Shakeel Ahmed is a freelance journalist based in Islamabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

7 Recommendations For Reining In Healthcare Costs

16 Oct 2024  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

The article discusses the rising healthcare costs in the U.S., which have reached $4.5 trillion in 2022, and proposes seven strategies to mitigate these expenses. Key recommendations include prioritizing illness prevention, increasing the use of generic medicines, improving care coordination, advocating for price transparency, promoting telemedicine, adopting value-based care models, and utilizing Health Savings Accounts. These measures aim to make healthcare more affordable and sustainable while enhancing care quality. The article highlights successful examples, such as the North Karelia Project in Finland and the Veterans Health Administration's telehealth services, to support these recommendations.

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Healthcare Reform Healthcare Costs U.S. Economy

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Raziah Athman is an award-winning journalist, she was Africanews’ Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Head of English edition of the channel but now produces news for Vision Group TV platforms, newspaper and podcasts. 

She started her journalistic career back in 2006 in Uganda working for the various ...

Uganda: The Cost of Malaria Treatment

03 Sept 2024  |  fr.africanews.com  |  French  |  Healthcare Costs

In Uganda, the high cost of malaria treatment poses a significant burden on families and the government. Despite receiving mosquito nets, families like Tulinawe Kabaami's struggle with the financial strain of treatment, having spent $100 with little improvement. Dr. Gilbert Ategeka highlights the critical state of many children admitted with malaria, emphasizing the need for government and community health worker involvement. The RBM Partnership's Dr. Michael Adekunle Charles underscores the economic impact, noting a $12 billion annual loss in development due to malaria-related absenteeism. The article calls for increased funding and partnerships to combat malaria effectively.

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Healthcare Costs Malaria Public Health

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Todd Brown is a journalist based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Todd Brown has been writing, producing, and shooting national and international news segments for 15 years. Prior to creating short videos and shoot tv news in southeast asia he served as hard news segment producer with MTV News. He is also ...

What your pharmacist can’t tell you

13 Jun 2017  |  commonwealthmagazine.org  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

Independent pharmacists face challenges due to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), who act as middlemen between insurers and customers, often preventing pharmacists from advising patients on cheaper payment options. PBMs negotiate discounts with drug manufacturers but do not pass these savings to consumers, instead profiting through 'clawbacks.' Legislative efforts in states like Louisiana and Massachusetts aim to increase transparency and protect patients from these practices. Todd Brown, a pharmacy expert, highlights the need for more regulation to prevent PBMs from exploiting patients.

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Healthcare Costs Pharmacy Benefit Managers Legislation

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Rebecca Bundhun is a British journalist based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She writes for publications including The International New York Times and The National newspaper, Abu Dhabi. She focuses on business, economics, and social issues in India.

I am a professional freelance photographer working locally and internationally.  Extensive work in Mexico (Mexico City CDMX and throughout all Mexico areas) as well as familiar with working in field in East Africa, South East India (Tamil Nadu) and Haiti.  I have connections in all of these areas.
...

Understanding compensable and non-compensable patient profiles, pathways and physical outcomes for transport and work-related injuries in Queensland, Australia through data linkage

01 Jan 2023  |  bmjopen.bmj.com  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

The study aims to evaluate the quality and value of linking Queensland's compulsory third-party motor vehicle accident claims data, workers’ compensation injury claims data, and health data to address stakeholder information needs. It will compare the health service use profiles, costs, treatment pathways, and physical outcome trajectories of compensable and non-compensable transport and work-related injured patients. The research will provide insights into the concordance and quality of data across health and compensation databases, and the health service utilization patterns for transport and work-related injury patients in Queensland. The study will also inform injury prevention policy and compensation scheme management by providing comprehensive data on injury severity, treatment, and outcomes.

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Healthcare Costs Injury Compensation Data Linkage

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Yen Duong is a multimedia journalist based in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, she travels often around the region.

