Christina is the associate editorial director of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The American Journal of Accountable Care® (AJAC), and joined AJMC in 2016. She oversees the publication of the print journals, from manuscript submission to publication, and works with the editors in chief and editorial boards to promote the journals.
She has a BS in public health from Rutgers University. You can connect with Christina on LinkedIn.
Keeping Ahead of the Curve in the Transition to Oncology Value-Based Payment
At a session of The American Journal of Managed Care®'s Patient-Centered Oncology Care® 2018 meeting, held November 16 in Philadelphia, panelists shared their views on the future of oncology value-based payment models and how they as payers and providers can help advance these models.
5 Findings From the November 2018 Issue of AJMC®
The November 2018 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) has a special focus on substance use disorder, but its studies also touch on disparities in patient portal adoption and the cost impacts of dementia. Here are 5 findings from the research published in the issue.
5 Findings From the October 2018 Issue of AJMC®
The October 2018 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) includes studies on diabetes outcomes, the effect of feedback reports on physician behavior, accountable care organization performance, and more. Here are 5 findings from the research published in the issue.
5 Findings From the September 2018 Issue of AJMC®
With a focus on social determinants, the September 2018 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) yields new insights on the health effects of food insecurity, health literacy, language barriers, and more. Here are 5 findings from the research published in the issue.
Complex Care in a Complex State: Lessons From California
The unique composition and massive size of California’s population means that health plans and systems in the state have had to explore new ways to improve the delivery of healthcare for those with complex health and social needs, according to panelists at the AHIP Institute & Expo 2018.
"Hope for the Best, but Plan for the Worst": Health System Advice on Natural Disasters
After natural disasters like wildfires in California and hurricanes in Puerto Rico, leaders from an integrated healthcare system and a health plan spoke at the AHIP Institute & Expo to share their first-hand lessons on how businesses can continue their operations when disaster strikes.
According to Gawande, Systematizing the Right Care Is Key to Advancing Health
A day after making headlines as he was announced CEO of the new joint healthcare company formed by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase, Atul Gawande, MD, took the stage at the America's Health Insurance Plans Institute & Expo to deliver a talk on the importance of thoughtful care, particularly at the end of life, and how it can be incorporated into a better healthcare system.
Dr Ezekiel Emanuel's "Prescription for Success" to Improve US Healthcare
At the America’s Health Insurance Plans Institute and Expo, held in San Diego, California, June 20-22, Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and School of Medicine, presented his “prescription for success” for improving healthcare in United States.
How Public Payers Are Adopting VBID Principles Despite Constraints
During a session on expanding the role of value-based insurance design (VBID) in public insurance at the University of Michigan V-BID Center’s annual V-BID Summit on March 14, panelists representing 3 different payers shared how they have seen value-based principles take hold in their plans and their predictions for the future.
How Public Payers Are Adopting VBID Principles Despite Constraints
During a session on expanding the role of value-based insurance design (VBID) in public insurance at the University of Michigan V-BID Center’s annual V-BID Summit on March 14, panelists representing 3 different payers shared how they have seen value-based principles take hold in their plans and their predictions for the future.
Path to a Smarter High-Deductible Plan Includes Flexibility, Disruptive Innovation
Panelists brought diverse viewpoints to a discussion on creating a smarter high-deductible health plan at a session during the University of Michigan Center for Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID)’s annual V-BID Summit on March 14, 2018, at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Researchers Find Low Referral Rates to Pulmonary Rehab for Eligible Patients With COPD
Less than 10% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation received a referral from their physician, according to a new study. However, there was no association found between referral status and COPD exacerbations.
Eosinophil Count in Sputum, Not Blood, Is Better Predictor of COPD Severity in Smokers
Data from a study of smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) indicate that the concentration of eosinophils in the sputum, rather than the blood, is a better predictor of COPD exacerbations and lung function.
Visualizing the Role of Social Determinants in Clinical Care
A simple model can help health systems incorporate the social determinants of health into their clinical programs, according to presenters at the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Fall Managed Care Forum 2017.
Innovative Strategies for Boosting Medication Adherence in the Real World
At a session during the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Fall Managed Care Forum 2017, speakers discussed how new approaches to encouraging medication adherence can help improve outcomes in patients with chronic diseases.
Measuring ACO Performance From the Health Plan and Provider Perspectives
David V. Axene, FSA, FCA, CERA, MAAA, outlined how more accurately measuring and evaluating the performance of accountable care organizations (ACOs) can help both health plans and providers succeed in their risk sharing contracts during a session at the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Fall Managed Care Forum 2017.
Consumer-Driven Trends Present Opportunities Across The Healthcare Journey
Industries including healthcare continue to adapt to the increasingly powerful voice of the consumer, according to Venkat Inumella, MBA, associate partner at McKinsey, who discussed this trend toward consumerism during the first keynote session of the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Fall Managed Care Forum 2017.
Laying Strong Foundations for a Population Health Focus
At the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Fall Managed Care Forum 2017, James J. Bleicher, MD, MHCM, regional president of SSM Health, discussed the foundational steps necessary for healthcare organizations looking to transform their business to focus on population health.
Turning Patients Into Research Partners With Patient-Generated Data
Inviting patients to share their own health data can result in a better understanding of diseases and treatments beyond what can be learned from clinical data, according to a health data specialist who presented a session during the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2017 Nexus meeting.
Outlooks and Lessons Learned From Outcomes-Based Agreements
Outcomes-based risk sharing contracts will continue to become more common as health plans, providers, and drug manufacturers realize the benefits of these arrangements, according to speakers at a session of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2017 Nexus meeting.
Clearing Up Misperceptions Around the ACA's Current Status
At a session during the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2017 Nexus meeting, a public policy expert argued that despite all of the news surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the US healthcare system may not see fundamental changes anytime soon.
Navigating New FDA Guidance on Preapproval Payer–Manufacturer Communications
In light of recent guidance from the FDA on appropriate communications between payers and drug manufacturers prior to a drug's approval, a panel of stakeholders at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2017 Nexus meeting, discussed how these new guidelines can raise as many questions as they answer.
Looking Ahead at the Specialty Drug Pipeline After an Active Year of Approvals
Aimee Tharaldson, PharmD, of Express Scripts kicked off the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2017 Nexus, held October 16-19 in Dallas, Texas, with a presentation on the pipeline of specialty pharmaceuticals in development.