Articles tagged with Insurance
A new study found that racial and ethnic minority women are more likely to experience gaps in insurance coverage during pregnancy, leading to increased risks of maternal morbidity and mortality. The study suggests that extending Medicaid coverage to one year after birth could reduce disparities in postpartum health.
This study estimated annual health care spending in the US by payer and health condition, including low back pain, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease. The analysis revealed significant variations in spending across different payers and health conditions.
A new study estimates that Americans spent an estimated $380 billion on low back and neck pain in 2016, combined with other musculoskeletal disorders. This accounts for 14.1% of the total $2.7 trillion in healthcare spending that year.
A study using large health insurer claims data found that approximately 1 in 5 patients received surprise out-of-network bills after having in-network elective surgery. The average potential balance was $2,011, with anesthesiologists and surgical assistants being the most common providers involved.
An economic evaluation of 3.3 million drug insurance claims found that implementing reference pricing was associated with physicians and patients adopting the least expensive alternative within a drug class. The study suggests that this policy change may have a positive impact on healthcare costs and access to essential medications.
A new Tulane University study published in JAMA Network Open found that black and Hispanic patients are more likely to be offered appointments but asked about insurance status, and receive appointments further in the future. This bias in scheduling systems can lead to longer wait times and worse health outcomes for these groups.
A large study of over 33,000 bariatric surgery patients found that gastric bypass patients were significantly more likely to end up back in the hospital after five years compared to those who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. The researchers also found higher rates of endoscopy and abdominal operations for gastric bypass patients.
A study found that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) decreased coverage disruptions among low-income adults. The researchers estimated that half a million fewer adults experienced churning annually, leading to improved access to care and reduced emergency department visits.
Children with public and private insurance are both likely to receive unnecessary medical services, highlighting the need for global efforts to reduce waste. Researchers estimate that up to 4% of publicly insured and 3% of privately insured children receive low-value care at least twice.
Researchers found that opioid prescribing patterns were linked to an increased risk of overdose among adolescents and young adults without cancer. The study used a private insurance claims database to examine 2.7 million individuals, revealing significant associations between opioid use and overdose risk.
A new RAND Corporation study finds that federal disability benefits encourage more family caregiving, with recipients increasing in-kind assistance from adult children and enabling them to reallocate time to care for their parents. The study also shows a significant increase in the likelihood of children receiving payment for their help.
The world's first 'Fisheries Index Insurance' scheme aims to protect Caribbean fishing communities from extreme weather events. However, policymakers must complement climate risk insurance with adaptations actions in coastal ecosystems to ensure its effectiveness.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers found that the 2008 parity law increased Medicaid acceptance rates for substance use disorder treatment centers by more than 10 percentage points. The increase was attributed to an 8.4% boost in 2009, with higher acceptance rates in the Northeast and lower rates in the South and Southeast.
A study from 1900 to 2018 found that hurricanes have become more damaging over time. The researchers developed a method to compare the impact of hurricanes across centuries and found that storms with high land area destruction increased in frequency faster than moderately damaging storms.
A recent study found that implementation of the Affordable Care Act improved insurance coverage for people with both HIV and cancer. However, disparities in insurance coverage still exist among minorities and low-income individuals, who are more likely to live in non-expansion states. The study suggests that further insurance coverage ...
Research found brand pharmaceutical company discount cards for brand-name drugs increased private insurer costs by 46%. The study analyzed data from 2.8 million prescriptions, showing that patients using these cards often paid more due to higher insurance premiums.
A widely used healthcare algorithm was found to show significant racial bias in predicting health risks of black patients. The algorithm underestimates the health needs of black patients and overestimates their health, leading to reduced care allocation.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are using unmanned aerial vehicles to quickly assess damage from natural disasters. The team aims to reduce wait times for homeowners to receive insurance adjusters, who often take months or years to visit their sites.
A new study finds that US suicide rates have jumped 41% since 1999, with rural areas bearing the brunt. Factors contributing to higher rates include lack of insurance, gun shop density, poverty, and low social connections.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that speeding is a strong predictor of car crashes, while hard braking and acceleration had no statistically significant links. The analysis used data from 28 million trips and suggests that insurance companies should look at speed when assessing driver risk.
