Final answer:
An example of an initiative that may reduce total healthcare costs is offering nurse practitioner-led clinics that educate parents about nonpharmacologic strategies for managing ear infections, fostering preventive care and reducing reliance on costly prescription drugs.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of an initiative that may reduce total healthcare costs is offering nurse practitioner-led clinics that educate parents about nonpharmacologic strategies for managing ear infections.
Investing in preventive healthcare and education has been shown to contribute to lower overall healthcare costs. This approach aligns with efforts under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to control cost increases in healthcare. By informing parents on nonpharmacologic techniques, such clinics not only reduce the dependency on prescription drugs, which can be costly, but also empower individuals to manage health conditions more effectively at home. Moreover, encouraging proactive health management decreases the likelihood of complications that require expensive treatments or emergency services.
By contrast, lowering copayments for prescription drugs, educating seniors on medication costs, or increasing access to MRI services may have immediate benefits but could lead to higher utilization of these services, thus raising total healthcare costs in the long run. Therefore, focusing on preventive care and health education, as seen with nurse practitioner-led clinics, presents a more sustainable strategy for cost reduction.