McKinsey publishes an article on disease management, focusing on overseas experience and finding that properly designed and managed programs can lower costs, improve outcomes and increase patient satisfaction.
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GAO issued its latest trend report on drug prices, which confirmed that for branded medications prices continue to rise well above the rate of either Medical CPI or general inflation, but generics hold down overall cost rises.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission commented on the Medicare program’s proposed rule for a hospital value-based purchasing initiative, generally agreeing with CMS’ recommendations.
Our Ides of March Potpourri, featuring two studies of the impact of wellness programs; the link between hospital spending and mortality outcomes; HHS waiving the MLR requirement for Maine; bills to have CMS disclose physician practice patterns; and research on smoking cessation techniques.
Feeling blue, don’t read this post. It is collection of research reports related to death and end-of-life care. Mostly positive trends, not that it helps those who make up the statistics.
Is it always better for providers of health care to have to fully disclose their actual charges to various payers? A NEJM Perspective suggests that it may not be and that other forms of disclosure may be more useful.
Research published in Health Affairs examines the real-life costs of implementing an EHR system in a primary care practice setting, finding that while costs are significant, they may be largely covered by potential incentive payments.
An AHRQ Statistical Brief examines where drug spending went in 2008, finding that spending was concentrated in five therapeutic categories which accounted for about two-thirds of total outlays.
Another in our weekly series of health care nuggets, with this week’s Potpourri featuring Medicare beneficiaries and physician supply, the FDA’s position on certain device software, a wellness survey, the AMA’s stance on genetic testing, marketing of drugs, and an integrated disability and health care program.
End-of-life care accounts for a very substantial fraction of all health spending and appears to vary geographically, as does much other spending. Research looked at what may determine end-of-life spending and its variation around the country.
A study comparing French and British populations examines the link between socioeconomic status and mortality, finding that cultural differences may result in a different causative relationship in different countries.
High-deductible plans often have health savings accounts associated with them. New research looks at the effect of HSA-linked plans on utilization and spending, finding significant reductions, but concerns about use of preventive services.
A new report looks at the out-of-pocket health spending in the last year of life for Medicare beneficiaries. The spending is not only large but highly variable and undoubtedly puts a significant financial strain on most of these people.
Hopefully winter nears its end; it has been brutal where we are. This week’s Potpourri may offer a little diversion, covering defensive medicine, a pediatric tele-consultation service, home stroke rehabilitation, consumers’ ability to afford care, patient satisfaction and hospital readmission rates and a mobile phone app to improve medication adherence.
The latest Dartmouth Atlas work looks at variation in elective surgery rates in the context of patient involvement in decision-making. The report highlights differences in treatment for a number of common conditions and provides good advice for patients.
About this Blog
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at [email protected].
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