Articles tagged with Insurance
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.
A clinical study from Mayo Clinic found whole-exome sequencing to be a viable diagnostic approach for identifying rare genetic conditions, resolving diagnostic odysseys and improving patient management. The study reported a success rate of 29%, twice that of conventional genetic evaluations, with insurance coverage existing for the test.
Two Georgetown professors argue that a section of the FY 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act undermines science and women's health by requiring private insurers to follow outdated scientific guidance for breast cancer screening coverage. This action strikes at the credibility of the US Preventive Services Task Force and may discourage...
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a way to train smartphone activity trackers to spot fake activity, increasing accuracy from 38% to 84%. The system learns to recognize patterns of cheating, such as shaking the phone while lounging on the couch, and can generalize it across individuals.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that both traditional Medicaid expansion and the 'private option' approach significantly reduced uninsured rates and improved access to affordable healthcare for low-income adults. In Kentucky and Arkansas, which expanded coverage through these approaches, the uninsured rat...
The research aims to develop an efficient computational fluid dynamics code for fire suppression, including heat transfer, material flammability, and water spray dynamics. FM Global's FireFOAM simulation tool is available as open-source software to researchers studying fires and fire suppression.
Researchers found that including patient decisions about life-sustaining treatments in hospital mortality rankings resulted in substantial changes to hospital rankings. Hospitals admitting more patients who chose a 'DNR' status tended to have greater patient satisfaction and high performance on pneumonia care measures.
A recent study has found that mastectomy and reconstruction have higher complication rates and costs compared to lumpectomy and radiation. For younger women with private insurance, the risk of complications from mast+recon was two times higher than lump+WBI after adjusting for other differences in patients and treatment.
A University of Michigan Medical School team compared the cost-effectiveness of two anticoagulant drugs, dabigatran and warfarin, for preventing stroke in patients over age 65 with atrial fibrillation. They found that new drugs are more cost-effective for those with prescription coverage, but may not be worth it for those without cover...
A recent study found nearly 15% of ACA marketplace plans lack in-network specialists for at least one specialty. This inadequate coverage can lead to high out-of-pocket costs and adverse selection. The study highlights the need to enhance enforcement or update insurance regulations to improve patient access to affordable care.
A study of federal marketplace insurance plans found nearly 15% lacking in-network specialists for at least one specialty, affecting patient access to specialized care. This issue raises concerns about network adequacy and high out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.
A Penn bioethicist recommends increasing randomized trials, using better measures to quantify intervention effectiveness, and developing interventions that accurately reflect decision-making processes.
A growing number of state Medicaid agencies cover contraceptive devices immediately after delivery, improving maternal and child health outcomes. IUDs inserted postpartum have a slightly higher risk of falling out than delayed placement, but the risk of complications is low.
A new study by UK scientists found that geographically widespread animals are not immune to extinction during global mass extinction events. In contrast, they discovered that widely distributed animals are just as likely to suffer extinction as those with smaller geographic ranges.
A study found significant improvements in insurance coverage, access to a personal physician and medications, affordability, and health after the ACA's first two open enrollment periods. The largest gains were among racial/ethnic minorities, suggesting reduced disparities in access to care.
A new study found that young cancer patients often have limited knowledge about fertility preservation options, which can impact their treatment plans. Males are more likely to discuss fertility preservation with clinicians than females, but both sexes face barriers such as lack of insurance coverage and education.
Researchers found that SSDI beneficiaries who enrolled in state vocational rehabilitation agency services achieved work milestones at a faster rate than those who did not. The study suggests that provision of these services may be a means of reducing the costs of SSDI and improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that immediate birth control implant insertion after childbirth is more cost-effective than delaying it to a 6-8 week postpartum visit. The study estimates that immediate contraception can avert 191 unintended pregnancies and save over $1 million in the first year.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that larger physician groups tend to drive up healthcare costs due to their increased market power. The nationwide average cost of knee replacements decreased, but fees in highly concentrated markets rose 7% compared to less concentrated areas.
