October 27th, 2009 by DrWes in Better Health Network, Health Policy, True Stories
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I had an interesting visit with the husband of my niece last evening. He works as an ER doctor that is self-insured group of 60 physicians that cover the ER needs of four hospitals in Clark County near Las Vegas.
What is interesting is they are self-insured to save costs. As a group, then, they know how much per patient they must collect to assure liability care for every patient that comes to their emergency rooms.
That amount is $17 per patient per visit.
Guess how much their group receives for care they render to a Medicaid patient for a “level two” visit (minor problem: ear ache, sore throat, etc.)
Fourteen dollars per visit. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes*
October 26th, 2009 by DrRich in Better Health Network, Health Policy
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As the great campaign to reform the American healthcare system heats up and enters an important new phase – the phase in which key legislative leaders take the five bills that have been passed, here and there, by sundry Congressional committees, and, behind closed doors, attempt to cobble together a compromise bill which they believe they can threaten and/or bribe a majority of Congresspersons into supporting – many Americans find themselves confused about what it all means. What, after all, are we attempting to accomplish here? How much will it cost, and who will pay for it? Why does the whole process seem so darned difficult and confusing?
Fear not. As a public service, DrRich will now explain healthcare reform in a very simple way, so that – whether you study the issue closely on a day-to-day basis, or just accidentally come across some relevant headlines now and again as you look for the sports page – you will always know what’s going on. For, once you understand a few key concepts, this thing is really pretty easy to follow. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at The Covert Rationing Blog*
October 26th, 2009 by EvanFalchukJD in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion
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In my post yesterday about lessons we can learn from Israel’s health care system I wrote:
So, yes, the focus on health insurance reform will lead to many changes, and more complexity. And some day, years from now, someone will be explaining the American system to an audience, and people will wonder, how did anyone ever create a system such as this?
In response, a friend of mine challenged me: if the system is too complicated, how should we simplify it?
I wish more policy-makers were asking this question.
For me, the answer is clear: Primary care. Time was, your primary care doctor was able to serve as the hub of your medical activity. He or she could spend all the time needed to figure out what was wrong and to coordinate with your specialists. It’s not true anymore. Patients are left on their own trying to navigate the system. In many ways they end up acting almost as their own primary care doctors. Patients try to pick their specialists, find out what to do about their condition, decide on good treatment choices. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at See First Blog*
October 22nd, 2009 by admin in Better Health Network, News, Opinion
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By Robert Stern, M.A.
Almost a decade ago, I had a simple idea — deliver fast, accurate medical news to clinicians in a format that was easily accessible, and turn that news into a “teachable moment.” Almost five years ago, that idea became reality with the launch of MedPage Today.
Monday through Friday (and if news is happening, Saturday and Sunday, too), MedPage Today delivers on our promise of “Putting Breaking Medical News into Practice.”
Our reporters and editors not only scan prepublication copies of top medical journals seeking medical news that is likely to influence daily clinical practice, but also travel worldwide to report medical news delivered at scientific meetings.
These gatherings are important as a primary source of medical information. New medical information, or as we call it: News. Read more »
October 21st, 2009 by AlanDappenMD in Primary Care Wednesdays
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In 2005, I was invited to participate in an innovators’ workshop by the Harvard Interfaculty Group, funded through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The question at the meeting was this:
“If primary care is critical to a vibrant and cost effective healthcare system, and
If primary care is going extinct, which most now predict;
Who is out there innovating new primary care systems and what is their vision?”
During the four years since this conference, I’ve found that this question is first and foremost when it comes to changing primary care.
I felt honored and surprised to be invited to the meeting. After all, our practice and its innovations are simple and are based on the following: Read more »
