Every 10 percent increase in the use of generic, rather than brand-name, statins, would reduce Medicare costs by about $1 billion annually.
I wonder how efficient and reliable those generic statins are compared to the brand-name ones.
Emergency room care is only 2% of the nation’s health care bill.
ERs are packed with people that shouldn’t even be there in the first place. PCPs keep sending their regular patients to ERs for check-ups or ailments that could be treated during a regular doctor consultation…but instead they end up being treated at emergency rooms?
All these unnecessary treatments and ” ER visits” end up being paid by you and me when it could have been totally prevented. Ultimately, it’s very easy to spend somebody else’s money..
…”In this drug class, where generics can be readily substituted for brand-name drugs for MOST PEOPLE [emphasis added], adoption of the policies most effective in encouraging generic use could lead to considerable savings for the plans, Medicare, and enrollees.”
Yes, and a size 12 dress can be substituted for a size 14 dress in MOST PEOPLE.
There’s limited evidence that generics and branded medications do produce varying side effects in some people. A couple of studies suggest that people who are switched are less likely to be taking their meds 6 months later. And some statins simply do a better job of control in some people.
Have to love papers like this which essentially say “look at how much money we cuold save if people were exactly the same and did what we told them to.”
“89 percent of emergency room patients have some form of public or private insurance.”
“Just about 7 percent of emergency room visits by those with Medicaid were for “non-urgent” needs”
“repeat emergency room visitors tend to have high rates of chronic health issues, things like diabetes and high blood pressure. Management of those conditions is more likely to happen in an outpatient setting, rather than in an emergency department
46% of our public held debt is medical expenses. Emergency rooms cost 5 times more than a PCP visit, even when the same services are rendered. I’d say that 2% is significant.
Every 10 percent increase in the use of generic, rather than brand-name, statins, would reduce Medicare costs by about $1 billion annually.
I wonder how efficient and reliable those generic statins are compared to the brand-name ones.
Emergency room care is only 2% of the nation’s health care bill.
ERs are packed with people that shouldn’t even be there in the first place. PCPs keep sending their regular patients to ERs for check-ups or ailments that could be treated during a regular doctor consultation…but instead they end up being treated at emergency rooms?
All these unnecessary treatments and ” ER visits” end up being paid by you and me when it could have been totally prevented. Ultimately, it’s very easy to spend somebody else’s money..
So why does Medicare pay for non-generic statins… oh, wait, government…
…”In this drug class, where generics can be readily substituted for brand-name drugs for MOST PEOPLE [emphasis added], adoption of the policies most effective in encouraging generic use could lead to considerable savings for the plans, Medicare, and enrollees.”
Yes, and a size 12 dress can be substituted for a size 14 dress in MOST PEOPLE.
There’s limited evidence that generics and branded medications do produce varying side effects in some people. A couple of studies suggest that people who are switched are less likely to be taking their meds 6 months later. And some statins simply do a better job of control in some people.
Have to love papers like this which essentially say “look at how much money we cuold save if people were exactly the same and did what we told them to.”
good point, linda
Facts:
“89 percent of emergency room patients have some form of public or private insurance.”
“Just about 7 percent of emergency room visits by those with Medicaid were for “non-urgent” needs”
“repeat emergency room visitors tend to have high rates of chronic health issues, things like diabetes and high blood pressure. Management of those conditions is more likely to happen in an outpatient setting, rather than in an emergency department
46% of our public held debt is medical expenses. Emergency rooms cost 5 times more than a PCP visit, even when the same services are rendered. I’d say that 2% is significant.
Every 10 percent increase in the use of generic, rather than brand-name, statins, would reduce Medicare costs by about $1 billion annually.
– Good to know we’re spending our money on “quality” products.