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People Whose Doctors Offer Extended Hours Spend Less on Healthcare
Using survey data from more than 30,000 Americans, researchers found that 36% said their doctor offered weekend and evening hours. And over two years, those patients spent 10% less on medical care than people whose doctors stuck with traditional weekday hours - a difference of more than $1,000 per person.
You could assume that extended office hours would cut spending because patients have an alternative to the emergency room. But, in this study, fewer ER visits did not account for the lower spending.
The research team found lower spending on prescriptions and office visits seemed to largely account for their results. This suggests that cost-effective prescribing and care in general - less ordering of expensive office tests and expensive brand-name drugs - helped to "explain" the relationship between extended hours and expenditures.
The results showed it may be that offering extended hours is a marker for a more cost-conscious practice overall -- and this is what the researchers believe is the most likely explanation.
The findings, reported in the Annals of Family Medicine, are based on data from an annual government survey that asks U.S. adults about their healthcare use. The researchers included accountability for other factors, such as people's age, number of chronic health conditions, and insurance coverage. Still, extended office hours remained linked to a
10 % dip in healthcare spending.
Caduceus has always offered extended hours.
Yorba Linda Primary Care- M-F- 8am-8pm, Saturday- 9am-5pm
Caduceus 4 Kids(Pediatrics)- M-F- 8am-6pm
Irvine- M-F- 8am-6pm
Laguna Beach- M-F- 8am- 6pm, Saturday- 9am- 3pm
Have a medical question later at night? Contact a physician using our complimentary "MouseCalls" service.
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September Marks Healthful Aging Month
"Aging Gracefully" is a well-known description of how to ease into our golden years. But, aging healthfully of greater importance. Healthful aging focuses on the positive aspects of growing older and taking personal responsibility for one's health - physically, socially, mentally or financially.
The following are tips for creating a more healthful future:
- Get moving like there's no tomorrow. Dancing, swimming, walking and golfing are a few of the favorite activities of older adults. Don't know where to start? Contact your local community center.
- Eat fresh. Make a commitment to add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your daily snacks and meals. Try to cook from scratch using fresh ingredients as much as possible. Avoid processed meats and snacks.
- Go back to school. It's never too late to take courses to refocus your career, enhance a skill set or expand your knowledge. Many degrees are now available through online courses or local adult schools.
- Volunteer in your community or take a volunteer vacation. Many travelers are opting for "giving back" vacations that allow for meeting and helping new people, learning something new or fulfilling a dream. Volunteer Vacations Across America is an excellent resource.
- Get a financial check-up. Make an appointment with your financial advisor or find one this month and walk through your current finances and long-range monetary plans.
- Get a medical check-up. Bone density and cholesterol screenings provide you and your doctor with valuable information about two high-risk areas of aging. Have Medicare coverage? Did you know that it provides an annual wellness visit at no cost to you? Book your visit online here. Reserve an appointment.
Resolve that it's not too late to shore up your health, pursue something new or revive a favorite hobby or activity-- and go do it!
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Happy September to all,