Neonatology and Emerging Trends in Health Insurance

ABSTRACT

As the cost of healthcare rises, the employers who finance health insurance benefits plans are demanding increased accountability and effectiveness in the management of costly care, such as that delivered in the neonatal intensive care unit. Neonatologists are under increased scrutiny by third-party payors. They should also expect to see closer case management, downgraded reimbursement according to standardized tools for assessing level of care, and closer evaluation of reimbursement for novel and expensive drugs and technologies. Neonatologists need to become more knowledgeable about how the current crisis in cost for employer-funded health plans may affect their practice.

KEYWORDS

Managed care - neonatology managed care - health care finance

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