North Carolina's Health System Ranks Low for Access, High for Costs

17 Mar 2024  |  North Carolina Health News  |  English  |  Healthcare Access

The article by Yen Duong discusses North Carolina's ranking in the Commonwealth Fund's annual report on state health systems, where it stands at 34th, slightly up from 35th in 2018. The report highlights the increase in deaths from suicide, alcohol, and drug overdose across the U.S., with North Carolina experiencing a doubling of drug overdose deaths from 2005 to 2017. The lack of Medicaid expansion in the state is cited as a significant factor in its inability to effectively address the opioid crisis and health disparities. The article also notes the rise in healthcare costs nationwide, with North Carolinians spending more than the national average on health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Disparities in access to healthcare, particularly mental health services, are also discussed as contributing factors to the state's health challenges. The report does not provide solutions but aims to inform policymakers and stakeholders about the issues.

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Healthcare Costs Healthcare Access State Health Systems Opioid Crisis Medicaid Expansion Health Disparities

Greg Flakus is a journalist based in Houston, United States of America. He retired from a long career at the Voice of America (VOA) in 2017 and has since made short films and shot video for clients. He also continues to write and do voiceover work.

Letter: In-home care needs to be fixed

29 Apr 2023  |  The Columbian  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

The article discusses the challenges associated with finding and affording a caregiver. It highlights the high cost of private in-home care services, which can amount to $480 a week, and points out that these costs are often a burden on families unless they have expensive insurance. The author suggests that more caregivers need to be trained and that their wages, which are currently low, should be raised. The article also notes that government reimbursement rates for caregiving services are too low and emphasizes that the demand for caregivers is expected to grow.

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Healthcare Costs Caregiving

Misha Gajewski is a freelance journalist based in Toronto, Canada. She has worked in both the UK and Canada specializing in health and science reporting. Her work has featured on BBC News, CTV News, ITV News and Vice among others. She is also a producer for The Story Collider podcast.

Prescribing Brand Name Drugs Instead Of Generic Drugs Costs Medicare $1.7 Billion A Year, Study Finds

02 Mar 2021  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

A study published in JAMA Open Network reveals that prescribing brand-name drugs instead of generic alternatives costs Medicare $1.7 billion annually. Despite laws encouraging generic drug use, 8.5 million out of 169 million prescriptions in 2017 were for brand-name drugs when generics were available. The study highlights that both clinicians and patients often request brand-name drugs, leading to higher costs. Factors such as incentives, rebate walls, and perceptions about the quality of generic drugs contribute to this trend. The study suggests policy changes to promote generic drug use and reduce costs.

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Healthcare Costs Pharmaceuticals Medicare

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Anindita Ghosh is a journalist based in Delhi with over 20 years of experience in writing and editing. Having worked in top Indian and international media companies, she has a proven track record of expertise in quality print and digital content.

Dialysis Costs for a Health System Participating in Value-Based Care

01 Aug 2023  |  AJMC  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

The study examines the financial and clinical impacts of different dialysis initiation methods within the Cleveland Clinic health system, focusing on value-based care (VBC). It finds that unplanned 'crash' dialysis starts are associated with significantly higher costs and hospital utilization compared to planned 'optimal' starts. The study suggests that promoting optimal dialysis starts can improve VBC performance and reduce avoidable outcomes. The findings emphasize the need for better pre-dialysis care and coordination between primary care providers and nephrologists to manage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) more effectively.

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Healthcare Costs Dialysis Value-Based Care

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Bradley Hunter is a writer based in Portland, OR. I specialize in creative writing, editorial, ad copy, essays, journalism, fiction as well as non-fiction. I personally guarantee that you’ll be over the moon with the piece I create for you.

The Importance of Alignment in Value-Based Reimbursement

19 Apr 2019  |  healthsystemcio.com  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

Healthcare costs have been rising, prompting a shift towards value-based reimbursement (VBR) models. Despite initial hopes, many provider organizations have struggled to achieve success with VBR. A key issue identified is the lack of alignment between payers and providers, leading to inefficiencies and stress among clinicians. At the 2018 Cornerstone Summit on Population Health Management, experts highlighted the need for aligned contract incentives, inclusive culture change, and streamlined metrics to drive VBR success. Encouragingly, 84% of summit attendees believe the transition to VBR will ultimately be successful if these strategies are implemented.

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Healthcare Management Healthcare Costs Value-Based Reimbursement

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Michael Johansen is a journalist based in West Jakarta, Indonesia.

Considering Pharmaceutical Rebates

01 Aug 2018  |  jamanetwork.com  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

The letter to the editor discusses concerns about the substantial excess expenditures for Lipitor despite the availability of generic atorvastatin. It highlights the difficulty in assessing the validity of conclusions due to proprietary pharmaceutical industry rebates.

