Financial Benefits Research Articles

Predictors of Use of Individual Insulin and GLP-1 RA Products Versus Fixed Ratio Insulin/GLP-1 RA Combinations in Medicare Beneficiaries.

Background: In 2022, federal law capped insulin product costs at $35 per month for Medicare prescription drug plan recipients. However, this law did not address the high costs of other antihyperglycemic medications, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), with an average copay of $120 per month. Under the law, fixed-ratio insulin/GLP-1RA combination products are classified as "insulin products," making these effective medications more accessible to patients who might otherwise be unable to afford them. Patients may not be aware of the potential financial benefits of combination products, highlighting the need to identify those using them to better educate both patients and providers. Objectives: The primary objective was to identify predictors of use for the insulin/GLP-1RA combinations. The secondary objective was to determine if there was a difference in medication cost to patients between individual and combination product users and determine cost savings potential of switching. Design: This was a retrospective, observational cohort analysis. Setting: Prescription fill data were examined for antihyperglycemic medications filled between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Prescriptions were filled within one regional division of a large community-based pharmacy chain, encompassing 71 pharmacies within Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort analysis examined prescription fill data for antihyperglycemic medications for the calendar year 2022 across one regional division of a large community-based pharmacy chain. Included patients 65 years of age or older with a Medicare prescription drug plan, using any basal insulin and any GLP-1RA, including combinations, as well as metformin, with ≥ 80% proportion of days covered. Demographics, usage predictors, and cost differences were compared between patients using individual products and those using insulin/GLP-1RA combination products. Results: A total of 138 patients were analyzed. The use of insulin/GLP-1RA combination products was associated with increased likelihood of using sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (P = 0.022). Median annual out-of-pocket spending was significantly different between groups (P < 0.001), with most combination users paying more than $1,000 less per year than individual product users. Conclusion: Insulin/GLP-1RA combination products represent a cost-effective alternative to individual antidiabetic pharmacotherapy agents.

Abstract TP120: Hospital Finance Optimization Through AI-based Stroke Care Coordination Platform

Introduction: AI-based Stroke Care Coordination Platforms (AI-SCCP) have been shown to improve patient transfer decisions and provide access to the highest quality standards of care for all patients. Since strokes happen everywhere and anytime, we examine the economic benefits of implementing AI-SCCPs for two different hospital types: CSC - a comprehensive 24/7 stroke program inclusive of endovascular surgical care and PSC - “Acute Stroke Ready” facilities with radiological imaging and thrombolytic medication treatment capacities but no endovascular surgical care and patients/families. Methods: Using 2021 Medicare MS-DRG payment averages, we calculate the AI-SCCP's PSC break-even point, its effects on CSC finances, and the reduced transfers' economic benefits for the patient and family. Results: Avoided transfers enable the PSC to continue caring for the patient locally, increasing patient volume and resulting in increases in total contribution margin and net revenues beyond the costs of the AI-SCCP. While these retained patients decrease the CSC patient transfer volume, the CSCs will still provide care to all PSC patients needing surgical interventions and patients with MS-DRGs 61-66 who arrive at their locations via initial presentation in their emergency departments. Only 1.7% of all non-surgical stroke discharges were from PCS rural/small-town community hospitals (15% of all US hospitals), illustrating that there is room to avoid more futile transfers. Futile transfers have financial costs for family members, such as hotels, transportation, meals, and lost wages during the patient’s care and increased negative impacts on the patient’s health. Futile transfers increase the episode of care costs to the healthcare system through added ambulance transfers and physician and facility bills, adding out-of-pocket patient costs without adding health outcomes or value. Conclusions: AI-SCCPs offer financial benefits to the PSC and CSC by ensuring patients are at the facility, which provides the best possible benefits for them, a triple “win” for the PCS, CSC, and patients/families. For financially strained PCSs, the retained revenue is critical. Using AI-SCCPs ensures that local hospital/emergency departments can provide timely, expert stroke care for patients and their families in situ. In cases of necessary transfer, the receiving CSC team is prepared and ready to treat these patients, saving valuable time and brain immediately.

