1. What is the difference between cost-effectiveness analysis and cost-benefit analysis in healthcare? Give an example of each. - Cost-effectiveness analysis compares the costs and outcomes of different interventions in terms of a common measure, such as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) or disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Cost-benefit analysis converts both costs and outcomes into monetary values and compares the net benefits of different interventions. For example, a cost-effectiveness analysis might compare the cost per QALY of screening for breast cancer versus no screening, while a cost-benefit analysis might compare the total monetary benefits (such as reduced mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs) and costs (such as screening, diagnosis, and treatment costs) of screening versus no screening. 2. What are the main sources of revenue for hospitals in the United States? How do they affect the financial performance and incentives of hospitals? - The main sources of revenue for hospitals in the United States are Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and self-pay patients. The revenue mix affects the financial performance and incentives of hospitals because different payers have different reimbursement rates, payment methods, and quality measures. For example, Medicare and Medicaid typically pay lower rates than private insurance, but also impose more regulations and penalties for poor quality. Private insurance may pay higher rates, but also negotiate discounts and contracts with hospitals. Self-pay patients may have no or limited ability to pay, but also represent a potential source of charity care or bad debt. 3. What are the main types of healthcare markets? How do they differ in terms of competition, regulation, and efficiency? - The main types of healthcare markets are product markets (such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and health insurance), provider markets (such as hospitals, physicians, and nurses), and factor markets (such as labor, capital, and land). They differ in terms of competition, regulation, and efficiency because of the characteristics of healthcare products and services, such as asymmetric information, externalities, moral hazard, adverse selection, and market power. For example, product markets may face less competition due to patents, entry barriers, or monopolies; provider markets may face more regulation due to licensure, accreditation, or quality standards; and factor markets may face more inefficiency due to labor shortages, wage rigidities, or capital constraints. 4. What are the main types of health insurance plans in the United States? How do they differ in terms of coverage, cost-sharing, provider network, and utilization management? - The main types of health insurance plans in the United States are fee-for-service (FFS), preferred provider organization (PPO), health maintenance organization (HMO), point-of-service (POS), high-deductible