Retainer-based medicine, in which patients pay physicians a flat periodic fee to cover a package of basic medical services, often referred to as a "concierge" practice, is reviewed in a…
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There you are, relaxing on a holiday and holiday weekend and for some reason you feel compelled to browse the internet and come across our Thanksgiving potpourri, hopefully not a…
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The Dartmouth Atlas project has issued numerous reports on variation in health spending across the United States. The most recent report focuses on cancer care for terminal patients and once…
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The Government Accounting Office interviewed representatives of a number of integrated provider systems to ascertain features, purported benefits in assisting underserved populations and challenges to the success of the organizations.
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New research reported in the NEJM finds that telemonitoring of recently discharged heart failure patients did not result in better outcomes than did usual care, but characteristics of the study…
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Thanksgiving approaches and we are thankful for the continuing stream of news to fill our Potpourri, including the effect of malpractice liability on Illinois' ability to retain physicians; the role…
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Another study, this time from the Center for Studying Health System Change, suggests that hospital market power plays a substantial role in health care cost increases and discusses some possible…
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Phillips releases its first in a projected series of reports on a global health and well-being index. The trans-country survey reflects commonalities and divergence around the world on levels of…
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Older Americans have a high rate of chronic disease and those patients are responsible for much of overall health spending. An article in JAMA explores programs designed to manage care…
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Concern about the growing number of uninsured Americans was one of the primary drivers of the health reform bill enacted earlier this year. Looking at the characteristics of the uninsured…
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A Towers Watson survey examined employees perspectives on their health plans. High cost sharing appears to be a major concern, but many employees are not taking proactive steps to help…
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The holidays approach, the Potpourri rolls on, this week unveiling information on potential savings for Medicare and Medicaid dual eligibles; EHR use's effect on physician revenue; likely physician reaction to…
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Cigna releases the latest of its annual reports on the experience of members in its high-deductible health insurance plans, finding that their medical costs continue to be lower in the…
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Studies continue to show the value of telecommunications technology in lowering the cost of managing chronic disease while improving outcomes. A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine reports on…
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A New England Journal of Medicine article further solidifies the susceptibility of physicians to financial incentives to overuse care when it assists them economically. Removing those incentives does not seem…
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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 khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.