P-1892. Dabbling with Dalbavancin: Implementation and Cost-savings of an Inpatient-to-Outpatient Dalbavancin Pathway

Abstract Background Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic with in vitro activity against gram-positive organisms and a terminal half-life of 14.4 days. One dose provides 7 days of therapy whereas a novel 2-dose regimen provides up to 4-6 weeks. These strategies are attractive alternatives to standard of care for patients in whom daily IV antibiotics are not feasible. There also may be a financial benefit as the dosing schedule allows for completion of therapy in the outpatient setting and can reduce hospitalization costs. Methods This study is a retrospective chart review of all patients who received dalbavancin at Tampa General Hospital. Our institution approved the use of dalbavancin at no cost to patients for vancomycin-susceptible gram-positive infections who remain hospitalized only to receive IV antibiotics. All patients received at least one 1500mg dose inpatient to save 7 days of hospitalization; some patients planned to follow up a week later in an outpatient clinic for a second 1500mg dose to save at least 4 weeks of hospitalization. Cost estimates are based on the patient’s hospitalization cost prior to receiving dalbavancin and do not include avoided implicit costs. Results From 12/13/22 to 3/31/24, 28 patients received dalbavancin; 14 (50%) planned to receive a second dose and 11 (78.6%) successfully received their dose in clinic. The majority of patients (60.7%) reported a history of injection drug use. Most infections were monomicrobial (85.7%) with S. aureus being the most common pathogen. An estimated 527 days of hospitalization were avoided, representing a cost savings of $684,712.44. The institutional drug cost for dalbavancin was $104,772, leading to an estimated net hospital cost savings of $579,940.44. The all-cause 30-day readmission or revisit rate was 28.6%, similar to reported readmission rates in this population, however the 30-day infection-related readmission or revisit rate was favorable (10.7%). Conclusion The use of dalbavancin to facilitate discharge resulted in significant cost savings without increasing infection-related readmissions. Further cost-benefit analysis on true economic impact including the reduction in nosocomial infections and avoidance of toxicities is warranted. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

P-735. Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: A Comparison of Outpatient One-Hour Infusion Oritavancin and Inpatient Vancomycin Use

Abstract Background Patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) who present to the emergency department (ED) are commonly admitted for intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment. At AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC), oritavancin is utilized in the ED as a single 1200 mg dose to prevent ABSSSI admissions. The purpose of this study is to compare 30-day ABSSSI readmission rates between one-hour ED oritavancin infusion and inpatient vancomycin therapy transitioned to oral antibiotics. A financial assessment of both groups will also be presented.Table 1.Patient characteristics and outcomes analyzed via Student’s t-test or χ2 test. Methods Subjects with ABSSSI were included in this retrospective study if they were administered oritavancin in the ARMC ED between November 2022 and August 2023, or given IV vancomycin as an inpatient between January and August 2023. Data collection included patient demographics, history of ABSSSI, injection drug use, and length of stay (LOS). A financial analysis was performed based on diagnosis-related group (DRG) reimbursement and hospital-specific expenditures. Collected data were analyzed using a Student’s t-test or χ2 test as appropriate. Results A total of 191 patients were included in this study with 140 and 51 in the oritavancin and vancomycin arms, respectively (Table 1). The 30-day ABSSSI readmission rates were significantly lower in the oritavancin arm (n=8, 5.7%) compared to the vancomycin arm (n=10, 19.6%), p=.004. Amongst the 8 oritavancin readmissions, only 4 (2.9%) were considered oritavancin candidates based on our hospital protocol criteria which defines appropriate patients. The estimated cost after DRG-based reimbursement for a single patient in the vancomycin arm was approximately $10,300. The estimated cost avoidance for each oritavancin patient, not accounting for drug reimbursement or the subsequent decrease in readmissions, was approximately $7,240. Conclusion Oritavancin as a one-hour infusion in our ED appears to be an effective treatment option in preventing admissions and significantly decreasing 30-day ABSSSI readmissions. The financial benefits of preventing hospital admissions with single-dose oritavancin should be considered when treating ABSSSI patients in the ED setting. Disclosures Joseph Reilly, B.S., Pharm.D., Melinta Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant

