Description

This course introduces economic tools necessary to analyze the healthcare industry sectors, such as the medical care markets, the insurance markets, the physicians’ services market, the hospital services markets, and the market for pharmaceuticals. Additionally, this course explores the effects of policies and reforms in healthcare in the United States.

Outcomes

1. Students will be able to analyze the healthcare sector using microeconomic tools and be able to explain how the healthcare system functions from the perspectives of providers and payers.
2. Students will be able to identify the key components of the demand and supply of health care.
3. Students will be able to analyze the effects of public policy on cost and access to health care.
4. Students will be able to explain the similarities and differences among major healthcare systems in the world.
5. Students will be familiar with issues, such as population aging and obesity, facing the future of healthcare in the world.

Learning Model Architecture

Prepare: Study assigned chapters and complete check your understanding quizzes.

Teach One Another: Discuss and apply concepts using group discussions.

Ponder & Prove: Complete group quizzes. Prepare and submit exercises.

Prerequisites

ECON 150

Required Materials

Bhattacharya J, Hyde T, and Tu P (2013) Health Economics. ISBN-13: 978-1137029966

The course materials are available in the Course Materials List.

NOTE: Amazon rents this textbook for approximately $18/semester.

The University Store Price Comparison allows you to compare textbook prices.

Expectations

Textbook reading assignments

Each week you will read one or two textbook chapters. Additionally, you define selected terms in your own words. Example:

Term: asymmetric information

The definition in my own words: This chapter is talking about the disparity in healthcare, so I think asymmetric information means that one group has access to health information but another group doesn't.

Individual quiz

Each week you take an individual reading quiz. Questions come from the assigned textbook chapter(s). Reading quizzes are timed and open book. You have one attempt. Scores are released, but correct answers are not released to maintain the integrity of the group quiz.

Application activity (initial post)

Each week (except Week 14) you participate in an I-Learn discussion. You apply the lesson's concepts and issues. These discussions are academic writing assignments, so you are expected to use critical thinking and excellent writing in your posts.

In Weeks 01 and 02 you will participate in a whole class discussion. In Weeks 03–13 you will participate in smaller group discussion.

Application activity (replies)

Most ECON 365 discussions require a minimum of 2–3 posts. Affirmations such as "Good work, I agree," or "Great analysis" are nice but don't fulfill the requirements of this assignment. Instead, challenge your classmates, ask questions, analyze their proposal, propose a solution to the problem, or suggest something they didn't consider. Always support your ideas with concepts from the textbook.

Group quiz

In Weeks 03–13 you meet as a group to take a group quiz. Each week your group will submit a meeting recording, a video is preferred, however, an audio file is acceptable.

Zoom is recommended. See How Do I Get Started with Zoom?

During the group quiz discuss each quiz question and debate the answers. Each student opens the quiz and takes the quiz at the same time. After discussing the question and possible answers, come to a group consensus. Each member of the group selects the same answer. Record your meeting and submit the URL or audio file to your instructor.

Homework

Most lessons include 2–4 homework problems. Half of your score comes from your attempt—so add a detailed explanation and show your work when appropriate—the other half of your score comes from accuracy.

  

Grading Policies

ECON 365 uses weighted grading.

Item	Approximate Percentage
Quizzes	15%
Application Activities	15%
Exercises	10%
Exams	60%

Exams

ECON 365 Exams are online proctored exams.

Week	Exam	Covers
Week 06	Exam 1	Chapters 1-7
Week 10	Exam 2	Chapters 10-15
Week 14	Exam 3	Chapters 16-20, 22

Disclaimers

The instructor has the right to change the dates or assignments as deemed necessary.

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Disability Services Office.

This course includes required synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at (208) 496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

• Student Honor
  • Academic Honesty
  • Student Conduct
    • Sexual Harassment
• Student with Disabilities
• Complaints and Grievances
• Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.