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Service Utilization by High-Need, High-Cost Patients Following Emergency Department Visits

This article provides insights into patterns of health care use following emergency department visits by high-need, high-cost patients with different types of California Medicaid primary care providers.

Linking Data to Determine Risk for 30-Day Readmissions in Dementia

This study found that certain characteristics in linked electronic health record data across episodes of care can help identify patients with Alzheimer disease and related dementias at high risk of 30-day readmissions.

Endoscopy Underuse for New-Onset Iron Deficiency Anemia in Younger Veterans

Bidirectional endoscopy (upper endoscopy and colonoscopy) was underutilized in the evaluation of new-onset iron deficiency anemia in younger veterans from 2005 to 2019.

Hospitalization Patterns Among Older Patients With Cancer With and Without Dementia

Dementia was more prevalent in older patients with some cancer types, and comorbid dementia in this population was associated with unplanned or unnecessary hospitalization.

Impact of Medical Care Coordination Intervention on Patient Activation

This observational evaluation compared an adult medical care coordination intervention with usual care and found that the intervention was associated with significant improvements in patient activation.

State Restrictions on Prior Authorization

Many states are enacting restrictions on insurers’ prior authorization policies, but these laws may increase costs and lead to other undesirable consequences.

Updated Clinical Guidelines Outline Optimal Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection

For pharmacists wondering whether bismuth quadruple therapy still reigns as the gold standard, the wait is over—the latest recommendations are here.

Study Reaffirms Safety of Hepatitis B Vaccination at Birth Amid Shifting Federal Guidelines

New evidence affirms hepatitis B birth-dose safety as the CDC makes it optional.

HEDIS Glycemic Goal Achieved Using Control-IQ Technology

A greater proportion of patients with type 1 diabetes who used automated insulin delivery systems vs multiple daily injections achieved the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) glycemic measure.

From Evidence to Action: What Clinicians Can Do to Transform Cholesterol Care

Across a landmark guideline update, a primary prevention trial, and the first treat-to-target proof of concept, the message is consistent: lower LDL for longer saves lives—and achieving that goal in practice demands goals, teams, tools, and lifestyle as the foundation.

Determinants of Hospital Charges and Costs in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Report from the Myocardial Infarction Cost Study (MICS) Group

Patient Satisfaction With Letter-Based Communication of LCS Pulmonary Nodule Results

Patients were satisfied with receiving their lung cancer screening (LCS) pulmonary nodule results via letter and considered the amount of information provided in the letter appropriate.

Key Flu and RSV Recommendations for the 2024-2025 Respiratory Virus Season

A presentation at the National Community Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting and Exposition focused on the latest on vaccines for flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Outcomes for Hospitals Participating in More- and Less-Mature ACOs

As accountable care organizations’ (ACOs) maturity increased, hospitals participating in CMS ACOs were making progress toward enhanced performance but required more time to improve cost and quality outcomes.

Health Impacts of Health System Implementation of a Food-as-Medicine Strategy

This article describes the reach of a Food-as-Medicine strategy implemented by a regional health care system and its impact on adult participants’ cardiometabolic risk factors.

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Private Cardiology Practice

This commentary examines pressures driving cardiology consolidation, the risks of private equity, and strategies to sustain independent practice while ensuring patient-centered, cost-effective cardiovascular care.

Experts Highlight the Value of Detailed Clinical Discussions at Maui Derm 2026

Experts at Maui Derm 2026 discuss the meeting’s focus on in-depth clinical education, practical patient care pearls, and interdisciplinary networking.

Health Outcomes of Socially Vulnerable Populations in Different Medicare Payment Arrangements

Beneficiaries in socially vulnerable communities received higher-quality, more-efficient care under value-based care (at-risk Medicare Advantage) compared with those in fee-for-service Medicare payment arrangements.

Under the Magnifying Glass: A Wave of Drug Price Transparency

Federal pharmacy benefit manager transparency reforms must contend with concentrated pharmaceutical markets that lack competitive conditions. Learnings from transparency will shape future drug pricing reforms.

Regional Market Factors and Patient Experience in Primary Care

Patient-provider communication quality metrics at safety net hospitals are indirectly affected by changes in regional market factors that influence patients’ demand for care.

Policy Paths, Research Gaps to Improve Medicare Access for Younger Beneficiaries: Emma Achola-Kothari, PhD

Emma Achola-Kothari, PhD, highlights the need to expand Medigap access for Medicare beneficiaries younger than 65 years and calls for future research connecting access barriers to health outcomes.

Cost-Effectiveness of Implementing a Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Program

A home blood pressure telemonitoring program effectively reduced blood pressure in real-world clinical settings, but program enrollment expenses increased overall costs.

The Cost of Implementing and Sustaining the Massachusetts Model

This article presents a microcosting analysis of resources needed for the implementation and sustainment of the Massachusetts model evaluated in the PROUD trial.

Combined Effect of Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Semaglutide: Analysis of Administrative Claims

Claims data reveal larger hemoglobin A1c decreases in people with type 2 diabetes who use continuous glucose monitoring and semaglutide compared with semaglutide alone.

Impact of Medicaid Institution for Mental Diseases Exclusion on Serious Mental Illness Outcomes

Medicaid’s Institution for Mental Diseases (IMD) rule bars federal funding for psychiatric facilities with more than 16 beds, but findings indicate that state waivers allowing treatment of serious mental illness in IMDs do not increase overall psychiatric hospitalizations.

Combined Pharmacotherapy and Psychotherapy Impact on Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

The combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is associated with reductions in emergency department visits and inpatient admissions along with lower total cost of care relative to either therapy alone.

Discharge Timing and Associations With Outcomes Following Heart Failure Hospitalization

A retrospective multicenter study found that patients with heart failure discharged by noon had higher short- and long-term mortality and increased early readmission rates compared with afternoon discharges.

Teamwork Enhances Patient Experience: Linking TEAM and Net Promoter Scores

In 1386 providers, better teamwork related to higher patient Net Promoter Score (NPS), and the relationship between provider experience and NPS was mediated by teamwork.

Hospital Participation in Medicare ACOs: No Change in Admission Practices and Spending

Hospital accountable care organization (ACO) participation did not impact emergency department admission rates, length of stay, or costs, suggesting limited effectiveness in reducing spending for unplanned admissions and challenging hospital-led ACO cost-saving strategies.