Jaime is a freelance writer for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®), where she previously worked as an assistant editor.
She has a BA in print journalism from Penn State University. You can connect with Jaime on LinkedIn.
Analysis Highlights Drop in Individual Insurance Market Enrollment, Warns of Further Decline
Following a peak of 17.4 million people enrolled in the individual insurance market in 2015, enrollment has continuously declined. With the elimination of the individual mandate and the expansion of short-term health plans, enrollment will likely continue to drop in 2019.
Transitional Care Management Services Lower Costs, Mortality Rates Among Medicare Patients
Researchers have found that transitional care management (TCM) services are associated with reductions in mortality and total Medicare costs; however, adoption of these services has remained low since the implementation of TCM payment codes in 2013.
5 Things About Meal Delivery Programs to Improve Health
The cost of food insecurity in excess healthcare costs has been listed at $77 billion a year. Implementing meal delivery programs to improve health outcomes and lower costs has gained traction nationwide. Here are 5 things to know.
HIV Comorbidities Associated With More Hospitalizations, Increased Costs
As people living with HIV now have a normal life expectancy, thanks to antiretroviral therapy, the burden of comorbidities is on the rise, and more than half of deaths in the patient population are attributable to these comorbidities.
Health Systems Take on Role as Anchor Institutions, Enhance Community Development
During a webcast hosted by the Network for Excellence in Health Innovation, panelists highlighted how their health systems have acted as anchor institutions and embraced community development—through strategic partnerships—in order to address challenges facing their populations.
Urgent Change in Approach to HIV Pandemic Is Needed, Report Says
According to a report, existing HIV tools and strategies are insufficient, and despite historic breakthroughs in maximizing prevention and treatment strategies, the HIV pandemic will likely continue to be a global challenge for the foreseeable future.
FDA Approves First Darunavir-Based Single-Tablet Regimen for HIV
Janssen announced the approval of Symtuza (darunavir 800 mg, cobistat 150 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg, and tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg) for the treatment of HIV-1 in treatment-naïve and certain virologically suppressed patients.
MA Beneficiaries Have Fewer Inpatient Stays, Emergency Department Visits Than FFS Beneficiaries
Likely due to a focus on preventive services, Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries had lower rates of complications, hospitalizations, and emergency care services compared with fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries.
Challenges in Previous Incentive Programs Will Continue Under MIPS for Small, Rural Practices
While small and rural practices will likely perform better in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) than they have in previous programs, they will still be outpaced by larger practices. Stakeholders also outlined challenges they think will likely continue for these practices under MIPS.
Mobile Health Intervention for HIV Improves Retention in Care, Patient Outcomes
Through the use of a smartphone app, researchers observed that participants became more engaged with their HIV care, resulting in improved linkage to and consistency of care, increased CD4 counts, and decreased viral loads.
Reducing Hospital Readmissions Through a High-Touch Customer Service Model
Two years after initiating a high-touch customer model to better serve their members, WEA Trust has achieved a 31% reduction in readmission rates, resulting in savings of $1.9 million, as well as a 7.1% reduction in emergency room use, translating to $2.4 million in savings.
Study Suggests HPV Test More Accurate Than Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Screening
During the first round of screening, a human papillomavirus (HPV) test detected more abnormal cells grade 3 or worse in the cervix than a Papanicolau (Pap) smear, resulting in a lower liklihood of abnormal cells grade 3 or worse at 48 months.
Project Baseline: Understanding and Mapping Human Health
Project Baseline, launched a year ago in April, was brought to life by Duke University School of Medicine, Verily, Stanford Medicine, and Google to better understand the transition from health to disease and shift healthcare in the United States from reactive to proactive.