Articles tagged with Health Insurance
A Harvard study found that 20% of diabetes patients with high-deductible health plans reported skipping medications due to cost, compared to 16% in traditional plans. Patients with insulin reliance were 31% more likely to miss medication.
Research found that adult patients under 65 had less trouble paying for medications, dental care, and delayed treatment due to cost. The ACA's key features, including the Health Insurance Marketplace, led to a significant decrease in financial burdens.
Nearly 54% of US-born minor migrants in Mexico are underinsured, with limited access to quality care and financial protection. The study calls for transborder policies to address place-based inequities and recommends solutions such as reintegration policies and expedited dual-citizenship application processes
A study compared health care access and quality scores between US states and high-income countries with universal health insurance coverage. The researchers found that the US ranked lower in these areas, highlighting the need for healthcare reform.
A new analysis reveals that households with recent birthdays are 30% more likely to have a COVID-19 diagnosis in counties with high infection rates. The study suggests that social gatherings like birthday parties may have contributed to infections during the pandemic.
Stroke patients from rural areas and American Indian communities face significant challenges in accessing certified stroke centers due to longer distances. Demographic factors such as age, income, and insurance status also impact the distance to stroke care, with rural areas showing a reversal of expected relationships.
A study analyzing California data from 2004-2013 reveals that heat events and ozone have substantial spatial variation in their impact on respiratory hospitalizations, with stronger joint effects in lower-income areas. The results suggest establishing local temperature and ozone thresholds to protect population health.
A recent study analyzed the association of county-level telemedicine use with community factors among people with commercial or Medicare Advantage insurance. The researchers found geographic variation in telemedicine use, which was attributed to local healthcare infrastructure and population demographics.
A new study of Michigan's Medicaid expansion program found that even small monthly fees for health insurance can lead to increased disenrollment among healthy, low-income individuals. This can result in a sicker pool of patients for the insurance company and decreased access to preventive care.
A new survey found that one in six US adults (16%) are staying in jobs they might otherwise leave out of fear of losing their employer-sponsored health insurance. Black workers are 50% more likely to stay in an unwanted job than their White and Hispanic counterparts.
Near-poor Americans, just above the federal poverty level, face high medical bills and forgo essential health care due to a Medicaid eligibility cliff. Researchers propose solutions to fix this gap, including expanding supplemental coverage and simplifying the application process.
A new study found that Michigan Medicaid expansion's dental coverage improved oral health in 57% of enrollees, with Black respondents and those uninsured for a year or more experiencing the greatest improvements. The program also helped participants find work or improve their job search by 76%.
A study by Drexel University researchers found that rural seniors in Medicare Advantage plans switched to traditional Medicare at a higher rate than nonrural seniors, mainly due to limited access to providers. This highlights the need for policies to incentivize healthcare professionals to practice in rural areas.
A third of patients with COVID-19 did not have another health condition before contracting the virus, highlighting the need to protect those with pre-existing conditions. This study suggests that repealing Affordable Care Act protections for pre-existing conditions could further increase health disparities among people of color.
An analysis of health insurance claims data reveals a 7-fold variation in euthanasia rates across the Netherlands. Regional differences and demographic, socioeconomic, and personal factors are associated with varying euthanasia rates.
Patients with autism spectrum disorder in Taiwan showed a higher risk of substance use disorder compared to the general population. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, used health insurance data to investigate this association and found that individuals with autism were more likely to die prematurely due to substance-related causes.
Researchers analyzed 16.7 million people's telemedicine and in-person visits during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic to understand changes in outpatient care delivery. The study found that telemedicine compensated for declining volumes and geographic variation, suggesting a new model for healthcare delivery.
Diseases of despair, including substance abuse and suicidal thoughts, have soared in the US over the past decade, affecting all ages. Between 2009 and 2018, life expectancy fell year on year, and deaths among middle-aged white non-Hispanic men and women rose sharply.
A recent study by Washington State University's Bidisha Mandal found that the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion program has reduced the number of uninsured low-income residents, particularly in rural areas. However, the likelihood of repeated emergency room visits for non-urgent reasons has not decreased.
