Policy

Examining SDOH in a Commercially Insured Health Care Workforce

April 22nd 2021, 7:04pm

At a session at the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Virtual Spring Managed Care Forum, an Aetna executive discussed how one employer used the payer's data to see how its workforce was affected by social determinants of health (SDOH).

What We’re Reading: More J&J Doses Potentially Compromised; Fentanyl as Schedule 1 Drug; COVID-19 in Texas

April 22nd 2021, 2:10pm

New reports show additional doses of Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in Baltimore may be contaminated; legislation extends fentanyl's regulation as a Schedule 1 drug; COVID-19 cases and deaths increase in Texas.

Tech, mRNA Among Key Trends in Health Care as the Pandemic Eases

April 22nd 2021, 1:15pm

Microsoft's acquisition of Nuance reflects health care trends of an economy emerging from COVID-19, according to a speaker at the National Association of Managed Care Physicians Virtual Spring Managed Care Forum.

COVID-19: An Opportunity to Assess Global Air Quality and Its Impact on Health

April 22nd 2021, 1:05pm

With unprecedented pauses in air pollution emissions in spring 2020 and ongoing virus mitigation behaviors around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to better understand the impact of poor air quality on human health.

The Impact of Reinsurance of Gene Therapies on Employer Financial Risk

April 22nd 2021, 12:21pm

Medicare APMs at a Crossroads

April 21st 2021, 1:00pm

To be sustainable and successful, Medicare alternative payment models (APMs) have to attract and retain high and low performers. That requires a different approach to pricing and evaluation.

Removing Barriers to Mental Health Care for Children and Teenagers

April 20th 2021, 8:38pm

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the chief strategy officer for Well Being Trust, one of the authors of a recent report about how well health insurers and state Medicaid programs are covering mental health care for children and compliance with federal law. We discuss the unique challenges that youth face, the health disparities, racism, and community trauma that has been experienced in the past year, and some creative ways that organizations and communities can consider increase access to mental health supports.

CMMI Remains Dedicated to Value-Based Care Despite Pause to Some Models, Fowler Says

April 20th 2021, 7:11pm

During her opening plenary at the NAACOS Spring 2021 Conference, Liz Fowler, PhD, JD, deputy administrator and director of the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, highlighted how the center is taking a pause to reassess its models and what is coming next.

Using Telemedicine for Respiratory Infections May Lead to More Care Later

April 17th 2021, 12:30pm

The study, on the quality of on-demand video telemedicine services, found that patients using telemedicine for respiratory infections were more likely to receive follow-up care, causing higher health care spending.

Kaiser Permanente Researchers Review Regulatory Barriers to US Biosimilar Uptake

April 16th 2021, 8:30pm

Changes to naming conventions and interchangeability labels are just some of the regulatory barriers standing in the way of biosimilar uptake, according to Kaiser Permanente researchers.