Unlocking Potential: Addressing Societal and Economic Barriers for Qatari Youth in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector

This quantitative research examines the factors discouraging Qatari youth from pursuing careers in the tourism and hospitality sector. It explores socio-cultural and industry-specific barriers, evaluates the effectiveness of government and private initiatives supporting local employment in the field, and proposes strategies to enhance the sector's appeal to Qatari youth. The findings reveal that societal attitudes play a significant role in shaping career choices, with 31% of respondents perceived a lack of community acceptance and 30.3% expressing uncertainty about societal openness to such roles. Many participants also have associated hospitality jobs with a negative impact on self-esteem. Additionally, 17% cited religious concerns, believing that Islam does not endorse such professions. Beyond societal influences, financial and occupational factors contribute to the reluctance of Qatari youth to enter the hospitality industry. Low financial incentives and demanding working conditions—such as long hours and high-pressure environments—were key deterrents. Compared to lucrative sectors like oil, gas, and banking, hospitality careers offer fewer financial benefits and limited opportunities for professional advancement, making alternative industries more attractive to Qatari job seekers.

Individualized Benefits and Access to Active Labor Market Programs Boost Refugee Women's Economic Integration

Individualized Benefits and Access to Active Labor Market Programs Boost Refugee Women's Economic Integration

Egg donation advertisements: addressing the regulatory gap.

Egg donation is a procedure that is powerfully advertised as a beneficial experience with limited mention of the associated risks. Egg donor recruitment advertisements target young and financially insecure women and can serve as a catalyst for interest in egg donation. In the absence of explicit egg donation advertisement regulations and without counterbalancing information from other sources, potential donors may not be able to recognize how advertisements can be misleading. In this paper, we enumerate two types of misleading information in egg donor recruitment advertisements that can influence the decision to donate that might not exist otherwise: (1) the focus on financial benefits and (2) the minimization of health risks. We draw upon existing Federal Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission regulations that govern other types of medical advertisements and demonstrate their suitability to govern egg donor recruitment advertisements. We conclude that similar regulations could address the regulatory gap in which egg donation advertisements are situated by ensuring that information is balanced and not overly persuasive, thus better protecting the autonomy of egg donors.

Designing the First Pregnancy Guaranteed Income Program in the United States: Qualitative Needs Assessment and Human-Centered Design to Develop the Abundant Birth Project.

Racial inequities in pregnancy outcomes persist despite investments in clinical, educational, and behavioral interventions, indicating that a new approach is needed to address the root causes of health disparities. Guaranteed income during pregnancy has the potential to narrow racial health inequities for birthing people and infants by alleviating financial stress. We describe community-driven formative research to design the first pregnancy-guaranteed income program in the United States-the Abundant Birth Project (ABP). Informed by birth equity and social determinants of health perspectives, ABP targets upstream structural factors to improve racial disparities in maternal and infant health. The research team included community researchers, community members with lived experience as Black or Pacific Islander pregnant, and parenting people in the San Francisco Bay Area. The team conducted needs assessment interviews and facilitated focus groups with participants using human-centered design methods. Needs assessment participants later served as co-designers of the ABP program and research, sharing their experiences with financial hardships and government benefits programs and providing recommendations on key program elements, including fund disbursement, eligibility, and amount. Housing affordability and the high cost of living in San Francisco emerged as significant sources of stress in pregnancy. Participants reported prohibitively low income eligibility thresholds and burdensome enrollment processes as challenges or barriers to existing social services. These insights guided the design of prototypes of ABP's program components, which were used in a design sprint to determine the final components. Based on this design process, the ABP program offered US $1000/month for 12 months to pregnant Black and Pacific Islander people, selected through a lottery called an abundance drawing. The formative design process maximized community input and shared decision-making to co-design a guaranteed income program for Black and Pacific Islander women and people. Our upstream approach and community research model can inform the development of public health and social service programs.

