Articles tagged with Health Insurance
A recent survey of primary care physicians found that 15% support the complete repeal of Obamacare, lower than the general public's percentage. The majority, 74%, favor changes to the law, such as creating a public option or increasing health savings accounts.
A new study by the RAND Corporation finds that Oregon's efforts to expand health insurance coverage may face obstacles, including federal waivers and potential provider shortages. The analysis of three proposals suggests that universal coverage models may be more feasible than initially thought, but come with tradeoffs and unknown effe...
Research suggests that the Affordable Care Act has effectively reduced the uninsured rate among people with mental illness and substance use disorders, but significant barriers to treatment persist. Despite increased insurance coverage, access to services such as counseling and medication remains limited.
Researchers found that publicly insured children are less likely to be admitted to hospital when beds are scarce, but this disparity does not affect health outcomes. The study suggests that privately insured children may be over-treated and highlights the need for better allocation of healthcare resources.
Researchers propose a high-value health plan that combines consumer-driven HDHPs with exemptions for clinical services proven to benefit patients. The concept has already gained bipartisan appeal in the US House bill.
A new study finds that even low-deductible plans can result in high out-of-pocket costs for individuals with chronic health conditions. The researchers analyzed data from over 17,000 people and found that those with high-deductible plans spent more than 10% of their total income on healthcare costs.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that individuals with high health insurance literacy are more likely to gain coverage after the Affordable Care Act exchanges opened. The study, which surveyed over 2,700 adults, found a significant association between financial literacy and health insurance status.
According to a new study by Rice University experts, roughly 6 percentage points of Texas residents have gained health insurance coverage due to the Affordable Care Act, resulting in approximately 1 million Texans gaining coverage. However, despite these gains, 3 million Texans between ages 19 and 64 remain uninsured.
A recent study found that the uninsured rate in Metro Louisville decreased from almost 17% to under 8% in one year. The remaining uninsured population is disproportionately Hispanic, African American, male, and younger, with key reasons including expense and confusion about the enrollment process.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analysis found that Republican and Democratic voters have vastly different views on future health policy issues, influencing potential policy changes. The study suggests that party control will heavily impact future policies, including the Affordable Care Act.
A study found that patients with public health insurance were more likely to experience high pain levels in the post anesthesia care unit, regardless of their overall health, age, gender, or neighborhood income. This disparity highlights the importance of considering insurance type as a factor in patient care.
New research finds children without health insurance are significantly more likely to be transferred to another facility after an ER visit compared to those with private insurance. The study challenges the effectiveness of EMTALA, a three-decade-old law requiring hospitals to make decisions on patient transfers independent of insurance...
A new study found that Medicaid expansion in Oregon increased hospital emergency department visits by 40% after the initial spike, with a significant increase in both doctor's office visits and combined care, contradicting expectations of a temporary rise.
Underpriced policies and the absence of young, healthy individuals in insurance risk pools are driving up premiums. Insurers like Aetna face significant losses, prompting rate hikes and withdrawals from the marketplaces. The long-term consequences threaten the sustainability of the Affordable Care Act.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that nearly 25% of low-income adults in three US states switched their health coverage within the previous 12 months, resulting in significant negative effects on healthcare, including frequent gaps in insurance, skipped medications, and low-quality care.
The Affordable Care Act has significantly reduced the number of uninsured individuals through expanded Medicaid and health insurance exchanges. Early evidence also suggests improvements in access to and affordability of healthcare, despite ongoing disparities by geography, race/ethnicity, and income.
A national study on low-value health services found that $32.8 million was spent on 28 procedures in 2013, accounting for 0.5% of total spending. The most expensive procedures were spinal injections and imaging tests for low-back pain.
Researchers suggest that standardizing health insurance plans could alleviate the psychological and financial stress of choosing a plan, making it easier for consumers to understand their options. The proposal aims to create simple products that are easy to comprehend, reducing costly mistakes.
Researchers found no increase in emergency department visits in states that expanded Medicaid compared to those that didn't. However, Medicaid expansion led to a 27% increase in Medicaid-paid emergency department visits and a 31% decrease in uninsured visits.
Two insurance expansion approaches under ACA associated with increased outpatient and preventive care, reduced emergency department use, and improved self-reported health. The Medicaid expansion and alternative private option were linked to gains in coverage, primary care access, and reduced out-of-pocket spending.
