Articles tagged with Insurance
The US healthcare system is failing to provide adequate care for traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors, experts warn. A recent report recommends using a comprehensive classification system that incorporates the Glasgow Coma Scale score, CT scans, and blood tests to better assess the severity of TBI.
Rates of cervical cancer screening have dropped in the US, with significant disparities found across sociodemographic groups. The study highlights the need for targeted campaigns to address lack of knowledge as the primary reason for not receiving timely screenings.
A survey study analyzed changes in acupuncture insurance coverage in the US from 2010 to 2019, revealing a decline in coverage over the decade. The study found that insurance coverage for acupuncture decreased significantly during this period, with significant implications for access to alternative therapies.
Researchers found that buprenorphine providers are less likely to discriminate between Medicaid and privately insured patients, but patients face numerous barriers to obtaining an initial appointment. Despite this, disparities persist in access to OUD treatment.
A new study found that having crop insurance in Indiana discourages the use of cover crops, which promote soil health and productivity. However, the impact is relatively minor, with only a 0.494% reduction in cover crop adoption rates for each percentage point increase in crop insurance participation.
Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) reached 47.6% among commercially insured white women with congenital disabilities, but were lower among Hispanic men with acquired disabilities. AWV use is nearly 15% less than the general population threshold.
A USC Schaeffer study finds that middlemen in the insulin distribution chain now capture approximately 53% of net proceeds, up from 30% in 2014. Meanwhile, manufacturers receive a decreased share, but the total cost to the healthcare system remains relatively flat.
Experts call for a national compensatory body and guarantee fund to compensate victims of mass-hacking, citing potential catastrophic consequences and financial losses. The UK has an opportunity to establish itself as a leading role in connected and autonomous vehicle development by creating an insurance fund.
The Charles Lazarus Children’s Abilities Center at Mount Sinai offers cutting-edge treatments for children with disabilities, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The center features state-of-the-art equipment and a multidisciplinary team of experts providing comprehensive care to children from birth to age 21.
New studies show that patients with abnormal screening results may face significant out-of-pocket costs for follow-up tests, potentially delaying care. For women, colposcopy costs rose sharply over 13 years, with some facing bills of nearly $1,000. Lung cancer screening CT scans also led to high costs for invasive procedures.
A new observational study found that hospitalists who worked more days per year had higher patient mortality rates. The study examined 1.2 million Medicare patients and suggested that longer work hours may contribute to poorer outcomes.
A recent study found that nearly three-quarters of non-elderly adults in the U.S. experience at least one healthcare-related administrative task per year, with those needing more medical care disproportionately affected. Existing racial and socioeconomic inequities also exacerbate these burdens.
A new study found that non-Hispanic Black and Mexican American adults are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at an average age of 46-47 years old, four to seven years earlier than non-Hispanic white adults. Preventive measures such as nutrition counseling and physical-activity programs can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
A recent study by University of Massachusetts Amherst found that fewer than 5% of well-child visits for privately insured young children included a recommended dental fluoride varnish application. This is concerning given the importance of this service in reducing tooth decay among children, which affects nearly 25% of 2- to 5-year-old...
A Korean National Health Insurance System study found frequent drinking is a more important risk factor for gastrointestinal cancers than the amount of alcohol consumed per occasion. This observational study suggests that individuals who drink frequently are at higher risk of developing gastrointestinal cancers.
A new study compares Medicare Advantage with traditional Medicare across different racial and ethnic groups, finding disparities in care access and quality. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to address health inequities in these populations.
Prices paid to in and out-of-network anesthesiologists decreased after surprise billing legislation was introduced, with California and Florida seeing significant drops. In-network prices also decreased in these states, suggesting a direct impact on provider-payer negotiating dynamics.
A survey study found significant disparities in insurance coverage and access to health care among low-income families and people of color across four Southern states during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed increased challenges in accessing medical care due to limited insurance coverage and other factors.
A new study warns of devastating impacts from an oil spill in the Canadian Arctic, affecting vulnerable indigenous communities. The risk assessment model predicts socio-economic impacts of up to $7.5 billion over five years.
A study compares Medicare's payment for common generic prescriptions in Part D to prices available at Costco, finding significant savings for patients without insurance. The research found that patients paying out-of-pocket at Costco spent an average of $10 less per month on common generic drugs compared to Medicare beneficiaries.
