Articles tagged with Health Insurance
A new study by George Mason University found that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans do not equally improve the quality of care across all racial and ethnic groups. The study measured three measures of adverse health events and found smaller gaps in quality of care for Hispanic people versus non-Hispanic White people in MA.
Inflation-adjusted healthcare spending among privately insured US families increased, with low-income families facing a substantial financial medical burden. Financial medical burden was more than 26% of postsubsistence income for low-income families, compared to approximately 6% for higher-income families.
A cohort study found that high levels of telehealth use were associated with more clinician encounters, ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations, and higher healthcare costs. COVID-19 cases still remained high during the study period, suggesting that HSAs with higher telehealth intensity may have better capacity for health services.
A study by Ohio State University found that rural Americans are less likely to initiate care for substance use disorders and have limited access to ongoing treatment compared to urban residents. The Collaborative Care Model may be a potential approach to addressing these challenges.
Black and Hispanic patients with atrial fibrillation were less likely to initiate direct oral anticoagulants at study onset, but these disparities narrowed over time. The study highlights the need to address unequal access to novel therapies for Black and Hispanic populations.
A study published by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that ACA insurance expansions led to an increase in patients receiving care at accredited cancer hospitals in Pennsylvania. The study suggests that these expansions make a difference in improving access to high-quality cancer care, particularly for those living in areas wi...
A new poll suggests health-related costs are a major concern for older Americans of all backgrounds, with five out of six very concerning issues involving health costs. Nearly half say they're very concerned about the cost of prescription medications, while nearly half also express concerns about dental care.
A cohort study found statistical signals for myocarditis and pericarditis after BNT162b2 vaccination in children aged 12-17 years, consistent with previous reports. Seizures after mRNA-1273 vaccinations in younger age groups require a robust epidemiologic investigation to confirm findings.
Contraceptive services experienced downward trends from an initial increase in the month after Dobbs v. Jackson, indicating growing challenges for access. The study found decreasing workforce numbers providing contraception methods.
A new study found that access to genomic testing for cancer is limited by factors such as test availability, patient information, and insurance coverage in both Japan and Switzerland. Despite universal insurance coverage, barriers persist due to differences in hospital accessibility, language barriers, and varying levels of reimbursement.
A new study found that understanding racial inequities in healthcare access can have a negative impact on both Black and white populations' views of their own health. Accurate awareness is crucial, but also poses an additional burden on Black individuals, causing unnecessary stress.
A new study found that extending Medicaid eligibility for birthing people increases treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorder by 20.5 percentage points, compared to those with commercial insurance. Retaining postpartum Medicaid coverage also significantly lowers patients' out-of-pocket spending for mental healthcare.
State policies on insulin copayment caps showed no increase in insulin use but reduced OOP costs, particularly for high-deductible health plans with HSAs. Insulin users benefited from cost savings, but higher-income users experienced larger decreases in OOP costs.
Researchers found that nontraditional stroke risk factors like migraines are as important as traditional risk factors like high blood pressure for adults younger than ages 35-45. The association between stroke and nontraditional stroke risk factors was stronger in adults younger than 35 years old.
Black and Hispanic individuals received fewer telemedicine visits than white individuals after controlling for geographic region, contrary to national trends. The study suggests systemic inequalities in access to telemedicine care exist despite increased use during the pandemic.
A study of older adults in Medicare Advantage plans found that both members of a couple tend to stick with each other's enrollment decisions. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,800 couples and found that about 80% of Partner A individuals stayed in the same plan, and among those who changed, most partners did as well.
Continuous Medicaid eligibility during the pandemic significantly reduced loss of Medicaid after birth. Post-pandemic postpartum Medicaid extensions may also reduce uninsurance rates similarly.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that reinsurance programs increased minimum cost coverage for middle-class enrollees in Georgia, leading to lower enrollment rates. The programs, intended to reduce premiums, ultimately made coverage less affordable for those with incomes between 251% and 400% of federal poverty level.
A study of 2,943 US counties found that medical debt is associated with poorer health status, increased premature deaths, and higher mortality rates. Expanding affordable healthcare coverage may improve population health in these areas.
A study found that Medicaid expansion primarily benefits higher-earning healthcare workers, with no notable effects on lower-wage staff. The findings suggest a potential widening of economic inequality within the healthcare sector.
