Articles tagged with Insurance
The value of screening varies by condition, and it can both identify treatable conditions and subject patients to invasive evaluations. Researchers recommend carefully considering each condition's worthiness and exploring prospective studies on screening efficacy.
A study found that clerks at large urban medical centers make discretionary choices when deciding whether to provide care to uninsured patients. Despite policies being ambiguous or incomplete, most frontline staff reported not turning patients away.
Prudent-layperson laws have reduced emergency department denials based on symptoms, rather than diagnoses. Insurers are now more likely to cover treatments, and fines for non-compliance have increased industry-wide changes in ED claims management.
A new study found that transferred patients are sicker and more likely to die than those admitted directly, damaging hospital scores on measures used by patients, insurers, and employers. The 'transfer effect' must be accounted for in hospital benchmarking tools to ensure accurate representation of quality care.
A study found that 26% of jurors sanctioned deception by doctors to obtain care, while 70% favored appealing denied requests. The public's lack of trust in the healthcare system has led to support for 'physician gaming' to gain access to needed care.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that faceguards reduced facial injuries by 35% and safety balls cut ball-related injuries by 29%. The research analyzed over 6.7 million player-seasons of Little League participation, making it the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind.
A recent study by HealthPartners found that insurance coverage for smoking cessation programs had no significant effect on quitting rates. Despite previous studies suggesting the effectiveness of bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy, researchers found that smokers with coverage were no more likely to quit than those without it.
A recent study by Penn State found that disabled seniors formerly on SSDI spend significantly more on prescription drugs than the rest of the Medicare population. The study discovered that nearly half of these seniors spent 10% or more of their income on medication, highlighting a pressing concern for this vulnerable population.
A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that 11% of doctors are willing to misrepresent patient information to obtain HMO approval for surgery or additional procedures. The 'hassle factor' plays a significant role in this behavior, with more physicians willing to deceive if the appeal process is longer or more burdensome.
A study by Philip Breitfeld shows that initial hospital treatment costs can top $75,000 per child, but the average cost per year of life saved is just $2,700. Insurers lack access to data to justify spending on curative cancer therapies, leading to denied payments for high-priced procedures.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital suggests that HMO gatekeeping policies may not be effective in reducing specialty visits. The study found a small increase in new specialty visits, but no change in overall rates of specialist visits.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that generic drugs have stabilized at about 40% of prescriptions, despite growing market share. The team suggests therapeutic interchange as a viable solution to balance cost-cutting with effective medication.
A study in Manitoba found that altering drug benefits led to reduced prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids among children with severe and mild to moderate asthma. Higher-income neighbourhoods were disproportionately affected. The authors emphasize the need for policies not to deter patients from using essential medications.
A study found that managed care coverage improves the quality of care for children with asthma, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary emergency department visits. Children in managed care plans were more likely to see their primary care physicians before visiting the ER, leading to more appropriate treatment.
Researchers at Clemson University are testing 15 houses with hurricane-resistant retrofits to determine their effectiveness. The study aims to provide more accurate estimates of retrofit costs and benefits, helping homeowners decide whether the expense is worth it.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that 13 children died playing Little League baseball between 1987 and 1996. The research also revealed that ball-related mishaps totaled 15,266, with batters suffering most of those injuries. Face and teeth injuries accounted for 12,306 incidents, mostly to fielders.
A study by Stanley Changnon and colleagues found no evidence of an increase in catastrophic weather events, despite rising property losses. The growth of losses is attributed to the increasing population in coastal and urban areas, leading to a larger target-at-risk.
A study published in The American Journal of Managed Care found that insurance companies are losing money by requiring prior authorization for all tretinoin prescriptions for patients over 25 years old. In fact, the restrictions can lead to a high administrative cost due to the drug's applications beyond acne treatment.
The Patent and License Exchange will facilitate safe and efficient transfer of quality patents and licenses through a sophisticated searchable database, transparent pricing model, and new patent insurance products. The company aims to reduce the cash value lost due to inefficient patent markets, estimated at over $500 million annually.
A new technique discovered by Lars Sørensen allows thieves to unlock and steal from cars using handheld computers, exploiting vulnerable infrared remote controls. The method is being taken seriously by car manufacturers, who are investigating ways to mitigate the threat.
Researchers found that 69% of congestive heart failure patients in managed care plans were admitted to hospitals through the emergency room, compared to 29-58.5% for patients with other types of insurance. This may be due to barriers to outpatient care or timely hospital admission.
Most people are reluctant to purchase insurance against natural disasters due to perceived low risk and high cost, according to a 1978 NSF study. Property owners often forego buying insurance unless required by mortgage or in areas with regulatory restrictions on premiums.