Containing Health Care Costs

Containing U.S. health care costs: What bullet to bite?

In this article, the authors provide an overview of the problem of health care cost containment. Both the growth of health care spending and its underlying causes are discussed. Further, the authors define cost containment, provide a framework for describing cost-containment strategies, and describe the major cost-containment strategies. Finally, the role of research in choosing such a strategy...

Rising health care costs.

Tracking health care costs.

This paper provides an update on trends in health care costs since 1999. Although the growth rate in overall costs has been stable since 1999, the trend in costs for hospital services rose, while that for prescription drugs declined, although it remains extremely high. Increased growth in hospital costs reflects the retreat from tightly managed care and labor shortages. The discrepancy between ...

The case for health promotion programs containing health care costs: a review of the literature.

A review is conducted of major studies dealing with the impact of work site health promotion programs on health care costs. Inconsistent results were produced due to measurement, design, and sampling problems. A study of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Indiana employees provided the best evidence of program-related health care cost reductions. Suggestions are made which, if implemented, should enable...

Managed Health Care Effects: Medical Care Costs

MANAGED HEALTH CARE EFFECTS: MEDICAL CARE COSTS AND ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE