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Nearly half (49 percent) of health care providers do not have the ability to calculate a patient's financial responsibility beyond a copayment while the patient is in the office, according [...]

A recent segment on NBC's Today Show took direct aim at the safety of generic medications that are used as an alternative to more expensive, brand-name drugs. The segment called [...]

Consumers in the United States want for more from their health care system, according to a recent study by Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. Not only are they looking for [...]

Even though Americans say that the cost of health care is an important issue, that does not necessarily mean they are willing to shop around for lower prices and higher [...]

The need for health care provider organizations to serve as patient advocates is underscored by a study that shows that health care access, affordability and insurance complexity often are worse [...]

Telephone interviews were conducted in 1997 to examine trends in ambulatory care payment methods. Respondents included senior managers in 10 health plan organizations and discussions lasted from 15 to 30 minutes. Results indicate that health plan reforms have been incremental and that the use of outpatient prospective payment systems by private health plans is rare. More reforms are expected as more experience is derived from the use of the new payment systems., Outpatient services represent the fastest-growing part of national health care expenditures. Between 1990 and 1996, nationwide spending on hospital outpatient services increased an average 11.8 percent per year, compared with [...]

Physicians, health insurers, consumers, and other constituents of the U.S. health care system say they are ready and willing to adopt value-based insurance designs (VBIDs) and related payment programs, according [...]

Spiraling health care costs have forced small businesses to scrutinize how they manage their programs. In a national survey conducted to understand and address the issue better, results indicated that health care costs rose an average of 18% from 1991. However, 88% of employers said they will continue their programs as an attraction for employees and as a responsibility. Major medical and hospitalization were the favored health care options. Coverage by health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations were offered by 22% and 18% of respondents respectively.

In February 2006, the online medical market intelligence firm MedPanel surveyed a group of 38 managed care medical directors about managed care organization (MCO) trends, plans for 2006 and specialty [...]

Segal Co.'s survey of state employee health benefit plans for 1994 showed that health care costs rose by less than 10% from 1993. This figure was lower than any increase made after 1987. The average cost for employee and family coverage increased by 3.8% from 1993-1994. Twenty-two states paid 80% of the cost while seven states paid the full cost. Thirty-six states self-insure their health plans.

Sex separate surveys show that enrollees,purchasers and physicians indicate satisfaction in their triple-option, point-of-service plans. A fused triple-option plan integrates the features of health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations. In each of these plans, netwrok physicians are compensated on a fee-for-service basis while primary care physicians are organized into panels of five to 20 per group. The surveys showed that 56% of these physicians believe that they had some influence in reducing medical expenses.

Poll Shows One in Four Health Care Dollars Spent on Unnecessary Care: One in four dollars spent on health care in the United States now pays for unnecessary tests and [...]

Towers Perrin 2007 Health Care Cost Survey, 24 pages This 18th annual study of major trends in employee and retiree health care costs gleaned responses from 390 employers across the [...]

New AMA Survey Finds Medicare Cuts will Hurt Seniors: Medicare patients' ability to get in and see the doctor will be severely hampered next year by a steep Medicare cut [...]

Health leaders identify top challenges: Top health care executives consider escalating costs their industry's biggest challenge, according to survey results released by Accenture at the 3rd Annual World Health Care [...]

A J and H Marsh and McLennan Employee Benefits Services report have stated that the increase in number of managed care enrollees in midsized companies and a tough competition in the health care market have helped employers reduce health care costs by 1.6% in 1996. However, the report also indicated that an employer's ability to control health care costs is declining and that costs are expected to increase in 1997. Total health benefit costs have averaged $3,421 in 1996, a lower value compared with that of 1995, which is $3,476.

Hewitt Associates is launching a national campaign to study the quality and costs of health care in 74 different markets. The Health Value Initiative was created to give employers an intensive comparison from which to base their health plan selection. Participants include more than 100 employers. They will receive data on regional costs. The initiative will include health plan quality measures and will enable health plans to contain costs and save about 3-5% of total health care costs.

A survey conducted by benefits consultant Foster Higgins reveals that total costs for employer-sponsored health care plans, which include dental, vision, hearing and prescription drug benefits, grew by only 8%. From $3,502 in 1992, aggregate health benefit costs per employee averaged $3,781 in 1993. This minimal increase in health benefit costs is attributed to efforts by employers to manage costs more efficiently.