Can Family Policies Enhance Fertility? An Ex Ante Evaluation Through Factorial Survey Experiments.

This article explores the family policies-fertility nexus by assessing the potential impact of parental leaves, childcare services, and child benefits on fertility through a factorial survey experiment (FSE). We focus on Italy, where persistently low fertility rates are often linked to limited welfare support for families. We surveyed 4,022 respondents aged 20-44 and exposed them to various scenarios characterized by different family policy packages. We asked them to ascribe short-term fertility behavior to a fictitious couple under each scenario. Results show that each family-friendly policy envisioned positively impacts ascribed fertility. The availability of full-time, public childcare services seems more relevant than higher child benefits, whereas more generous and gender-equal parental leaves are perceived as less relevant. However, results suggest that only a consistent mix of financial benefits, parental leave schemes, and childcare provisions can boost fertility. In contrast, marginal changes in single policy levers are most likely ineffective. The FSE reveals that a couple's socioeconomic status is perceived as more important than family policies for fertility: ascribed fertility increases when both partners are employed and household income is high. We conclude by discussing the policy implications of our findings.

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change: An Emerging Concern in Banking Sectors

This study explores the crucial role of the banking industry in addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. As climate change increasingly threatens global economies, ecosystems, and public health, financial experts recognize the potential for the banking sector to contribute to a low-carbon economy. By incorporating green-banking practices, which blend traditional financial services with environmental, social, and economic considerations, banks can foster sustainable development while reaping financial benefits. The research examines the dynamics of sustainable banking, focusing on its ability to drive efficiency improvements through eco-friendly programs and enhance profitability. Furthermore, the study discusses the challenges in adopting and implementing environmental sustainability, comparing the command-and-control regulatory model with voluntary approaches. The findings emphasize the importance of effective regulation and incentives for ensuring that banks adopt sustainable practices, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and low-carbon economic system. Through this analysis, this study underscores the banking industry′s pivotal role in shaping the transition towards a sustainable future.

The emerging green economy: Exploring the influence of ISO 14001 on South African manufacturing sector

ABSTRACT Although ISO 14001 offers benefits such as improved environmental performance and a business advantage, to date, the financial benefits associated with ISO 14001 in South Africa have not been quantified. Thus, this study sought to assess the financial benefits accruing to selected manufacturing enterprises, accredited as ISO 14001 compliant, located in three South African provinces. Data was collected through an e-survey and interviews with key decision-makers in the selected organisations. The results show that the benefits of ISO14001 certification include improved environmental awareness among employees; enhanced responsibility for employees’ environmental concerns, better data management; reduced operational and production costs; and new income streams linked to re-use and recycling initiatives. But savings are seemingly sector-specific, with auto manufacturers making the greatest return on investment. Overall, the long-term financial benefits justify the relatively high cost; time-intensive obligations and extensive human resource requirements of ISO14001 certification for most, but not all, the companies under study.

FRAUD DETECTION IN FINANCIAL TRANSACTONS

Financial fraud, considered as deceptive tactics for gaining financial benefits, has recently become a widespread menace in companies and organizations. Conventional techniques such as manual verifications and inspections are imprecise, costly, and time consuming for identifying such fraudulent activities. With the advent of artificial intelligence, machine-learning-based approaches can be used intelligently to detect fraudulent transactions by analyzing a large number of financial data. Fraud has been a persistent challenge in the realm of financial transactions, posing significant threats to businesses, financial institutions, and individuals alike. As technology advances and financial systems become increasingly digitalized, the methods and sophistication of fraudulent activities also evolve. This paper explores cutting edge technologies such as machine learning and are revolutionizing fraud detection. By analyzing transaction patterns and employing anomaly detection algorithms, such as CNN organizations can identify and mitigate fraudulent activities in real time. In response to this ongoing threat, the field of fraud detection in financial transactions has emerged as a critical area of focus for organizations worldwide. In order to identify fraudulent behavior in financial transactions, this research paper suggests a unique technique. Key challenges include handling imbalanced datasets where fraudulent transactions are rare compared to legitimate ones, ensuring the privacy and security of sensitive financial information, and maintaining low latency to prevent delays in transaction processing.

