We need to consider several things when we ask a question like “Who Should we focus on to reduce healthcare costs?” In healthcare a modest percentage of patients define a disproportionate amount of expense, i.e., 20-30% of our unhealthy account for 70-80% of healthcare costs. Therefore, it is logical to focus on these individuals if we want to… Read More »
With the initiative of Choosing Wisely, which was introduced to the healthcare community in 2012, there has been an intentional focus on decreasing unnecessary testing such as CTs, MRIs, and labs. Superfluous medical treatment, tests, and procedures lead to not only increased cost, but also the potential for higher incidents of unintended harm. Incidental findings frequently lead to… Read More »
With the 2018 New York University announcement of free medical school tuition, undoubtedly there is increased interest in the potential impact this will have. Many hypothesize that this is a new era, and a new education model is forthcoming and necessary. As recently as 2017, there was a proclamation from the Association of American Medical Colleges that the… Read More »
If one studies the life span of a company, progression occurs in many stages. Once a business has reached a level of “maturity,” its survival depends on its ability to innovate and adapt. Regarding value-based care and payment models, healthcare experiences a similar metamorphosis. Fee for service has been the prevailing payment model, and the consumer historically remained… Read More »
Recently, I read with piqued interest, an article concerning Parsley Health, and its foray into the market, promising a medical model that is much more holistic, with payment accomplished through a monthly subscription. Neither concept is new, but they are a progression from our present healthcare delivery. Often referred to as Functional Medicine it involves incorporating a concept… Read More »
Undoubtedly, interest was piqued by the recent announcement that all medical students at New York University will receive 100% tuition assistance. Although currently, numerous colleges are working to prevent students from acquiring a debt load, that idea, until recently, has yet to come to fruition for medical school. Moreover, there have been conversations concerning the value of the… Read More »
“Population Health” has numerous definitions. Most commonly it is “Health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group.” The key words are “health” and “group.” At the most expansive level, the wellness of our entire society encompasses this meaning. There in deciding to define the value to include the whole community… Read More »
A recent study by Rogers et al appeared in Health Affairs, “Interruptions in Private Health Insurance and Outcomes in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Longitudinal Study.” The findings indicated that for those with chronic diseases (Type 1 Diabetes in this case), the loss of insurance exacerbates their condition markers and lowers one’s perceived health and satisfaction with… Read More »
We all are aware that our level of spending of healthcare in the United States in greater than any comparable country without a corresponding improvement in results. Either as individual payers or being participants within our present tax system, including tax relief of employer-sponsored health insurance, collectively we are responsible for the cost of our healthcare. A recent… Read More »
As we continue to struggle with healthcare in the United States, a preeminent discussion point has been universal coverage within a single-payer structure. We, as well as other countries, have grappled with this dilemma for decades. One of the leading arguments for such a model is insuring the uninsured. Undoubtedly, a single-payer system is a solution. In moving… Read More »