Week 4 Discussions

Discussion 1:

Prior to engaging in this discussion, please read Chapters 13 and 14 in the text and review any relevant Instructor Guidance. It is suggested that you review the recommended articles to glean any helpful information. Analyze and comment on economic analyses of health administrative innovations that are germane to the provision of health services. How have these innovations become more important in health care delivery within the context of the Affordable Care Act? Develop a list of similarities and differences between cost benefit analysis and cost effectiveness analysis as they pertain to specific health care service demands. Compare and contrast economic challenges and incentives as they relate specifically to cost benefit and cost effectiveness analyses.

Discussion 2:

Prior to engaging in this discussion, please read Chapter 11 in your text and review any relevant Instructor Guidance. It is suggested that you review the recommended articles to glean any helpful information. Analyze the role of the paradigm shift under the Affordable Care Act and discuss how transparency will play a greater role in pricing of health care. In your opinion, will consumers begin to demand increasing transparency in pricing? Provide at least one peer-reviewed reference outside of your textbook to support your position. Do you believe accrediting commissions (e.g., the Joint Commission) will demand greater transparency in pricing?  How will these demands be weighted as compared to individual consumers’ demands? Again, be sure to cite research that supports your statements.

MUST INCLUDE IN-TEXT CITATION AND REFERENCE LIST

Week 5 Discussions

Discussion 1:

Prior to engaging in this discussion, please read Chapter 17 in the text and review any relevant Instructor Guidance.  It is suggested that you review the recommended articles to glean any helpful information. To begin you initial post, research one of the health profession licensing agencies in your state. Analyze and comment on the role this professional licensing group plays in the creation of policy within the profession as well as the impact those policies potentially have on the economics of health services. Then, specifically look at the composition of the licensing agency’s board of directors. Describe the present composition of the board membership. Evaluate the social-cultural issues that might influence health economics in your state based on the diversity of the board in question. Is the present composition a fair representation of the community the board is supposed to serve? What, if any, consumer representation exists on the board? Compare and contrast economic challenges and incentives among health care’s organizational models such as the licensing agency you have selected.

Discussion2:

Prior to engaging in this discussion, please read Chapter 16 in the text and review any relevant Instructor Guidance. It is suggested that you review the recommended articles to glean any helpful information. Imagine that you own a pharmacy in your area. One of your competitors launches a “We will not be undersold” campaign, which promises consumers 150 % of any difference between its prices and the advertised prices of other pharmacies. Evaluate the social issues in your community as well as the economic culture that is influencing this type of pricing competition. Develop and describe a microeconomic model that is responsive to the service demands of your market. Based on your conclusions, how would you react to this situation and with what business strategy would you approach this? How might you apply game theory to the creation of your strategy?

MUST INCLUDE IN-TEXT CITATION AND REFERENCE LIST

Week 6 Discussions

Discussion 1:

Prior to engaging in this discussion, please read Chapter 12 in the text and review any relevant Instructor Guidance. It is suggested that you review the recommended articles to glean any helpful information. Imagine that you run a nursing home facility in your area. Analyze and comment on the role public policy has in the economic aspect of running this type of health services center. Compare and contrast the economic challenges and incentives this type of health care model presents. What are some of the ways in which you could inform or signal potential consumers that your nursing home is of high quality? Evaluate the social-cultural issues that influence the consumers of this type of health service. Which of your proposed methods are most apt to be reliable signals that significantly communicate to consumers so they are able to make more informed decisions?

Discussion 2:

Prior to engaging in this discussion, please read Chapter 12 in the text, read the Rice (1997) and the Korda and Eldridge (2011) articles, and review any relevant Instructor Guidance. It is suggested that you also take a moment to review a few of the recommended articles to glean any potential helpful information. Opportunism in health care is especially perceptible in the health insurance markets. Consider the area in which you live, specifically your state and local communities. Evaluate the social-cultural issues that are influencing adverse selection in insurance markets. Propose some strategies for reducing adverse selection in health insurance within these markets. Develop a microeconomic model that is responsive to your local service demands. Communicate how these issues are relevant to the economics of the greater U.S. health care system. What are the future implications with the Affordable Care Act?