300.651.01
Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System
Location
East Baltimore
Term
1st Term
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2023 - 2024
Instruction Method
In-person
Tu, Th, 1:30 - 3:20pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
Focuses on the organization, financing, and delivery of healthcare in the U.S. Contrasts the private and public sectors and examines the effects of market competition and government regulation. Examines the ways that medical providers are paid, and explores the major issues currently facing physicians, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry. Discusses several potential small and large scale reforms to the U.S. healthcare system and evaluates their likely effects on healthcare spending, quality of care, and access to care.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Apply basic economic concepts related to health insurance coverage
- Explain how both private health insurance and public health insurance are financed
- Assess private and public models of financing and delivery of healthcare services
- Analyze various aspects of the hospital, physician, and pharmaceutical drug sectors
- Evaluate the ways in which private and public health insurers reimburse medical providers, and the incentives created by different payment models
- Identify the various determinants of access to care for low-income and vulnerable populations
- Evaluate how specific policy proposals will likely affect access to care and healthcare spending
- Analyze current health care reform debates from multiple perspectives such as historical, economic, political and comparative
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 30% Midterm
- 35% Final Exam
- 15% Assignments
- 20% Self-assessments
Enrollment Restriction
HPM PhD, MHA, MSPH and MHS students given priority; all others pending seat availability