A new analysis by Harvard Medical School and Hunter College found a 2.3 million increase in uninsured Americans between 2016-19, leading to 25,180 excess deaths; overturning the Affordable Care Act could lead to up to 68,000 extra deaths annually
A study by University of Kansas researchers found that individuals with disabilities overwhelmingly believe access to healthcare is a vital human right. However, they also reported feeling marginalized and stigmatized, with many facing barriers to employment and healthcare due to restrictive policies.
Research suggests that having a spouse in the ICU increases the risk of cardiovascular disease events and hospitalization within a few weeks. The study found that spouses faced significant psychological stress, which may lead to increased cardiovascular risks.
A recent study by RAND Corporation found that private health insurers paid hospitals an average of 247% of what Medicare would pay, highlighting a significant disparity in hospital pricing across the US. The analysis covered over half of the nation's community hospitals and revealed wide variations in prices among states.
Out-of-pocket and total visit expenditures for primary care physicians have shifted towards private insurance and Medicare, impacting access. The study suggests that continued trends may lead to increased difficulty in accessing primary care services, particularly for Medicaid patients.
A new study finds the ACA nearly fully offsets reduction in employer-sponsored insurance for people who left or lost their job after its implementation. The law is critical in alleviating coverage losses related to the Covid-associated recession, but its future remains uncertain.
A new study reveals that half of those who have opened a health savings account haven't put money into it in the past year. Those with lower levels of education and health insurance literacy are less likely to open or contribute to an HSA.
A new study published in Stroke Journal found that having multiple social disadvantages can increase stroke risk by 50% or more. Researchers analyzed data from over 27,000 adults and found that those with three or more social determinants of health were nearly two and a half times more likely to experience an incident stroke.
A recent study by Case Western Reserve University reveals a correlation between states' voting patterns in the 2016 presidential election and decreases in health insurance coverage. States classified as 'red' had the highest uninsured rates, while 'blue' states saw a decrease of over 7.6 million uninsured adults.
A public health insurance option could reduce premiums for individuals by 10-27% due to lower provider payment rates. However, its impact on expanding coverage is limited, with only a 3-8% increase in insured individuals under most scenarios.
Researchers analyzed a large private health insurance database to investigate the association between health insurance nondiscrimination policies and mental health outcomes in gender minority individuals. The study found significant disparities in access to mental health care and treatment, highlighting the need for policy changes.
An analysis of medical insurance claims and productivity data reveals that non-fatal US injuries result in an estimated $1,590 and 11 days off work per injured employee every year. The study found that total medical costs for emergency care visits exceed $133 billion annually.
A new study from Annals of Internal Medicine reveals COVID-19 disparities affecting U.S. healthcare workers with risk factors for poor outcomes, as well as African Americans and Latinos disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The authors discuss lessons learned from prior experiences to reduce observed disparities.
A survey of US cancer survivors and their spouses found that nearly half stay in their jobs due to concerns about losing health insurance. The study suggests that maintaining employment is crucial for accessing post-treatment care and managing long-term health needs.
A study found that uninsured older adults in China are 35% less likely to receive needed inpatient care due to financial barriers. They also experience poorer health outcomes, including higher rates of perceived illness and mental distress.
FAIR Health has launched a groundbreaking website feature that combines clinical and cost information to support seriously and chronically ill patients in shared decision making with clinicians. The new tool offers three palliative care scenarios, including kidney dialysis, nutrition options, and breathing assistance.
A new study finds that the Affordable Care Act has reduced racial and ethnic gaps in access to health insurance, but significant disparities remain. The analysis shows that Black and Hispanic Americans are still less likely to have health coverage and more likely to avoid care due to cost, compared to non-Hispanic whites.
A recent study by Saint Louis University found that Medicare's current risk payment system unfairly reimburses healthcare providers for caring to patients with certain conditions. The system fails to account for factors like frailty, dementia, depression, and poverty, leading to unequal reimbursement rates.
Nearly half of middle-aged adults in their 50s and early 60s lack confidence they can afford health insurance in the next year. Two-thirds worry about potential changes to health insurance policies affecting them. Many avoid seeking care due to cost concerns, with those in fair or poor health being four times more likely.
A study of Medicaid expansion enrollees in Michigan found a six-point increase in employment or student status in one year, with larger gains seen among African-Americans, men, and those with low incomes. The findings suggest that expanding Medicaid coverage can help achieve fuller employment among low-income residents.
