Articles tagged with Insurance
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The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is considering adopting 'accountable care organisations' (ACOs), a US healthcare model that aims to improve care coordination and reduce costs. Experts warn that this change would be a major overhaul of the NHS without proper public consultation.
In Tanzania, consumers are willing to pay up to 7% for mobile money services that provide theft insurance against street robberies and home burglaries. The study found that people prefer to store cash in mobile wallets for short periods, with costs ranging from 1.52% per kilometer or 0.8% per day.
A groundbreaking study found that clot removal may be beneficial for some stroke patients even if they arrive beyond the 6-hour treatment window. Researchers used brain imaging and clinical criteria to select patients, showing significant benefit in nearly half of those treated with endovascular therapy.
A recent study found that foreign-born adults are significantly less likely to report health-related impediments to working and apply for disability benefits. This is due to various factors such as greater longevity, lower rates of chronic disease, and strong social supports.
Researchers adapted an Integrative Medical Group Visit approach to address chronic pain, fatigue, and depression in low-income Spanish-speaking Latinos. The program combined complementary and integrative medicine, medical group visits, and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, showing significant benefits.
A new Yale study finds that Medicare plans place few restrictions on the coverage of prescription opioids, despite federal guidelines recommending such restrictions. The researchers highlighted an untapped opportunity for Medicare formularies to limit opioid prescribing, citing a modest increase in opiate coverage between 2006 and 2015.
A recent study from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy found that social and cultural factors are playing a significant role in determining when patients receive opioid prescriptions. Patients with publicly funded insurance, those in the U.S. South, and Hispanic patients were more likely to be prescribed opioids.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that only 30.9% of patients prescribed PCSK9 inhibitors ever received therapy, largely due to copay costs and prior authorization processes. Patients with governmental insurance and those filled at specialty pharmacies were more likely to be approved.
Emergency room patients prescribed opioids are less likely to become long-term users, with prescriptions exceeding 7 days decreasing by 84-91% in ER settings. This study suggests that adherence to CDC guidelines may contribute to reduced opioid misuse.
Agricultural insurance can have a range of unintended ecological and social consequences, including declining biodiversity and soil quality. Insured farmers may adopt riskier cultivation strategies, leading to further environmental problems.
Professor Matthias Scherer and his team at TUM discovered new facts about Gumbel's life, including his statistical analyzes of court proceedings and newspaper articles. The researchers found that 326 out of 354 political murders by right-wing factions went unpunished, highlighting Gumbel's pioneering work in modern data journalism.
A study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that popular fitness trackers have security weaknesses that can compromise users' personal data. The team discovered vulnerabilities in communication procedures and demonstrated how to intercept messages and bypass encryption systems.
Middle-aged Americans face dental health issues due to lack of care and insurance coverage. Despite the importance of preventive care, many opt for delayed or no care due to cost and fear of the dentist.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that ACA marketplace plans offer significantly fewer mental health providers than primary care, highlighting the need for better regulation and incentives. The study suggests that narrower network design and lower reimbursement rates may contribute to this disparity.
A new study across Austria, England, and Romania finds that both public and private schemes can improve risk reduction behaviors and reduce losses in future disasters. The study suggests that insurers and governments need to better coordinate their efforts to design efficient, socially just, and politically feasible solutions.
Researchers found that age and tumor type are key factors in initial denial, with cancers outside brain/spine denied 4.5 times more frequently. Despite this, 97% of cases were overturned on appeal, highlighting the need to streamline the appeals process.
A new study published in Radiology found that insurance coverage for CT colonography significantly increases the likelihood of screening for colorectal cancer. The study, which analyzed data from over 33,000 patients under age 65, showed a 48% greater chance of screening among those with insurance coverage.
A large-scale analysis found that non-Medicare patients accounted for nearly half of all short-term readmissions, while psychiatric disease and substance abuse were the most common diagnoses among non-elderly patients. Medicaid patients had very high rates of short-term readmissions across all age groups.
Research reveals that insured patients struggle to secure appointments with psychiatrists, highlighting the challenges of accessing behavioral health care. The study estimates that a patient may need to call seven to ten psychiatrists to find an available appointment, underscoring the need for improved access to mental health services.
States that expanded Medicaid coverage saw a 2.5% increase in emergency department visits per 1,000 people after 2014, while uninsured ER visits decreased by 5.3%. The study found larger impacts on states with higher childless adult populations.