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Healthcare Costs Pharmaceutical Industry

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Kate Johnson is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom. She covers lifestyle trends in wellness, spirituality, food, leisure and technology. She has an MA in International Journalism with distinction from London's City University and has written for Vice, BBC Good Food, Stylist and Positive ...

Study Highlights Overuse of Opioids, Underuse of Preventives in Migraine

16 Oct 2023  |  Medscape  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences on October 16, 2023, reveals that patients with chronic migraine (CM) and medication overuse headache (MOH) tend to overuse acute pain medications and underuse preventive medications compared to those with episodic migraine (EM). The retrospective observational study included nearly 200,000 patients and found that opioids were the most frequently dispensed acute medication across all cohorts. The study, led by Dr. Farnaz Amoozegar from the University of Calgary, suggests that overprescription of opioids and underutilization of appropriate treatments may be due to a lack of education among primary care physicians, insufficient time for patient management, and long wait times for specialist consultations. The study also highlights the high healthcare costs associated with MOH and CM. Dr. Christine Lay of the Canadian Headache Society emphasized the importance of the study and the need for healthcare providers to adhere to guidelines, prescribe preventive therapy, and avoid opioids.

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Healthcare Costs Chronic Migraine Medication Overuse Headache Migraine Treatment Prescription Patterns

David Mafabi is a journalist based in Mbale, Uganda.

David D Mafabi
|Tel :************|************ | Email : ************

Bsc Mass communication, Diploma -Literature/English   
I have more than 10 years of progressive work experience in journalism at national, regional and local press. I ...

Jen Mellor is a journalist based in Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Dental Implants Cost: An In

24 Nov 2023  |  Just Average Jen - Be Your Authentic Self: UK Lifestyle Blog  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

Dental implants offer solutions for those experiencing significant tooth loss or failing dental treatments, with various options available depending on individual needs. Costs vary widely, from single-tooth implants to full-jaw replacements, with prices ranging from £1,500 to £35,000. Nationwide providers may offer bespoke treatment options and free consultations, potentially saving time and money.

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Healthcare Costs Dental Implants

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CHI NGUYEN
Chi Nguyen is a freelance journalist based in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) Vietnam. She is also a TV journalist from National Television VTV
She is journalism and media studies lecture, journalism and media studies facilitator,
Interpreter and translator
Public Relation ...

Patient Perspectives on the Burden of Heart Failure

04 Aug 2024  |  www.dovepress.com  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

Approximately 6 million adults in the US live with heart failure (HF), a condition projected to affect over 8 million by 2030. HF, particularly HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), imposes significant physical, mental, and economic burdens on patients and the healthcare system. This study aimed to understand the self-reported burden of HFpEF and its economic impact through patient surveys and linked administrative claims data. Key findings include high healthcare resource utilization and costs, significant symptom burden, and quality of life impairment. Socioeconomic factors, recent changes in HF treatment, and hospital admissions were strongly associated with lower health status scores. The study underscores the importance of incorporating patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice to improve patient-centered care.

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Healthcare Costs Heart Failure Patient-Reported Outcomes

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Yudha Satriawan is a journalist based in Surakarta ( Solo city), Central Java, Indonesia.

Entering Endemic Phase, Who Will Cover COVID-19 Patient Costs?

22 Jun 2023  |  www.voaindonesia.com  |  Indonesian  |  Healthcare Costs

Indonesia has entered the endemic phase of COVID-19, transitioning from a state of emergency. President Joko Widodo urged citizens to maintain healthy and clean living habits but did not address the cost of COVID-19 treatment, which was previously covered by the government. Professor Wiku Adisasmito confirmed that the government will continue to cover these costs for now, with future policies to be determined. The new financing scheme will align with the National Health Insurance (JKN) model. Fajar Shodiq, a COVID-19 survivor, expressed relief at the continued support and emphasized the importance of free, widespread vaccination. The COVID-19 Task Force will remain active, adapting its role to the current situation.

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Healthcare Costs COVID-19 Public Health Policy

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Akanki Sharma is a journalist.

