Mental Health Inequities Have Huge Toll
Inequities in mental health will cost $332 billion on premature death and $116 billion in productivity loss in 2024. These combined numbers could grow to $1.3 trillion by 2040.
The inequities also mean greater healthcare spending. $5.3 billion in 2024 excess costs are tied to overutilization and excessive reliance on the emergency room for acute mental health incidents. That number could rise to $17.5 billion in 2040.
#mentalhealth #behavioralhealth #healthcare
https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/mental-health-inequities-cost-478b-unnecessary-expenses-2024
Bipartisan Group Of Senators Want To Reform Retail Drug PA
A group of senators want to further rein in and reform prior authorization (PA) for retail prescription drugs. The proposed bill has no details, but senators say they want to digitize PAs. Perhaps they don’t understand that Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and Part D have some of the strictest turnaround times and there is a robust electronic PA process in America.
(Article may require a subscription.)
#medicareadvantage #priorauthorization
Sanders And Other Democratic Senators Introduce Dental Access Bill
Sen. Bernie Sanders has introduced a dental access bill that would increase dental coverage access across federal health programs, expand dental care sites, invest in the oral health profession, and more. Reimbursement would be increased in Medicaid.
(Article may require a subscription.)
#dentalcare #healthcare #medicaid #medicare #exchanges
Healthcare Inflation Trails Overall Inflation Hike
Nice review by the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker on how medical inflation stacks up to overall inflation. While healthcare costs usually grow more than other areas, right now inflation is below overall inflation and what is occurring in other sectors. There is data that suggests that healthcare inflation is beginning to rise again along with utilization.
#healthcare #inflation #costs
— Marc S. Ryan
