Delivery system reorganization to bring down costs

[Greenbeard]

Today the Boston Globe had an interesting story about a major provider system in Massachusetts:

Partners planning reduction of costs
Health care president stresses affordability
By Liz Kowalczyk
Globe Staff / November 1, 2010

The state’s largest health care system says it will redesign care for thousands of patients and reduce administrative costs as part of a major new initiative intended in part to make treatment at its teaching hospitals more affordable.

Partners HealthCare, a physician and hospital organization that includes Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s hospitals, also plans to launch a “public education campaign’’ early next year to improve its image, which has taken a pounding this year in the debate over soaring health care costs.

Dr. Gary Gottlieb, Partners’ president, has been introducing the initiative in a speech called “The Case for Change’’ to board members, executives and physician leaders at the organization’s nine hospitals. He has told managers that Partners needs to go more on the offensive in telling its story, and to figure out “when it’s right’’ to use care and “not just be driven by the transaction and demand for care in a given moment.’’ [...]

Why reorganize the way it does business to reign in costs now?

As are other providers, Partners is under pressure to prepare for a new payment system that will essentially put doctors and hospitals on a budget, said Dr. Thomas Lee, head of Partners’ physician organization.

Over the next few years, insurers and government programs are expected to start paying providers a flat fee for treating a patient for a particular episode, or for caring for a patient during a particular time period — rather than paying for each test, procedure, and appointment.

Bundled payments, an example of payment reform. This, of course, is one of many examples of the kind of things in ACA that are going to be really important in the long-term. Changing the way we pay for and deliver health care is crucial going forward if we want to get serious about improving quality and containing costs.

Good for those who are getting started early.

 

[Oddball]

All hail Fabian socialist central planners!

 

[Trajan]

All hail Fabian socialist central planners!

I am booking your flight to re-education camp as we speak....you bourgeois bombast!!!!!!!!

 

[uscitizen]

Many medical costs are there because if they do the procedure they get paid for it. Paid either by insurance or the govt.

 

[Oddball]

Right...Perish the thought that someone actually pay out of pocket for any of their medical expenses.

 

[Trajan]

All hail Fabian socialist central planners!

changing your avatar won't save you.....we know where your family lives and that pappa has gout!!!!!!!

 

[Greenbeard]

Many medical costs are there because if they do the procedure they get paid for it. Paid either by insurance or the govt.

Indeed. Volume-based payment encourages volume. Hence the introduction of episode-based payment, which is intended to be a sort of medium between that kind of fee-for-service and outright capitation.

But the really significant thing here isn't just a shift away from overutilization or overtreatment (since Partners isn't getting bundled payments yet), it's the actual reorganization of care delivery. That's a step--and I'm sure it will be shaky--toward integrated, patient-centered care delivery, which is the future of the health care system. And that's exciting

 

[Meister]

Many medical costs are there because if they do the procedure they get paid for it. Paid either by insurance or the govt.

Indeed. Volume-based payment encourages volume. Hence the introduction of episode-based payment, which is intended to be a sort of medium between that kind of fee-for-service and outright capitation.

But the really significant thing here isn't just a shift away from overutilization or overtreatment (since Partners isn't getting bundled payments yet), it's the actual reorganization of care delivery. That's a step--and I'm sure it will be shaky--toward integrated, patient-centered care delivery, which is the future of the health care system. And that's exciting

Translation: Once the Government has full control.

 

[Dr.House]

Many medical costs are there because if they do the procedure they get paid for it. Paid either by insurance or the govt.

Indeed. Volume-based payment encourages volume. Hence the introduction of episode-based payment, which is intended to be a sort of medium between that kind of fee-for-service and outright capitation.

But the really significant thing here isn't just a shift away from overutilization or overtreatment (since Partners isn't getting bundled payments yet), it's the actual reorganization of care delivery. That's a step--and I'm sure it will be shaky--toward integrated, patient-centered care delivery, which is the future of the health care system. And that's exciting

Translation: Once the Government has full control.

