The 2011 Milliman Medical Index was released, showing a 7.3% increase for a family of four covered by an employer sponsored PPO plan. Premium share and other out-of-pocket payments continue…
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Another Potpourri, this week delivering factoids on drug companies' use of technology to reach physicians, waiting times in Massachusetts, use of atypical antipsychotics in nursing homes, unnecessary colonoscopies, EMRs and…
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Malpractice reform is stymied at the federal level and state efforts appear to have run out of steam, despite the likelihood that reform would significantly reduce wasteful spending. New approaches…
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CMS' proposed rule and explanations for hospital payments for 2012 are lengthy but as usual give a great background on the issues that go into the payment elements. Hospital payments…
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A brief from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality looks at hospital charges in the United States, which accounted for 31% of total health care expenditures. Spending by payer…
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A Kaiser Family Foundation report analyzes health care spending across a number of nations, confirming that we spend a lot more than most developed countries and that our growth rate…
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A WSJ article examines the likelihood that the myriad of health care cost control measures embedded in the reform law will actually reduce costs, concluding that it is unlikely they…
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The Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality released a Statistical Brief looking at physician visits, finding variance in cost and out-of-pocket expense, depending on the setting.
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Two pieces of research discuss an example of extensive off-label use of a drug, finding that costs are being raised with little likelihood of an increase in quality of care.
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Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Programs provide coverage for a very substantial portion of the nation's children. The GAO issues a report on the adequacy of some aspects of…
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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.
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