Equitable marine carbon dioxide removal: the legal basis for interstate benefit-sharing

ABSTRACT Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) deployment strategies appear likely to involve the use of common ocean resources to generate financial benefit for mCDR developers. An important consideration for the future design of an equitable mCDR governance regime is the distribution of those benefits between states, particular between developed and developing states. This paper addresses the legal basis for inter-state benefit-sharing arrangements arising from mCDR activities through an analysis of existing inter-state benefit-sharing arrangements in international resource regimes. The paper identifies a set of key conditions that are present and justify the imposition of benefit-sharing between states. Specifically, claims for inter-state benefit-sharing are legally justified where the resources exploited are located in areas beyond national jurisdiction; the resource opportunities are finite; and the ability to access the resource opportunities are constrained by technological and financial capacity. These conditions will most likely be present for many deployment scenarios for key mCDR technologies. In presenting an argument in favour of inter-state benefit-sharing, this paper seeks to provide a more complete understanding of the equitable and legal dimensions of distributing the economic and non-economic benefits from mCDR activities.

Beyond compliance: exploring the synergy of Islamic Fintech and CSR in fostering inclusive financial adoption

Purpose This research examines the relationship between Islamic Fintech and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the pursuit of extending financial use to all layers of society. It aims at understanding key influencers such as Sharia compliance, perceived financial benefits, ease of technology uses and Islamic social responsibility (ISR) in the adoption of Islamic Fintech services. The study further investigates how culture may act as a moderator to the relationship between ISR and the adoption of Islamic Fintech services.Research methodologyData were collected from 263 respondents in Jordan using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Smart PLS software to test the proposed hypotheses and evaluate the research model’s reliability and validity.Results and findingsThe results reveal that Sharia compliance, perceived financial benefits, technological ease of use, and ISR significantly influence the adoption of Islamic Fintech services. The study also finds that cultural resonance plays a crucial moderating role, enhancing the impact of ISR on the adoption of these services.Originality and empirical implicationsThis paper adds value to the existing literature by attempting a comprehensive analysis assessment of the reasons behind the adoption of Islamic Fintech. It highlights the necessity of connecting the modern-day financial systems and the ethical tenets practiced in societies to facilitate the nonconventional market penetration strategies. Such findings also provide useful articulations for Islamic Fintech providers who intend to respond to the changing dynamics within the rolling out of technology in a religious sustainable financing.

The financial benefits of going green: an analysis of bank performance and policy impact in China

The financial benefits of going green: an analysis of bank performance and policy impact in China

Household Waste Management with Waste Bank in Stunting Area at Puskesmas Ambacang, Padang City

Household waste management is an important environmental and public health issue, especially in areas with high stunting rates, where overall community health can be compromised due to poor sanitation practices. This study explores the implementation of a waste bank system in stunting-prone areas in the working area of the Ambacang community health centre in Padang city. Waste banks function as a community-based approach to managing household waste by encouraging residents to separate and store recyclable materials in exchange for financial benefits. It also aims not only to reduce environmental pollution but also to empower local residents economically and improve public health. This service examines the effectiveness of waste banks in changing household waste management behaviour, their contribution to reducing health risks associated with waste mismanagement and their potential to alleviate stunting through improved environmental sanitation. The waste bank model encourages greater community involvement in waste segregation and recycling thus contributing to a cleaner living environment.

