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As Amgen's Repatha (evolocumab) and Sanofi/Regeneron's Praluent (alirocumab) get closer to market, the safety question is one of the remaining pieces of the puzzle that unfortunately can't be solved immediately until real-world data starts to become available. However, as payers assess the risk-benefit of Repatha and Praluent vs the gold standard statins, there are questions that CAN be answered immediately.

Viruses, not bacteria, are the most commonly detected pathogen in US adults hospitalized with pneumonia; however, neither viruses nor bacteria were detected in the majority of these patients despite current diagnostic tests.

A study published in JAMA Oncology questions aggressive local treatment strategies in men with low-risk prostate cancer.

The Government Accountability Office received notices of inconsistent information, but it wasn't enough for CMS to cancel coverage for the phony beneficiaries. A key flaw revealed is the ability of phony applicants to use the telephone to bypass online controls.

Although Hispanic adults were more likely to have a consistent place of care in 2014 compared with 2013, they were still more likely to experience difficulty in accessing and utilizing care than the non-Hispanic population.

A report released by the National Academy of Medicine aims to ensure that evidence-based psychosocial interventions are routinely used in clinical practice and included in the clinical training of mental health professionals.

Former CMS administrator, Marilyn B. Tavenner, will step into the role of president and chief executive of America's Health Insurance Plans.

Young adult cancer survivors who had received their first rounds of cancer treatment between the ages of 20 and 44 were 1.5 times more likely to have more hospitalizations after remission than the general public.

In a move that will create the largest healthcare system in New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Health System and Barnabas Health have signed a merger agreement that will create RWJ Barnabas Health. The merger is expected to be complete in 2016, but the agreement is subject to review by the New Jersey Attorney General.

Scientists at the University of Leeds have developed a device that avoids the constant finger pricks in hyperglycemic patients.

A rheumatoid arthritis—focused Virtual Health Assistant (aka avatar) could help save US health plans over $1 billion per year by providing the data needed to pursue an evidence-based dose reduction/discontinuation strategy for biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). The science is strong, but is the will equally strong?

Advocates for healthy eating say food industry lobbyists are using the political process to interfere in the scientific process.

A new issue brief by America's Health Insurance Plans explores the recent trends in the specialty drug market and recommends policy solutions to promote high-value, high-quality care.

The retrospective study, conducted in centers across Germany, found that when colorectal cancer was detected during a screening colonoscopy, patients lived nearly 2 years longer than if it was detected during a diagnostic colonoscopy.

The FDA warning last week on the cardiovascular effects of non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has prompted healthcare experts to advise caution when using these drugs on a regular basis.

Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt says the Fraud Prevention System has yielded a 10-to-1 return for taxpayers

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association's release of recommendations for statin treatment in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 2013 have now proven both cost-effective and accurate in identifying CVD risk.

When people seek price information before getting care, they are not just looking for data online-they are turning to providers and staff for face-to-face help.

An interview with The American Journal of Managed Care about the PAN Challenge grant.

The Patients' Access to Treatments Act of 2015 was introduced earlier this year to rein in the high cost-sharing requirements for specialty drugs.

Feelings remain mixed among patients, medical records staff, and physicians on a number of functions associated with electronic patient records.

Priority has seen about a 40% reduction in acute inpatient hospitalizations, 50% reduction in emergency department (ED) visits, and a 30% drop in per-member-per month costs among 300 of its chronically ill enrollees.

The newly insured came to Medicaid with medical issues that had gone unaddressed for years. The same problem has been cited by insurers who have asked for large rate increases for 2016 for plans on the exchanges.

The 17th annual HealthCare's Most Wire Survey indicates that hospitals are beginning to utilize information technology to send and share information across care settings.

CDC report estimates that the Affordable Care Act could lead to 111,000 fewer new coronary heart disease events and 95,000 fewer CVD-related deaths by 2050.

The top story of the week was Aetna's purchase of Humana, which signals a growth in government managed care. In addition, the 340B drug discount program came under fire after a report from the Government Accountability Office.

The concept of value may be, and is, interpreted differently among healthcare stakeholders, and not only do cancer patients define value differently from policy makers, but also from other patients.

How can the US increase value for the money we spend in maternity care? This is an important question that must be considered more broadly than individual patient choices or clinician decisions.

President Barack Obama has nominated Andy Slavitt to become the new administrator of CMS.

The rule for restaurants and other food retailers is delayed until December 2016 to allow more discussions on how it will apply in many specific situations. Food labeling with calorie counts is mandated by the Affordable Care Act.