The study reveals a significant prevalence of refractive error in African American adults, affecting their quality of life and work productivity. Providing universal vision care coverage can reduce this burden by over two-thirds, improving lives and increasing economic opportunities.
A new study reveals that utilization of PCSK9 inhibitors is low among high-risk patients, despite extensive evidence documenting their role in LDL-C reduction and the prevention of heart attacks. The study found that insurance coverage rejection or abandonment leads to significantly more cardiovascular events within 12 months.
A positive association was found between total prescription opioid dose dispensed and the odds of spontaneous preterm birth in a study of 251,000 pregnant patients. Minimizing opioid exposure during pregnancy is crucial to prevent spontaneous preterm delivery.
A recent study reveals significant disparities in emergency department use among transgender and cisgender Medicare beneficiaries. The findings highlight increased utilization of emergent services, particularly for psychological care, which are more likely to lead to hospital admissions.
Researchers developed a novel AI technique to detect Medicare fraud in big data, using Random Undersampling and supervised feature selection. The method improved classification performance, especially when reducing features, and outperformed models with all available features.
A new study found that nearly half of older adults who considered elective surgery were deterred by financial concerns and the need for paid time off. In contrast, those worried about post-operative pain were more likely to proceed with surgery.
A study of Medicare patients in 2022 revealed disparities in COVID-19 therapy access based on patient age, race and ethnicity, Medicaid eligibility, and nursing home residence. Higher-risk individuals received COVID-19 therapy less often than those with lower risk factors.
A new study reveals that Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities are more efficient than private sector hospitals and clinics, with significantly lower administrative staff. By adopting the VHA's lean approach to care, nearly 900,000 fewer paperwork-filled jobs could be eliminated.
A study of U.S. families with employer-sponsored health insurance found a significant association between rising premiums and reduced annual earnings, as well as increased earnings inequality by race and ethnicity and wage level. The research suggests that this growth may have contributed to wage stagnation over the past three decades.
A study by Tufts University found that employer-sponsored health insurance costs are holding back wage growth, with premiums eating up a growing proportion of workers' compensation. This has contributed to income inequality, particularly among Black and Hispanic families, as well as lower-wage workers.
A study of nearly 15,000 adults with non–small cell lung cancer found that Medicaid expansion decreased postoperative mortality within 30 and 90 days after hospital discharge. This suggests that expanded Medicaid coverage may improve cancer outcomes and access to care for this population.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh highlights how lack of contraceptive coverage by Medicare prevents disabled enrollees from accessing contraception. Contraceptive use is low among reproductive-aged people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare, with only 14.3% having an insurance claim for contraception in 2019.
Private equity acquisition of hospitals was associated with increased hospital-acquired adverse events, suggesting poorer quality of inpatient care. These findings highlight concerns about the implications of private equity on healthcare delivery, particularly among Medicare beneficiaries.
Researchers found that less than two percent of patients in Medicaid and commercially insured plans received Z-codes to document Social Determinants of Health. The study highlights the need for improved tracking and documentation of SDOH in healthcare settings, with recommendations for policy changes and provider education.
A new study found that sexual minority women faced worse access to care and were more likely uninsured than heterosexual peers. Sexual minority men had greater difficulty affording necessary medical care despite having health insurance.
A new study found that senior physicians in cognitive and procedural specialties see fewer Medicaid patients and those from racial/ethnic minorities compared to junior physicians. This raises concerns about a two-tiered healthcare system and disparities in patient access.
This study reveals racial and ethnic differences in hospice use, with Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black individuals having lower odds of receiving hospice care. Hispanic individuals had the highest odds of a short hospice stay, highlighting potential barriers to access and acceptance among low-income populations.
Researchers analyzed data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and found that some private insurers were reimbursing pharmacies at much higher rates than what they spent to acquire generic drugs. This can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for seniors due to copayments and deductibles.
A study of Medicare claims data found that higher segregation of hospital care is associated with poorer health outcomes for both Black and white patients. Policymakers can address this issue through payment reform efforts and expansion of health insurance coverage to reduce racial disparities in healthcare.
The study found that median premiums decreased across the board, especially for rural communities. Rural counties gained an average of three plans overall after the switch, while urban counties lost almost nine plans.
