Health Economics

Total Charges for All Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients May Reach Up to $1.4 Trillion, FAIR Health Study Finds

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 25, 2020

FAIR Health estimated the costs of COVID-19 medical care based on proxy codes used by providers.

Key Points: 
  • FAIR Health estimated the costs of COVID-19 medical care based on proxy codes used by providers.
  • The total average charges per patient range from $74,310 for DRG 193 to $42,486 for DRG 195.
  • Total costs for all hospitalized COVID-19 patients vary on the basis of which DRG code is used.
  • FAIR Health has helped put a price tag on medical services to care for these patients based on the best available projections using real-world data."

Akeso Medical Holdings Is Looking for a Few Good Workers’ Compensation Doctors

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Akeso Medical Holdings is joining forces with the best doctors in workers compensation to bring better medical care to Americas injured workers.

Key Points: 
  • Akeso Medical Holdings is joining forces with the best doctors in workers compensation to bring better medical care to Americas injured workers.
  • Physicians with outstanding results in treating workers compensation patients are the key to improving outcomes, lowering costs and delivering patient-centered care, said Greg Moore, CEO of Akeso Medical Holdings.
  • Akeso Medical Holdings and its clinic partners are now offering services in Southern California, with plans to rapidly expand into other markets.
  • The experts at Akeso Medical believe the key to fixing the workers compensation system centers around a dedicated group of physicians committed to the right care, without financial incentives for over-treating injured workers.

BioIQ Announces COVID-19 Suite of Solutions for Health Plans, Employers and Government Agencies

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 24, 2020

The company's COVID-19 solution enables health plans, employers and government agencies to quickly and seamlessly provide access to information and testing resources to at-risk individuals, including front-line responders, healthcare providers and people working in critical infrastructure.

Key Points: 
  • The company's COVID-19 solution enables health plans, employers and government agencies to quickly and seamlessly provide access to information and testing resources to at-risk individuals, including front-line responders, healthcare providers and people working in critical infrastructure.
  • In partnership with health plans, employers and government agencies, the program is offered at no cost to consumers through provisions enacted during the crisis.
  • BioIQ is actively working with community leaders, public health officials, employers and health plans to assess critical needs and prioritize populations for the rollout of COVID-19 programming.
  • BioIQ's COVID-19 response program is being offered in collaboration with health plans, employers and government agencies who will determine specific testing access and coverage throughout the program.

Business Groups Band Together to Use Healthcare Data to Gauge the Impact of COVID-19 Virus

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 24, 2020

The combined efforts of the business groups are leveraging their healthcare data partner, Pittsburgh-based Innovu, to track populations in their states relative to the effect of COVID-19 on their members and the virus's potential economic impact on business.

Key Points: 
  • The combined efforts of the business groups are leveraging their healthcare data partner, Pittsburgh-based Innovu, to track populations in their states relative to the effect of COVID-19 on their members and the virus's potential economic impact on business.
  • Diane Hess, Executive Director for the Central Penn Business Group on Health stated the "insights gleaned from the Innovu platform allow employers to make quick decisions about healthcare coverage in response to employee needs and concerns."
  • "Quick access to data is essential in helping employers proactively address gaps in care created by this extraordinary circumstance," Gaye Fortner, President and CEO of HealthCare 21, said.
  • Please visit these websites for more information on the business groups:
    Central Pennsylvania Business Group on Health: www.cpbgh.org
    Pittsburgh Business Group on Health: www.pbghpa.org
    To learn more about Innovu's platform and services, please visit www.innovu.com

Aledade Empowers Primary Care ACOs With Updox's Telehealth Virtual Office Visits

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 23, 2020

Aledade will continue to roll this out to interested Aledade ACO primary care practices and clinics across the country in the coming weeks at a below-cost fee structure to further help its ACO primary care practices during these uncertain times.

Key Points: 
  • Aledade will continue to roll this out to interested Aledade ACO primary care practices and clinics across the country in the coming weeks at a below-cost fee structure to further help its ACO primary care practices during these uncertain times.
  • Aledade will work directly with the practices to set up the platform and implement best practices for telehealth visits.
  • By connecting its ACOs with their patients through telehealth services, Aledade can help lighten the strain on existing health care services during this crisis.
  • Founded in 2014, Aledade partners with independent practices, health centers, and clinics to build and lead Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) anchored in primary care.