A comprehensive medical weight-loss program showed no significant difference in one-year weight loss outcomes between patients with insurance coverage and those who paid out of pocket. However, insurance-covered patients had slightly lower dropout rates compared to self-paid individuals.
The study found that low-income adults in Kentucky and Arkansas experienced significant improvements in medical care and health after gaining insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. They reported reduced out-of-pocket spending, improved access to primary care and preventive services, and better self-reported health. Additio...
A randomized controlled trial found that endovascular treatment was effective in reducing disability among patients treated within 6 to 24 hours after a stroke. The study showed that nearly half of patients who received endovascular therapy had a good outcome at 90 days, compared to only 13% of those treated with clot-busting drugs alone.
A new microinsurance plan for California earthquakes aims to provide financial support to residents who fall into a 'payout zone' after an earthquake. The plan, developed by Kate Stillwell, uses data on seismic shaking intensity to create a payout zone defined by census blocks and shaking intensities.
A study found that the 2006 Massachusetts health reform led to a significant increase in surgical intervention for thyroid cancer, particularly among nonwhite patients. The researchers discovered a 26% rise in thyroidectomy rates and a 22% increase in neck dissections among these patients compared to those with private insurance.
A recent study published in JAMA Network found that women with insurance coverage for IVF were more likely to attempt the procedure again and had a higher probability of live birth compared to those who self-paid. The research, conducted at Washington University in St. Louis, included 1,572 women and observed them through four cycles.
Flood insurance is becoming unaffordable for many NYC households, with 33% projected to struggle financially if updated FIRM rates are adopted. The RAND Corporation study proposes affordable programs, including means-tested financial assistance and grants, to mitigate this burden.
A telephone-delivered collaborative care program improved health-related quality of life and anxiety symptoms in primary care patients compared to usual care. The intervention also produced significant improvements in mood symptoms, with African-Americans and men reporting the greatest levels of improvement.
A study published in JAMA found significant price differences between what insurance companies pay for knee and hip implants versus the average selling prices paid by hospitals. The analysis estimated cumulative payment discrepancies of $225.3 million for total knee replacements and $199.7 million for total hip replacements.
A study of 28 commercial physician-rating websites found that patients can struggle to find relevant reviews due to poor search functionality and limited information about physicians.
A new study maps where US patients appear more ill than they are, highlighting the impact of diagnostic intensity on population health. Researchers found that areas with more aggressive medical practices tend to have higher health scores, while less aggressive areas have lower scores.
A new study reveals that nearly one in four people who seek emergency care for eye problems have mild conditions, such as conjunctivitis or blepharitis, that don't require emergency treatment. The researchers recommend ways to reduce inappropriate ER visits, including telemedicine and after-hours appointments.
The BMJ publishes a debate article on whether a dedicated tax is needed to fund the NHS, with proponents arguing it would reflect public wishes and provide welcome certainty. Critics, however, believe a hypothecated tax would not protect funding from economic uncertainty and that simpler solutions exist.
A study published in Health Affairs found that Medicare Advantage plans are paying more for patients with higher risk scores, despite no evidence of increased illness. The payment method could result in overpayments of $200 billion over the next decade.
A recent study published in New England Journal of Medicine found that smaller and more focused insurers are earning profits in the new healthcare market. The researchers attribute their success to their experience managing Medicaid programs, where they developed products targeting low-income consumers.
A recent study by New York University researchers found that Asian immigrants have lower rates of dental service utilization compared to non-Hispanic whites. The study, which analyzed data from the National Health Interview Surveys, identified acculturation and family income level as key factors affecting dental care use among Asian im...
A new study by University of Stirling researcher Dr Isaac Tabner suggests that households should carefully consider the costs of renting versus buying a home. The research highlights that even during favorable economic conditions, households may need to own their home for several years before buying becomes financially more advantageous.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion is associated with increased insurance coverage and improvements in asthma treatment, BMI screening, pap testing, and blood pressure control. Care quality also improved on seven measures, including care for asthma, pap testing, and hypertension, particularly among Hispanics.
A systematic review of authoritative guidelines on sugar intake found that many recommendations are based on low-quality evidence. The review suggests that public health officials and consumers should be aware of these limitations when considering dietary sugar guidelines.
A recent study has found that the frequency of US tornado outbreaks is increasing, but the trend does not resemble those expected under global warming. Instead, researchers attribute the rise to trends in storm relative helicity, a factor not previously linked to climate change.