A study in Colorado found a 55% increase in diabetic ketoacidosis among youth with type 1 diabetes between 1998 and 2012. Younger age, African American race, and private insurance were associated with higher risk of DKA, while family history and public insurance were protective factors.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that religious women's opinions on reproductive health policies, such as contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act, are mixed. While some Protestant and Catholic women support employer-provided contraception coverage, others, including Baptists and other Christians, disagree.
A new study by University of Florida Health researchers found that brain tumor patients with private insurance have shorter hospital stays and fewer medical complications compared to those without insurance. They are also at lower risk of developing new conditions and dying during their stay.
A new study has found that brain tumor patients with private insurance have shorter hospital stays, fewer medical complications, and a lower risk of death compared to those without. In contrast, Medicaid patients are more likely to experience longer hospital stays, develop postoperative respiratory issues, and face higher risks of hosp...
A study found that graduated licensing can reduce crashes by 20-30% among young drivers. Experts urge the government to introduce a
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that some health insurers are using drug coverage decisions to discourage people with HIV from selecting their plans, resulting in higher costs for those enrolled in these plans. This practice could undermine a central feature of the Affordable Care Act.
Researchers at UCSB show that changes in river channel boundaries directly impact flood hazard trends across the US. Channel capacity needs to be considered jointly with stream flow for accurate flood hazard calculation.
Researchers rely on imputation methods to estimate immigrant populations' legal status and insurance coverage, but these methods may deliver inaccurate results. Inaccurate estimates can lead to planning and implementation of policies with unintended consequences for local groups.
A study published in the Journal of Healthcare Risk Management found that anesthesia-related deaths have declined, but complications persist. The research highlights the importance of patient communication, thorough medical history, and preoperative assessments to prevent injuries.
A study of 574 low-income adults found that stigma while receiving medical care was associated with unmet health needs and poorer perceptions of quality. Experiencing stigma led to worsening self-reported health despite equal use of healthcare services.
New research provides estimates for probable maximum magnitude events in subduction zones for various time periods, including 250, 500 and 10,000 years. Most subduction zones can generate M 8.5 or greater over a 250-return period; M 8.8 or greater over 500 years; and M 9.0 or greater over 10,000 years.
A new study finds that home monitoring of implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) has a comparable cost to traditional in-office monitoring. However, significant variations in insurance reimbursement across European countries impact the adoption of this practice.
Researchers tracked spending and utilization in three states and one insurance group, finding that price increases drove growth, not use. The study provides a mechanism for promoting provider accountability on prices through transparency.
A team of Rutgers University computer engineers has shown that even without a GPS device or location-sensing technology, a driver can reveal their destination using only speed data and a starting point. The 'elastic pathing' technique analyzes speed patterns to match street layouts, allowing for approximate route and destination identi...
The US National Flood Insurance Program is facing affordability issues, particularly in flood-prone areas. A proposed voucher and mitigation loan program aims to address this by requiring homeowners to invest in flood loss reduction measures.
Research highlights significant barriers to driving evaluations for older adults, including high insurance costs and low awareness among healthcare providers. The study suggests improved referral systems and third-party reimbursement could increase participation.
Recent Medicare data release reveals high payments to a few doctors, but experts caution that this does not necessarily indicate poor care. The data only shows the amount of care provided, not its appropriateness, and may be influenced by factors such as specialty and geography.
A national survey found that many Americans are concerned about planning for long-term care, but few have made arrangements. The study highlights the need for improved support systems to meet aging and long-term care needs.
Researchers found that Partnering for Health Services, a clinic in Pennsylvania, saved $201,414 annually by lowering emergency room visits and admissions. The clinic's model also showed improved patient outcomes due to more frequent care visits.