New Sigma book provides a common-sense approach to learning about care delivery in a community setting

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 20, 2020

Billie Allard and her team have creatively hacked through the thicket of financial reimbursement, bureaucracy, and culture to forge a clear path to value-based, quality care.

Key Points: 
  • Billie Allard and her team have creatively hacked through the thicket of financial reimbursement, bureaucracy, and culture to forge a clear path to value-based, quality care.
  • "Nurses represent the largest segment of the healthcare workforce and are present in almost every environment in which healthcare is delivered.
  • This shift presents an opportunity for nurses to take the lead in transforming care delivery and improve patient experience while reducing costs.
  • The INSPIRE Model they follow provides an evidence-based blueprint for other healthcare systems hoping to solve the complicated problems surrounding care transitions and health promotion.

Ginger Offers Free On-Demand Behavioral Health Coaching for U.S.-Based Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 20, 2020

This includes offering free behavioral health coaching for frontline healthcare workers, making Gingers COVID-19 in-app resources free and available to the general public, and waiving annual commitments for new employer clients.

Key Points: 
  • This includes offering free behavioral health coaching for frontline healthcare workers, making Gingers COVID-19 in-app resources free and available to the general public, and waiving annual commitments for new employer clients.
  • The COVID-19 crisis isnt just a pandemic - its a mental health crisis, too, said Russell Glass, CEO of Ginger.
  • Beginning today, Ginger will offer U.S.-based health systems the option to provide their frontline healthcare workers with free, on-demand behavioral health coaching from Ginger through the end of June 2020.
  • Through this free benefit, eligible healthcare workers will be able to chat in real-time with a trained behavioral health coach, any time of day or night.

Topcon Healthcare Announces a Series of Customer Initiatives to Combat Global COVID-19 Crisis

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 20, 2020

To address the tradeshow situation, Topcon Healthcare has announced an online Expo taking place at the end of March.

Key Points: 
  • To address the tradeshow situation, Topcon Healthcare has announced an online Expo taking place at the end of March.
  • A globally-oriented business, Topcon is focused on developing solutions towards solving societal challenges in the mega-domains of healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure.
  • In healthcare, these challenges include increasing eye disease, rising medical costs, access to healthcare and physician shortages.
  • By investing in value-driven innovations, Topcon works to enable people to enjoy good health and a high quality of life.

The Real Costs of Seeking Care for COVID-19 Vary Across and Within Major U.S. Cities

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 20, 2020

The analysis finds that costs not only vary dramatically from city to city nationwide, but also vary widely within the same city.

Key Points: 
  • The analysis finds that costs not only vary dramatically from city to city nationwide, but also vary widely within the same city.
  • Costs also vary depending on the source of care, whether it is a telehealth provider, a primary care doctor, an urgent care clinic, or the emergency room.
  • "While the test for COVID-19 may be made available at no cost, individuals seeking care for suspected COVID-19 may be faced with other significant out-of-pocket costs for that care.
  • "Costs vary widely across cities in the U.S., within cities, and depending on the site of care.

Hillrom Announces More Than $5.5 Million In Donations To Expand Access To COVID-19 Pandemic Care

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 19, 2020

Combined with prior donations in Asia, Europe and other philanthropic activities in our communities, Hillrom donations to assist caregivers and patients in the current pandemic total more than $5.5 million to date.

Key Points: 
  • Combined with prior donations in Asia, Europe and other philanthropic activities in our communities, Hillrom donations to assist caregivers and patients in the current pandemic total more than $5.5 million to date.
  • "We feel a deep responsibility as a healthcare company to help our communities expand access to critical care.
  • The Hillrom for Humanity Critical Care and Respiratory Support Program includes ICU beds, patient monitoring and respiratory health devices.
  • "We appreciate Hillrom's important donations to help hospitals, health systems and health care providers expand access to critical care technologies as they respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic."