Study: Bariatric Surgeries Skyrocket, but Quality and Cost Vary Widely at U.S. ... MarketWatch (press release)
26.05.10
GOLDEN, Colo., May 26, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
The number of bariatric surgeries in the U.S. skyrocketed from 13,386 in
1998 to 220,000 in 2008, but a new study released today by HealthGrades,
the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, finds that the
nation's hospitals have wide variances in both complication rates and
lengths of stay, which largely correlate with the number of times the
hospital performs bariatric procedures.
According to the study, patients undergoing bariatric surgery at
hospitals rated with 5 stars by HealthGrades experienced, on average,
43% fewer complications and 10% less time in the hospitals than patients
at average hospitals.
"Bariatric surgery has been proven to reduce caloric intake and control
obesity, but the HealthGrades study demonstrates that where
patients have this type of surgery matters -- a great deal," said Rick
May, M.D., a vice president with HealthGrades and a co-author of the
study. "There is a subset of U.S. hospitals whose patients, the data
show, routinely have fewer complications and leave the hospital earlier."
Source:
Many Graduates Lack Health Insurance
By CityTownInfo.com Staff
July 21, 2009
In addition to facing a tough job market, many new graduates are also living without health insurance coverage.
USA Today reports that according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, about 1 million alumni dropped their parents' health insurance coverage upon graduating this year. But because so many new graduates are having difficulty obtaining employment that includes health benefits, a significant number of young adults are not adequately insured.
CNBC reports that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of adults ages 20-24 was uninsured in 2006--the highest percentage of any age group.
"People generally put off health insurance because it's not mandated," explained Steve Trattner, chief marketing officer at Cinergy Health. "It's just one of those necessary evils."
Cheryl Fish-Parcham of Families USA, a health care advocacy organization, told USA Today that delaying health insurance is unwise for graduates, as unexpected medical issues can create significant debt. Moreover, she noted, insurers may deny coverage if graduates develop any major medical problems. For this reason, she advised avoiding gaps in coverage lasting more than 63 days, because within that period of time, federal law requires insurers to offer coverage.
One possible option for graduates is to remain on their parents' health plan. Sara Collins, vice president at the Commonwealth Fund, told USA Today that 25 states allow this, and graduates can sometimes stay on their parents' health plans until age 24, 25 or 26. New Jersey boasts the highest age limit at 30.
Legislators in New York recently approved a bill aimed at addressing this problem. The new law would grant health insurance coverage to unmarried adult children up to age 29 under their parents' policies, reports the Post-Standard in Syracuse. Currently, health insurers may remove young adults from policies at age 19.
...
Read more...
![WellPoint shares drop as it revises Calif. rates Reuters]("http://nt2.ggpht.com/news/tbn/Su_MYVPVsLBlaM/6.jpg")
ReutersWellPoint shares drop as it revises Calif. ratesReutersState insurance commissioners are advising the US government on part of the new law that sets how much health insurance companies spend on medical costs, WellPoint's profit jumps 51%WellPoint shares slump as it revises Calif. ratesall 676 news articles »
