It is an oft repeated claim that there are hundreds of billions of dollars of waste in the health system, which if limited or removed would greatly relieve financial pressure on public budgets, companies and individuals. A Thomson Reuters report gives its view on where the waste is and how it can prevented.
The medical home is one of the hot concepts which is supposed to improve quality and lower costs. Many demonstrations are under way. A special issue of the Annals of Family Medicine reports on one of the largest of these.
The Administration has been caught again in how misleading its arguments in favor of the “reform” law were; this time in regard to how many employer-sponsored health plans will have to change as a result of the bill.
Physicians are experimenting with retainer-like payments for uninsured patients. It appears that this may be attractive to many uninsured persons and may allow physicians to accrue more revenue than they do for a Medicaid patient.
Milliman issued its annual look at health care costs for a family of four, including employer payments and out-of-pocket. Costs continue to rise well-above the rate of inflation or GDP growth.
Another potpourri of health care items, including telemedicine, mergers and acquisitions, unnecessary medical care, Massachusetts struggle with health insurance rates and health costs, e-visits, and a different suggestion for reforming the system.
An MGMA survey and an article based on the survey provide a look at where physician employment and compensation is headed. Hospitals look to be extending their power and leverage.
Two federal budget experts examine CBO’s final analysis of the deficit effect of the health reform bill as passed and find that it is very likely that instead of a small amount of deficit reduction over the next decade, it will likely to add to an already desperate federal fiscal crisis.
As long as cost pressures continue, people will search for new and better ways to control them. One area of focus has been the cost of a physician interaction and group visits are an emerging approach to reduce that cost.
One theory for improving the health care system is to rely on more-informed and engaged consumers to help improve decision-making about treatment options. A recent Health Affairs article suggests there is a long way to go on this goal.
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].
© 2023 Healthy Skeptic.
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