Health Care Cost

Data analysis showed that 40% of patients who filled a prescription for Wegovy in 2021 or 2022 were still taking it a year later; both Democrats and reproductive rights organizations are pressuring the Biden administration to ensure health insurers fully cover contraception; CMS implemented Medicare changes in March that limited access to blood tests that help transplant recipients ensure their organs remain healthy.

The company is changing the way it prices prescription drugs and providing more transparency, which has been one focus of pharmacy benefit manager regulation efforts.

Low vaccination rates raise fears of COVID-19 resurgence; a survey highlights racial discrimination in health care; Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide (Zepbound) has entered US pharmacies.

This article estimates the comprehensive value of direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus using a generalized cost-effectiveness analysis.

The initiative emphasizes equal partnerships between research institutions and community organizations.

Families struggle to find affordable, reliable home health aides; reports of increased pediatric pneumonia cases; legal battle ensues over Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy settlement.

The Center on Health Equity and Access highlights the most recent updates in the realm of health equity, including news, research findings, and initiatives focused on mitigating health care disparities and enhancing overall access to quality care.

A mandatory nationwide transition from reference adalimumab to a biosimilar was implemented in New Zealand.

A new analysis evaluated the economic implications of alopecia on women and their families, with significant out-of-pocket expenses attributed to treatments and measures to conceal the condition.

At present, it is difficult for clinicians to identify patients at greatest risk for developing preeclampsia with severe features and tailor treatment plans for them; this difficulty increases costs significantly.

After recent policy changes removing most medical debts from credit reports, Americans are seeing their credit scores increase, but experts warn of the need to monitor billing and collection practices for unintended consequences.

Safety-net programs need to not only be budgeted for but also aimed at the right people to ensure receipt of proper health care.

Jeffrey Sippel, MD, MPH, addresses the increasing denial of insurance claims for non-invasive ventilators (NIV) in Medicare Advantage plans, particularly impacting ALS patients, emphasizing the time crunch on patients, and criticizing the financial focus over patients' well-being.

Allegations call out restrictions on medically necessary care; CDC data highlight surge in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations; failure to include additional Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) aid raises concerns over food access.

Additional COVID-19 tests can be ordered amid rising cases and insurance challenges; therapies targeting toxic proteins in Alzheimer disease spark renewed interest; new poll indicates 55% approval for legal abortion on any grounds.

The recent availability of 3 FDA-approved treatments for patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has dramatically altered patient outcomes and provided a wealth of new avenues for SMA research.

A simulation study estimated the impact of biosimilar substitution on total cost of care (TCOC) and provider financial performance in the final performance period of the Oncology Care Model.

Jeffrey Sippel, MD, MPH, discusses the trend of insurance claim denials related to non-invasive ventilators for patients with ALS.

Christian John Lillis, cofounder and executive director of the Peggy Lillis Foundation for C difficile Education & Advocacy, explained how FDA-approved microbiome-based therapeutics help to treat and prevent C difficile infection.

A Biologics License Application has been submitted to the FDA review for sotatercept in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The FDA approved delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl (Elevidys, Sarepta Therapeutics) in June to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy in ambulatory pediatric patients aged 4 through 5 who have a confirmed DMD gene mutation.

Sophia Humphreys, PharmD, MHA, BCBBS, discussed how biosimilars can play a role in formulary management as well as the main takeaways of her presentations at the Newport Beach Institute for Value-Based Care conference.

A class action lawsuit was filed against UnitedHealth Group and a subsidiary for allegedly using an algorithm to deny rehabilitation coverage for seriously ill patients; US and China officials are finalizing an agreement to crack down on fentanyl; a study published Tuesday projected global heat deaths to increase by 370% if no action is taken against global warming.

Robert Gluckman, MD, MACP, from Providence Health Plan, spoke about how medicine and pharmacist interaction can be cost-effective.

This study characterizes the incidence and associated factors of urolithiasis-related emergency department visits that are potentially preventable with appropriate ambulatory care and calculates their cumulative costs.