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While some delayed exams in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, an Epic Research study finds no increase in cancer cases. Christopher Alban of Epic talks about the study, and the need for more investigation.

Despite delay in screenings, no rise in breast, colon or cervical cancer … for now

Ankoor Shah of Accenture talks with Chief Healthcare Executive about the need for better data, and why technology is a key element in closing disparities. 

Making health equity sustainable: Helping patients and the bottom line

Medical debt is an enormous problem, as more than half of all U.S. adults have gone into debt because of medical or dental bills, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

In our latest episode of the “Data Book” podcast, we talked about medical debt with Ryne Natzke, the chief revenue officer of Sphere. Sphere is a technology company that works with health systems on patient billing systems.

Ryne discussed the difficulties for patients. And he says medical debt could be considered a social determinant of health.

“Medical debt is the largest overall contributor to personal debt,” Natzke says.

We also talked about the challenges for providers. Healthcare providers, which are facing tremendous financial pressures in the pandemic, also need to collect as much as possible from patients, Natzke adds.

“Hospitals don’t love having all this money sitting out there uncollected,” he says.

We talked about how health systems can sustain their operations without leaving their patients with catastrophic debt. He talks about the need for health systems to use technology to help determine which patients may be facing financial hardships due to their medical costs, and how to help them. 

But systems also need to give patients the human touch, and allow them to reach a person when they truly need assistance.

Reminder: You can subscribe to Data Book on Apple, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio and virtually everywhere you get your podcasts.

In our latest episode, Ryne Natzke of Sphere talks about how providers need to take different approaches to ensure they are getting paid without leaving patients with heavy debt.

Data Book podcast: Medical debt and the impact on patients and providers 

The directors of home hospital programs say they offer new opportunities to improve patient care for all populations. 

Hospital at home and health equity: Aiming to close disparities

Experts say they’re alarmed by the increase in maternal mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Black women are much more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications.

After ‘stunning’ 40% rise in maternal deaths, health leaders demand action

Some health systems have partnered with other community organizations and made a significant difference.

Hospitals and health equity: Examples of novel strategies

Nearly half of adults with medical debt have been contacted by collection agencies, and some patients with lower-incomes aren’t getting discounted rates, according to the Urban Institute.

Most adults with medical debt owe money to hospitals: Report

ECRI, a nonprofit focused on protecting patients, releases its annual list of the most pressing concerns. Marcus Schabacker, CEO of ECRI, talked with us about the leading issues.

These are the top 10 threats to patient safety in 2023

Doctors and leaders say hospital-at-home programs offer 

David Levine of Mass General Brigham talks about his system’s work to help patients who have challenges in their home environment. He’s the clinical director of research and development for Mass General Brigham’s “Healthcare at Home” program. Mass General Brigham has provided hospital-level care in patient’s homes for more than eight years.

“I think considerations for health equity are paramount in home hospital care,” he says. “And our program, and I know many programs across the country, have taken this very seriously and put in real service offerings to make sure that health equity is top of mind, and being sure that we're able to treat all sorts of patients at home.”

Mass General Brigham has helped patients get enrolled in programs offering assistance with housing needs. For patients in public housing with issues such as leaky windows or holes in the floor, the health system will push the landlord or superintendent to make necessary repairs.

“We bring an element of a power dynamic with us, when there's a doctor or a nurse in somebody's home,” Levine says.

Levine and others say by treating patients in the home, clinicians can see other challenges such as food insecurity, or issues patients may be reluctant to discuss in the hospital.

“I think there's a real opportunity and responsibility to address some of the social determinants of health that we see when we're working closely with our patients in their homes," Levine said.

One of the nation's leading experts on home hospital programs talks about how they can help close health disparities.

Health equity

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