Whether the fear is justified or not, physicians and other providers are often motivated by avoiding malpractice claims. An essay in the NEJM discusses how EHRs and other health IT advances my affect malpractice liability.
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CSC put out a report giving its vision of the future of health care, with a particular focus on how emerging technologies may reshape wellness, prevention, early disease detection, treatment and how care is delivered.
We have reported several times on geographic variation in health spending, primarily in regard to Medicare beneficiaries, MEdPAC released a new brief that focuses on variation in use as opposed to raw spending, showing variation but to a smaller degree.
MedPAC weighs in unasked on some proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage program; objecting to CMS’ intent to limit benefit design flexibility on home health care and to CMS’s proposed quality incentive “demonstration.”
Once more into the Potpourri breach, this week covering CBO’s scoring of a repeal of PPACA; a global wellness survey; Medicare’s failure to use its data to identify abusive providers; Canadians’ view of their health system; Walmart’s preventive care package; and use of electronic messages to improve cancer screening rates.
The initial report on 2009 national health expenditures is profiled in Health Affairs. The recession had a notable impact in slowing utilization and overall spending, particularly for consumers paying out-of-pocket, but spending continues to increase at rates that probably can’t be sustained.
An incredibly useful paper has been issued by the mHealth Regulatory Coalition on issues surrounding potential FDA regulation of communications technology used for health-related purposes. The paper provides background and a discussion of the significant issues upon which the industry, patients and providers need guidance.
Cost-sharing by consumers is an issue of the greatest importance in an era of increasing premium share, high deductibles, and coinsurance. A new report looks at the potential health consequences but is not without its biases.
PWC gives its perspective on major trends for 2011 in a recently released report. The trends are what would be expected, but some useful consumer survey information is included.
Off we go into 2011, with more snippets of health developments including the OIG’s 2011 work plan; an international survey of internet usage for health purposes, physicians’ understanding of patients’ belief systems, medical tourism and care management for persons with multiple chronic conditions.
The high prevalence of medications as the primary method of treatment especially for chronic diseases has led to focus on ensuring that patients take the drugs that are prescribed for them. A review article examines the outcome of research on various intervention programs to encourage adherence.
Venture capital funding has been in the doldrums since the recession began but has rebounded along with the recovery. Two new reports suggest that exits have improved, allowing a refresh of the capital pool, and that VCs are more optimistic about 2011.
The Agency for HealthCare Research & Quality released a brief on hospitalizations among the elderly. This category of service accounts for a significant and growing portion of national health spending and warrants attention if Medicare costs are to be contained at an affordable level.
The expansion in government encouraged HIT, particularly EMRs, has researchers busy trying to identify cost and quality effects. Another recent study suggests that the effect of EMRs on quality is complex and not necessarily always beneficial.
Happy New Year and a prosperous 2011 to all of you, a prosperity which undoubtedly will be aided by the insights from our Potpourris, which this week include physicians’ use of patient satisfaction data, drugs for children, Medicaid quality measures, health reform provisions taking effect in 2011 and the FDA’s rate of drug approval in 2010.
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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