A study found that patients who checked procedure prices were more likely to choose lower-priced facilities, especially for imaging services and sleep studies. Searching for price information was also associated with lower adjusted total spending for these procedures.
A multidisciplinary team will study how motor and linguistic speech information is encoded in the brain to develop specific treatments for speech disorders. The researchers aim to understand which neuronal activity in the subthalamic nucleus is responsible for different aspects of speech.
Economist Christopher Smallwood argues that private top-up insurance could prevent declining healthcare standards in the NHS. He proposes a French-style scheme where treatment costs are covered by the state and individuals make contributions for minor treatments.
Former USPSTF chairs, Virginia A. Moyer, Michael LeFevre, and Ned Calonge, suggest that guidelines should only inform, not dictate, insurance coverage decisions. They cite Mylan's attempt to influence the panel as a flawed example of this issue.
A pair of experts, Mark Fendrick and Michael Chernew, propose altering consumer cost-sharing in health insurance plans to make services more affordable based on individual patient and provider factors. They suggest changes to IRS rules, Medicare plan design, and encouraging value-based cost-sharing to promote high-value clinical services.
A RAND Corporation study found that people who gained health coverage under the Affordable Care Act's expansion increased their prescription drug use by 28% and had lower out-of-pocket spending. Those with chronic conditions saw even larger increases in prescriptions filled and reductions in costs.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people are more likely to inflate insurance claims if their original submissions are rejected. The researchers used a mock insurance claim scenario and found that rejection leads to increased feelings of unhappiness and dishonest behavior.
A new study by Yale University researchers found that high tobacco surcharges under the Affordable Care Act reduced smokers' insurance enrollment rates, contrary to the ACA's goal of universal coverage. The study also showed no increase in smoking cessation among smokers facing these surcharges.
Researchers found that customers with insurance are less critical of costs, leading to overcharging and higher prices. The study showed a significant difference in repair prices, with customers with insurance paying up to €128.68 compared to €70.17 without insurance.
A study by Matthew M. Davis and colleagues found a significant decrease in uninsured hospital patients from 5.8% to 2% and an increase in Medicaid coverage from 23% to 30% among non-elderly adults after Michigan's Medicaid expansion in 2014.
A new study reveals that the Healthy Michigan Plan has led to a significant shift in insurance coverage for hospital patients in Michigan. The proportion of uninsured patients dropped by nearly 4 percentage points, while the proportion of Medicaid-covered patients rose more than 6 points within three months of the plan's launch.
A new University of British Columbia study finds that ships flagged for illegal fishing can obtain insurance; researchers propose using vessel list checks to block such vessels from securing coverage. This approach is cheaper and more effective than traditional methods to combat illegal fishing.
Insilico Medicine scientists will present advances in deep learning for biomarker development and drug discovery at the ISFA-Columbia University Actuarial Science Workshop. The workshop aims to integrate deep learning with actuarial science to assess risk in finance, insurance, and other industries.
Cardiac arrhythmia is a significant complication following lung transplantation, affecting long-term patient survival. Researchers found that about 30% of patients developed arrhythmia, mostly during the first week post-surgery, with older patients and previous heart surgery being risk factors.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that at least 85% of intrauterine devices (IUDs) placed immediately after delivery remain in place six weeks later. This is promising news for reducing unintended pregnancies and associated maternal and infant outcomes.
Researchers found that financing treatment of hepatitis C would not only save lives but ease future costs for Medicare. Expanding screenings and treatment to all patients could generate more than $800 billion in benefits over 20 years. Policymakers must determine how to encourage private insurers to invest in the latest treatments.
A national survey of IVF cycles found that elective single-embryo transfer results in fewer adverse outcomes and ideal pregnancy outcomes, including single, full-term babies of normal birth weight. The study also shows that insurance coverage for infertility treatment is associated with increased use of elective single-embryo transfer.
A value-based insurance plan in Connecticut boosted employee use of targeted preventive services by 13.5 percentage points and reduced emergency room visits, leading to potential cost savings over time.
Experts warn that poorly designed insurance instruments could fail to reach poor communities, highlighting the need for tailored approaches and coupled with adaptation efforts. Policymakers must consider climate insurance as part of a wider strategy rather than in isolation.
A new study found that extreme tornado outbreaks have increased in frequency since 1954, with the average number of tornadoes per outbreak rising from 10 to 15. The variance around this mean has also risen four times faster, a phenomenon known as Taylor's power law of scaling.