Articles tagged with Insurance
A study analyzing 150,000 hospital discharges found significant insurance-related differences in mortality rates, length of stay, and costs for acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and pneumonia. Uninsured patients had higher mortality rates and longer hospital stays compared to privately insured patients.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that physician cost profiles can vary widely depending on the attribution rules used by insurance companies. This variability has important implications for both patients and physicians, highlighting the need for transparency and consistency in cost profiling methods.
A North Carolina State University study finds that agricultural workers in states requiring unemployment insurance spend 4.6 weeks fewer unemployed than those without insurance, earning 9% less upon re-hiring. Workers with access to benefits can find better-paying jobs.
A study found that patients with sickle cell disease experience a high rate of acute care utilization, with 18- to 30-year-olds at the highest risk for rehospitalization. The analysis included data from eight states and revealed significant disparities in healthcare usage among different age groups.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that about one-fourth of physicians would be misclassified under cost ranking systems, raising questions about their utility for high-stakes activities like tiered health plans. Only about 40% of physicians had cost profile scores at least 70% reliable, and fewer than 10% were at least 90% reliable.
A new RAND Corporation study finds California's failure to meet air pollution standards costs over $193 million in hospital-based medical care from 2005-2007. Exposure to ozone and particulate pollution causes nearly 30,000 emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
A team of economists and molecular geneticists found that individuals with a high-activity variation of the MAOA gene prefer longshot lottery plays and purchase less insurance, suggesting an inborn bias in financial decision-making. This discovery complements recent findings on the neurobiological basis of economic risk-taking.
A study by Yale researchers found that states with IVF insurance coverage have lower rates of multiple births compared to those without such coverage. The study suggests that increased costs for couples and insurance companies may lead to more embryos being transferred, resulting in higher-order multiple births.
A new study found that expanded insurance benefits and comprehensive case management increased hospice care use among patients with advanced illnesses. The study, published in Journal of Palliative Medicine, reported a 70% increase in hospice use and mean number of days in hospice care.
Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. donates the site of its New Orleans restaurant to Tulane University to create a neighborhood-based medical home providing care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The new center will serve over 1,200 patients per month and offer expanded services.
Danielle Varda, a Colorado professor, received the Article-of-the-Year Award for her article on public health collaborations, which analyzed data to advance understanding of health systems. The recognition highlights her contribution to the field of Public Health Systems Research (PHSR) and its potential to improve population health.
The study found that an accelerated path to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) can offer a shorter time to pregnancy and cost savings. Couples who followed the new shortened protocol had a higher success rate and lower risk of multiple births.
A new publication highlights the potential of index insurance to help manage climate risks and reduce poverty in poor areas of the world. Index insurance uses a weather index to determine payouts, allowing policy holders to access bank loans and other types of credit previously unavailable to them.
A study found that specialty tiering and high coinsurance in Medicare Part D plans impose a heavy financial burden on rheumatoid arthritis patients. Patients with high-cost biologic DMARDs may delay or discontinue therapy due to high out-of-pocket costs.
A recent study by North Carolina State University reveals that banks' Value-at-Risk (VaR) models are not accurately reflecting market fluctuations. This can lead to a lack of sufficient capital reserves, putting banks at risk of exhaustion and financial distress.
The conference highlighted the critical role of shipping in the global economy, with Rear Admiral Richard Gurnon emphasizing that paying ransoms to pirates is doomed to fail. The event also explored innovative technologies to protect cargo ships and discuss how maritime security affects U.S. economic security.
Studies found that employees with epilepsy cost third-party payors nearly three times more on average per year compared to those without the condition. Comorbidities accounted for 80% of insurers' total annual costs for epilepsy patients.
A study found that prior work experience can lead to lower performance at a new job, as workers bring old habits and skills that don't adapt to the new role. Employees who score high on adaptability and fit in with their company's culture tend to perform better.
Research suggests government insurance programs for bank deposits are overly generous, putting taxpayers at risk. Finance professor George Pennacchi proposes reforms, including a central clearinghouse requiring collateral for derivative trading and private-market insurance rates.
