Business Week has a great article summarizing 10 ways to cut health care costs.
CRACK DOWN ON FRAUD AND ABUSE
DEVELOP A HEALTHY WORKFORCE
COORDINATE CARE THROUGH FAMILY DOCTORS
MAKE HEALTH A COMMUNITY EFFORT
STOP INFECTIONS IN HOSPITALS
GET PATIENTS TO TAKE THEIR MEDICINE
DISCUSS OPTIONS NEAR THE END OF LIFE
USE INSURANCE TO MANAGE CHRONIC DISEASE
LET WELL-INFORMED PATIENTS DECIDE
APOLOGIZE TO THE PATIENT
In explaining number seven, the article states: "Aetna discovered that high-quality care for the dying actually lowers costs. The insurer started its Compassionate Care program in 2004 to educate terminally ill patients and their families about treatments, living wills, and hospice care. 'It was about dignity, not cost control' . . . Instead of unneeded tests and futile treatments, patients got more nursing care, pain management, and psychological support . . . ."
- CRACK DOWN ON FRAUD AND ABUSE
- DEVELOP A HEALTHY WORKFORCE
- COORDINATE CARE THROUGH FAMILY DOCTORS
- MAKE HEALTH A COMMUNITY EFFORT
- STOP INFECTIONS IN HOSPITALS
- GET PATIENTS TO TAKE THEIR MEDICINE
- DISCUSS OPTIONS NEAR THE END OF LIFE
- USE INSURANCE TO MANAGE CHRONIC DISEASE
- LET WELL-INFORMED PATIENTS DECIDE
- APOLOGIZE TO THE PATIENT
In explaining number seven, the article states: "Aetna discovered that high-quality care for the dying actually lowers costs. The insurer started its Compassionate Care program in 2004 to educate terminally ill patients and their families about treatments, living wills, and hospice care. 'It was about dignity, not cost control' . . . Instead of unneeded tests and futile treatments, patients got more nursing care, pain management, and psychological support . . . ."