Not only do healthcare markets across the country vary, but there are stark differences between healthcare markets within the same state, according to the Healthy Marketplace Index Report from the Health Care Cost Institute.
Not only do healthcare markets across the country vary, but there are stark differences between healthcare markets within the same state, according to the Healthy Marketplace Index Report from the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI).
The report, created with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shows economic performance of more than 40 healthcare markets using local-level measures of healthcare findncing and delivery avaliable for the privately insured population.
“No single measure can predict the health of a local market. However, the Healthy Marketplace Index gives us a much clearer picture of how health care systems are performing,” Eric Barrette, director of research at HCCI, said in a statement. “We hope that this information will help researchers, employers, health plans, and providers better understand the markets they operate in and develop meaningful policies that improve the value of health care services.”
The report identified high-price areas as Boulder, CO; El Paso, TX; Bridgeport, CT; Dallas TX; Milwaukee, WI; Philadelphia, PA; Denver, CO; and Fort Collins, CO. The prices for inpatient care in Fort Collins was, on average, 43% higher than prices in Colorado Springs, just 2 hours south. Low-price areas were Tucson, AZ; St. Louis, MO; New Orleans, LA; Peoria, IL; and Louisville, KY.
The HCCI analysis found that prices are not tied to healthcare use. For example, even though Denver has high prices, it also had high use. In addition, the report found that price patterns are not consistent and there was an association between inpatient services and health.
“The Healthy Marketplace Index succinctly characterizes some of the most important attributes of health care marketplaces that influence not only health outcomes, but also public and private spending on health care,” says Katherine Hempstead, director of health insurance coverage at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “We hope the information is valuable to local stakeholders, such as consumers, employers, and policymakers, who are trying to improve the health care delivered in their communities.”
Real-World Study Reveals Key Insights into DLBCL Treatment Patterns, Outcomes
April 18th 2024A recent study offers valuable insights into the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in patients across different lines of therapy, providing a look into the landscape of DLBCL management.
Read More
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen
Gene, Light Therapy Combo Shows Promise Against Prostate Cancer Cells in Proof-of-Concept Study
April 18th 2024In their preclinical model, the researchers found efficacy both in vitro and in vivo by using CRISPR-Cas9 to mimic porphyria and combining the technology with light therapy.
Read More
Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
Listen
Collecting SDOH Data Can Assess Risk of Medical Nonadherence, Improve HEI and Star Ratings
April 18th 2024At the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2024 annual meeting, a panel of presenters explored changes coming to Medicare that incorporate social determinants of health (SDOH) data to improve patient and health system outcomes.
Read More