title: Of orphans and balloons.
abstract: Technologies with significant implications for expenditures continue to reach the health care system. These technologies range from orphan drugs/biologicals used to treat rare diseases to balloons used to treat the common occurrence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in aging men. Because payment for these technologies can represent a serious financial drain on third-party payers, utilization has to be carefully evaluated, monitored, and controlled.
authors: Aetna Health Plans, Hartford, CT.
authors: W T
authors: WT
authors: McGivney
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D008297:Male; D009965:Orphan Drug Production / Q000191:economics; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States