A study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that pregnant women with health insurance coverage had lower odds of alcohol use, while non-pregnant women with insurance had higher odds. The study also found that prenatal substance use poses significant threats to maternal and child health.
A study found that Medicaid expansion led to a significant increase in Medicaid enrollment among patients who received liver transplants funded by commercial insurance. The expansion resulted in a 50% increase in enrolling in Medicaid after 2014, while there was no impact on uninsured care usage.
A Georgia State University study found that losing private health insurance from an employer can lead to increased symptoms of depression and limitations in daily activities among older adults in early retirement. The loss of employment-based insurance was associated with poorer health outcomes, even when retirees sought non-group insu...
A Harvard study reveals that wealthier Americans are getting significantly more healthcare than middle-class and poor individuals, reversing a long-term trend of increased equality. The wealthiest fifth of Americans now consume 43% more healthcare than the poorest fifth, while middle-income people receive 23% less care.
Out-of-pocket spending per hospitalization rose by 37%, driven by deductible and coinsurance increases, affecting treatment choices and access to care. Adults in individual-market plans faced the highest cost sharing.
A recent study analyzed data from over 50 million privately insured patients, finding a 37% rise in out-of-pocket spending for hospital stays. Deductibles and co-insurance costs increased by 86% and 33%, respectively, with average total bills ranging from $1,200 to $1,800.
After health insurance reform, minority-serving hospitals in Massachusetts saw a significant increase in minority discharges, with 62% of 'safety-net hospital users' continuing to receive care at these facilities. The study suggests that interventions like raising Medicaid reimbursement rates could benefit these vital resources.
A comprehensive hand hygiene program using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and wipes resulted in a 24.3% lower incidence of hand hygiene preventable insurance claims compared to the control group. The study also found 13.4% fewer sick episodes or unscheduled PTO, with 8 in 10 employees positively impacted by the program.
A study by Heather Kugelmass found that psychotherapists discriminate against black and working-class patients, with appointment offer rates being significantly lower than for middle-class counterparts. The research highlights the need to address biases in mental health care access.
A new simulator is being developed to help individuals and families select the most suitable health insurance plans based on realistic cost estimates and potential healthcare outcomes. The simulator combines buyer-specific information with bespoke databases, producing transparent output that enables informed decision-making.
Researchers found significant increases in health insurance coverage, quality of coverage, and diagnoses for chronic health conditions among low-income adults in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The study's findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and residents in states with ACA Medicaid expansions.
Millennials with higher deductible spending are the most frequent comparison shoppers for healthcare services. The study found that women and younger adults use price transparency tools more than others.
A new study finds that the Cadillac tax will hit middle-income families hardest, while sparing the wealthy. The tax will reduce the financial burden of health benefits on lower-income workers and exacerbate inequalities in healthcare.
A University of Louisville study found that low-income Kentuckians without health insurance declined by 68% from 35% to 11% between 2013 and 2014. The study also revealed declines in people lacking a regular source of healthcare and those with unmet medical needs.
A new study published in the International Journal of Obesity suggests that 34.4 million Americans considered overweight by BMI are actually healthy, and 19.8 million who are considered obese are also healthy. The research reveals that BMI mislabels millions of individuals as unhealthy, while overlooking those with 'healthy' BMIs who a...
Carnegie Mellon University researchers analyze 20,000 employee plan choices and find most employees select inferior plans leading to over-spending. They argue simplifying health insurance plans can improve consumer choices and reduce anxiety.
A new University of Illinois at Chicago study examines the impact of cutting teacher benefits on taxpayer savings. The researchers found that most of the cost of health insurance is passed onto teachers themselves through deductions from their salaries.
A new analysis suggests that paying for sex reassignment surgery and hormones is actually cost-effective, with costs comparable to treatment for depression and substance abuse. Providing health care benefits to transgender people makes economic sense, improving quality of life without a huge financial impact on society.
According to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics, children with Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) were more likely to receive preventive medical and dental care compared to those with private insurance. The study analyzed data from over 80,000 children and found that 88% of Medicaid- and CHIP-covered kids had...
A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that Medicaid insurance is associated with better awareness and treatment of chronic diseases among low-income Americans. People with Medicaid are five times more likely to see a doctor than those with no health insurance.