The report highlights the importance of sharing prescription monitoring data with third-party payers to detect inappropriate prescribing and dispensing, ultimately reducing opioid abuse and deaths. The recommendations aim to enhance insurer capabilities in monitoring prescribing patterns and improving patient safety.
Research finds that fertility treatments increase the risk of multiple births and prematurity, leading to health complications and significant healthcare costs. Experts propose six policy changes to mitigate these risks, including expanding insurance coverage for IVF and improving doctor-patient communication.
A new study recommends sweeping changes to policy and clinical practice to reduce the odds of multiple births after fertility treatments. By expanding insurance coverage for IVF, improving doctor-patient communications, and investing in research, fertility experts aim to minimize health risks and long-term costs associated with multiples.
Uninsured low-income adults in non-expansion states have delayed healthcare, emergency department visits, and multiple health conditions. Those in expansion states also experience poor health, but to a lesser extent. The study highlights the benefits of Medicaid expansion for those in need.
Emergency department usage in Massachusetts rose by up to 2.2% after the implementation of a 2006 state law expanding health care access, according to a study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. The study found that increased insurance coverage reduced financial barriers to care but did not significantly impact access to timely ...
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that brands can act as a replacement source of emotional attachment when a person-to-person support system is not available. Researchers discovered that exposure to fear can increase positive emotional brand attachment, leading to stronger consumer connections with brands.
The current terrorism risk insurance program provides government support for spreading losses and covering extreme losses, making the country more resilient to future attacks. Without this program, the take-up rate for terrorism insurance would likely fall, putting national security at risk.
A study analyzing patient telephone records at an IBD clinic found that frequent callers are more likely to be hospitalized or enter the emergency room. The analysis identified patterns of phone calls as a predictor of future medical interventions.
A study by the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that only 62-65% of adults aged 65+ received pneumococcal or influenza vaccines, highlighting a growing public health concern. The study suggests using Immunization Information Systems to improve vaccination rates and address financial barriers.
A new study by MIT professor Joao Granja shows that more transparent banking practices can help ensure stability when banks fail and reduce costs for consumers or taxpayers. The study found that banks with better disclosure practices received higher bids for their assets during bankruptcy auctions, leading to lower costs for regulators.
Research at the University of North Carolina found that patients with higher co-payments were 70% more likely to stop taking their cancer treatment and 42% more likely to skip doses. The cost of many new pharmaceuticals can exceed $100,000 per year.
A study found that psychiatrists are increasingly refusing to accept Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, leaving many patients without affordable mental health care options. The number of psychiatrists is also dwindling due to retirement and a lack of new medical students choosing the specialty.
A new study provides the first evidence-based recommendations for the use of PRP in orthopaedic care, identifying successful treatments and areas where further research is needed. The authors conclude that PRP can be effective for conditions like arthritis in the ankle and tennis elbow, but more study is required for other applications.
A Web First article by Health Affairs explores Shanghai's cutting-edge health care reforms and their successes and challenges. The study also reveals that the United States has the most complex insurance system among eleven countries surveyed, making it difficult for citizens to access care due to cost and time-consuming complexities.
The US healthcare system has shown slow improvement in outcomes despite economic success, trailing peer nations in life expectancy and disease survival. The analysis found that cost increases are driven by price of professional services, not demand for services or population aging.
The article proposes guidelines for physicians to disclose mistakes made by colleagues, reframing the concept of 'collegiality' as an opportunity to discuss quality problems. Barriers to these conversations include shame, stigma, and malpractice insurers, but institutions can foster a culture of transparency and trust.
A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that only 11% of children involved in bike accidents in Los Angeles County wore a helmet. Children over age 12 and from low-income and minority communities were less likely to wear helmets. The study highlights the need for targeted safety programs to address these disparities.
Michigan's Medicaid expansion provides a unique blend of public and private sector approaches to health coverage, blending compassion with economic realities. The Healthy Michigan plan includes market-oriented reforms and provisions that limit the state budget impact if certain benchmarks aren't hit.