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Why are health care prices on the rise
Why are health care prices on the rise
Why does the cost of medical care rise
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Minimizing the use of High Dollar Radiology Services The conversation around the rising costs of health care continues to be a high priority topic of discussion from consumer all the way up to the government. There are many products and services that contribute to the rising costs, as well as some responsibility left to practicing providers who choose to use high dollar radiology services for patient care. There is an overuse of high dollar radiology services in lieu of using conservative treatment and it is important to medically manage those persons individually with medical algorithms. The paper will cover this information as well as how to implement the solutions and the costs associated with the implementation as well as discuss the benefits to the organization as well as offer theoretical and practical reflections for implementing the best solution offered. High Dollar Radiology The conversation around the rising costs of health care continues to be a high priority topic of discussion from consumer all the way up to the government. There are many products and services that contribute to the rising costs, as well as some responsibility left to practicing providers who choose to use high dollar radiology services for patient care. Ionizing radiation has been used for more than a century, however, this evolution or radiology services into widespread diagnostic and therapeutic uses has resulted in a significant increase in the population’s overall exposure to radiation with the potential to increase the risk of cancer (Amis & Butler, 2010). Examples of high dollar radiology services are services like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computer Tomography (CT) scans, and Echocardiograms. These services allow physicians t... ... middle of paper ... ....com/pages/article/newLDR_44.htm Guaranteed Results. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.niahealthcare.com/our-difference/guaranteed-results.aspx Green, J. (2012). Benefits trust takes steps to control radiology costs. Crains Detroit Business, 28(2), 1-3. Health Plans. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.niahealthcare.com/our-difference/partnerships/health-plans.aspx Herman, S. (2010). Radiology decisions lead to cost savings. Health Management Technology, 31(5), 26. Radisphere, Business Wire. (2012). Radisphere partners with national rural health association to provide high quality, lower cost radiology services to the rural hospital community. Regional Business News. Solutions. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.niahealthcare.com/our-services/solutions.aspx To Control Costs, Benefits Management Firms Contacting Employees. (2012). HR Focus, 89(3), 12-13.
The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses’. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body’s natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas. Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radiobiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine.
Ecton Inc. is a small company that develops innovative solutions in the medical imaging market. The latest device they have developed is the first portable, highly compact, fully digital, echocardiography. Traditional echocardiographies are large pieces of equipment that offer zero mobility. This rendered emergency rooms powerless to the convenience mobility offers. For example, if a doctor needed to receive an image of a patents heart they would have to schedule and move a patient to the location of the echocardiography. In an emergency situation this limits the data doctors require to make an accurate prescription if the patient cannot be move to the machine. By miniaturizing this device Ecton has ushered in a revolution in the medical imaging arena. The next step for the company is to decide how they are going to introduce the product to the market. This study has put me in the driver’s seat and offered me a glimpse of what the CEO was faced with when making this decision. I will provide my opinion regarding the next steps Ecton should perform moving forward with their newly developed disruptive technology.
Modern medicine is capable of treating a tremendous range of human disease and injuries, but the usefulness of all medical specialties depends on accurate diagnosis. Virtually every conceivable medical specialty relies on radiological technologies to provide formal diagnoses, making radiology one of the most important of all medical specialties. Radiologists enjoy some of the best working conditions in modern medicine and typically experience very positive employment conditions. Consequently, their services are generally in very high demand, with many starting out with six-figure annual incomes immediately after completion of their professional training.
With consolidation among hospital systems over the last few years there has been a trend toward ways to streamline processes. By having “shared services” such as laundry services, human resources and radiology and diagnostic services it’s possible to lower costs and have common processes. The advent of health care reform and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with its Information Technology (IT) incentives has led to greater interest in risk management and IT solutions. While there was a decrease in 2012 on outsourcing IT services the finalization by the Supreme Court of the ACA and President Obama’s re-election cemented the need for an IT solution (Kutscher, 2012)
It is very important that we utilize cost control methods in the health care field. The reason being is that about 10% of the population, usually with chronic to severe problems, use approximately 70% of the total spending (Shi, & Singh, 2008). If we didn’t monitor the costs and spending we wouldn’t be using the money efficiently. To avoid potential problems we frequently use six different cost control methods to monitor what medical services are necessary, the most cost efficient way for these services to be provided, and keep an up to date chart of the patient’s condition to offer only treatment deemed necessary.
