Articles tagged with Health Care Costs
A new study found that AI-generated empathetic responses were preferred over those from humans and expert crisis responders. The researchers suggest that AI can supplement human empathy, but should not replace it entirely due to potential biases and ethical concerns.
A University of Minnesota Medical School study reveals that medical equipment is the leading cause of out-of-pocket costs for cancer patients, with wheelchairs and hearing aids among the most expensive items. The research emphasizes the need to address accessibility and affordability issues to improve cancer survivor care.
A new study found disparities in access to semaglutide based on insurance plan, job industry, sex, and other factors. Individuals with female identities, preferred provider organization coverage, and antidepressant use were more likely to start taking semaglutide compared to males or those with certain employment industries.
Researchers found that integrating optometrists into community clinics reduces patient wait times and lower costs for the NHS. Local optician practices handle conditions like nAMD and glaucoma, delivering quality care while optimizing resources.
Researchers found that short-course antibiotics can be as effective as traditional longer treatments in preventing death and recurrence of pneumonia. This approach offers significant value for healthcare systems by reducing hospital expenditure while maintaining excellent patient outcomes.
Two new studies found that those who turned 65 after the ACA took effect had lower out-of-pocket health costs and fewer hospitalizations. However, dual-eligible individuals over 65 saw negative impacts from Medicaid 'unwinding,' with 12% losing coverage and many going without needed care due to cost.
The Affordable Care Act shows modest evidence in reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving health among older adults transitioning to Medicare. Insuring financial assistance should be preserved to enhance their access to healthcare, improving overall well-being.
A Michigan Medicine study suggests that higher out-of-pocket costs for initial cardiac rehabilitation sessions are a major barrier to participation. Patients who shared the cost of their first session attended more sessions than those who paid nothing, but still had lower odds of completing over 24 sessions.
A new analysis suggests that implementing a lifetime ban on tobacco products for individuals born after 2009 would result in vast health benefits and healthcare cost savings. The study estimates $2.3 billion less in healthcare costs and 476,814 more quality-adjusted life years for Canadians over a 50-year timespan.
A recent West Health-Gallup survey reveals a deep divide in Americans' opinions on the incoming Trump administration's policies to lower healthcare costs. Nearly half of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, while only Republicans show significant optimism about the future of healthcare costs.
Researchers found that despite higher supplemental benefits, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries use fewer services and pay similar out-of-pocket costs. Out-of-pocket expenses for supplemental benefits were modestly lower for Medicare Advantage enrollees, with some services costing up to 9% less.
A new study found that Medicare Advantage patients with colorectal cancer are six percentage points less likely to receive a cancer drug compared to those on Traditional Medicare. For non-small cell lung cancer, the pattern was not as clear due to limited low-cost treatment options.
Researchers found that participants who received early therapeutic interventions were significantly less likely to develop clinical depression within the first year. The interventions, which typically lasted six to twelve sessions, reduced symptoms and lowered the risk of depression by 42% in the first six months.
Early detection of breast cancer can lead to less intensive treatments, saving the Canadian healthcare system $459.6M over women's lifetimes and 3,499 breast cancer deaths. Screening mammograms and diagnostics costs are easily offset by earlier stage treatment.
The 2024 MedAxiom survey report highlights the importance of APPs in designing and implementing team-based care models, which can alleviate workflow challenges and drive better outcomes. The report provides data-driven solutions for compensation, incentives, and performance management to retain and motivate Advanced Practice Providers.
Participants in the National Diabetes Prevention Program saved approximately $5,000 in medical costs over two years due to reduced hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and emergency room visits. Additionally, they showed a lower probability of developing diabetes compared to non-participants.
A retrospective observational study found that billing patients for portal messages slightly decreased the volume of patient-initiated messages. The results suggest that this approach could help reduce provider burnout by decreasing the burden of portal messages.
A systematic review of 384 studies found that only about one in five health care integrations leads to improved value of care delivery, primarily due to better care management processes. Hospital charges increased with integration, and quality of care showed reduced quality or no change in nearly 77% of the studies.
Genetic testing for cancer risk should always include healthcare providers and genetic counseling to ensure users fully understand their results and receive proper guidance. The authors call on the FDA to provide clear rules for using these tests, particularly for minors.
A longitudinal cohort study found that state cannabis legalization is associated with increased cannabis use disorder and poisoning diagnoses. Communities with increased access to cannabis may experience increased healthcare use and costs due to these rising diagnoses.
A new study reveals that targeted preventative measures can significantly reduce the economic burden of tooth decay, particularly in deprived groups. The research estimates that implementing upstream and downstream interventions could save £14,000 per person in the most deprived group.
The network's all-new digital report boasts over $56.1 million in total cost-of-care savings, with $44.6 million in rewards shared among providers. Ochsner Health Network also expands access to care and improves health outcomes through its collaborative partnerships and technological advancements.
A QUT-led study found that surgeons are slow to adopt newly developed biomaterials or tissue-engineered solutions for treating bone defects. The researchers surveyed 337 surgeons and 99 scientists, revealing a significant gap between their optimism about future advancements and the slow adoption of these innovations in clinical practice.
A study by Brown University researchers found that capping hospital payments at 200% of Medicare rates could save state employee health plans $7.1 billion nationwide in 2022. This approach aims to keep costs down for state budgets while ensuring hospitals are paid fairly, without disrupting access to care.
A new study suggests that using AI-ECG tools to screen patients for low ejection fraction is cost-effective in the long term, especially in outpatient settings. The study found a cost-effectiveness ratio of $1,651 per quality-adjusted life year, indicating that the program can reduce costs over time.
A recent study found that approximately 1 in 3 U.S. retail pharmacies have closed since 2010, primarily driven by chain pharmacy closures and industry consolidation. This decline significantly impacts public health, making it harder for people to access prescriptions and essential health services.
The SONIA trial found that delaying and shortening CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment in patients with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer leads to similar survival outcomes while reducing toxicity and cost by €45 million per year. This innovative approach could reduce the burden on healthcare systems worldwide.
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.