Articles tagged with Health Insurance
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that one-quarter of insurance exchange plans appear non-compliant with parity laws requiring equal benefits for general medical and mental health care. The research highlights inconsistencies in benefit brochures, including prior authorization requirements and financial r...
A new study finds that Republicans generally defer to science on most issues, with only four exceptions: global warming, evolution, gay adoption, and mandatory health insurance. The study reveals that Republicans are more likely to trust science than independents and Democrats across a range of policy areas.
The Affordable Care Act's health insurance cooperatives have had a tangible impact on the marketplace, offering more products and lower-priced plans than traditional insurers
A new RAND Corporation study found that eliminating government subsidies for low- and moderate-income individuals purchasing coverage through federally run health insurance marketplaces would cause a 70% drop in enrollment among those buying compliant policies. Unsubsidized premiums would rise by 47%, resulting in a $1,610 annual incre...
A study by RAND Corporation found that consumers in regions with more health plan choices faced higher deductibles than peers in areas with fewer plans offered. The study suggests that limiting the number of health plans or requiring equivalent cost-sharing terms may be policy options to address this issue.
Two Health Affairs papers expose gaps in health coverage for children and recommend solutions. The studies focus on the Affordable Care Act's essential health benefit standard, which has resulted in a state-by-state patchwork of coverage with significant exclusions for children with developmental disabilities.
Despite estimates suggesting that universal health coverage for US military veterans is within reach, over a million veterans remain uninsured. The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion offer opportunities for coverage, but political hurdles and misinformation hinder progress.
A new survey by NORC at the University of Chicago reveals that nine in ten employers offering insurance are unfamiliar with objective quality metrics, despite valuing plan quality ratings. Employers cite cost to employees as a key consideration when selecting health plans.
The Affordable Care Act has led to improved health care access for Kentucky's lowest-income residents, with 413,000 people gaining medical coverage. Residents are now able to seek non-urgent medical attention and receive guideline-based care, reducing financial stress.
A new program has been shown to reduce asthma symptoms and hospitalizations in low-income children by training their parents over the phone. The peer coaching model, which was tested in a two-year trial, resulted in significant reductions in ER visits and hospitalizations among families with Medicaid insurance.
Vietnam has made significant progress in controlling infectious diseases such as SARS and HIV/AIDS, with a goal of universal coverage. However, disparities in health care access remain, particularly for rural areas and minority groups. The country aims to improve its health care system through increased funding and training.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that eliminating ACA subsidies would increase premium costs by 43% and cause enrollment to drop by 68%. The study suggests that without subsidies, prices would jump sharply and many people could not afford coverage.
A study found that each additional euro spent on pensions and public health insurance in Eastern Germany increased life expectancy by 3 hours. Public health care had a greater impact, contributing 2.5 times more to life expectancy than pension payments.
A study published in The BMJ found that India's Vajpayee Arogyashree Scheme reduced mortality rates and out-of-pocket expenses for the poor by 64% and 60%, respectively. The program provided free health insurance to households below the poverty line, covering high-impact medical conditions like heart disease and cancer.
A survey of Fortune 500 chief human resource officers found that nearly 80% of companies have raised or plan to raise employee contributions to health insurance. The Affordable Care Act has led to a significant increase in healthcare costs, with 38% of respondents reporting a rise in health insurance costs.
The likelihood of young adults having a usual source of care decreased, but insurance coverage and access to care improved. Individuals with insurance were more likely to have a usual source of care and afford necessary healthcare services.
A recent study by University of Illinois professor Rebecca Sandefur found that 46% of respondents dealt with civil justice situations alone, while 16% took no action. The most common negative consequences reported were health impacts and financial problems.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that healthy living kidney donors often face pointless insurance hurdles after donation. Despite being heavily screened before approval, these donors are frequently denied or charged higher premiums for life insurance, highlighting the need for better support systems.
A new study found that 27% of kidney donors experienced difficulty changing or initiating health insurance, with 7% being denied altogether. The study suggests that the nation's fragmented health insurance system is to blame for these problems, despite protections in place under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The study found a significant increase in discretionary surgery and a decrease in nondiscretionary surgery following the Massachusetts insurance expansion. This suggests that insurance expansion may lead to greater utilization of procedures for improving quality of life rather than addressing immediately life-threatening conditions.