California lawsuit accuses drugmakers of insulin overcharging

05 Oct 2023  |  Express Pharma  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

California is suing major insulin manufacturers Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi, along with the largest Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, and Cigna, for allegedly overcharging patients for insulin. The lawsuit claims these companies used their market dominance to inflate prices, violating California's Unfair Competition Law. The state seeks to halt these practices and obtain damages for affected patients. Insulin prices have significantly increased, with reports showing substantial price hikes by these manufacturers since the drugs' initial launches.

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Healthcare Costs Legal Action Pharmaceutical Industry

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Jyoti Shelar is a journalist.

Shorter Breast Cancer Therapy Found Effective, Less Harmful

24 Aug 2018  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

Scientists at Tata Memorial Centre in India have discovered that a short-term therapy of three to six months is as effective as the traditional year-long treatment for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer, with fewer cardiac side effects. The study, which included a meta-analysis of data from multiple clinical trials, suggests that the drug Trastuzumab (brand name Herceptin) can be administered for a shorter period without compromising disease-free survival. This finding could significantly reduce the cost and emotional strain of prolonged treatment for patients. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and highlights the potential for reduced cardiac toxicity and healthcare expenses. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with HER2-positive cases making up a significant portion. The high cost of Trastuzumab is a concern, and a shorter treatment duration could alleviate financial burdens for patients.

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Healthcare Costs Breast Cancer Treatment HER2-Positive Tumor Clinical Trials Cancer Research Cardiac Toxic Effects

Gary Strauss is a freelance journalist and content strategist  based in Washington, DC, United States.  He is an award-winning writer/editor/blogger who has vast background in financial reporting and editing, hard-news and feature writing. His work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic, ...

Specialty Drug Prices Continue to Rise

01 Jan 2019  |  AARP  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

AARP's latest report highlights the rising costs of specialty drugs, which are significantly outpacing inflation and becoming unaffordable for many older Americans. The report, authored by Leigh Purvis and Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, reveals that the average annual cost of these medications is $78,781, far exceeding the median income for Medicare beneficiaries. The report is part of AARP's ongoing efforts to advocate for lower prescription drug prices through its Stop Rx Greed campaign. Notably, drugs like Revatio and Revlimid saw substantial price increases in 2017, exacerbating the financial burden on patients.

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Healthcare Costs Prescription Drug Prices

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Ray Suarez is a journalist based in Washington, United States of America. He is a host of the radio and podcast series WorldAffairs, heard on KQED San Francisco and public radio stations around the country, and a Washington reporter for Euronews. He recently completed an appointment as the McCloy ...

The Fears of a Freelance Journalist Over 60 During the Pandemic

05 Apr 2023  |  Washington Post  |  English  |  Healthcare costs

Ray Suarez, a former senior correspondent for PBS NewsHour and host of public radio, reflects on his fears of poverty as a freelance journalist over 60 during the COVID-19 pandemic. With canceled gigs and a constant flow of bad news, Suarez faces the harsh reality of being a gig worker with no sick days and a hefty health insurance bill. He discusses the broader issue of older workers' declining wages and job security, citing a study by Northwestern Mutual about baby boomers' inadequate savings. Suarez shares his personal struggles with healthcare costs after an accident and the need to adjust his lifestyle due to financial constraints. He contemplates the tough choices ahead regarding his retirement savings and Social Security, acknowledging the widespread impact of job displacement in America.

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Healthcare costs Economic impact of COVID-19 Job market for older workers Personal finance and retirement

Jennifer Zaino is a journalist based in Long Island, NY, United States. She specializes in covering technology, business, healthcare and education issues .

Hospitals grappling with the financial toll of the opioid epidemic

17 Mar 2024  |  Healthcare Finance News  |  English  |  Healthcare Costs

The article discusses the challenges hospitals face in treating patients with drug overdoses, emphasizing the financial strain due to the epidemic of prescription drug abuse and the rise in heroin addiction. Liz Stallings of HFS Consultants and Jacob Levenson of MAP Health Management highlight the increased costs and the issues with insurance coverage. The article also explores solutions like the use of naloxone by first responders and pilot programs by Carolinas HealthCare Systems in partnership with Walgreens. It addresses the need for coordinated care and referral systems, and the potential for hospitals to expand addiction-treatment services. The article mentions the role of MAP Health Management in providing data services to align patients with effective treatment providers.

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Healthcare Policy Healthcare Costs Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic Drug Overdoses Addiction Treatment