Headlines – Page 347 – Healthy Skeptic

Jun 06 2013

hr

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

A study in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases finds that the variables related to readmissions for pneumonia are not in the control of hospitals, validating the inappropriateness of penalizing them for supposed excessive readmissions.

Jun 05 2013

calex

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

California misled the public when it initially described rate filings for plans sold on its health insurance exchange, in fact, premiums for individual policies will go up dramatically, in some cases more than doubling, and networks will often be quite restricted.

Jun 05 2013

hie

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

According to a new survey from AFLAC, most Americans don’t want to have to make more choices regarding their health insurance and health care and feel like they don’t have the time or information to do so. Not good news for exchanges.

Jun 05 2013

nyt

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

A New York Times story details cost comparisons that support the notion that unit pricing is the primary source of spending growth and high spending in the United States.

Jun 05 2013

ha

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

Hospital acquisitions by national chains tend to improve the acquired hospitals’ performance more than do acquisitions by other types of hospital owners, according to a Deloitte report.

Jun 05 2013

ev

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

A study by cancer guideline firm eviti suggests that much money spent on cancer treatment does not follow evidence-based care guidelines and is likely wasted.

Jun 05 2013

pa

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

More patients are being seen by non-physicians, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, especially for routine visits. Patients appear to be very accepting of the trend, according to recent studies.

Jun 05 2013

qm

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

Constellation Software, a Canadian company, has acquired long-suffering QuadraMed, in a transaction expected to broaden Constellation’s reach in health care and in the US.

May 30 2013

pp

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

A study of patient involvement in decision-making suggests that for patients admitted to a hospital, 70% preferred to leave decision-making to their doctors and that costs were a about $865 per stay more for patients who wanted to be actively involved in treatment decisions. At least in some settings, patient participation in decision-making may increase resource use and spending.

May 30 2013

ER

By Kevin Roche Headlines No Comments

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that requiring insurers to keep dependent children on til age 26 has increased ER use and added significantly to costs for that use.