Experts recommend altering the insurance industry by investing in open-source risk models to enhance society's ability to recover from disasters linked to climate change. The models should provide a long-term view of climate risk and link to insurance solutions.
A study of 8,183 TRICARE patients found no significant differences in quality-of-care metrics between African American and white patients following coronary artery bypass grafting. The results suggest that universal insurance and equal-access healthcare systems may be eradicating racial disparities in care.
A study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that credit default swaps (CDS) can cushion stock prices against credit downgrades. Companies with CDS saw a 44-52% reduction in stock price drops after a downgrade, compared to those without CDS.
A new study found that regularised migrants still face issues with work conditions and opportunities, with many trapped between formal and informal labour markets. The research highlights the importance of labour markets in creating spaces for undocumented workers to live and work.
A study using national insurance claims data found an association between opioid prescriptions after vaginal or cesarean delivery and increased rates of new persistent opioid use among US women. The study included over 988,000 women and explored the long-term effects of post-delivery opioid use.
A study analyzing the NASDAQ100 index found that order deletions increase the bid-ask spread more often than trades do. The researchers also discovered that when the number of deletions exceeds the number of trades, stock prices become more varied across different stocks.
A global payment model has slowed spending growth on medical claims by nearly 12% while improving quality of care, particularly for patients with chronic diseases. The study found that patients received improved preventive care and management of conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Researchers found that drivers who switch insurance companies bring higher risk than 'equivalent own' customers, with a 21% higher cost to serve. Higher-risk drivers tend to be with an insurer for less than two years and generate more claims.
A new study published in Annals of Surgery highlights the advantages of living-donor liver transplant over deceased donor transplants, including better three-year survival rates for patients and lower hospital costs. The findings suggest that living donation should be considered the first option for most patients with liver disease.
A new study found that nearly 10 million Americans gained coverage under the ACA, but twice as many remained uninsured. The researchers discovered major gaps in coverage and access to care for low-income Americans and communities of color.
A recent study found that natural biodiversity can effectively buffer farmers' incomes against droughts and other weather-related shocks in tropical regions. Farmers in areas with greater biodiversity took less of an income hit from droughts compared to those with lower biodiversity.
A new study suggests that patients are nearly three times more likely to develop urinary tract infections after discharge than while in the hospital, highlighting the need for further monitoring and research.
Research found a significant association between family members having opioid prescriptions and increased risk of overdose among individuals without opioid prescriptions, applicable to all age groups. The study also showed that greater quantities of prescribed opioids are linked to higher overdose risks.
A substantial proportion of US adults reported recently having an eye exam, with 82% getting one in the past two years. Reasons for not getting an exam included lack of insurance or cost, while vision impairment may have limited survey participation.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that thousands of Arkansas adults lost insurance coverage after implementing Medicaid work requirements, with most not gaining new coverage and becoming uninsured due to confusion and red tape. The policy did not achieve its goal of getting people into new jobs or private insurance.
Research suggests that high-deductible insurance plans can lead to delayed medication dosages and hospitalizations among COPD patients. Patients with high deductibles are more likely to forgo needed healthcare due to financial constraints.
A new safety scale, developed by Drexel researchers, measures the safety climate of fire departments to gauge management and supervisor support for safety initiatives. The tool has been shown to increase employee morale and reduce accidents among firefighters.
A new study has found that for-profit dialysis providers are charging private insurers up to four times more than government payers for the same treatment. DaVita alone controls 37% of the U.S. market and operates over 2,500 clinics, with annual financial statements revealing significantly higher prices paid by private insurers.
A new study at the University of Utah Health found that drug-induced death is the most common cause of pregnancy-associated death in Utah. Postpartum women who have previously or currently struggle with substance abuse are at greater risk of overdosing.
A study of private insurance claims found that only 1.5% of high-risk opioid overdose patients received naloxone prescriptions during healthcare encounters. Prior diagnoses of opioid misuse or dependence were associated with higher naloxone prescription rates.
Researchers analyzed 215,000 ED visits to find disparities in transfers based on insurance status. Uninsured and Medicaid patients faced higher risk of transfer compared to privately insured patients, with uninsured patients more likely to be discharged.
