Healthcare, healthcare, health, or medical healthcare is the care or development of health through the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, maintenance of disease, illness, physical and mental impairment of patients, and the care of related services. Healthcare is delivered by primary health care professionals and other health care fields. Healthcare systems are complex and usually involve large numbers of individuals, and apply a variety of disciplines. Healthcare industries are increasing. Many new opportunities have been created due to the aging of the baby boomers, the expansion of the Medicaid program, and the National Health Service Act.
The healthcare system is made up of numerous parts. Primary care requires primary care physicians and other clinicians such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychotherapists, and nurse specialists. This includes general and specialty practices—conditions and injuries that affect the persons who are subject to the healthcare system.
The United States’ comprehensive healthcare system’s major components are hospitals, nursing homes, individual and family care agencies, health insurance plans, dental care, insurance companies, labs, and health care providers. Private health insurance plans do vary significantly in the coverage and cost associated with them.
In the United States, all citizens over the age of eighteen can receive medical care without a waiting period under the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). These two types of coverages provide limited medical care and medical procedures at a predetermined hospital or medical care center. HMO and PPO usually require the consumer to select a primary care physician and a specialist to agree upon a maximum number of hospital stays, out-patient surgery, specific treatments, and primary healthcare providers to participate in their health plan. Some health insurance plans, such as managed care, require consumers to select a primary care physician, a surgeon, a cardiologist, a psychiatrist, a nurses’ professional, and a specialist to agree upon a maximum number of out-patient or in-hospital stays, among other conditions. A few other healthcare providers generally included in most healthcare provider networks include critical care specialists, pediatricians, and psychologists.
All healthcare professionals are licensed and certified by the state in which they practice. Each state has its own unique set of credentialing standards and requirements. Healthcare providers, therefore, must meet and maintain national credentialing organization’s accreditation. HCAHPS Scores To be eligible for state reimbursement for medical care, medical professionals must meet specific criteria, such as having BSNs (bachelor of science in health sciences), a master’s degree in health sciences or a Ph.D. in health sciences practice medicine.
In the United States, the Patient’s Bill of Rights, also known as the Affordable Health Care Act (AHCA), gives patients greater control over their healthcare. It also promotes affordable healthcare services by ensuring that all patients have access to necessary healthcare. Long-term complications, such as cancer, remain the most common cause of death for people ages 65 and over.” The Kaiser Family Foundation also notes, “Poor patient-health outcomes continue to be a major problem, affecting millions of Americans.” According to the Institute of Medicine, efforts by the American government and private sectors to improve patient health and provide improved healthcare to the American people are contributing to the decline in mortality rates.
