| From the National Health Council and Wyeth |   |
| Top Story |  |  |
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- Patients have options for finding cheaper prescriptions
People who have trouble affording prescription medications should talk to a pharmacist to see if there are less expensive alternatives, according to an expert at Butler University's College of Pharmacy. Other options include asking if a pharmacy will match a competitor's lower price, going to a reduced-cost or free clinic, and investigating drug assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Yahoo!/HealthDay News
(11/6)
    
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Generic, OTC, older medications may lower drug costs: Patients can reduce prescription drug spending by asking about less expensive alternatives to popular brand-name medications, including generics, over-the-counter equivalents or older drugs that are safe and work just as well. Consumer Reports also has published the "Best Drugs for Less" list which recommends the most affordable and effective medications. Google/The Associated Press
(11/5)
| Out-of-Pocket Cost Impact | | |
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| Health Care Costs and Access | | |
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- Michigan BCBS gives money to free clinics for uninsured care
Free clinics in Michigan will get $1 million in grant money from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to help pay for health care for the uninsured. The state's jobless rate is at 15.3% and the unemployed often delay seeing a physician because of the cost, leading to more serious and more expensive medical problems, one company official said. Healthcare Finance News
(11/6)
- Family physicians spend more time with patients
U.S. researchers said family physicians spent about 16% more time with adult patients in 2005, with visits lasting 20.8 minutes, compared to 18 minutes in 1997. Data showed the number of primary care visits increased 10% during that time and the quality of care improved. HealthDay News
(11/9)
| Trends in Health Care Design | | |
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- Express Scripts members to get benefit info from kiosks
Express Scripts has partnered with Greatwater Software to offer patients information about their prescription drug benefits through kiosks in their physician's office. Patients will be able to find out about their coverage and prescription management options, such as mail delivery of pharmaceuticals, to help improve prescription compliance and boost patients' involvement in their own care. Healthcare IT News
(11/4)
- Low-cost, wireless tools help study falls in elderly
Inexpensive wireless sensors in carpets, clothing and rooms can monitor how the elderly walk and perform daily activities, giving researchers insights on risk factors and prevention techniques for dangerous falls. Early detection and fall prevention are part of a growing industry to help seniors live independently for longer. The New York Times
(11/7)
| Policy/Legislative Watch | | |
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| About Better Health Care by Design |
As the incidence of chronic diseases and their associated costs continue to rise, many patients are facing increasing out-of-pocket costs for their care. Research has demonstrated that
high out-of-pocket costs present a barrier to much-needed care for many patients with chronic diseases, leading to poorer health outcomes for patients and increased long-term costs
for patients and payers. Better Health Care by Design is an effort focused on improving health and economic outcomes for patients with chronic diseases by bringing together the
diverse range of interested stakeholders — patients, providers and payers — to collaborate on new, practical benefit design models that lead to better prevention, management and
treatment.
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| | Recent Better Health Care by Design issues:
- Wednesday, November 04, 2009
- Wednesday, October 28, 2009
- Wednesday, October 21, 2009
- Wednesday, October 14, 2009
- Wednesday, October 07, 2009
| | | Lead Editor: Kathryn Doherty
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