchers argue that accurate assessment of driving skills in older adults is crucial to mitigate harm and improve safety on the road. Comprehensive driving evaluations are estimated to cost $500-$800, a significant expense that may deter those who need it most.
After two major health policy shifts, pregnant and postpartum women with depression and anxiety received slightly more psychotherapy and paid less out-of-pocket costs. Despite the positive trends, only about 10% of women with private insurance received psychotherapy in 2019 to 2020.
A study found that state-level insulin cost caps do not significantly increase insulin claims for patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Most commercial enrollees were already paying out-of-pocket costs below the mandated caps.
A modeling study estimates that cancer screening costs over $40 billion annually in the US, with an emphasis on enhancing equitable access to recommended screenings. However, experts argue that this estimate may underestimate the true cost due to lack of consideration for subsequent testing, ineligible patients, and overdiagnosis.
A recent study found that telemedicine can negatively impact rural healthcare providers, leading to loss of patients and financial strain. Rural hospitals face lower net income and profit margins due to reimbursement risks and increased competition from urban hospitals.
Researchers developed a formula and assessment tool to calculate fall risks for older adults, considering factors like poor oral and cognitive function. The tool is simple to use and may assist in prevention and follow-up care.
A new study suggests that public health interventions, such as reformulating food products and introducing low emission zones, could yield significant cost savings and QALY gains in England. The interventions studied could save up to £4bn by reducing dementia rates and helping people live longer and healthier.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University developed a new scoring model using prehospital resuscitation data to predict neurological outcomes of patients with OHCA. The R-EDByUS score achieved high precision, enabling healthcare providers to make quick and accurate decisions upon hospital arrival.
A new study found that two Medicaid policies can interact to increase oncology clinical trial enrollment among Black and Hispanic patients. Medicaid expansion under the ACA alone did not improve diversity, but states with pre-existing mandates requiring coverage of clinical trial costs saw a significant increase.
A recent study published in Neurology found that commercial arm robots have no significant impact on the recovery of motor arm function in stroke patients. Despite improvements in technology, the robots did not demonstrate any improvement in muscle and arm function, and may even increase healthcare costs.
A new study by New York University researchers found that Medicare Advantage plans with high star ratings are less available in counties with higher poverty and unemployment rates. This limited access may further exacerbate existing health disparities and limit federal funds from reaching regions most in need.
Research from University of South Australia finds that individuals who experienced child abuse or neglect are three times more likely to receive government income support payments. Cumulative income support payments for those with no protection contact were $38,570, while those in out-of-home care received $181,743.