U.S. Could Reduce Costs by Focusing on "High-Need" Patients

A new study examining the health care experiences of older, sicker adults in nine high-income countries concludes that the United States could reduce health care costs by improving access to primary care and promoting better care management for high-need patients. The Commonwealth Fund’s Dana O. Sarnak and Jamie Ryan analyzed international survey data to investigate health care use, quality, and experiences among older adults with multiple chronic conditions or difficulties with activities of daily living—a population that accounts for a disproportionately large share of health spending.