Well, government knows best when it comes to your healthcare....

 

[uscitizen]

Right...Perish the thought that someone actually pay out of pocket for any of their medical expenses.

Of course everyone has 5-10K just lying around for a day or two's hospital stay.

One of my sisters just had a hysterectomy this past summer. 2 days and 45K later....
Luckially she has insurance or she would be homeless now.

 

[Revere]

"Under pressure" = government.

Flat fees are back door rationing.

You won't get the same health care for less money.

 

[Revere]

Right...Perish the thought that someone actually pay out of pocket for any of their medical expenses.

Of course everyone has 5-10K just lying around for a day or two's hospital stay.

Everyone won't spend two days in the hospital.

 

[uscitizen]

You don't get the same care if you have no insurance either.

 

[uscitizen]

Right...Perish the thought that someone actually pay out of pocket for any of their medical expenses.

Of course everyone has 5-10K just lying around for a day or two's hospital stay.

Everyone won't spend two days in the hospital.

Ohh odds are they will spend more days than that in the hospital before they die.

How much are the medical costs for prenatal and childbirth?

You are giving tips away leading me to conclude you are not very old.

 

[Revere]

Are you free if government strong arms your health care provider to provide you with less health care?

Why should people who are not having babies subsidide the premiums of people who are?

 

[Meister]

Indeed. Volume-based payment encourages volume. Hence the introduction of episode-based payment, which is intended to be a sort of medium between that kind of fee-for-service and outright capitation.

But the really significant thing here isn't just a shift away from overutilization or overtreatment (since Partners isn't getting bundled payments yet), it's the actual reorganization of care delivery. That's a step--and I'm sure it will be shaky--toward integrated, patient-centered care delivery, which is the future of the health care system. And that's exciting

Translation: Once the Government has full control.

Well, government knows best when it comes to your healthcare....

Once they herd us all into those rooms and watch a subliminal message video, yes we all will know.

 

[Revere]

Far and away, claims, or services rendered drive the cost of health care more than anything else.

So the only way to cut costs is to cut services.

 

[Trajan]

Translation: Once the Government has full control.

Well, government knows best when it comes to your healthcare....

Once they herd us all into those rooms and watch a subliminal message video, yes we all will know.
View attachment 11903

we have asked you several times Meister, take your Soma like a good boy.....that knock on the door? just come guys in white jackets, don't be afraid...they are there to help....

 

[uscitizen]

Childbirth
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2005 45.8 million Americans do not have health insurance. If this figure includes you, you can anticipate an average hospital bill of $5,000-$10,000 for a vaginal delivery. Add at least $2,000 if you need a c-section. These figures do not include the medical costs associated with nine months of prenatal visits, ultrasound costs and other lab costs. If your baby is born premature or with health problems, neonatal costs can range from a few thousand for a short stay to more than $200,000 if you baby is born more than 15 weeks early.

Cost of Having a Baby - LoveToKnow Pregnancy


What is the average cost of a night in a hospital?

Depending on the actual services that you are receiving from the hospital, it could go up to as much as between 3-5 thousand dollars. The cost would include the nursing care, medications, diagnostic tests, food, and other related costs like that. For a typical week you may be looking at a minimum of 50,000 dollars plus depending on the services that you're utilizing.
Answers.com - What is the average cost of a night in a hospital

Hospital inpatient care
•Number of discharges: 34.9 million
•Discharges per 10,000 population: 1,168.7
•Average length of stay in days: 4.8
•Number of procedures performed: 46 million
Source: 2006 National Hospital Discharge Survey, tables 1, 8
FASTSTATS - Hospital Utilization

 

[uscitizen]

Are you free if government strong arms your health care provider to provide you with less health care?

Why should people who are not having babies subsidide the premiums of people who are?

ahh and you have no children.

Anyway I believe we should not give tax deductions based on how many children you have . You have em they are your responsibility.