Policy

Dr Weber said that despite all of the newer agents in development, the NCCN still offers comprehensive guidelines for the treatment of melanoma.

Dr Ribas opened this segment by discussing the new immunotherapy agents used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Specifically, he discussed the agents vemurafenib (Zelboraf), dabrafenib (Taflinar), and trametinib (Mekinist).

Panel moderator and AJMC co-editor-in-chief Dr Mark Fendrick introduced panelists Jennifer Malin, MD, PhD, manager and medical director of oncology, WellPoint; Jeffrey Weber, MD, PhD, senior member, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Director, Donald A. Adam Comprehensive Melanoma Research Center; and Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA.

In Miami, a new healthcare model - the ACO - rewards physicians for patient health, controlling costs

Consolidation reduces competition in markets and gives hospitals more leverage to raise prices.

The head of a major ObamaCare enrollment group urged Texans to embrace their new benefits under healthcare reform as a means to stay "healthy and financially secure."

Ratcheting up the campaign to sell the health law, President Barack Obama delivered a speech Thursday touting how millions of individuals are already benefiting from its insurance rebates, and others who buy coverage online in states such as California, New York and Oregon will pay lower-than-projected premiums next year because of increased competition.

In the final segment, panelists examine the use of companion diagnostics to determine proper patient utilization. Dr. Chernew asks if the required diagnostic testing is being appropriately used and if they are being covered by payers.

Jan Berger, MD, MJ, President & CEO, Health Intelligence Partners, and editor-in-chief of The American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits, says the triple aim consists of cost, quality, and access. Additionally, the largest benefit that healthcare consumers can use is their health pharmacy benefit.

Dea Belazi, PharmD, Vice President, Payer & Healthcare Solutions, Source Healthcare Analytics, says a copay assistance program is primarily sponsored or supported by a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

We describe the Veterans Health Administration's nationwide patient-centered medical home (PCMH) initiative and evaluate interim changes in PCMH-related patient care processes.