A nationwide study found that most child deaths occur while in the hospital, with newborns being the most vulnerable group. Children without insurance had significantly higher mortality rates compared to those with insurance, with mortality rates ranging from 0.33% for children with private insurance to 0.58% for uninsured children.
Climate risk insurance solutions can reduce financial risks caused by natural catastrophes, experts say. A proposed risk management module includes a prevention pillar and an insurance pillar to promote adaptation to climate change.
A study analyzing data from 8,563 trauma patients found no significant differences in the initial assessment and management of injuries based on ethnicity. However, minority patients were more likely to be younger, less insured, and treated at public hospitals.
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., which insures pensions of 44 million American workers and retirees, is facing a $14 billion shortfall that could soar as the economy shutters more businesses. Expert Jeffrey R. Brown predicts a government fix similar to the recent Wall Street bailout as the likely solution.
A study in JAMA Network found that only 5% of California parents with chronically ill children have used the Paid Family Leave Insurance Program, despite its existence since 2004. The lack of awareness and use of the program may be attributed to various factors, including perceived costs and benefits.
Researchers are conducting the first-ever tests on a full-scale house to simulate hurricane-force winds, using pressure boxes to create realistic conditions. The goal is to understand how buildings fail and make them safer through basic additions and amendments.
A new study reveals that ICU physicians are less comfortable discussing end-of-life issues and do it less frequently with African-American patients than with Caucasian patients. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,200 physicians and found a significant disparity in prognostic conversations with patients of different racial backgrounds.
The American Urological Association is calling for legislative action to cover erectile dysfunction therapy after radical prostatectomy. Researchers found that the costs of ED treatment are significantly less than breast reconstruction, but current insurance policies do not provide coverage for men with ED following prostate surgery.
Research found that individuals' expectations of recovering from whiplash injuries are crucial in predicting their likelihood of recovery. Patients who expected to make a full recovery were more likely to have fewer disability symptoms six months later.
A Stanford study reveals that cars with AI voices can collect sensitive data on drivers' habits, preferences, and emotions, potentially used by insurance companies, advertisers, and governments to influence behavior
A community-wide study found that nearly 28% of pediatric emergency department visits could have been replaced with telemedicine, freeing up resources and reducing costs. Telemedicine also offers personalized care and cost savings for insurers, who may realize $14 per child per year in savings.
A recent study found that self-referring physicians account for the majority of increases in diagnostic imaging ordered for privately insured patients. This trend is driven by fee-for-service reimbursement, which incentivizes physicians to perform scans in their own offices. The use of advanced imaging technologies has raised concerns ...
A recent study found that properties located within a floodplain have significantly lower sales prices compared to those outside the flood zone. The estimated price reduction is 7.3% on average, with a total loss of $11,600.
Two studies suggest that universal access to healthcare can reduce racial and ethnic barriers to treatment for kidney disease. Minority patients and those on Medicare or with less education had longer dialysis times before being wait-listed, highlighting the need for improved insurance coverage.
Researchers propose a new pricing plan where consumers pay an annual fee for medication access, potentially increasing patient compliance and reducing long-term health problems. The system could reduce periods of medication skipping due to cost, benefiting patients with chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, or asthma.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that fluoridated tap water reduces dental fillings and costs for all age groups, with older adults benefiting the most due to limited access to dental insurance. The study breaks new ground on adult dentistry, highlighting the importance of community water fluoridation for people o...
A RAND Corporation study finds that the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) improves private insurance markets, saves taxpayers money, and enhances protection for businesses. The study suggests expanding TRIA to include coverage for nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological attacks.
Researchers found that uninsured or publicly insured patients with acute appendicitis are at a higher risk of perforation compared to those with private insurance. This unexpected finding suggests that insurance status may be a more significant factor in health outcomes than previously thought.
A national study found that ICSI use for male-factor infertility has increased significantly, with a stable proportion of patients receiving treatment. States with mandated insurance coverage showed greater use of ICSI beyond male-factor infertility indications.
A new study examines patterns of care for whiplash patients and finds that increasing the intensity of care is associated with slower recovery. The researchers suggest that early aggressive treatment may delay recovery by encouraging passive coping strategies, rather than improving outcomes.
