Health Care Policy and Economics
- HealthXcelerate
Group Enrollment Option Popular with companies and institutions for team-wide training.
Start Today Register and begin immediately.
Examine how health policy is determined and implemented in the U.S. by understanding its effects at the national and state levels, and explore how governments carry out these policies, how stakeholders across the health care system engage with them, and how they influence cost-effectiveness, equity, and access.
- Online; Self-Paced
Enroll and gain access to course materials to complete at your own pace.
$495
Save and learn more with discounted multi‑course bundles or our all‑access HMX and HealthXcelerate Learning Pass.
Certificate
Earn a short course certificate of completion when you finish all coursework within 8 weeks.
3-4 Hours
Most people can expect to complete short courses in 3-4 hours.
On This Page
Overview
In Health Care Policy and Economics, led by David Cutler, PhD, you will examine how health policy is determined and implemented in the U.S. and understand its effects at the national and state levels.
In this course, you will discover how the government implements policies, how stakeholders in the health care system interact with them, and how they impact cost-effectiveness, equity, and access. This course also investigates the funding mechanisms for health policy, the trade-offs necessary for different policies, and reform efforts.
Learning Objectives
- Describe how the mechanisms of insurance coverage and government policies affect access to care in the U.S. and abroad.
- Analyze the relationship between health care resource allocation and health care expenditures in the U.S.
- Describe the major regulating agencies in health care, including their role in approvals, coverage, and impact on economic activity.
- Explain the goals of competition in health care and the role of government agencies in ensuring just practices.
- Compare approaches to health policy around the globe.
Who Should Participate
Health care professionals throughout the industry seeking better understanding of the health care system
What Will You Gain
- A working knowledge of how coverage, payment, and access interact—and what happens when policy changes any one of them
- Tools to analyze trade-offs across the system’s stakeholders: payers, providers, patients, and regulators
- A clear view of how regulatory agencies shape what gets approved, covered, and paid for
- A comparative perspective on health policy approaches around the world
About the Course
HealthXcelerate courses offer a foundational, 360‑degree view of the health care ecosystem, drawing on the expertise of Harvard Medical School faculty and industry leaders. With a focus on the patient experience, the curriculum explores how the U.S. system compares with those of other countries, how clinical care connects to the broader health care industry, and how patients navigate and influence the system. Learners who complete HealthXcelerate courses build fluency and credibility in communicating key issues, critically assessing barriers to quality and access, and identifying opportunities for leadership and innovation.
Who Should Participate
This program will benefit industry and clinical leaders across the health care ecosystem; research and innovation managers with increasing global responsibility; entrepreneurs and consultants; business and technology professionals who work closely with health care organizations; and those transitioning into the health care space.
Extend Your Learning and Save More
Whether you are building your medical science knowledge, preparing for advanced study, or expanding your understanding of the health care ecosystem, combining courses helps you connect concepts across disciplines while saving on enrollment.
You can bundle up to five HMX or HealthXcelerate courses. Bundle discounts apply to all courses selected. A bundle can consist of courses in the same upcoming enrollment period or the following enrollment period.
Two-course bundle: 25% discount
Three-course bundle: 30% discount
Four-course bundle: 35% discount
Five-course bundle: 40% discount
View all bundle-eligible programs
Multi-course discounts will be changing on October 1, 2026. Register now and lock in these savings by bundling multiple courses.
With the HMX and HealthXcelerate Learning Pass, a $4,950 investment unlocks one year of unlimited enrollment to Harvard Medical School's portfolio of HMX and HealthXcelerate online courses, empowering you to advance your knowledge of health care and medical science in the areas that matter most to your goals. Start Learning
HMX and HealthXcelerate courses are ideal for organizations looking to train teams or larger groups. Group pricing is available, making it a cost-effective investment in team development.
Faculty Leads
Each course within the HealthXcelerate program features Harvard Medical School faculty and leading experts in the field.
David Cutler
PhD
- Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics, Department of Economics and Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
HealthXcelerate is an excellent opportunity to learn more about all aspects of the U.S. health care system. The flexible course framework makes it easier to integrate into my busy work days than other programs.
Request Information
Interested in learning more about this program? Sign up for details.