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The costs of "defensive" medicine practiced by doctors guarding against lawsuits are real, but not nearly as high as some have claimed. Even so, it's probably worth trying to tame them, some policy analysts say.
Although it is difficult to reverse that decision, there are steps you can take to help make your case.
The use of observation care is rising as hospitals cope with increasing constraints from Medicare, which is under pressure to control costs. But the decision can mean more out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
A nonprofit group is offering a $1,000 prize for the best essay on solving the nation's problem of high health care costs.
Critics say Medicare Advantage plans are inefficient and costly. But those same critics oppose vouchers for Medicare -- even though that approach would set up a direct competition between the private plans and the traditional fee-for-service program.
A new smoking cessation program could lower health care costs, even among seniors.
Think twice before signing up for a new credit card to cover some doctor or dentist's services. Regulators and consumer advocates warn that many of these special deals are deceptive.
The whole point of the nation's conversation about health reform has been to find ways to spend differently so that the result is a higher quality, more humane health care system.
Today, in almost every other sector besides health, electronic information exchange is the way we do business. Health care providers may agree with the benefits of electronic health records. But they've also believed that adopting them was too difficult and expensive.
In a response to the August 23 opinion column by Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Michael Ramlet, Timothy Jost, a National Association of Insurance Commissioners consumer representative, says the NAIC has been meticulously transparent and participatory in its processes to implement the medical loss ratio requirement.
In the past, many patients who opted for experimental treatments for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses found that their insurance companies stop covering all routine care for their illness. The health overhaul mandates that insurers continue to pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, test and other routine treatments.
Doctors who refer Medicare and Medicaid patients to in-house imaging machines must disclose in writing that they own the equipment.
A new report finds the diabetes epidemic is costing the country a bundle - nearly one in four hospital dollars is spent on the disease.
The city's health system, which just a year ago was lauded by President Barack Obama, is the envy of much of the nation. Set up 40 years ago by doctors and community leaders, it provides quality care throughout the community at costs that are among the lowest in the country.
Medicare voucher-type plans have not, to date, been part of a cost control solution. Given the track record, it is also not unreasonable to conclude the mandatory voucher program Rep. Paul Ryan advocates wouldn't save money either.
Texas' 13 state-supported living centers have been under intense monitoring since last year, when lawmakers agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department due to widespread abuse and neglect.
When a program subsidizing health insurance for people who lose their jobs ended this year, it created a costly problem as the recession continues to throw workers off the payroll. COBRA coverage, which employees of many businesses can obtain after being laid off, typically is very expensive.
Gail Sheehy talks about her latest book "Passages In Caregiving: From Chaos To Confidence," a personal story which includes advice on how to navigate the process.
In spite of clear evidence that the high-priced drug Avastin does not benefit breast cancer patients, politicians want the FDA to maintain approval.
President Obama has signed legislation into law that will give states an additional $16 billion in Medicaid funding. As House members left the Capitol to resume their August recess, some predicted that town hall meetings in their districts would focus more on job and the economy than health care, a change from the town halls of last August where health care was often a combative issue.
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