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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1977

Private health insurance in 1975: coverage, enrollment, and financial experience.

More improvement in the scope than in the quality of private health insurance coverage took place during 1975. Four-fifths of the population under age 65 was covered for hospital and surgical care, and nearly that proportion was protected against the costs of physicians' in-hospital visits, X-ray and laboratory examinations, and prescribed out-of-hospital drugs. The $33.6 billion in premiums paid by consumers resulted in the return of only $28.9 billion in benefits, which covered just 44% of their total personal health care expenditures. Major-medical insurance, held by an estimated 43% of the population, helped to overcome some of the deficiencies of private insurance--dollar limitations on health care services, ceilings on the duration of hospital stays, and exclusions for some types of care. It also provided economic protection against catastrophic expenses. Premiums and subscription income rose faster than benefits as private insurers attempted to keep their coverage in line with rising health care costs. The overall underwriting gain was due largely to a $952.4 million gain in group business by the insurance companies.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Utilization, attitudes, and experiences of Vietnam Era veterans with Veterans Administration health facilities: the American Legion experience.

A random sample of American Legion members in six states who had served in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam Era was conducted through a mailed questionnaire, in order to determine patterns of usage of Veterans Administration health facilities, as well as attitudes toward the VA and experiences at these facilities. Of the 6810 male respondents, 42.0% had served in Southeast Asia. These subjects were categorized according to their level of combat in South Vietnam. Thirty-six percent of those who had served in Southeast Asia had used VA health facilities, compared to only 18% of men who served elsewhere. Among Southeast Asia veterans, combat level was an important predictor of extent of usage of VA facilities for problems of both physical and mental health. Combat level was also associated with lack of basic and major medical insurance. While men with lower incomes tended to make greater use of VA mental health facilities, nearly one-fourth of mental health users had family incomes above $30,000. Despite their greater usage of the VA, men with higher combat levels expressed lower feelings of security about this agency, and rated its staff less helpful and of lower quality than did men who experienced lower levels of combat. On the other hand, higher combat veterans thought themselves better informed about VA services. Men who had gone to the VA for mental health assistance reported a disturbingly low frequency of having been asked basic questions that relate to possible diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), questions related to combat, which may be one of its etiologic factors, or other questions relating to their military history. Because combat level in Vietnam veterans is a major determinant of both attitudes toward and utilization of VA health facilities, the VA as well as other health agencies which deal with Vietnam veterans should be especially sensitive to this factor, and should take it into consideration when evaluating veterans' physical and mental health.

Attitude↗
PubMed1989

Overview of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 and its impact on health-care delivery.

The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 is described, and its impact on health-care delivery is discussed. The act will expand Medicare coverage of inpatient hospital care and will also provide payment for outpatient prescription drugs and home i.v. therapy. For the prescription drug benefit, deductible and coinsurance payments will be phased in, and Medicare will establish payment limits. A per diem fee schedule will be established to pay for the supplies and services used in home i.v. therapy. Providers of home therapy must have qualifications specified by the act. Pharmacists will have an important role in ensuring that patients understand and comply with their drug therapy once they leave the hospital. As members of the home health-care team, pharmacists will be involved in identifying candidates for home care, instructing patients in the use of sophisticated medical equipment, and monitoring the safety and efficacy of therapy. Medicare beneficiaries will help finance the new coverage by paying a flat premium; in addition, all individuals eligible for Medicare will pay supplemental premiums based on their federal income tax liability. Congress, however, will come under pressure to lower or freeze these premiums. Hospitals and pharmacists should cooperate in urging Congress to provide adequate funding for services specified by the catastrophic coverage act.

Catastrophic Illness↗