MMHA6400 2020 JUNE Week 6 Discussion Latest

MMHA6400 Healthcare Financial Management and Economics

Week 6 Discussion

Regulation, Policy, and Economic Efficiency

One of the assumptions of value-based care is that if consumers are aware of price, then they can make better decisions about the health care services they receive. In an effort to encourage this efficiency in health care, government regulation and policy has been designed to promote transparency of quality and cost information. For this Discussion, examine the following scenario and consider how regulation and policy on hospital cost transparency might improve economic efficiency.

Scenario:

On behalf of consumers, employers and local purchasers in your market are committed to slowing health care costs by improving visibility on hospital prices. A recent media story revealed that prices in your local market were the highest in the state. You are a member of a private sector consulting service that has been hired to help a hospital address transparency issues. The hospital would like to be more transparent in their cost and fee relationships with providers.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Review the provided scenario. What are the advantages of transparency for both the hospital and the consumer? How might hospital cost transparency improve economic efficiency?

Consider current (last 5 years) regulation and policy to compare hospitals based on their costs. Locate and review literature to support your recommendations.

By Day 3

Post a cohesive response to the following:

Analyze advantages of transparency for both the hospital and the consumer. Include how hospital cost transparency might improve economic efficiency. Then, recommend regulation and policy to compare hospitals based on their costs. Defend your recommendations.

Support your response by identifying and explaining key points and/or examples presented in the Learning Resources.

Read a selection of your colleagues' postings. Consider how your colleagues’ postings relate to the information presented in the Learning Resources and to your own posting.

By Day 5

Respond to at least two of your colleagues' postings and continue the Discussion through Day 7. Expand on this Discussion by provided additional insights or alternative perspectives.