There is no doubt that health care costs are rising out of control. Look again at the information presented in this paper. It should make sense of things.
Radiation therapists work closely with patients to fight cancer. According to Health Care Careers, Oncologists, Dosimetrists and nurses are some of the professionals that a radiation therapist works with while caring for a cancer patient. This group of professionals will determine a specialized treatment plan. The first step usually includes a CT scan performed by a radiologist to find the exact area that needs to be targeted with x-rays. Next, the therapist uses a special machine that emits radiation called a Linear Accelerator. They use this machine during a treatment called external beam therapy. During this process, the Linear Accelerator will project x-rays at targeted cancer cells or tumors. Another therapist will be in a different room monitoring the patient’s viral signs until the procedure is over. The external therapy l...
Communication between technologists and P.A’s must improve. The constant struggle of being able to comprehend what the other wants is tiring and redundant. An understanding of radiology procedures and protocol is imperative. Patients deserve outstanding quality of care and a feeling of safety within this hospitals organization. It’s crucial that we take the patient’s safety into consideration when dealing with ionizing radiation.
Miller, J. (2013). Payers rethink utilization costs. Managed Healthcare Executive, 23(11), 9-9,15. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1458614037?accountid=36202
Wald, M. L. (2010 , January 8). Cancer Risks Debated for Type of X-Ray Scan. Retrieved February 5, 2010 , from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/09/health/09scanner.html
Radiologic Technologists use radiation to produce images of tissue, organs, and vessels that make up the body, as well as cancer, tumors, broken bones, and tumors (Cape Fear Community College). If a person is in the medical imaging field to become a Radiologic Technologist to help people, this part of the job is what grabs their attention, because as soon as they find these problems they omit the images to a doctor that helps take care of it. Radiologic Technologist is a branch of Health Science Cluster Diagnostic services pathway (OkCollegeStart). When a person’s knows where their career choice starts it helps get a better overview of where to start and helps get them where they want to be. Radiologic Technologists review and evaluate developed x-ray, videotape, or computer generated information to determine if images are “satisfactory for diagnostic purposes” (OkCollegeStart). Persons who are more technology driven are attracted to this career because of the technology a person gets to use and process. Radiologic
...eased to make it profitable. While an MRI scan costs 1000$ and upward, this price has to make up for the employee cost, the establishment cost, administrative cost, servicing costs and the variable costs associated with it.
Our most important text provides an illustration of how value can be calculated by taking into consideration the physician’s expertise, time, medical devices used, and the intricacy of the procedure, thus determining the price for healthcare services this process is known as activity-based costing which is universally used in healthcare facilities. Although, activity-based costing serves as a primary basis for price and cost estimates. Administrators must take into consideration factors that influence pricing and costs such as government programs that limit the number of reimbursements, for example, “bundled payments, provider discounts, provider write-offs, services provided as charity, copays and coinsurance, third-party payments, low-versus high-payers sources (Medicare (low)/Employer or Private Insurance (high payer), ethical liabilities, pay mix and cost shifting along with fixed and variable costs. Other factors include competitiveness of the market and supply and demand within the geographic area” (Baack, Fischer, 2013 para. 6.2).
One of the factors is the rapid growth of medical science and technology advancement because patients assume that new technology is always better, and physician and hospital feel the need to outdo their competition. The cost to purchase and have a new medical technology available for patients’ increases the health care facility’s overhead leading to higher medical cost for the patients (chap. 10). Also, there is a decrease in primary physicians and an increase in specialty physicians, and the problem with this is that specialty physicians charge more for their services (chap.3). The elderly populations are growing rapidly with the new advances in medical technology, however, with an increase in life expectancy also increases cost for health care because of the additional elderly citizens on Medicare. Also, there is currently a multiplayer complex health care system in the United States (U.S.); unfortunately, the complexity of a system has a high possibility of mistakes occurring within the steps in the system which contributes to increasing in costs (chap. 12).
Hillman, Bruce J. (1997, September 6). Medical imaging in the 21st century. The Lancet, vol. 350, p. 731.