The Affordable Care Act can improve the US population's health by focusing on disease prevention, health promotion, and early detection. The Act promotes collaboration between healthcare and public health systems, leading to better quality services and greater integration of public health entities into healthcare.
A new study led by Harvard School of Public Health researchers found that Massachusetts' comprehensive health reform in 2006 resulted in a 2.9% decrease in mortality rates compared to similar populations in states without expanded health coverage. The study estimates that the law has prevented approximately 320 deaths per year.
A recent study examined the impact of state Medicaid expansions on perceived access to care and emergency department use among enrollees. The results showed no evidence that expanding Medicaid coverage eroded access to care or increased ED use, contrary to previous concerns.
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 found that individuals with private insurance were more likely to secure a new-patient appointment with a primary care physician compared to those with Medicaid or no insurance. The study suggests that the primary care system may struggle to handle increased demand from ACA coverage expansions, highlighting the need for pol...
A recent study found that Canadians have paid $6.8 billion more in premiums than they received in benefits from private health insurance since 2011. The gap between what insurers take in and what they pay out has increased threefold over the past two decades.
A survey by USC researchers found that those who could benefit most from the Affordable Care Act, including low-income earners, are also the most uninformed about health care policies. The study showed that 42% of Americans couldn't describe a deductible and 62% didn't know the difference between HMO and PPO plans.
Canada's private health insurance industry is experiencing a widening gap between premiums and payouts, with $6.8 billion lost in 2011. Governments are urged to adopt more efficient public alternatives or impose new regulations on the sector.
A study found a small but consistent increase in emergency department visits after Massachusetts implemented its first-in-the-nation law to expand health care insurance coverage. The data showed an average annual increase of 1.2% in ER visits between 2006 and 2007, which rose to 2.2% by 2009.
A new study suggests that Medicaid expansion among low-income nonelderly adults can help prevent kidney failure and improve access to kidney disease care. States with broader Medicaid coverage have lower incidences of kidney failure and smaller insurance-related gaps in access to kidney disease care.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that women with pregnancy complications were more likely to see a doctor post-delivery, but overall visit rates were low. Women with complicated pregnancies and depression or preeclampsia were also more likely to attend primary care visits.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center are studying how the ACA affects cancer screening in low-income women and employed married women with breast cancer. The study found that Medicaid expansions increased breast and cervical cancer screening, particularly among low-income women, suggesting a positive effect of near-universal coverag...
Research finds that US adults with private or no health insurance experience lower levels of psychological distress compared to those with public coverage. Adults with recent changes in insurance status have higher distress levels.
A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that Medicaid beneficiaries are more likely to seek emergency care due to access issues rather than the severity of their illness. The study suggests that policy makers should focus on increasing timely access to primary care, especially for Medicaid beneficiaries.
A recent study found that minority physicians care for 54% of minority patients and 70% of non-English-speaking patients. Minority physicians are also more likely to care for patients with lower self-reported health status. The study suggests expanding the racial diversity of the physician workforce could improve access to care.
A new study finds that Massachusetts' broader health insurance reform improved the state's health status and preventive care, especially among low-income residents. The study also showed increased access to personal doctors and reduced cost barriers to care.
Researchers at UC Davis and University of Rochester found that having health insurance increases use of preventive services like flu shots and health screenings, but does not affect risky health behaviors. The study contradicts a common concern that expanding healthcare coverage may encourage riskier behavior.
A study found that increasing insured patients in Massachusetts did not lead to higher ICU utilization. The research suggests that better, earlier care may reduce ICU admissions and mortality rates. Policymakers should focus on improving resource efficiency rather than exacerbating critical care costs.
The UC Davis Institute for Population Health Improvement has awarded $400,000 to L.A. Care to develop Blue Button functionality, allowing patients to access their own prescription data online. This project is the first in California and among the first in the nation to implement the tool for Medicaid beneficiaries.
A new study found that the uninsured struggle to choose health insurance plans due to a lack of understanding about key terms. The research suggests that healthcare navigators can play an important role in simplifying information and improving communication to help people make informed decisions.
A new study predicts that the Affordable Care Act will increase emergency department reimbursements by 17% for uninsured patients on Medicaid and 39% for those switching to private insurance. This could help reverse a decades-long trend of uncompensated care in ERs.
