Articles tagged with Health Insurance
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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.
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 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.
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.
This observational study found scheduled dialysis to be associated with reduced mortality, healthcare utilization and costs among patients with end-stage renal disease. The researchers call for scheduled dialysis to be the standard of care for any patient with ESRD in the US.
A national study found that older adults with unmet transportation needs, depression, or recent moves are more likely to lose their usual source of care. The study suggests clinical and social factors play a crucial role in maintaining stable relationships with clinicians.
Research suggests that the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion helped low-income families access more comprehensive care, leading to a significant drop in emergency department visits by uninsured patients in Illinois. The study found a 40% reduction in uncompensated care in emergency departments between 2009 and 2015.
A new study by Drexel University researchers found that Medicaid expansion reduced uninsurance rates for noncitizens from 70% in 2010 to 54% in 2015. However, disparities persisted between noncitizens and native citizens, with growth in the disparity observed between states that expanded and those that did not.
A study analyzed TV ads for ACA health insurance plans, finding a shift towards targeting younger, healthier individuals and emphasizing financial assistance, as well as a decline in mentions of 'ObamaCare' or 'Affordable Care Act'. The researchers suggest this trend may be related to low public understanding of the law.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion in Michigan boosted the financial health of low-income residents, with significant reductions in medical bills, unpaid debts, and bankruptcies. Those with chronic illnesses experienced the largest financial benefits, including improved credit scores and increased borrowing power.
A new study led by UCLA researchers found that the ACA reduced disparities in healthcare between Mexican-heritage Latinos and other Latinos, with a significant increase in health insurance coverage among Mexican-heritage Latinos after implementation of the law's major provisions. However, disparities persist due to legal status, income...
A new study by Bradley T. Shapiro found that TV advertising for health insurance has a small effect on brand enrollments, particularly in lower-income populations. The research suggests that regulators' concerns about 'cream-skimming' may not be supported by data.
A study by Washington University researchers found that community outreach and educational support led to a higher enrollment rate in ACA plans among Missourians in 2018. The initiative also developed an online decision support tool, Show Me Health Plans, which reported higher health insurance knowledge and confidence among users.
A new study finds that lesbian, gay and bisexual adults have similar rates of health insurance as their straight peers but are more likely to avoid necessary medical treatment due to cost. They also report higher levels of poor health days and mental health issues compared to their straight counterparts.
Experts recommend states guide doctors in certifying patients who cannot work due to illness, and connect Medicaid enrollees with job training and support services. States should also consider fluctuating work patterns when implementing reporting requirements.
A study published in The BMJ found that US opioid use has not declined over the last decade, with higher average daily doses in 2017 compared to 2007. Disabled Medicare beneficiaries were particularly prone to opioid use, taking higher doses for longer periods.
A recent study found that US sexual minorities are more likely to be unemployed and uninsured than their straight counterparts, with poorer health and quality of life reported. The disparities may be even wider due to the predominantly white and affluent sample used in the study.
A new study found that one in four working-age adults with type 1 diabetes experienced at least one gap of 30 days or more in their private health insurance, leading to a five-fold increase in emergency room visits and hospital stays. The gaps resulted in higher blood sugar levels and decreased satisfaction with life.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion increased the number of chronic kidney disease patients with Medicaid coverage who were placed on the kidney transplant waiting list. States that expanded Medicaid saw a significant boost in Medicaid-covered preemptive listings, especially among racial and ethnic minority patients.
A recent study by Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons found that poor older adults with Medicaid insurance who receive treatment for a critical illness in the ICU are more likely to die after hospital discharge compared to those with commercial insurance. The disparity is greatest among survivors of critical illness wi...
A new study found that breast cancer places a significantly greater financial burden on black women than white women, with 58% of black women experiencing negative financial impact compared to 39% of white women. Black women were more likely to experience barriers to care due to cost, lose jobs or private health insurance.
A new study finds that nurse-led task shifting combined with health insurance coverage is an effective strategy to control hypertension in Ghana. The intervention led to a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure compared to health insurance coverage alone.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reduced uninsured rates among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs), narrowing disparities with whites.
Researchers found that medical expenses account for approximately 4 percent of bankruptcy filings, contrary to commonly cited estimates. Poor health leads to negative economic consequences, including a 20 percent drop in earnings and an 11 percent drop in employment among adults aged 50-59 who were hospitalized.
A recent study by Boston University School of Medicine found that cardiac events and urinary tract infections were more common in Medicare patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The study also showed increased risks of central nervous system complications, gastrointestinal issues, and mortality among Medicare patients compared to...
A new study shows that parent mentors are highly effective in providing uninsured Latino children with health insurance coverage. At one year follow-up, 95% of Latino children assigned a parent mentor obtained health insurance, compared to 69% in the control group.