By Eric Demers – In 2022, 20% of adults said they or their family received an unexpected medical bill. The No Surprises Act, which went into effect last year, is better late than never. A bipartisan effort to protect patients from unexpected healthcare expenses, the NSA minimizes surprise billing and makes…
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By Matt Fisher – Without taking time to think about an answer, what first comes to mind when asked where the cost for healthcare services is the highest? In or connected to a hospital is the usual answer. Is that the correct answer? It can be complicated (as everything in healthcare usually is), but there are more than a few grains of truth and accuracy to the answer.
By David Burda – Like everyone else, manufacturers in the U.S. are concerned about healthcare costs and the affordability of medical care. In this case, the concern is for themselves and for their workers, respectively.
By Matt Fisher – Costs in healthcare are a frequent topic of discussion, with the focus of that discussion often going to the fact that costs keep rising. However, what is meant by healthcare costs? Once that is defined, how can healthcare costs be addressed in a way that is not currently being met?
By Dr. Richard Watson – No surprise to state that money drives the motivations and decision-making in healthcare. It is certainly noted that the rank-and-file patient care cohort continues to carry the quality torch, but even these voices are filtered through a complex algorithm of “metrics” and “standards.”
By Julie Appleby – Maybe this has happened to you recently: Your doctor telephoned to check in with you, chatting for 11 to 20 minutes, perhaps answering a question you contacted her office with, or asking how you’re responding to a medication change. For that, your doctor got paid about $27 if you are on Medicare — maybe a bit more if you have private insurance.
By Elisabeth Rosenthal & Glenn Kramon – America’s covid-19 vaccination rate is around 60% for ages 12 and up. That’s not enough to reach so-called herd immunity, and in states like Missouri — where a number of counties have vaccination rates under 25% — hospitals are overwhelmed by serious outbreaks of the more contagious delta variant.
By Hannah Norman – Crystal Joseph pays for two telemedicine video services to ensure that her small therapy practice in Silver Spring, Maryland, can always connect with its clients. She’s been burned before.
By Bernard J. Wolfson – A federal price transparency rule that took effect this year was supposed to give patients, employers and insurers a clearer picture of the true cost of hospital care.