Health Care Cost

The data for this analysis on survivors of lung cancer came from Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center thoracic oncology clinics.

While health plans often employ reimbursement rates as a tool to incentivize provider participation within their networks, study results showed reimbursement rates for office visits with medical/surgical clinicians were on average 22% higher than behavioral health clinicians.

Large insurance sales agency call centers are accused of enrolling individuals in plans without consent; more young adults are choosing permanent contraception procedures; widespread frustration with prior authorization requirements hints at potential future measures.

New research examining treatment initiation patterns among patients with axial spondyloarthritis revealed significant sex-based disparities, shedding light on the process from diagnosis to therapeutic intervention.

The introduction of momelotinib to treat myelofibrosis with anemia can result in small savings due to reduced transfusion-related costs, according to a budget impact model.

Nearly a quarter of adults disenrolled from Medicaid are now uninsured; a new bill in Alaska will allow primary care providers to offer care based on monthly fees; the CDC warns of a 17-fold increase in measles cases in the first quarter of 2024.

Funding proposal includes gene therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD); draft legislation aims to address long COVID challenges; efforts are underway to prevent a summer surge.

As CMS’ suite of value-based and accountable care models evolves, leaders from across the agency detailed how they are working together to streamline quality reporting and encourage the move to a population health mindset while addressing providers’ concerns.

This feature series delves into how biases shed light on deeply ingrained stereotypes and prejudices that exist within the structure of US maternal health care, according to experts.

Pat Van Burkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, the Louisiana Food Bank Association, shares insight on legislative priorities and the impact food insecurity can have on health.

Lawmakers are under pressure to decide the fate of COVID-era telehealth payment changes; the CDC reports an alarming increase in sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases among Americans 55 years and older; new regulations aim to reduce harmful exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.”

A recent report highlights gaps in mortality rates between rural and urban Americans; debt relief does not improve mental health or credit scores, researchers find; worries about sun gazing effects surge.

Analysis of a patient sample enrolled in charitable care at an academic medical center revealed that chronic medications were variably filled at a significant cost.

The Center on Health Equity and Access covered the burden faced by caregivers, transgender health care, pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake, disparities in postpartum mental health care, and cost-related medication nonadherence among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Kathy Oubre, MS, CEO of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, is 1 of 6 cochairs for the 2024 Community Oncology Conference, and here she discusses how meeting content has incorporated ongoing coverage of the extremely disruptive cyberattack and how there is still so much work to be done.

Jonathan E. Levitt, Esq, founding partner of boutique health care law firm Frier Levitt, LLC, discusses a recent class-action lawsuit brought against Johnson & Johnson in which an employee alleged a breach of fiduciary duty regarding her employer-sponsored pharmacy benefits.

Judy Alberto, MHA, RPh, BCOP, director of clinical initiatives at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), addresses the challenges pharmacies face in managing formularies to provide optimal patient care.

After moderating the panel discussion at The American Journal of Managed Care®’s Institute for Value-Based Medicine® (IVBM) event held in partnership with Banner|Aetna, Sandra Stein, MD, chief medical officer of Banner Health Plans, shared her key takeaway.

Enhancing coordination of care has the potential to increase the value of heart failure care.

Medication nonadherence among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increasing COPD symptoms, hospitalizations, morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures.

Pat Van Burkleo, executive director of Feeding Louisiana, shares the key topics addressed during the Ochsner Health IVBM panel discussion on initiatives to increase food access in communities across the state.

Average prices are substantially higher but rates of complications are similar in hospital-based vs freestanding surgery centers for colonoscopy, arthroscopy, and cataract removal surgery.

Ibrutinib has been selected for Medicare price negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act. The authors summarize the House Oversight Committee investigation to be considered by CMS during the price negotiation process.

The Center on Health Equity and Access shares up-to-date news, research progress, and ongoing initiatives dedicated to tackling health care disparities and enhancing overall access to quality care.

CMS released a final rule to help patients obtain Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage and issued a proposed rule to update Medicare payment policies and rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities; debate over if gift card incentives are acceptable in health care marketing.

In this interview, Pat Van Burkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, the Louisiana Food Bank Association, discusses the outreach dynamics of the organization and food banks.

A presentation at the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health's 2024 Women’s Health Summit discussed how payers, including employers and public entities, can strategically influence health care purchasing to prioritize maternal health and equity.

Flat funding for HHS leaves critical health initiatives stagnant; Supreme Court weighs tightening regulations on abortion pill; manufacturing delay sparks access concerns for insulin medication.

The Center on Health Equity and Access covered disparities in hypertension, diabetic eye health, and hidradenitis suppurativa, along with the proposed legislation banning diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Alabama schools and the consequences in sickle cell care from the CDC guideline for opioid prescriptions.

Robert Groves, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer, Banner|Aetna, discussed whether health systems should invest in social determinants of health.