Best way to learn how the US healthcare system works?

[yokiguz]

Canadian here, so I know quite a bit about how our healthcare system works. But what is the best way to learn how the American health system works? I'd love to learn more about this considering I'd like to attend school and eventually practice in the USA. Wikipedia seems pretty good, but any other recommendation? I find most sources tend to politicize it (in both directions) and I'm looking for a more objective point of view.

Thanks!

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[yokiguz]

View attachment 317731

Thank you so much; this looks perfect.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

Canadian here, so I know quite a bit about how our healthcare system works. But what is the best way to learn how the American health system works? I'd love to learn more about this considering I'd like to attend school and eventually practice in the USA. Wikipedia seems pretty good, but any other recommendation? I find most sources tend to politicize it (in both directions) and I'm looking for a more objective point of view.

Thanks!

It's good to know a little bit about the generalized system, but each specialty has some nooks and crannies in them as well.

Make sure to identify what interests you, and then the pros and cons of that specialty in the US healthcare system. For example, I enjoyed my family medicine rotation, but knew the amount of paperwork would be a major turn off for me, and I could get that same variety (and more adrenaline!) in the ER with minimal paperwork.

David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[zorcandpals]

Healthcare triage is good if you're into bite sized youtube videos.

 

[Rogue42]

Patient with insurance gets sick -> goes to primary care to get treatment -> gets treated - > is charged a small amount of dollars as a "co-pay" -> insurance is charged the rest -> clinic reimbursed by insurance

Patient without insurance goes through same process but is charged full office bill. Whether or not they can pay it depends. If they pay it, great. If they don't, then it will go to collections and will eventually be paid by patient or written-off (especially in a hospital).

That is the most general way the healthcare system works. What exactly are you looking to learn?

 

[Med Ed]

Canadian here, so I know quite a bit about how our healthcare system works. But what is the best way to learn how the American health system works? I'd love to learn more about this considering I'd like to attend school and eventually practice in the USA. Wikipedia seems pretty good, but any other recommendation? I find most sources tend to politicize it (in both directions) and I'm looking for a more objective point of view.

Thanks!

Understanding Health Policy - A Clinical Approach by Thomas Bodenheimer. It's the standard text for this subject and it's not political. It's also a quick read, especially if you are only interested in certain chapters.

 

[LizzyM]

Patient with insurance gets sick -> goes to primary care to get treatment -> gets treated - > is charged a small amount of dollars as a "co-pay" -> insurance is charged the rest -> clinic reimbursed by insurance

Patient without insurance calls primary care to get treatment but is turned away due to lack of insurance coverage. The same applies to some poor people who have Medicaid (govenrment insurance) or Medicare (government insurance for the elderly and disabled) because the government pays so little that some providers refuse to treat patients with that coverage. The person who can't get in to see a primary care provide goes to the emergency department where an assessment must be made before someone is turned away. Federal law requires patients who are serious ill, seriously injured or in labor be treated in the emergency department and admitted if necessary regardless of ability to pay. They will be charged for the visit. Whether or not they can pay it depends. If they pay it, great. If they don't, then it will go to collections and will eventually be paid by patient or written-off (especially in a hospital). In some cases the debt is sold to a collection agency for pennies on the dollar and the collection agency hounds the person until the debt is paid or the person declares bankruptcy.

 

[HopeP]

The equilibrium between there corners of healthcare triangle, Patients, Insurances/Health Management and Healthcare Providers (Drs, Hospitals, Pharmas) is broken as simple as that. Only 2 corners will align, not all 3 unless you are privileged with corporate insurance or can afford the premium more than mortgages.

 

[dindjarin87]

I listened to this podcast to help understand our current model:

CD048: The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) - Congressional Dish

The following is a resource for finding information within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. My goal was to highlight the portions of the bill

congressionaldish.com

 

[couldbeawinchester]

"Health Systems Science" textbook. I was assigned the book for my population health course at my med school