Patient Engagement

Between 1997 and 2011, there was a nearly 50 percent reduction in emergency department mortality rates for adults in the United States, according to a new study published by Health Affairs.

The data show that prices vary widely even within the most expensive regions. Patients, however, rarely know how much a procedure will cost until they receive the bill.

The study's authors said research into practice-level implementation should be the next step, particularly since the vast majority of research conducted to date has been under old -- and possibly soon-to-be-outdated -- care delivery models.

The first product suite, Pain RelieVR, offers immersive VR games that divert the patient's focus away from the procedure or recovery process.

Company has partnered with MemorialCare Health System on a customized health plan option for Boeing's 37,000 employees and their family members in southern California.

Less than a decade ago, telemedicine was mainly used by hospitals and clinics for secure doctor-to-doctor consultations. But today, telemedicine has become a more common method for patients to receive routine care at home or wherever they are -- often on their cellphones or personal computers.

A survey by Nielsen, and sponsored by the Council of Accountable Physician Practices, has found that when it comes to patients' experiences with coordinated care, there's still some room for improvement.

Digital health company Prime Surgeons will be launching an online network of surgeons to provide patients with access to surgical care on-demand, the group announced this week.

Americans with multiple chronic conditions -- not necessarily those with a poor immediate prognosis -- could have the largest impact on national spending, according to a new study published by Health Affairs.

For years policymakers and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have hypothesized that better integration of healthcare services helps improve outcomes and lower costs. Now there is evidence to back up the claim, CMS officials said in a blog released Thursday.