Medical errors can lead to harmful effects on anyone. The effects can be magnified when a person is elderly or ill. Needless errors can result in more medical visits and health insurance payments.

Research from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston says that negative reactions to certain drugs occur in approximately 40 percent of all hospital patients.

A special computer program that warns doctors of a patient's potential allergy or other complications has been shown to significantly reduce the number of harmful prescription combinations.

"We have long known that certain commonly prescribed drugs can be harmful to older patients," says BIDMC associate director and gerontologist Dr. Melissa Mattison. "But because the majority of doctors have not been trained in geriatric medicine, they may not be aware of these risks. Our study found that when doctors were alerted that the drugs they were ordering could pose a danger to older hospital patients, the orders dropped almost immediately."

Getting a grasp on the special needs of older people is particularly important as the number of elderly citizens continues to rise. Data from the U.S. Census shows there was nearly 36 million people over the age of 65 in 2003.

With the economic downturn of the past few years, many Americans have been forced to lower their expenses. In some cases, people have elected to go without certain care because they simply couldn't afford it. Medical care is one area in which some have "cut corners" on in order to make ends meet.

Under the Affordable Care Act, many costs associated with health care will no longer stand as a barrier preventing people from seeing a doctor. Research firm Towers Watson believes that a surge in health care services can be expected.

"In this economic climate, many Americans have delayed or avoided visits to the doctor because they were concerned about the costs they might have to incur," says Towers Watson senior health care consultant Randall Abbott. "Now, covered individuals and their families will not face even nominal financial barriers to preventive care services."

With new health care regulation, more people will qualify for Medicare. For those who don't qualify for Medicare, health care exchanges may prove to be an affordable option for health insurance. Increased regulation of private health insurance companies is also designed to keep costs down.

Medical errors are a serious problem that can lead to death in some cases. Data published in 2002 from the Commonwealth Fund reveals that 8 million American families have experienced a medical or prescription drug error.

Some are remaining optimistic that technology can help reduce the number of medical errors. A product called CarePrescribe is being used by some doctors in Kentucky, which may help reduce mistakes and provide better care.

CarePrescribe allows doctors to electronically view medications and transmit prescriptions.

Humana Pharmacy Solutions vice president William Fleming says technology, such as that offered with CarePrescribe, will lead to better service for consumers.

"We're going to continue driving the adoption of e-prescribing technology because there is a tremendous opportunity to reduce medication errors, improve medication adherence, and impact overall costs," said Fleming. "We're also improving generic drug usage and formulary compliance as well as service at the point of care by having more informed doctors and members."

Medical errors can also be reduced by patients being proactive in their care by monitoring which medications they take and asking their doctor questions. Patients should also be mindful of their health insurance coverage.