Aflac has expanded its support for the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), providing funding for four young investigators in pediatric cancer research through the AACR-Aflac Career Development Award. The awards also enhance education for early-career scientists attending the AACR Annual Meeting.
A recent study by University of Missouri-Columbia law professor Philip Peters found that juries often side with doctors over patients in medical malpractice cases. The research suggests that defendants' hired experts are more successful at persuading juries, leading to better outcomes for them.
A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that African-American children with private dental insurance and caregivers who have had preventive dental visits are more likely to see a dentist. The researchers also identified other determinants of dental care utilization among young, low-income children.
Uninsured individuals are more likely to receive less medical care, including recommended follow-up care, after a sudden health change. They also experience larger declines in short-term health and report worse health status months later.
A study found that emergency departments in the US test for chest pain differently depending on a patient's race, gender, and insurance. African American males were less likely to receive diagnostic tests, including electrocardiography and cardiac monitoring.
Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) has received two grants to continue and develop a new hurricane model. The first grant is $220,000 from the Florida Department of Financial Affairs Office of Insurance Regulation to predict hurricane insurance losses for commercial buildings. The team will also maintain an existing enginee...
A study found that black, Asian, and Hispanic patients, as well as uninsured individuals, are less likely to undergo complex surgery at high-volume hospitals. High-volume hospitals have been associated with better outcomes for certain procedures.
As heart procedures increase, it's essential to monitor success of new treatments and technology to keep costs down and quality high. Financial incentives from insurance companies and peer review teams can help improve care while reducing expenses.
A study of 40 wrong-site surgery cases found a rate of one in 112,994 non-spine procedures. Implementation of the JCAHO protocol would have prevented eight cases, highlighting the importance of site-verification interventions.
A study found that black and Hispanic parents are more dissatisfied with special needs healthcare due to language barriers and inadequate care. The research suggests that providing adequate medical interpreter services for Latino families and family-centered care can improve satisfaction rates for black families.
A report found that large employers are more likely to cover preventive services, while smaller businesses lag behind. However, even among larger employers, coverage is not universal, with many failing to offer services to help employees quit smoking and adopt healthier lifestyles.
A UCSF professor argues that paying doctors and hospitals to improve performance has little impact on care quality. He suggests that health insurers must consider the complexity of the system before deciding whether pay-for-performance works.
Bariatric surgery procedures have increased significantly since 1998, with a notable shift towards wealthier households and private insurance. Despite this growth, disparities persist in receiving bariatric surgery, particularly among men, those with public insurance, and lower-income individuals.
A study of 1,346 Florida physicians found that 54.4% decreased or eliminated patient services in the previous year, with surgical specialists and obstetricians/gynecologists among those most affected. Rising insurance premiums were linked to these changes, highlighting the need for policymakers to address access to healthcare.
A new study compares the environmental and health risks of nanomaterials production to those of conventional industries. The research suggests that the risks associated with making nanotubes are comparable or lower than those of wine production.
Researchers have developed a new approach to predicting flooding in the West, combining computer simulations with satellite imagery and field data. The method provides more accurate hazard information and could have significant economic impacts on rapidly growing Southwest cities.
Researchers will investigate how patient cost-sharing affects health care law, medical ethics, and the doctor-patient relationship. The study aims to better understand the impact of consumer-directed initiatives on these areas.
Craniofacial plastic surgery helps children with facial deformities gain social acceptance and improve their learning capabilities. The procedure can positively change how others interact with them, leading to better relationships and overall well-being.
A recent study found that foreign-born Asian American and Pacific Island women are significantly less likely to receive breast-conserving surgery than non-Hispanic white women, despite similar demographic and tumor characteristics. Language barriers and cultural factors may contribute to these disparities.
The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) proposes several key strategies to stabilize immunization financing, including expanded funding for vaccine programs and improved reimbursement structures. The NVAC also recommends expansion of the Vaccines for Children Program to include underinsured children in all public health clinics.
A study found that nearly all US physicians in six high-risk specialties reported practicing defensive medicine, with common practices including ordering unnecessary tests and referring patients for consultation. Defensive medicine may reduce access to care and pose risks of physical harm, particularly in women's health.