Question 1

According to Anderson and Aday, which of the following is an element of "realized access"?

Accepted Answer

Realized access refers to the actual use of health services by individuals. It includes factors such as the type, site, and purpose of health services available to individuals. Enabling characteristics are a part of potential access, while the distribution of healthcare services according to patient's self-perceived need is a part of perceived access.

Question 2

Expenditures (E) equal:

Accepted Answer

Expenditures (E) are the total amount of money spent on a product or service. This is calculated by multiplying the Price (P) of the product by the Quantity (Q) purchased. Therefore, the correct choice is D, which states that Expenditures (E) equals Price (P) times Quantity (Q).

Question 3

A service is cost-efficient when:

Accepted Answer

A service is cost-efficient when the benefit received is greater than the cost incurred to provide the service. It is important to consider both the cost and the benefit in determining whether a service is cost-efficient. Achieving the desired health outcome and saving money for the patient's insurance plan may be factors to consider, but they do not necessarily indicate cost-efficiency.

Question 4

What does the ACA mostly likely to accomplish?

Accepted Answer

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was primarily designed to expand access to healthcare by increasing the number of people with health insurance coverage.

Question 5

What does the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure?

Accepted Answer

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures general inflation, which is the overall increase in prices of goods and services in an economy over time. It is used to track changes in the cost of living for households and is a key indicator of the health of an economy. The CPI is calculated by averaging the prices of a basket of goods and services that are representative of what consumers buy.

Question 6

What is the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS)?

Accepted Answer

HEDIS is a quality report card that measures the performance of health plans and assists consumers in making informed decisions about their healthcare. It includes measures related to preventive care, chronic disease management, and member satisfaction.

Question 7

What are small area variations?

Accepted Answer

Small area variations refer to the differences in healthcare practice, treatment, or medical procedures that exist between different geographic regions, such as states, cities, or even neighborhoods. These variations can arise due to differences in patient demographics or the unique healthcare needs of a specific area. Therefore, option A is the correct choice.

Question 8

The Donabedian Model includes all of the following elements except:

Accepted Answer

The Donabedian Model includes three main elements: structure, process, and outcomes. It does not include costs as a separate element.

Question 9

Medical cost inflation is influenced by all of the following factors except:

Accepted Answer

An increase in the number of uninsured individuals would lead to a decrease in demand for healthcare services, which could potentially slow down medical cost inflation. However, medical cost inflation can be influenced by waste and abuse, the growth of technology, and an increase in the elderly population, which tend to increase the demand and costs of healthcare services.

Question 10

Approximately what percentage of GDP is spent on health care in 2009?

Accepted Answer

According to data from the World Bank, approximately 17% of GDP was spent on health care globally in 2009.

Question 11

What are administrative costs?

Accepted Answer

Administrative costs are associated with the management of financing, insurance, delivery, and payment functions of healthcare. These costs include expenses related to activities such as billing, claims processing, marketing, and administrative salaries.

Question 12

Why should rising health care costs be controlled?

Accepted Answer

Rising health care costs should be controlled because they force Americans to forgo other goods and services when more money is spent on health care. Additionally, if costs are not controlled, total health care expenditures will far exceed what they would be under free-market conditions.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The distinction between predisposing and enabling conditions can be applied to assess the _______ of a health care system.

Accepted Answer

The distinction between predisposing and enabling conditions is crucial for assessing the equity of a health care system. This involves examining whether all individuals have fair access to care regardless of their predisposing conditions (such as age, race, or genetic factors) and enabling conditions (such as socioeconomic status or education).

Question 14

What is the main reason for the lack of success of health care cost control efforts in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Cost shifting by providers, or the practice of shifting costs to other payers (such as private insurers or Medicare) to make up for the low reimbursement rates from Medicaid and uninsured patients, is a major factor in the lack of success of health care cost control efforts in the U.S. This causes higher premiums for those with private insurance and higher taxes for those funding Medicare and Medicaid, which limits the ability to control overall health care costs.

Question 15

What is the purpose of clinical practice guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Clinical practice guidelines serve multiple purposes, including providing a plan to manage a clinical problem based on evidence or consensus, lowering costs by reducing unnecessary or ineffective treatments, and improving outcomes through standardized and evidence-based practices. Therefore, the best choice is D, as it encompasses all of these purposes.

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of certificate-of-need statutes?

Accepted Answer

Certificate-of-need (CON) statutes aim to control capital expenditures by health facilities by requiring them to demonstrate a need for new or expanded services, equipment, or facilities before they can be approved by state regulatory agencies. The goal is to prevent unnecessary duplication of services and contain healthcare costs. The other options (A, B, and D) don't accurately reflect the primary purpose of CON statutes.

Question 17

What is Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?

Accepted Answer

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a measurement of the total value of all goods and services produced within a country during a specific time period, typically a year. It includes all final goods and services produced within the country's borders and is a widely used indicator of a country's overall economic performance. Option A accurately describes this definition.

Question 18

Which age group in the U.S.has had the highest average annual percent growth over the past 30 years?

Accepted Answer

The over 85 age group has experienced the highest average annual percent growth over the past 30 years, primarily due to improvements in healthcare and life expectancy.

Question 19

What is meant by the term "health care costs"?

Accepted Answer

Health care costs refer to the overall expenses related to health care, which includes the cost of producing health care services, the price individuals pay for those services, and how much a nation spends on health care as a whole.

Question 20

What is a PRO?

Accepted Answer

A PRO is a Peer Review Organization, which is an entity that reviews healthcare services to determine appropriateness, quality, and necessity of care.

Quiz 12: Cost, Access, and Quality