Articles tagged with Financial Services
Family forest owners prioritize natural values over financial gain, controlling 286 million acres of US forestland. Limited written forest management plans and professional forestry advice are prevalent among owners.
A recent study found that offering health care price transparency tools to employees did not result in lower outpatient spending. The study compared the spending patterns of employees who had access to the tool with those who did not, and found no significant difference in average outpatient spending.
Seven of the top 10 most profitable US hospitals in 2013 were nonprofit hospitals, earning over $163 million each. The study suggests that monopolies in their communities allow these hospitals to charge high rates to private insurers, leading to substantial profits. In contrast, rural and urban hospitals with smaller patient volumes te...
The University of Leicester is launching a satellite project to monitor Kenya's forests in near real-time, helping forest land owners and national agencies protect biodiversity and reduce climate change. The project aims to support participatory forest management strategies and enable Kenya to manage its forests more sustainably.
The Lancet study reveals that by 2040, nearly half of developing countries will fall short of international health spending targets, leaving millions without access to basic services. Global health funding is expected to stagnate, with minimal growth since 2010, and may not be sufficient to bridge the gap.
A review of 20 studies found little evidence that co-located primary care services can curb patient demand or improve emergency department throughput. In fact, set-up costs often outweigh marginal savings, and diverting patients to primary care may not be cost-effective.
A new analysis suggests that investing in basic healthcare services, including contraception and nutrition, can save up to 4.7 million lives annually at an average cost of $4.70 per person. The study found that these services could prevent half of all maternal, newborn, and child deaths.
A recent study published in Health Affairs found that retail clinic visits may not be as cost-effective as previously thought. The research suggests that the convenience of retail clinics can lead to increased spending on new medical care, outweighing any potential savings from reduced office or emergency department visits.
A national free ambulance services programme in rural Ethiopia has seen a drastic reduction in pregnancy-related deaths, with the model potentially paving the way for improved maternal health outcomes across Sub-Saharan Africa.
A study by UT Dallas researchers proposes a solution to identify and mitigate click fraud in pay-per-click advertising. The study suggests that an independent third party investigate and flag fraudulent clicks when conflicts arise between service providers and advertisers, inducing them to improve their technologies.
A new study finds that government funds account for 64% of US health care spending, exceeding private spending and surpassing other nations with universal health programs. Taxpayers pay the highest health-related taxes per capita, yet millions remain uninsured.
China is now the second-largest performer of research and development, accounting for 20 percent of global R&D. The US leads in S&E but faces challenges from Southeast and South Asia, with China playing a key role.
The UW is establishing a Digital Financial Services Research Group to investigate and overcome technological barriers to widespread adoption of mobile financial services. The team plans to prototype different technologies and develop a demonstration lab to test new ideas.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that campus programs have led to a significant increase in California college students seeking mental health treatment, with an estimated additional 329 students graduating for each year of investment. The study also predicts a net societal benefit of over $6 per dollar invested.
A new study found that financial incentives significantly increase engagement with stop-smoking services and improve quitting rates among pregnant smokers. The report's findings support the use of these incentives as a sound investment in public health, particularly in high-income countries.
A recent study found that tourists use peer-to-peer accommodation services for social and financial reasons, leading to broader destination choices and longer stays. The availability of these services also increases tourism demand and revenue for destinations.
A study published in Medical Care found that trained medical interpreters can cut the error rate in half for patients with limited English proficiency, whether in person or via video conference. The results suggest that professional interpretation services are crucial for improving quality of care for LEP patients.
Researchers designed a new tool called Sunlight to bring transparency to the Web, analyzing numerous inputs and outputs together to form hypotheses about personal data use effects. The study found that sensitive information was used to target ads and recommendations, violating companies' advertising policies.
Researchers explore ways to expand and ease access to manufacturing services through web-based operating systems and apps. They aim to create interoperable, reliable, and secure cybermanufacturing systems that enable easy access and simplify design and manufacturing processes.
Researchers found that heavy use of technology doesn't necessarily mean it's valued by customers. Instead, they suggest considering non-traditional customer segments based on a technology's attributes that are most beneficial to them. This approach will improve the overall customer experience.