Researchers at George Washington University found that outpatient emergency department encounters could reimburse more for patients gaining Medicaid or private insurance through the Affordable Care Act. On average, uninsured patients who will be eligible for Medicaid would receive 17% higher reimbursement per visit, while those becomin...
A new University of Michigan study suggests that the newly insured will make more outpatient visits and fewer emergency room (ER) visits than they do today. The study found that clinic visits rose significantly among adolescents after the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) went into effect, while ER visits remained flat. Howeve...
Healthcare spending in the US is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.8% from 2012 to 2022, with increased growth expected after 2013 due to expanded health coverage and faster economic growth. The Affordable Care Act is expected to influence this growth, with Medicaid enrollment increasing by 8.7 million people in 2014.
A RAND Corporation study finds that out-of-pocket medical expenses will decrease for most consumers who become newly insured or change their health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Low-income people in states without expanding Medicaid may see higher health spending compared to those with expanded Medicaid.
A Commonwealth Fund survey finds that over three-quarters of US adults are aware of the ACA's individual mandate, while only four in ten know about new health insurance marketplaces and premium subsidies. Broad support for expanding Medicaid is also evident, with 68% of adults favoring it in their state.
A recent study found that California adults with Medicaid coverage had the largest increase in emergency department visits from 2005 to 2010. This rise may be attributed to decreased access to primary care, which was reflected in higher rates of ambulatory care sensitive conditions among Medicaid patients.
A new survey found that 7.8 million young adults gained new or better coverage through the Affordable Care Act, but millions are at risk of remaining uninsured due to lack of awareness about health insurance marketplaces and Medicaid expansion. Young adults from low- and middle-income households are disproportionately affected.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University's George Loewenstein found that Americans struggle to comprehend traditional health insurance concepts like deductibles and co-insurance. A simplified insurance plan with copays appealed more to consumers, who were better able to compute costs and make informed decisions.
A study published in Spine highlights the increased risk of complications among Medicaid beneficiaries after spinal surgery, even after adjusting for other factors. The researchers found that Medicaid recipients were 68% more likely to experience adverse outcomes than patients with private insurance.
A new RAND Corporation study suggests that states choosing not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act will face significant financial costs, including $1 billion more in uncompensated care spending and foregone federal payments of $8.4 billion annually. This would leave an additional 3.6 million people without health insurance.
A new study by USC's Glenn Melnick and Katya Fonkych found that California's Hospital Fair Pricing Act led to a significant reduction in hospital prices for uninsured patients. Nearly all hospitals (97%) offered free care to those below the federal poverty line, going beyond the state mandate.
A biennial health insurance survey found that nearly half of all working-age US adults went without health insurance for a time, while 75 million struggled with medical debt. The Affordable Care Act's provisions have helped young adults gain coverage and improve affordability.
A study of over 4 million Veterans Health Administration records found that patients with severe psychosocial dysfunction and medical needs frequently visit the ER. Improved health outcomes may be achieved through increased spending on social services, such as housing subsidies and income supplements.
A new study by RAND Corporation finds that expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania would increase federal revenue by more than $2 billion annually and provide health insurance to 340,000 residents. The expansion would also sustain over 35,000 jobs and boost economic activity by $3 billion.
A new report from The Hastings Center highlights the need to integrate undocumented immigrants into the US healthcare system, as they lack insurance and are ineligible for most federal programs. The report recommends addressing this issue in immigration reform proposals to improve population health, particularly among children and Hisp...
Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have selected a benchmark plan to meet the Affordable Care Act's essential health benefit requirement. Most selected the largest small-group plan, which will serve as the basis for individual and small-group market plans.
A large US study has found that living in high-poverty areas or being uninsured significantly increase the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage. The study's findings highlight the importance of addressing health insurance coverage and poverty levels as key predictors of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis.
A new study suggests that consumers select health insurance plans based on both their overall wellness level and anticipated response to having insurance. The research indicates that people with lower behavioral responses to the contract are more likely to opt for high-deductible plans.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found a strong correlation between hospital bed availability and use, even accounting for various factors that may lead to hospitalization. This supports the regulation of hospital beds to align with population health needs.