Provides the practical guide that healthcare managers need to simplify and strengthen the decision-making process for everyday issues. Written for those with little or no background in economics, the book is designed to engage readers in today’s policy and management challenges. The author references classic studies while also drawing on current research and emphasizing contemporary analyses.

Preface to the fourth edition -- Why health economics? -- An overview of the US healthcare system -- An overview of the healthcare financing system -- Describing, evaluating, and managing risk -- Understanding costs -- Realizing the triple aim -- The demand for healthcare products -- Elasticities -- Forecasting -- Supply and demand analysis -- Maximizing profits -- Pricing -- Asymmetric information and incentives -- Economic analysis of clinical and managerial interventions -- Profits, market structure, and market power -- Government intervention in healthcare markets -- Regulation -- Behavioral economics -- Answers to select chapter exercises -- Glossary -- Index -- About the author.