Researchers found a 4.3% decrease in ED visits and an 11.3% decrease in hospitalizations for chest pain under high-deductible health plans. Low-income patients with HDHPs were more likely to be hospitalized with serious heart conditions, highlighting the need for clinicians to account for potential delays in care.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that more than 60,000 people were treated for nonfatal agricultural-related injuries in US emergency departments between 2015 and 2019. The majority of injured individuals were youths, with nearly two-thirds being male and approximately 80% white.
A University of Gothenburg study found that nearly 12,000 people in Sweden received sickness benefit for COVID-19 during the first wave, with a median sick leave duration of 35 days. For 9% of participants, sick leave was still ongoing after 4 months, and those affected by long-term COVID-19 made up 13.3% of recipients.
Researchers estimated the extent of Medicare Part B medical services subject to private insurer prior authorization under coverage policies. The study found that these restrictions would have resulted in significant spending savings, affecting healthcare delivery and policy.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that patients who had virtual 'urgent care' visits for upper respiratory infections were more likely to receive additional follow-up care compared to those with in-person visits. This contradicts the expectation that virtual care would reduce downstream visits and emergency department use.
Physician burnout affects patients, with stressed doctors being less compassionate and more likely to make mistakes. Streamlining record-keeping is key to addressing this issue, as per a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
Researchers found that considering soil organic matter improves water retention, mitigating crop yield losses from drought. Including this data in insurance premiums could reduce liabilities by 36% while increasing corn yields by 35 bushels per acre.
A study by researchers at the University of Connecticut and others found that race and stream flow are significant indicators of flood risk behavior in US cities. The models showed two diverging patterns among metro areas, with 'risk-enduring' communities taking less action against flooding after a disaster.
Researchers at EPFL's HERUS lab used anonymized data from La Mobilière to develop a spatial regression model predicting 12 socio-economic indicators in six categories. The study aimed to show the potential of insurers' datasets beyond marketing purposes, guiding policymakers and government statistical offices.
A new study suggests that grandfathered rates in the National Flood Insurance Program could lead to losses for the NFIP as flood risk grows due to rising sea levels. Experts recommend replacing grandfathering with a gradual phase-in of risk-based insurance prices and providing means-tested assistance to lower-income households.
A RAND Corporation study suggests setting hospital prices can reduce spending by billions, outperforming other approaches like increasing competition or improving price transparency. The report finds that direct price regulation could save up to $236.6 billion annually, cutting national health spending by 1.7% to 6.5%.
A study found that unemployment insurance and a $600 weekly federal supplement reduced food insecurity in low- and middle-income households affected by COVID-19. The research investigated the association between these programs and food insecurity among job losers.
Recent advances in crop modeling and remote sensing can enhance the quality of index insurance programs, increasing the value that index insurance offers to agricultural households and communities. This approach enables inexpensive, quick coverage to many people who would otherwise be uninsured.
Over a 15-year period, the total number of unique patients seeing PCPs decreased by 2.5%, while frequency of contact dropped from 4.3 to 3.7 visits per patient, contributing to the primary care decline.
A study by Michigan Medicine finds that more than half of patients who received telepsychiatry during the pandemic want to continue with virtual mental health care even after COVID-19 ends. The convenience, avoiding exposure to the coronavirus, and patient experience factor heavily into this preference.
A new study found that neurology patients with high-deductible health plans are more likely to have high out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic tests and office visits. Out-of-pocket costs for tests increased by up to 190% over a 15-year period, affecting the ability of patients to receive necessary care.
Researchers analyzed data from a large national health insurer to examine hospital outcomes for patients with COVID-19. The study found that mortality rates declined significantly during the first 6 months of the pandemic, suggesting an improvement in treatment and care.
Researchers find that platform protection insurance increases product orders and variety-seeking behavior among buyers, while boosting customer retention and acquisition for sellers. The study also reveals that PPI acts as a reputable quality signal to reduce transaction uncertainty and purchase risks on the sharing platform.
A study found that virtual doctor visits are increasingly used, with different demographics accessing them at varying rates. Telephone visits were more likely among older patients, Black patients, and those with Medicaid or Medicare insurance.
An observational study found that receiving unemployment insurance is associated with improved mental health, better healthcare access, and lower health-related social needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests a positive correlation between unemployment insurance receipt and these outcomes.
