A client living in the 1920s received health care services. Which would have been the most likely form of payment?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Until the 1930s, the predominant method of health care financing was self-payment. Health care providers charged a fee for the services they rendered, and the patient paid the out-of-pocket expense. The assumption was that those who could pay would pay and those who could not pay should receive care and pay what they could. Insurance companies did not exist in the 1920s.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The first efforts to control costs were made by the federal government when Medicare hospital reimbursement was based on a prospective payment system. Payment would be based on a classification system that identified costs according to diagnosis and client characteristics. Restricting insurance companies to add new members to their plan was not part of the first steps to try to stop constantly rising costs.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The five leading causes of death and illness can be positively affected by changes in lifestyle. Healthy lifestyles can modify or even prevent most chronic illnesses. Seeking care at a neighborhood health clinic, producing media campaigns, and engaging in self-therapies are all more expensive approaches to treating chronic diseases than choosing healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Society sees insurance as an economic shield protecting against all disease and illness. The belief in cure rather than prevention, combined with this financial safety net, encourages society to become a passive participant in health care. The pervasive societal thought is 'I don't have to worry; I have insurance.' Americans are aware of which behaviors are unhealthy, have knowledge on how to change their behavior, and are concerned about health, but insurance has allowed them to take a passive approach to health.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Use of drugs and their cost immediately increased. This is because when Medicare introduced a prescription drug benefit, it provided coverage for medications that were previously not covered, leading to an increase in the utilization of prescription drugs by beneficiaries. This increase in demand for medications directly resulted in an increase in both the volume and cost of drugs being prescribed and purchased. Option A is incorrect because the implementation of a prescription drug benefit under Medicare would likely lead to an increase in the number of prescriptions ordered by physicians, not a decrease. Option B is incorrect because the introduction of a new benefit such as prescription drug coverage would likely impact patient care outcomes, especially for those who previously could not afford their medications. Option C is incorrect as it does not reflect the immediate impact of the prescription drug benefit on drug expenditures. In an educational context, understanding the implications of policy changes on the healthcare system is crucial for healthcare professionals and policymakers. It is important to recognize that introducing new benefits or services can have significant effects on utilization, costs, and outcomes within the healthcare system. This knowledge is essential for making informed decisions about healthcare policy, resource allocation, and delivery of care to meet the future economic needs of the US healthcare system.