A recent study led by UNC Greensboro researcher Mathieu Despard found that one-third of frontline healthcare workers experienced food insecurity, with even those earning over $75k facing housing hardship. The study highlights the importance of benefits in mitigating financial insecurity among healthcare workers.
A study by Brigham researchers found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in surgical abortions for commercially insured patients, with no concurrent increase in medical abortions. The rate of surgical abortions remained below pre-pandemic levels through June 2022.
The Million Hearts Model significantly reduced first-time heart attacks and strokes, supporting guidelines for CVD primary prevention. The study's findings also suggest that the model can have a positive impact on Medicare spending.
The American Academy of Pediatrics hosted its 2023 National Conference & Exhibition in Washington, D.C., presenting original research on topics such as the national opioid crisis, obesity prevention, and mental health challenges. The AAP also released two new policy statements: one proposing bold reforms in Medicaid and CHIP, and anoth...
A study found significant disparities in Medicare-funded home health services across US counties, highlighting socioeconomic disadvantage and inadequate care access. Nearly a quarter of counties lacked sufficient clinicians, exacerbating the vulnerability of homebound Medicare beneficiaries.
A study of over 13 million US infants found maternal Medicaid insurance associated with higher infant mortality rates. Novel strategies are needed to improve outcomes among women and infants enrolled in Medicaid.
A new study found that Medicare Advantage generally had lower resource use and cost compared to traditional Medicare for many conditions, but not all. For example, MA used fewer resources for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, where proper care management can prevent hospitalizations.
A significant burden of cardiovascular disease and cardiometabolic risk factors has been identified among 220,000 American Indian and Alaska Native patients with Medicare insurance. The study emphasizes the critical need for future efforts to prioritize cardiovascular health in this population.
A new study co-authored by MIT economist Jonathan Gruber found that a New York City program helped arrange medical appointments for undocumented immigrants with limited incomes, leading to a substantial drop in emergency room use. The program resulted in a 21 percent decline in ER visits and a 42 percent decrease for individuals with h...
A study of 44,000 low-income adults found that providing public health insurance to immigrants has a lower direct cost than for US-born individuals. Upon coverage, immigrants' healthcare utilization remains relatively modest, contradicting the assumption that offering insurance would significantly impact healthcare expenses.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that improvements in socioeconomic status are not equally beneficial for all racial or ethnic groups. Higher socioeconomic status is linked to better heart health, but this link is greatest among white adults compared to people in other groups.
A study of Medicare beneficiaries with chronic low back pain and opioid use disorder found that physical therapy and chiropractic care were underutilized, particularly among minority groups. The findings underscore the importance of addressing inequities in pain management to improve health outcomes.
Researchers have been awarded $600K each to lead projects improving healthcare access for underserved populations, including Black women and rural/minority communities. These projects will use innovative strategies such as at-home blood pressure monitoring and telemedicine-assisted testing to address health disparities.
The Michigan Medicaid expansion has been effective in reducing uninsurance, promoting primary care, and supporting financial well-being for low-income individuals. However, some aspects of the program, such as income-based cost-sharing, were only partially effective in achieving their aims.
A new study found that fewer than a third of children have had their vision checked in the past year, with uninsured and public-insured kids having lower rates than privately insured peers. The disparity in screening rates is linked to disparities in primary care visits focused on prevention and early detection.
A study found low primary care vision testing rates for children and adolescents, with lower rates among those without private insurance. Despite yearly testing recommendations, less than half of those with private insurance received testing.
The study reveals that people have limited understanding of the digital infrastructure behind electronic health records, with many assuming that all doctors' offices can automatically view patient data. The researchers also argue that health insurance companies play a critical role in securing these records, and that users need educati...
A new study by Northwestern University found that non-Hispanic Black individuals have a significantly higher rate of pre-term births compared to non-Hispanic white individuals. Pre-pregnancy cardiovascular health and social determinants of health explain racial differences in preterm birth rates.
A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals nearly ubiquitous bilateral hearing loss among older US individuals, with increasing severity and low hearing aid use. The findings highlight the need for more precise measures of hearing loss to address this growing health concern.
A new study by Texas A&M University researchers found substantial public support for shifting administrative burdens away from individuals and improving communication on Medicaid enrollment procedures. The survey-based study showed that people with experience in Medicaid, political liberalism, and those who struggle with administrative...