A Michigan Medicine-led study finds that nearly 170,000 underinsured transgender Americans access hormones from non-licensed sources, posing health risks. The study highlights the need for improved insurance coverage and access to gender-affirming hormone therapy.
Researchers analyzed health records of nearly 3 million US adults before and after the 2016 presidential election, finding higher acute CVD hospitalization rates following the election. The study suggests that sociopolitical stress may be a contributing factor to increased risk of acute cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that orphan drug costs for children with rare diseases have increased by 65% over five years, with families facing significantly higher out-of-pocket expenses. The top three drugs driving the increase are used to boost height in children with growth hormone deficiency and are prescribed off-label for other conditions.
A study by University of Arizona researchers found that Black and Hispanic people are more likely to live in areas at high risk of flooding. The study suggests that certain reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program could disproportionately negatively impact these groups.
Researchers found that only 70.8% of children received any follow-up treatment for mental illness within the first three months, varying widely by ZIP code. Many children were prescribed strong drugs with little evidence of effectiveness, despite generally recommended therapy as a first line of treatment.
A study of 141 pediatric patients transferred to an adult rheumatology clinic found that continued insurance coverage and referral from a pediatric rheumatologist reduced delays in attending adult visits. Pediatric patients with connective tissue diseases or Black race were particularly vulnerable to unscheduled hospitalizations.
A comprehensive analysis of 59 real-time randomized experiments found that televised campaign ads sway candidate favorability by about 0.05 points and influence vote choice by an average of 0.7%. The impact of each ad is similar regardless of production, context, or target audience
Telehealth visits have skyrocketed for older Americans, with a significant increase in comfort levels and reduced privacy concerns. However, not all older adults see virtual care as an adequate substitute for in-person care, and some still lack experience or access to video conferencing tools.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that pregnant women face significant challenges accessing opioid treatment, including limited provider availability and high out-of-pocket costs. The study calls for policymakers to intervene and establish systems for timely access to life-saving medications.
A new study reveals that census areas with more white, affluent homeowners file higher flood insurance claims than lower-income minority residents. The researchers found that social demographic variables, including politics and property values, improve predictions of flood insurance claims.
A new study finds that Medicaid-covered mothers are three times less likely to feel they had a choice about their birth experience, compared to those with private insurance. Women on Medi-Cal were also half as likely to have a choice of prenatal provider or be encouraged to make decisions about labor and birth.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that most providers in Ohio do not offer same-day IUD placements, with 92% requiring multiple appointments. Insurance coverage was the primary barrier to access, with office staff often citing verification needs as a reason for the delay.
A new study from the University of Georgia finds that bariatric weight loss surgery is more expensive for public insurance patients compared to private insurance. The study analyzed a national dataset and found that Medicare patients paid the highest average cost per surgery, while publicly insured patients paid more overall.
Researchers found that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act is associated with improved breast cancer stage at diagnosis. The study also revealed disparities in insurance status, age, and race/ethnicity among patients before and after the expansion.
Research found that patients with ARDS experience financial toxicity, leading to physical and emotional consequences. Long hospitalizations result in large medical bills, affecting patients' ability to recover and return to work.
A new study finds that people with Type 1 diabetes spend an average of $2,500 a year on healthcare costs, with diabetes-related supplies costing more than insulin. The study also highlights the importance of automating glucose monitoring and insulin delivery for young children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.
A study found that only 16% of commercially insured patients received timely follow-up care after an opioid overdose, with black patients being half as likely to receive treatment. The lack of care is attributed to barriers beyond insurance status and highlights the need for increased adoption of pathways to initiate buprenorphine in EDs.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that 72% of patients with private insurance could face surprise bills for out-of-network air ambulance services, with average total costs up to $20,000. Ground ambulances also pose a significant risk, with 79% of patients facing surprise bills for non-emergency rides.
A large commercial claims database was used to estimate the percentage of U.S. women in their 40s with private insurance who received screening mammography in 2017, as well as national costs for this screening. The study found that nearly half of these women received screening, resulting in significant healthcare costs.
A new study has found that current flood risk estimates rely on inadequate methods for calculating damage, which match poorly with observations. A beta distribution characterizes building damage at a given flood depth, revealing a high-variability relationship between depth and damage.