A U-M study of patients at a free clinic found that perceived cost and knowledge gaps about low-cost plans are major barriers to healthcare for the uninsured. The researchers hope their findings will prompt other safety net clinics to offer personalized insurance counseling services.
A $2.5 million federal grant is being used to examine the ACA's effect on working-age adults with disabilities, tracking changes in health insurance coverage, access, and cost. The study aims to ensure the legislation is meeting its promise and addresses potential challenges faced by this vulnerable population.
A study found disparities in kidney disease patients' access to electronic health record portals, which may reinforce existing health-related inequities. Patients with black race, lower neighborhood household income, older age, and Medicaid/Medicare insurance status were less likely to adopt the portal.
A new study reveals that older tobacco users pay significantly more for health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act, with some facing surcharges of up to 46% more than non-tobacco users. This highlights concerns about the financial burden on these individuals and potential implications for health equity.
Websites for national and state health insurance marketplaces have shown improved efforts to assist patients in choosing health insurance plans, such as providing decision support tools. Despite this, many sites still lack helpful features like lay-person definitions and cost calculators.
The Medicare and Medicaid programs are critical components of the US healthcare system, serving over 111 million people. They face significant challenges in adapting to a changing healthcare landscape while navigating conflicting priorities from beneficiaries, practitioners, and policymakers.
A University of Michigan study shows that primary care appointment availability increased for people with Medicaid after the state's Medicaid expansion took effect. Despite predictions that appointments would be hard to get due to a surge in newly insured individuals, clinics offered more appointments before and after the expansion.
A new study compares Nixon's health plans with Obamacare, revealing that while both aimed to provide coverage for the uninsured, Nixon's proposals were more 'liberal' and preserved the insurance industry's role. The ACA faced intense opposition, with some Democrats initially rejecting it as too moderate.
The Affordable Care Act has led to a dramatic drop in out-of-pocket prices for prescription contraceptives, with average costs declining by up to 38% for oral contraceptive pills and 68% for IUD insertions. Annual savings are estimated at approximately $1.4 billion per year.
A JGIM study finds unauthorized immigrants paid in $3.5 billion more than they utilized in care in 2011, generating an average surplus of $316 per capita to the Trust Fund. Reducing unauthorized immigration would worsen Medicare's financial health.
A study found that young adults struggle with navigating health insurance plans, citing unfamiliarity with terms like deductible and co-insurance. The researchers suggest the need for tools to assist with the enrollment process, including decision aids and cost estimators.
The study found that marketplace enrollees had lower average drug spending per person and were less likely to use most medication classes than patients enrolled in employer-sponsored health insurance. However, marketplace enrollees were much more likely to use medicines for hepatitis C and HIV.
A study of over 1.5 million patients found a passing increase in adjusted mortality rates following Massachusetts health insurance reform, suggesting that simply providing insurance incentives and subsidies may not improve survival for trauma patients. The study's findings resolve within a few years, but highlight the need for more com...
A RAND Corporation study found that 22.8 million Americans became newly insured and 5.9 million lost coverage between September 2013 and February 2015. The largest gain in coverage came from employer-sponsored health plans, with 9.6 million new enrollments.
A study found that Black and Hispanic patients start hemodialysis with an arteriovenous fistula less frequently than White patients, despite having fewer comorbidities. The authors suggest that these disparities may be due to the time it takes for AVFs to mature, which could lead to faster progression of chronic kidney disease.
A new study suggests that using plain language, graphics, and stories can simplify the health insurance enrollment process for people who have never had insurance before. The research found that these methods helped participants make informed choices about their coverage options and increased their confidence in their decisions.
A new study found that Massachusetts health reform did not decrease preventable hospitalizations or close the racial gap in such rates, contrary to expectations. Access to outpatient care remained limited due to high copays and financial barriers.
A lack of disclosure and elevated cancer risk are experienced by the LGBTQI community due to reduced access to healthcare and insurance. Researchers suggest training staff in LGBTQI competencies and collecting gender identity and sexual orientation data to improve patient care.
A study found that UK patients with cystic fibrosis who received transplants had better survival rates than publicly insured Americans. The research suggests that a single-payer national health care system can provide complex, coordinated and expansive care with long-term outcomes similar to those achieved by private insurance.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found a significant correlation between Twitter sentiment and health insurance marketplace enrollment. The analysis of 977,303 tweets revealed that a 0.10 increase in positive sentiment was associated with a 9% increase in enrollment.