Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Navigator
A Kaiser Health News article noted: “A new study gives ammunition to what health economists and health insurers have argued for years: When hospitals buy physician practices, the result is usually higher hospital prices and increased spending by privately insured patients.”
“The study, published … in the journal Health Affairs, was based on an analysis of 2.1 million hospital claims from workers of self-insured employers between 2001 and 2007. The analysis by Stanford University researchers found prices were most likely to increase when hospitals bought physician practices, as opposed to hospitals forming looser contractual relationships with physicians.” (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Navigator
The Kaiser Health News article noted: “The recent economic downturn and the increasing use of high-deductible insurance plans ‘has driven patients to want to put off paying their bills…,’ Whether it’s for a hip replacement or a broken bone, he frequently sees patients on the hook for a $3,000 to $5,000 deductible.”
“Between 2008 and 2012, multispecialty practices saw their bad debt go up 14 percent, according to a survey by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), a trade organization for doctor practices. That’s money that practices were owed but couldn’t collect. Some of them have begun to change their billing strategies to combat those debts…” (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Navigator
A Boston Globe article noted: “This patient could be a time bomb, Dr. Neel Shah thought. A blood test suggested that she might have an ectopic pregnancy, in which a fertilized egg remains outside the uterus. Left untreated, the condition can cause fatal hemorrhaging. But when Shah, a medical resident at the time, told the woman she needed an ultrasound to confirm the result, she refused. An earlier visit to the emergency room for a bout of stomach trouble had left her with an exorbitant bill. Until Shah could tell her how much an ultrasound would cost, she wasn’t budging.” (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Navigator
A Everyday Health article noted: “Prevention is key to staying healthy at every age, so it’s important to get the routine health care you need. It might feel as though your doctor has less time to spend with you at office visits, but that’s precisely why you want to make the most of each one.
“Going through a health care checklist during your visit can help you make sure that healthy aging is in your future.
Maximizing Your Health Care Visits. Make a list so you don’t forget to bring up any health concerns that you want to focus on. (more…)
Nov 21, 2014 | Health Navigator
The Wall Street Journal article noted: “The aim is to move patients and doctors into a relationship of shared accountability. Health-care providers are giving patients more access to their medical records so they can help spot and correct errors and omissions.”
“Studies show errors can occur on as many as 95% of the medication lists found in patient medical records. Errors include outdated data and omissions that many patients could readily identify, including prescription drugs that are no longer taken and incorrect data about frequency or dosage. Patients also are being asked to fill in the blanks about pain relievers and other over-the-counter medications, as well as supplements and vitamins, all of which can interact with prescription drugs.” (more…)