A new study reveals that patients and their families have borne an increased financial burden for growth hormone treatment since its FDA approval in 2003. The cost burden has risen by 234% due to increased copayments, deductibles, and insurance restrictions.
Academic time constraints and career frameworks are significant barriers to collaboration between scientists and business. However, research has identified ways to overcome these obstacles, including collecting evidence of impact and providing training for academics to work with businesses.
US breast cancer patients experience significant economic burdens due to treatment side effects like lymphedema. Patients advocate for policy changes and institutional adaptations to address these challenges. Recommendations include improved insurance coverage, expanded support services, and enhanced financial assistance.
A study found that paying patients to use lower-priced medical providers can reduce healthcare spending by an average of 2.1%. The program offered a cash reward to patients who used lower-priced providers, resulting in a 4.7% decrease in MRI prices, 2.5% decrease in ultrasound prices, and 1.7% decrease in mammogram prices.
A recent study found that flood mapping information in Canada is inadequate, incomplete and hard to locate, leaving homeowners exposed to significant financial risk. The study highlights the need for better information availability to help homeowners determine if their homes are at risk from flooding.
A study of over 346,000 patients found that those with a family member using opioids long-term were more likely to develop persistent opioid use after first-time prescriptions for surgical or dental procedures. Persistent opioid use was seen in 4.1% of patients with a long-term family opioid user compared to 2.4% without.
Research found that users of usage-based insurance (UBI) improve their driving safety while enrolled, allowing them to control premium costs. UBI also shows promise in reducing hard braking incidents by up to 21% after six months.
A study reveals that one in thirteen financial advisers have a misconduct-related disclosure on their record, resulting in costly consequences for the industry. Repeat offenders make up approximately one-quarter of all misconduct cases, highlighting the need for increased market transparency and stricter penalties.
Between 2008 and 2016, antibiotic prescribing by dermatologists declined overall, driven largely by a decrease in extended courses for acne and rosacea. However, the use of postoperative antibiotics after surgical visits increased, raising concerns that practice should be evaluated
The US has the highest per capita health care spending among developed countries, largely attributed to higher prices. A study found that despite efforts to control spending, the US continues to outspend other countries on healthcare, with a significant gap between public and private insurer payments.
A study examined characteristics of physicians excluded from Medicare and state public insurance programs for fraud, health care crimes or unlawful prescribing of controlled substances. Physicians excluded were more likely to be male, have osteopathic training, be older or practice in specific specialties.
A new study by IHME finds that the average US outpatient visit costs nearly $500, highlighting the high cost of healthcare in the country. The study also estimates that universal health coverage (UHC) for all nations would require a significant increase in admissions and visits, with costs estimated at $576 billion.
Researchers found that shifting premium payments to harvest time increased insurance adoption by 67 percentage points. This solution addresses cash constraints and present bias, crucial for success.
A new report highlights the common challenges faced by large health systems when implementing telehealth programs, including engaging leadership, prioritizing areas for support, and educating patients. Despite these hurdles, investing in telehealth can lead to significant cost savings and improved patient access.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that flipped classroom teaching improved medical certificate writing skills compared to traditional lectures. The research involved 40 students from each group and showed a significant difference in scores, with flipped classroom students scoring better on average.
A research team led by M. Kit Delgado will investigate strategies to reduce cell phone use while driving, including smartphone-based 'nudges' and usage-based insurance programs. The goal is to develop insights on how safe driving discounts could be redesigned to reward safer drivers with lower insurance premiums.
A special supplement to the Journal of Political Economy honors the life and work of Nobel laureate Gary S. Becker, featuring contributions from prominent economists. The issue explores Becker's influential research on human capital, social institutions, and inequality.
Despite record-high infection rates, many patients only receive treatment for their own infection, while partners are often left without access to antibiotics or a prescription. Experts highlight the need to overcome barriers, including stigma and policy hurdles, to increase the use of expedited partner therapy.
A study of 3,000 Medicare beneficiaries found that adults from minority racial/ethnic groups were less likely to use low-vision devices, despite evidence of their benefits. However, there was no difference in the use of vision rehabilitation services between racial/ethnic groups.