A new study found that a Medicare payment model reduced the number of low-value services used by patients, with a 4.5% reduction in spending on these services. Providers targeted low-value services to lower spending, and those who previously used more of these services saw the greatest reductions.
The Medicare Pioneer ACO program saw a modest reduction of 0.8 low-value services per 100 beneficiaries, with a 1.9% decrease in service quantity and a 4.5% reduction in spending on these services. Organizations providing more low-value care saw greater reductions.
Researchers from the University of Miami propose a 'diagonal approach' to manage health care, focusing on integrating services across the life span of a person. The approach suggests a need for legislation, access to cost-effective services, financial protection, and integration of services.
A recent report by SATHI reveals that many Indian doctors are under pressure to perform expensive but unnecessary tests and surgeries to meet financial targets, putting patient safety at risk. The BMJ argues that a radical change is needed in the structure and functioning of the Medical Council of India.
Experts argue that free internet access should be rolled out across NHS premises to enhance decision making and patient outcomes. However, others believe that diverting funds from front-line clinical services would be unethical and compromise patient care.
A new study found that mechanical thrombectomy in stroke treatment reduced hospital stays to 14 days from 90 days and saved the UK healthcare system £3.2 million. The procedure also led to over 9 in 10 patients being discharged home.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that 50 US hospitals are charging out-of-network patients and the uninsured up to 1,000% more than their actual costs. This price gouging is leading to financial burdens on vulnerable populations and driving up overall health spending.
A new Commission estimates that 5 billion people worldwide cannot afford proper surgical care, leading to millions of deaths from treatable conditions. Investing $420 billion in surgery by 2030 could scale up access to life-saving procedures, according to the report.
New research reveals stark variation in genetic testing services for inherited eye disease in England, with the South-east ahead of other regions. The study shows that genetic tests have been available on the NHS for over a decade and next-generation sequencing technology has made it possible to map many genes simultaneously.
A study published in the International Journal of Health Services found that the Affordable Care Act's requirement to increase medical loss ratios had no significant impact on insurers' overhead spending. Insurers' financial filings show that the law did not lead to a greater share of premium dollars being channelled into actual patien...
Research on the Bristol Pound found it fosters social bonds by shaping interactions and feelings of trust among users, promoting local business support and community cohesion. The study's findings have implications for designing future payment systems that prioritize social connectivity.
The Every Woman Every Child movement has made significant progress in improving health care for millions of poor women and children, resulting in a 25% reduction in maternal and child death rates. The initiative has attracted $60 billion in resources from over 400 commitments by more than 300 partners.
The University of Texas at Arlington's Technology Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Center (TMAC) has received a $6.7 million federal award to support small and mid-sized manufacturers in the state. The funding will be matched with customer fees to provide services such as network of field engineers, consultants, and experts.
A study published in JAMA finds that quality measures prioritize management of patients with established diagnoses, neglecting care for those presenting with symptoms. This oversight may lead to underuse of necessary care and compromise patient diagnosis accuracy.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University identified four types of Bitcoin scams that stole at least $11 million from 13,000 victims over four years. The scams used authentic-looking web-based investment and banking outlets to lure customers and heist deposits.
Physician self-referrals have increased market share at the expense of non-self-references for services like MRI and CT scans. The practice has allowed doctors to refer patients to clinics where they have a financial stake, raising concerns about the blending of profit and medical care.
Research from Monash University found that store remodelling increases retail sales by nearly 50%, with new customers driving a 43-44% increase in sales. Existing customers see a 7-10% boost. The study suggests remodelling should be viewed as a marketing investment to retain and attract new customers.
The NHS has seen its annual spend on management consultancy double from £313m to £640m between 2010 and 2014. This significant increase in spending raises concerns about the value and impact of such services, with critics arguing that consultants are not accountable for their advice.
Researchers found that higher-earning clinicians earn more by providing more services per patient, rather than seeing more patients. This challenges the current fee-for-service payment model, which may not incentivize clinicians to prioritize quality of care.
New clinical data show Vectra DA is a strong predictor of radiographic progression over two years compared to other tests used to assess risk of joint damage. The study found that among patients with low CRP, high Vectra DA scores were associated with increased risk of radiographic progression.
