November 23rd 2024
Americans are underinsured, even with employer-based health plans; a thorough critique of the lack of representation among Black patients in clinical trials showcases a persistent theme; systemic barriers in cardiology, breast cancer, and patent systems are examined.
November 20th 2024
Examining Trends in Outpatient Cancer Costs in Medicare During Last 6 Months of Life
February 7th 2023Drug costs, particularly for immunotherapies, contributed to the rising cost of care during the last 6 months of life for a fee-for-service Medicare beneficiary, according to a recent study.
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Contributor: Employers Are Turning to Virtual Care Options to Mitigate Costs
February 5th 2023Virtual care not only means saved time and costs for employees, but improvements to employers' bottom lines, through more proactive management of health concerns, notes UCM Digital Health CEO and co-founder Keith Algozzine.
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What We’re Reading: Eyedrops Recalled; Inaccessible Weight Loss Drugs; Doctor, GOP Governor Spar
February 3rd 2023CDC warns against EzriCare Artificial Tears, which were recalled by the manufacturer; certain weight loss drugs not covered by most payers; Mississippi's Republican governor denies being privately in support of Medicaid expansion.
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IRA Insulin Cap Could Have Saved Medicare Beneficiaries Millions in 2020
January 30th 2023An HHS report said that if the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) had been implemented in 2020, Medicare Part D beneficiaries could have saved a total of $734 million, averaging out to about $500 per member.
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Adults With Diabetes in High-Deductible Health Plans More Likely to Have Severe Hyperglycemia
January 26th 2023Adults with diabetes who were forced to switch from an employer-sponsored health plan to a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) were 25% more likely to require an emergency department (ED) or hospital visit for hyperglycemia, but not for hypoglycemia, than those who did not switch plans.
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Amazon Introduces Prescription Drug Subscription Program for $5 Monthly Fee
January 24th 2023Amazon’s announcement of a prescription subscription service that charges a flat monthly fee instead of offering discounts on each prescription fill represents the retail giant’s latest foray into the health care space.
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Eli Lilly will tack on $450 million more to increase capacity in a diabetes drug plant in light of shortages; patients emailing and messaging medical providers online might be charged; 57% of adults in a recent survey think that the federal government should secure health care coverage for all Americans.
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What We’re Reading: US Hits Debt Limit; More Oversight of Organics; Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea
January 20th 2023As the country hits the debt limit spending on Medicare and Medicaid may be at risk; the Agriculture Department targets fraudulent claims in products labeled as organic; first cases of drug-resistant gonorrhea strain found.
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No difference in treatment efficacy was observed between intranasal mometasone furoate and saline for the management of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms in children, with findings indicating that almost one-half of children with SDB could be initially managed in the primary care setting.
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What We’re Reading: Biden to Extend PHE Once More; High Court Rejects Pharma Suits; 988 Calls Soar
January 10th 2023President Joe Biden expected to renew COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) one more time; Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer are denied by the Supreme Court; funding for the 988 mental health helpline expands inclusivity efforts.
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FDA’s Lecanemab Approval Will Raise Pricing, Access Challenges, Says Dr Alvaro Pascual-Leone
January 6th 2023The FDA’s approval of lecanemab for Alzheimer disease is very important, but there will remain significant challenges around pricing and access that will need to be addressed to deliver on the promise the therapy actually represents, said Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD, of Harvard Medical School.
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Allina Health’s Mike Koroscik on Helping Patients Navigate Cancer-Related Financial Toxicity
January 6th 2023We want to make it easy for our patients to manage and navigate the financial toxicity they encounter from their cancer care, noted Mike Koroscik, MBA, MHA, vice president of oncology, Allina Health and the Allina Health Cancer Institute.
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Dual-regimen abortion pills authorized for pharmacy sale by FDA; health professionals turn a critical eye to US concerns about COVID-19 in China while domestic cases rise here as vaccination rates drop; drug manufacturers are collectively raising prices early this month on medications from autoimmune treatments to shingles vaccines to cancer treatments.
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The Chinese government warns of backlash for countries requiring COVID-19 testing of travelers from China; monoclonal antibody drugs show some promise against infectious diseases, but costs need to be lower; the role of FDA and Biogen in approving Alzheimer drug Aduhelm is detailed in a scathing Congressional committee report.
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