Health Care Cost
A third of US health care spending stems from administrative costs
In 2017, administrative costs accounted for 34.2% of all health care expenditures in the United States, twice the percentage spent on administration in Canada, according to study findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
PsA screening in those with psoriasis could save $220 million annually
If early therapy with DMARDs can slow disease progression and delay expensive biologic treatment, early screening for psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis could save $220 million each year in Canada and improve quality of life, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.
Fewer Americans receiving primary care
The prevalence Americans with an identified source of primary care has decreased in recent years, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
AAOS concerned about new legislation on surprise medical bills
The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons released a statement thanking Congress for their dedication to find a solution that addresses surprise medical bills by removing patients from the middle of medical billing disputes with the new combined version of the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019.
Icosapent ethyl dominant vs. standard care in cost per QALY
PHILADELPHIA — Icosapent ethyl for patients at high CV risk conferred cost-savings in-trial and during patients’ lifetime, according to findings presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
1.5 million US patients miss doses of ASCVD medication due to cost
Approximately 2.2 million, or 13%, of patients with atherosclerotic CVD experience cost-related nonadherence to prescribed medication in the U.S. and approximately 9% take lower than the prescribed dose, according to findings published in Circulation.
Patients with most SLE damage incur ninefold higher costs over a decade
Patients with the most damage related to systemic lupus erythematosus pay nearly nine times higher cumulative costs over a 10-year period compared with those with the lowest damage, according to findings published in Arthritis Care & Research.
Reimbursement policies increase noninvasive cardiac testing in hospitals, costs
Medicare reimbursement policies that provide higher payments to hospitals than provider-based office settings for noninvasive cardiac tests lead to increases in testing and extra costs, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Four strategies to obtain affordable insulin
CHICAGO — As the cost for insulin continues to rise, clinicians can take several proactive steps to help uninsured and underinsured patients afford their medications today, according to a speaker at the Cardiometabolic Health Congress.