Articles tagged with Insurance
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
A new survey reveals that 57 percent of American adults have been surprised by unexpected medical bills. The public holds insurers and hospitals primarily responsible for these surprise bills.
A study by Rutgers physician Ehimare Akhabue found that states expanding Medicaid eligibility in 2014 saw fewer uninsured patients among major cardiac-related hospitalizations compared to those not expanding the program. This suggests that Medicaid expansion may have contributed to a decrease in these hospitalizations.
After ACA Medicaid expansion, more people filled prescriptions for buprenorphine with naloxone (opioid use disorder treatment) and opioid pain relievers in five states. The study found that this increase could help lessen the opioid crisis by providing medication access for those struggling with addiction.
Researchers at George Mason University propose a 12-step model to finance social determinants that could lead to significant cost savings for healthcare stakeholders. The model aims to incentivize sustainable funding for services like reliable housing, nutrition, and transportation, which are crucial for future health outcomes.
A new mobile application called Painimation uses animations to assess and monitor pain better than traditional measurement tools. The study found that over 80% of patients enjoyed using the app and it provided similar or more information about pain type and cause than existing questionnaires.
A new study published in Annals of Surgery found that bariatric surgery wait times in the US have increased significantly over the past decade, with eligible patients often facing longer waits. The delay is largely attributed to insurers requiring patients to lose weight before surgery, which can deter some individuals from pursuing th...
Researchers have discovered a new link between gene LLRK2 and Parkinson's disease, suggesting that therapies currently being developed for a small group of patients may benefit everyone with the disease. The study also found that LRRK2 plays a key role in clearing excess alpha-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's.
A new study analyzed prescription drug coverage policies for treating chronic noncancer pain, finding opportunities for insurers to redesign coverage and improve pain management. The research highlights the need to expand access to opioid alternatives through coverage and reimbursement policies.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that many wildlife-vehicle collisions in Ontario can be prevented with cost-effective strategies. The study recommends integrating effective measures into wildlife conflict zones during major road work, which could save millions in taxpayer money and insurance costs.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that private insurers deny coverage for life-saving hepatitis C drugs at a rate of 52.4%, while Medicaid and Medicare deny treatment at 34.5% and 14.7% respectively. The high denial rates may be due to varying restrictions on reimbursements among states.
A new UBC study found that disasters with significant human toll strengthen religious faith, while those with mostly economic damage do not. For every one per cent increase in injured people due to a climate disaster, attendance at religious services rises by four per cent.
A study of 150,000 insurance claims found that patients who saw a physical therapist first had significantly lower rates of opioid prescriptions, advanced imaging services, and emergency department visits. They also had lower out-of-pocket costs and a higher probability of hospitalization in some cases.
A new study from the University of Waterloo reveals that most insurance companies have not considered a changing climate in their practices. Insurers are failing to adjust premiums and coverage as extreme weather events increase in severity, frequency, and unpredictability.
Crowdfunding campaigns for unproven stem cell interventions often convey misleading information about treatment efficacy and risks. The study analyzed 408 campaigns, finding that 44% made definitive claims, while 36 mentions of low-risk interventions were reported.
The FraudBuster approach uses proactive risk prediction at the underwriting stage to identify unprofitable drivers who are likely fraudulent risks. This novel method can help insurers reduce fraud in high-risk markets, such as the automobile insurance market.
The study highlights how natural disasters can disrupt industries and regions, causing significant economic losses. Intersectoral and interregional linkages contribute to these losses, which can be up to 50-70% of standard estimates for major metropolitan areas.
A global scientific review finds that systemic pesticides like neonicotinoids are not as effective as once thought and can be replaced by alternative pest-management strategies. The study identifies diverse approaches, including ecological corridors, crop rotation, and biocontrol, to reduce environmental harm.
A study found that delivering infused chemotherapy in a physician office resulted in lower healthcare expenditures for commercial health insurers. The study analyzed data from over 283,000 patients who received infused chemotherapy between 2004 and 2014. Delivering chemotherapy at a physician office was associated with lower spending c...