Health insurers are trying to curb medical costs and reduce excessive care by deterring hospitals and doctors from performing elective surgeries, including early deliveries and unnecessary cesarean sections, FierceHealthcare reported. With their new policies, insurers also hope they will avoid subsequent medical costs related to feeding, breathing and developmental problems. What's more, new research has concluded that hospitals waste billions of dollars each year on these services.
So beginning this year, UnitedHealthcare will pay hospitals more if they reduce early deliveries without medical cause and demonstrate lower C-section rates. And Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina won't reimburse hospitals at all for elective early deliveries. --Read the full article at FierceHealthcare