Preservation empowered dual-warehousing for perishable product under trade-credit financing scheme incorporating diverse demand

This work addresses a dealer's operational planning problem for handling perishable product's two-level trade through a financially sustainable supply chain set-up under two-level trade-credit and dual-warehousing arrangement equipped with preservation technology. Financial support is provided to client at both levels of trade, under bilaterally agreed situation-based specific terms and conditions alleviating lean cash flow. Pivotal objective of this work is developing a mathematical model that supports this decision-making situation for optimising cost efficiency in supply chain operations. Formulating this mathematical model and its solution methodology are perplexing due to multiple cases divulging through the utilisation of warehousing arrangements combined with financial outcomes of two-level trade-credit settlements. Both are accomplished in this work. Ancillary models are further developed for evaluating strategic benefits of trade-credit financing and additional warehousing space availability. Implementations on real case-based multiple data sets are presented, wherein computational results confirm the capability of decision support developed on provisioning all circumstances of warehousing requirements and financial liabilities towards both levels of trade credit. Comparative analysis performed through computations on ancillary models establishes strategic benefits of addressed contemporary business practices. Furthermore, variational analysis is extensively performed for identifying crucial parameters pertaining to the stability of the developed decision mechanism.

Quality Costing: A Key Tool for Enhancing Customer Satisfaction and Efficiency

Quality costing, also known as the Cost of Quality (COQ), is a strategic framework that helps organizations manage and improve the quality of their products and services while minimizing operational inefficiencies. In today's competitive business environment, ensuring high quality is not just an option but a necessity for organizations aiming to build customer loyalty and a strong market reputation. This paper delves into the critical components of quality costing, which include prevention costs, appraisal costs, internal failure costs, and external failure costs, each contributing to a comprehensive approach for managing quality-related expenses. Prevention costs are incurred to avoid defects before they occur, while appraisal costs focus on evaluating and inspecting products to ensure they meet quality standards. Internal failure costs arise from defects found before products reach customers, whereas external failure costs result from defects discovered after the product has been delivered to the customer, potentially damaging the organization’s reputation. Beyond its immediate financial benefits, quality costing facilitates informed decision-making by providing data that helps organizations assess quality risks and prioritize improvements. It plays a crucial role in reducing risks associated with product failures, thus enhancing competitive advantage in a highly dynamic market. Moreover, this paper explores various methods for measuring COQ, emphasizing that accurate measurement is key to realizing the full benefits of this tool. It also offers recommendations on how businesses can leverage quality costing to drive continuous improvement, foster innovation, and promote sustainability in their operations.

The Application of the Technology Acceptance Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour in the Context of Green Banking

The implementation of green banking techniques in the banking sector is anticipated to yield advantages including minimised resource utilisation, lower operational expenses, and improved efficiency, while also fostering a smaller environmental impact. Green banking practices have environmental and financial benefits for the banking sector, but these benefits will only materialise if consumers adopt them. This research adopts the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by Davis (1989) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) proposed by Ajzen (1991) to examine the interplay of External Variables, Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), and Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC). The external variables used are Time Availability, Convenience, and Social Norms. The SEM is applied to assess the significance of factors influencing perceived behavioural control about Green Banking. Online questionnaires were used to collect responses from 250 customers’ for the aim of this study. Results show that external variables, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness significantly influences the perceived behavioural control

Sustainable approaches for brownfield revitalisation &amp; rehabilitation: a case in São Paulo

There is a necessity for sustainable solutions to meet the increasing demand for land in urban development. In this context, brownfields are known to be a viable alternative if characterized and remediated correctly. This study demonstrates the use of two methodologies, TRIAD, and high-resolution site characterization to assess the viability of rehabilitation of the site for new development. Given the conceptual uncertainties, a High-Resolution Site Characterization with the TRIAD approach was conducted to measure the environmental impact and update the conceptual site model of the studied area. The investigation plans were dynamically built with the use of real-time measurement tools. It was possible to measure the spatial distribution and the mass of contaminants still present in the area. Moreover, a more robust conceptual site model was developed to serve as the base for the remediation and rehabilitation strategies. The approach brought measurable financial benefits, an increase in 35% value of the property, as well as the permission to rebuild the area. The study highlights the significance of comprehensive investigations in the effective rehabilitation of impacted areas, while meeting the demands for sustainable urban development by providing a faster and more reliable field investigative campaign, with reduced levels of uncertainty.