States with Medicaid work requirements have higher opioid overdose death rates and fewer substance use disorder treatment facilities. Increasing access to evidence-based opioid addiction care is crucial for individuals with these conditions.
A new study analyzes the value of Medicaid for low-income adults in Oregon, finding they value it at a fraction of their medical costs. The study suggests that Medicaid effectively acts as a subsidy for healthcare providers and state programs covering uninsured patients.
Patient visits to primary care physicians increased by 3.6% after Medicaid expansion, but ER department visits remained unchanged. The study found that factors such as data quality and state policies may limit the accuracy of findings.
An analysis found that rural subsidized enrollees pay less in premiums than urban counterparts after the Trump Administration's 2017 cut of Cost Sharing Reduction payments. Silver loading and switching have led to more affordable insurance for some consumers, but also encourage enrollment in bronze plans with less financial protection.
A RAND Corporation study finds that allowing people aged 50-64 to buy into Medicare would lower health care premiums for this group. However, it would drive up costs for younger Americans who buy health insurance on exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act. The estimated premium to buy into Medicare would be around $10,000 per y...
Researchers found that people with ACA health insurance are more likely to find themselves in 'artificial provider deserts,' areas with limited coverage, and must travel further to access care. The study highlights the need for consumers to carefully consider their insurance options to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
A new analysis suggests that Medicaid expansion provided greater improvements in health insurance coverage for married people, particularly women, compared to unmarried individuals. The study found that after expansion, uninsured rates were lower for married women by 1.6 percentage points than for unmarried women.
A new American Cancer Society study links health insurance literacy with medical and non-medical financial hardships among adult cancer survivors. The study found that those with health insurance literacy problems were more likely to report material and psychological hardships, as well as make non-medical financial sacrifices.
A study found that losing the automatic reenrollment option in California's Covered California marketplace led to a decrease in enrollment. The researchers analyzed data and reported a significant decline in enrollment following the removal of this feature.
The Affordable Care Act significantly reduced the number of people with diabetes without health insurance. Among those with undiagnosed diabetes, coverage increased from approximately one in four to just eight percent. This shift has substantial implications for the health and economic outcomes of these individuals.
Despite a decline in overall health insurance coverage for US youth, the number of well-child visits rose from 81% to 85%, thanks to ACA provisions covering preventive services. Racial disparities in access to care narrowed slightly, although Latino youth still lag behind.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that repeat ER users in states with Medicaid expansion shifted their use of the ED toward more severe conditions requiring hospitalization. The study also found a similar increase for illnesses not easily avoided by outpatient care.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis confirms that cutting ACA cost-sharing reduction payments improved health insurance affordability for Marketplace enrollees. Silver loading and switching strategies maximize premium affordability for both on- and off-Marketplace customers.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that private health plans pay hospitals an average of 241% of what Medicare would pay, with significant variations in prices among states. The analysis suggests that employers can redesign their health plans to better align hospital prices with care value.
Researchers found that patients with vision loss experienced longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs compared to those without vision loss. The study estimates excess health costs of over $500 million annually due to vision loss in hospitalized patients.
A new study found that the Affordable Care Act improved healthcare affordability and access for women, especially in low- and middle-income groups. The study demonstrated a significant increase in preventive care screenings and influenza immunization among women after the ACA's implementation.
Research finds that aging immigrants without health insurance are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease due to lack of preventive care and socioeconomic barriers. Health insurance coverage plays a critical role in mitigating this risk, particularly among recent immigrants.
A new study suggests the Affordable Care Act's requirements on pre-existing conditions and age clauses had a significant impact on adults with diabetes. The percentage of people with private health insurance who had diabetes increased after the ACA provisions began, especially among those in their 50s.
A recent study found that patients in Medicare Advantage plans are more likely to receive guideline-recommended therapy for coronary artery disease, compared to those in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. However, there were no significant differences in blood pressure and cholesterol control between the two groups.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that medical problems contributed to 66.5% of all bankruptcies, with 530,000 families affected annually. The study suggests that health insurance offers little protection to middle-class Americans and that private health insurance is a defective product.
A new national poll suggests that many people in their 50s and early 60s harbor serious worries about their health insurance status, now and in the future. The poll found that 45% of those age 50-64 concerned they won't be able to afford insurance in retirement.