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 provides some interesting insights.
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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 reduce those costs.
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 the SGR cuts, if implemented; characteristics of California health plan enrollees; CBO’s view of the impact of the reform law on drug prices and a health plan allowing nurse practitioners to be primary care providers.
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 first and following years, and they appear to receive as good or better medical care.
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 telephonic support for self-management of osteoarthritis.
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 to prevent continued delivery of the same care when it is needed.
Although health care products like drugs and medical devices get blamed for much of the cost in our system, they also often provide better care for patients and the companies making these products are an important part of our economy. A new report summarizes the state of the medical device industry.
New research covering aspects of end-of-life care in Canada and the US reveals that costs continue to be high, even though the use of palliative care in the United States has increased significantly.
There was a big change in the balance of power between the parties in this week’s midterm election but that change may or may not have a significant effect on the health reform law. Changes in government at the state level may have more of a near-term effect.
A new report from the National Bureau of Economics adds to the evidence that obesity is related to substantial health expenditures, but primarily concentrated in a few individuals.
The annual survey of employers in regard to their prescription drug benefits conducted by the PBMI is out. It reveals lots of interesting information about design and cost trends.
The Council for Affordable Health Insurance puts out the latest in its series of reports on mandated benefits, looking at not just the number and type of mandates, but the incremental cost they add to insurance premiums; a cost which is ultimately borne by consumers.
The Pew Internet project puts out its latest survey on mobile technology being used for health purposes. The survey indicates growing use of health apps and health information search capabilities, but with variable presence among demographic groups.
AHRQ released a report on high-cost hospitalizations, demonstrating the concentration of spending on a relatively few cases. The diagnoses are what would be expected and it is unclear how these hospitalizations might be avoided.
Is there anything scary about health care? Yes if you have to pay for it! Nothing scary about our Potpourri, just soothing health care nuggets, covering alternative therapies for back pain, CBO’s view on the reform law, peer interaction to help manage diabetes, diabetes prevalence, Massachusetts physician information, accountable care organizations, bias in clinical trial results and the effects of the health law on employer provided insurance.
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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