Economics of healthcare

Question 1

Overall, the average life expectancy at birth for both men and women is roughly the same in high-income countries and low-income countries.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Low-income countries have made the greatest strides in average life expectancy at birth, due mainly to decreased child mortality rates.

A. True
B. False

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The United States ranks in the top ten nations in the world in both men’s and women’s average life expectancy.

A. True
B. False

Answer 3

False.

Japan is number 1

Question 4

According to the World Health Organization statistics, which of the following countries have an average life expectancy for both men and women higher than the United States?
United Kingdom
Spain
Sweden
New Zealand
All of the above

Answer 4

all of the above

Question 5

For the World Health Organization’s Agenda for 2030, which of the following Sustainable Developmental Goals are being measured?
Neonatal mortality rate
Road traffic mortality rate
Malaria incidence
Tuberculosis incidence
Suicide Rate

Answer 5

all of them.

Question 6

According to the World Health Organization statistics, which of the following countries have a higher number of skilled health professionals per 10,000 population of citizens than the United States?
Uzbekistan
Qatar
Switzerland
San Marino
All of the above

Answer 6

all of them

Question 7

The total expenditure on healthcare in the United States, as a percentage of gross domestic product is approximately:
10%
13%
17%
21%
25%

Answer 7

17%

Question 8

Which of the following countries spend more on healthcare, as a percentage of their gross domestic product, than the United States?
Canada
Denmark
United Kingdom
France
None of the above

Answer 8

None of the above.

We put a higher percent of our GDP than any other country in the world.

Question 9

Utilizing the World Health Organization’s methodology for evaluating a country’s health system performance in terms of efficiency, the United States ranks _________ in the world.

Answer 9

37th

Question 10

4 parts of medicare

Answer 10

Part A: Hospital costs
Part B: Physician Services
Part C: Medicare Advantage
Part D: Rx

Also pay for graduate medical education

Question 11

what medicaid covers

Answer 11

Health care for 60 million eligible poor

Pregnant women, children, moms 
Medically needy (aged, blind, disabled) and nursing home care

Question 12

Medicaid’s Fiscal Challenges

Answer 12

Takes up >25% of most state
budgets

Increases in unemployment = increases in eligibility (but decreased state revenue)

Fairly generous benefits (mental health, dental and vision) but access problems due to low reimbursement

Question 13

Does the Affordable Care Act require nearly all Americans to have health insurance or else pay a fine?

Answer 13

Yes

Question 14

Does the Affordable Care Act allow a government panel to make decisions about end-of-life care for people on Medicare?

Answer 14

No. Physicians are now compensated for talking to patients about end-of-life care.

Question 15

Does the Affordable Care Act cut benefits that were previously provided to all people on Medicare?

Answer 15

No. It said that medicare reimbursements are held to quality standards.

Question 16

Does the Affordable Care Act allow everyone who likes their present healthcare insurance to keep it?

Answer 16

No. Insurance policies have to live up to certain standards to be acceptable.

Question 17

Does the Affordable Care Act expand the existing Medicaid program to cover low-income, uninsured adults regardless of whether or not they have children?

Answer 17

It did expand medicaid and tried to go even farther, but states still have authority (Supreme court decision 2012)

Question 18

Does the Affordable Care Act prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage because of a person’s medical history or health condition?

Answer 18

Yes

One of its main points.

Question 19

Does the Affordable Care Act require all businesses, including small businesses, to provide health insurance for their employees?

Answer 19

no; an employee limit exists. 50 employees or less don’t have to

Question 20

Does the Affordable Care Act create a new government run insurance plan to be offered along with private plans? (public option)

Answer 20

No.

Question 21

Has the Affordable Care Act been successful in reducing the number of uninsured and under-insured Americans?

Answer 21

Yes.

Question 22

What factors will need to be addressed to improve the efficiency of the United States healthcare system?

Answer 22

Provider’s fees
Reducing unnecessary expenses
- Unnecessary diagnostic procedures
- Preventable complications
- Unnecessary readmissions

Efficiency of delivery

• Accountable Care Organizations
• Bundled payments