Healthcare Payment Perspectives

Catalog description

This course examines the U.S. health insurance system through the lenses of its key stakeholders: patients, providers, payers, and the public. Students will explore how economic forces, payment mechanisms, and policy decisions shape healthcare delivery, access, and outcomes. Topics include the evolution of payment systems, mechanisms for institutional and ambulatory care reimbursement, and the regulatory processes influencing public-sector programs. Emphasis is placed on analyzing stakeholder behavior in response to incentives, evaluating the trade-offs between cost, quality, and equity, and interpreting provider strategies under varied payment models. Through critical thinking and quantitative analysis, students will gain the tools to assess current systems and anticipate future challenges in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.