Insurance

Health insurance premiums for 2025 are expected to rise slightly due to higher prescription drug costs and inflation, according to a new analysis from the American Academy of Actuaries.

As the 2024 election approaches, older adults, who comprise more than half of ballots cast, are highly concerned about health care costs, financial scams, and fraud. Concern varies based on gender and political ideology.

While many states cover routine eye exams, about 6.5 million adults lack comprehensive exam coverage, and around 14.6 million have no access to glasses.

Homebound beneficiaries of a national Medicare Advantage (MA) plan had higher health service use and mortality rates, highlighting the need for tailored care strategies for this population.

Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment has grown to 32.8 million in 2024, representing 54% of total Medicare spending, with significant variation in enrollment across states and counties.

Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were invited to enroll in a program that reduced inhaler costs and provided medication management had higher inhaler adherence; however, there was no significant impact on exacerbations or overall health care spending.

Medicare Advantage customer service supports a less healthy, higher-need population, indicating that it should be designed and staffed to effectively serve complex, high-need patients.

In the second part of our interview with John M. O'Brien, PharmD, MPH, of the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC), he calls for further research into employer choices and the influence of benefit consultants in the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and drug rebate landscape.

Real-world cross-validation of insurer and hospital price transparency data finds low overlap but high concordance between data sources.

There will likely be a 7% increase in Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plan premiums next year across the 324 participating insurers from the 50 states and Washington, DC.

John M. O'Brien, PharmD, MPH, of the National Pharmaceutical Council, discusses his recent study, which sheds light on how important rebates are when choosing benefits for employers and who advises employers on these choices.

This article reviews the obesity epidemic in America and discusses inadequate insurance coverage.

Almost half of insured Americans report receiving unexpected medical bills, leading to financial strain and contributing to worsening health outcomes for many patients, The Commonwealth Fund report reveals.

The Center on Health Equity & Access reported on new research in youth mental health, with expert perspectives on HIV, liver cancer, and health outreach.

As pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) come under increased scrutiny from regulatory agencies, here are 5 things to know about their role in the health care system.

This week, the Center on Health Equity & Access delved into the state of equity as it relates to national spending, ovarian cancer care, health technology, insurance coverage, and postpartum depression.

For Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, the Employee Benefits Security Agency (EBSA) in the US Department of Labor highlights the critical need to address mental health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities.

Melissa Clarke, MD, CMQ, the chief health equity officer at Elevance Health, explains "Health Equity by Design" and how Elevance Health is committed to ensuring a personalized and intentional approach for all its members.

New rules aim to curb insurance brokers and protect consumers; data highlights surge in post-pandemic hospital-onset infections; President Biden’s decision to step down highlights Harris’ stance on health care reform and equity.

The Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health webinar series provided an in-depth framework for the advantages of including cell and gene therapy coverage in employer health plans, as well as the challenges brought by manufacturing complexities and the need to address accessibility to treatment.

Rising COVID-19 cases are attributed to travel, heatwaves, and new variants; an analysis highlights challenges in states not expanding Medicaid; the FDA notes health risks despite marketing authorization for popular e-cigarettes.

Misleading ads are under scrutiny for their role in signing up consumers for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage without their permission; Sen Elizabeth Warren (D, Massachusetts) said there are enough votes in the Senate to suspend the filibuster to codify Roe v Wade in 2025 with a Democratic majority; women with endometriosis have about a fourfold risk of developing ovarian cancer.

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the author of a study published in the July 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® that estimates the insurance value of novel Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treatment.

Almost half of all Americans struggle to afford quality health care and prescription medications; the cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group's Change Healthcare unit will cost the company between $2.3 billion and $2.45 billion in 2024; CMS releases the final part 2 guidance for plan outreach and education for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.

Today, the Siftwell 2024 Medicaid-Eligible Health Equity Index report highlighted ongoing challenges and barriers that underscore the need for systemic changes to improve health care access and outcomes for vulnerable groups.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing a lawsuit against the 3 largest drug middlemen over their use of rebates for insulin and other drugs; Sen Bernie Sanders (I, Vermont) feels confident that Novo Nordisk will cut Ozempic and Wegovy costs after hearing; CMS proposed a payment rule that would increase Medicare reimbursement for hospital outpatient departments by 2.6% next year.

After evaluating the association between the expanded Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits and plan composition, authors determined that adoption was not associated with large demographic shifts in enrollment.

A long-awaited report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finds that vertical integration and consolidation have worked against consumers and independent pharmacies.

Researchers link vaccination and reduced asthma symptoms; providers warn against overburdening and security risks; insurers’ practices lead to questionable diagnoses

Insurers continue to raise consumer costs despite covering fewer drugs and having more drug coverage restrictions; the Biden Administration is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to train geriatricians; the Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into Teva Pharmaceuticals after the company refused to take down patents for its asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease inhalers.