healthcare costs

Claims Analysis Shows High Comorbidities, Care Costs for Patients

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experience a high prevalence of co-existing conditions, or comorbidities, which are associated with much higher healthcare costs, a claims analysis demonstrated. In particular, pharmacy costs for NMOSD patients with any comorbidity were “significantly higher” than for those with no co-existing conditions: a…

New Rules Will Help Protects Patients From Surprise Medical Billing

In 2012, I had the unpleasant experience of receiving unexpected out-of-network medical bills for a hospitalization in Florida. There was nothing I could do about it. At the time, I wasn’t aware of any laws that might have protected me. But I now know that Florida is among the…

US Patient Groups Give Thumbs-Up to Rule Against Surprise Billing

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is applauding the Biden administration for announcing a rule to protect consumers from surprise medical billing, in a joint statement with 26 other U.S. patient organizations. The interim final rule will implement patient protections required by the No Surprises Act. Surprise…

NMOSD Relapses Common, Increase Healthcare Costs in US

Almost half of U.S. patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experienced relapses over a period of two years, according to an analysis of a large healthcare claims database. Such relapses — which lasted on average nearly 13 days — were treated more often with outpatient rather than hospital…