All News

Previous research has revealed that poor sleep quality is common among those with migraine. New study results point to similar findings for those with probable migraine—a subtype of migraine that is common in the general population.

For the second year in a row, the average basic premium for a Medicare Part D plan will decline; a series of charts in The Wall Street Journal highlights what is driving US healthcare spending; taking a break from exercising can have metabolic consequences that linger for some people even after they return to their normal levels of exercise.

Fenfluramine, a drug that was previously sold as an appetite suppressant before it was withdrawn from the market in 1997 over concerns about its link to heart valve problems, may have a new application; low doses of fenfluramine hydrochloride have now proven successful in treating Dravet syndrome, a particularly severe form of epilepsy.

A report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at HHS synthesized 10 years of research about the Medicare Hospice Program and found deficiencies in patient care, inappropriate billing, and even fraud. Patients went without pain medicine, hospices did not always provide the right level of care or provided poor quality care, billed for unnecessary care, enrolled people who were not eligible for care, or billed for services that were never provided.

When the CMS released performance reports for the 181 practices enrolled in the Oncology Care Model (OCM) earlier this year, the action had the effect of creating as much confusion as it resolved.

Special nutrition bars seem to have a beneficial effect on lung function in patients with noneosinophilic, low-inflammation asthma and obesity, according to a new study.

Screening rates for cervical, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers in the United States fall short of Healthy People 2020 targets and significant disparities exist among subgroups.

With the evaluation period for the Oncology Care Model at its midway point, there is an opportunity to discuss how the program and other bundled payment programs can better deliver on aims to provide higher quality care at the same or lower cost.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar and CMS Administrator Seema Verma seem to be on the losing end of a debate with White House economic and finance officials about allowing a partial Medicaid expansion to stamp out growing calls to allow a full expansion; more than 60 House Democrats launched a Medicare for All caucus this month, a sign of the popularity surrounding the concept of a government-run health system; Juul Labs, maker of the tiny, USB-flash-drive-sized electronic cigarette, has been hit with 3 lawsuits so far that allege it is marketing its product to children and teenagers.

We've rounded up the top 5 articles of July, including changes being touted for the 340B program and a global report urging countries to think seriously about planning for high quality care.

Community health centers are on the front lines of addressing the opioid epidemic, and those in Medicaid expansion states seem to be better equipped to respond to the crisis.

Both asthma and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), both chronic conditions, have been associated with each other in previous studies, but questions remained as to the strength of the association because of other possible confounders. A new review of published data, followed by a population-based study, says the association remains after controlling for possible confounders.

The system was the first to allow people with diabetes to monitor blood glucose without fingersticks.

While overall cardiac deaths have dropped in recent decades, sudden cardiac deaths have not seen a similar decrease. Of the 200,000 people who have a sudden cardiac arrest in the hospital, only 24% survive.

CMS approved a $200 million state reinsurance plan for Wisconsin, sought by Republican Governor Scott Walker as a way to keep premiums down in the state’s individual market.

Treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who relapse after an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) are limited, but those who are able to receive intensive interventions receive a second allo-HCT or donor lymphocyte infusion. A study in JAMA Oncology sought to compare the 2 options for patients who relapse.

Medicare has lowered its star ratings for staffing levels in 1 out of 11 nursing homes; the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America has donated to a lobbying group running a "dark money" campaign in favor of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act; a libertarian policy center funded by the conservative Koch brothers found that Senator Bernie Sanders's Medicare for All plan would cost $32.6 trillion over 10 years.

An annual survey conducted by a physician staffing firm found more providers working a few more hours and showing signs of burnout amid some concerns about reimbursement. The Medicus Firm, a staffing company in Texas and Georgia, said it is the 15th year it has conducted the survey.

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, announced the framework, which is intended to be complementary to the comprehensive policy framework for regenerative medicine that was announced last year.

As value-based pricing gains traction in the US healthcare market, "distinctions in both method and likelihood of improving aligning prices with value should be carefully considered," write authors in JAMA.

The FDA has finalized guidance on using electronic health record (EHR) data in clinical trials.

There is minimal previous research involving long-term excess mortality following fragility non-hip fractures. A nationwide registry-based follow-up study aimed to determine which fracture was associated with excess mortality and how long the postfracture excess mortality continued.

Eli Lilly this week announced it has submitted applications to US and European regulatory agencies for nasal glucagon, which, if approved, could shave minutes and stress from the current method for delivering this hormone to people with diabetes experiencing severe hypoglycemia.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves the progressive loss of the protective layer of nerve fibers, myelin, and its loss, called demyelination, results in symptoms of MS. Blocking the protein receptor, muscarinic type 3 (M3R), may be effective in promoting remyelination in patients with MS, based on the results of a study published by the Journal of Neuroscience.

In a recent study, researchers looked to determine whether a symptom and psychosocial collaborative care intervention would improve heart failure–specific health status, depression, and symptom burden in patients with heart failure.

Eleven states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration, alleging it violated the Administrative Procedures Act when it promulgated the rule expanding association health plans.

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.

The FDA is cracking down on a loophold drug companies use to avoid the requirement that they study products in children; a new study finds nearly 6 in 10 Hispanic adults cite a language or cultural barrier that makes it difficult for them to communicate with healthcare providers; a judge has ordered Wisconsin to pay for gender reassignment surgery for 2 Medicaid recipients.

Coverage of our peer-reviewed research and news reporting in the healthcare and mainstream press.

This week, the top managed care stories included CMS reversing its decision to suspend the risk adjustment payment program; out-of-pocket costs and copayment accumulators put an HIV prevention drug out of reach for patients; research finds geography can determine posttreatment imaging for women with breast cancer.