A recent study found that retailers can increase the effectiveness of traditional marketing tactics by catering to shoppers' preferences for in-store and online environments. Tailoring service environments to satisfy different consumer preferences leads to more successful marketing efforts and increased revenues.
Using community pharmacies to identify undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases at an early stage could save the NHS £264 million annually. The service has already been successful in screening over 238 people, identifying those at higher risk of COPD and providing lifestyle advice.
Crescendo Bioscience will showcase new clinical data on Vectra DA at the 2014 ACR Annual Meeting, highlighting its value in assessing RA disease activity and predicting patient risk of joint damage. The company will present two oral presentations and four poster presentations.
Beneficiaries in ACOs reported improved satisfaction with their care, with significant improvements in timely access to care and perceived coordination of care. However, no significant improvements were found in physician-patient communication skills.
REACH ETHIOPIA, a collaboration between LSTM, has been awarded the 2014 Kochon Prize for its innovative community-based TB treatment approach. The project doubled TB case notification in a 3-million population and achieved a treatment success rate of 93%, demonstrating the effectiveness of bringing services closer to communities.
A study examined hospital readmission rates after colorectal cancer surgery and found that when adjusting for patient characteristics, coexisting illnesses, and operation types, there was no significant variation in readmission rates. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 12.3 percent.
A recent study found that searching health service pricing websites before receiving care resulted in lower claim payments for clinical services such as laboratory tests and advanced imaging. The study included medical claims from 2010-2013 of over 502,000 patients who used a price transparency platform to find prices.
A new study reveals that individuals save more when made to feel powerful, especially when saving for financial resources. The authors conclude that feeling powerful motivates people to use saving as a means to maintain their current state of power.
A recent study by Marianna Fotaki and Paula Hyde reveals how organizations, like the NHS, can become trapped in unrealistic policies and defensive behavior. The authors argue that unconscious social demands and the pressure to demonstrate success drive escalation of commitment, leading to greater material losses.
A study estimates the lifetime cost of supporting a patient with ASD and intellectual disability at $2.4 million, while supporting an individual with only ASD costs $1.4 million in the US and equivalent amounts in the UK. The largest segments of cost are special education services and loss of parental productivity.
The study analyzed low-value care in Medicare and found potential signs of overuse. It suggests that unnecessary services may be prevalent in the program, highlighting opportunities for improvement.
A new study suggests that US policymakers should incentivize pharmaceutical companies and device makers to develop products with more value. The aim is to reduce healthcare spending while preserving health benefits, potentially through novel approaches such as increased creativity and risk-taking in scientific research and development.
A team from the University of Michigan examines state-by-state navigation of the politics of health reform in a new JAMA article. The analysis shows signs of an emerging middle way toward reducing the ranks of the uninsured, with 11 states expanding Medicaid and going with federal or partnership exchanges, including six led by Republic...
Researchers question the effectiveness of using financial incentives to change hospital behavior, citing potential drawbacks such as neglecting population health. They recommend broadening the scope of readmissions programs to include admissions and incentivizing broader goals.
A University of Minnesota study found that using treadmills at work increases physical activity by 7-8% and boosts productivity. Productivity improved as employees adjusted to walking while working, with a substantial increase in overall performance.
Urban neighborhoods vary significantly across cities, affecting experiences of poverty and access to resources. Studying a single city's poor neighborhoods in-depth can lead to inaccurate generalizations.
A study found that telemedicine can reduce hospitalizations for nursing home residents by 5.3-9.7%, saving Medicare millions of dollars per year. The key to successful implementation lies in engagement, as simply making telemedicine available does not guarantee its use.
Research on a prospective payment system for ESRD improved patient access to care while reducing costs and mortality rates. The system created incentives to reduce high medication doses and higher-cost medications, saving taxpayers money.
A new study found that seniors transitioning from nursing homes to home and community-based care (HCBS) face a 40% greater risk of preventable hospitalizations. The practice resulted in more hospitalizations among seniors dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare due to inadequate medical support services in community settings.
A recent UT Arlington study suggests that ethnically diverse workforces can lead to improved customer experiences, particularly for Hispanic and Asian customers. The research found that shared ethnicity between employees and customers increases perceptions of favoritism and enhances the overall retail experience.