Research published at the National Bureau of Economic Research examines Oregon’s use of a value-based insurance design to reduce utilization of low-value services.
A survey from the Employee Benefits Research Institute elicits employee perceptions of health care.
A recent MedPAC meeting included a discussion of the effects of provider consolidation.
CMS’ official report on national health spending for 2015 is out and reported in Health Affairs. Spending growth accelerated in 2015 and is probably continuing to do so in 2016.
A study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry finds that telemedicine appears as efficacious as in-person therapy.
The 2015 Health Care Cost Institute report on cost trends for employer-sponsored health insurance has been released.
A meta review of palliative care studies in JAMA finds less impact on outcomes than commonly thought to exist.
New research on geographic health spending variation focuses on changes in treatment following patient residence changes.
Another recent AHRQ statistical brief looks at the distribution of out-of-pocket spending.
It has been an intense and stressful year for those of us in the United States–elections, shootings, terror threats, high health care costs, etc. Even more than usual, we may be looking to the holidays as an opportunity for relaxation and escape. So I wish for each of you a very pleasant time with family, significant others, friends, pets and whatever other companions and activities you enjoy. Take pleasure in these things and forget the rest, at least for a few days.