Category: CHIR

Depressed Doctors and What Healthcare Payers and Providers Can Do

A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found very high rates of depression among medical students. Georgetown medical student Josh Barrett takes a look at the implications for physician training and patient care, as well as the role of health insurers and health systems in supporting physicians’ mental health.

Paying for Miracles – The High Cost of Cures

It is every patient’s dream to hear the words, “You’re cured.” Yet the ability to cure can come with a high cost, one that health insurers are often reluctant to cover. Georgetown University medical student Joshua Barrett examines recent proposals for unique payment mechanisms for high-cost interventions that could perhaps change the way they are priced and financed.

Health Care Cost Considerations in Medical Education

Medical students are taught to care for the whole person. Shouldn’t that include care for the patient’s wallet, as well? As insurers increasingly shift costs to enrollees, Georgetown University medical student Joshua Barrett considers the role of the physician – and medical education – in helping patients stay both physically and financially healthy.

CHIR Wishes Sally McCarty Well in Retirement

The faculty and staff of CHIR wish a fond farewell to their retiring colleague, Sally McCarty. Sally is leaving CHIR on a high note, having had a successful career as an academic expert, state and federal insurance regulator, and tireless advocate for consumers.

Telemedicine and its Effect on the Regulatory Landscape

Some states are making policies related to the emergence of telemedicine or the delivery of health care services through telecommunication technology. While states are taking varying approaches, telemedicine can increase access to specialty services such as mental health services and help address network adequacy concerns. CHIR’s Sandy Ahn highlights some of the issues related to telemedicine.

Welcoming New Arrivals to CHIR

We at CHIR are excited to announce the arrival of two new colleagues who will be helping us navigate the world of health insurance and the new health insurance marketplaces. Please join us in welcoming David Cusano and Justin Giovannelli.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the individual blog post authors and do not represent the views of Georgetown University, the Center on Health Insurance Reforms, any organization that the author is affiliated with, or the opinions of any other author who publishes on this blog.