AJMC® in the Press, June 21, 2019

The New Yorker published an article on “social infertility” that highlighted a 2008 study published in The American Journal of Managed Care^® (AJMC^®) around in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The study, “Long-Term Economic Benefits Attributed to IVF-Conceived Children: A Lifetime Tax Calculation,” estimated the future net tax contributions from an IVF-conceived child to highlight that removing barriers to fertility treatments can have long-term economic benefits.

Becker’s Hospital Review cited 2 studies published in this month’s issue of AJMC^®. Their article on placing test orders through electronic health records mentioned the study “Changing Electronic Formats Is Associated With Changes in Number of Laboratory Tests Ordered,” which found that a slight decrease in the convenience of ordering a laboratory test that is not indicated for routine screening led to a dramatic decrease in the number of test orders sent. Becker’s article on a discharge algorithm mentioned the study “Association of Decision Support for Hospital Discharge Disposition With Outcomes,” which found that use of the clinical decision support tool was associated with reductions in spending and readmission without negatively affecting emergency department use.

America’s Health Insurance Plan’s Accountable Care SmartBrief included the editorial board letter in this month’s issue of AJMC^®, written by Patrick H. Conway, MD, MSc, president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. In the letter, Conway offers 3 concepts that are driving the ambitious level of change to a healthcare system that is both affordable and accessible to everyone.

A commentary in the Journal of Clinical Pathways discussed the AJMC^® published study “Understanding Price Growth in the Market for Targeted Oncology Therapies,” which found that the prices of targeted oncology therapies have grown substantially, but revenues have not, which is due in part to large declines in per-drug patient counts.

A 2015 study published in AJMC^® was included in an article from Workforce. The study, “US Employee Wellness Programs and Access to Obesity Treatment in Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance,” concluded that employer policies for access to maximum benefits do not always match those for access to obesity therapy.

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Newsroom cited a 2018 study published in AJMC^®. The study, “Pricing of Monoclonal Antibody Therapies: Higher if Used for Cancer?” determined that the annual price of monoclonal antibodies used in oncology and hematology is about $100,000 higher than those used in other disease states.

The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society included an article from AJMC^®’s sister site The Center for Biosimilars^® in its regulatory focus. The article, “Ireland Makes a Push to Switch to Biosimilar Adalimumab and Etanercept,” covered Irish hospitals’ decision to offer a $561 incentive for each patient switched from brand-name Humira or Enbrel to a biosimilar option.

The National Pharmaceutical Councils’ Tuesday CER Daily Newsfeed included AJMC^®’s article “Using Real-World Evidence to Understand Disparities, Clinical Inertia,” which reported that Merck’s Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence has spent several years gathering evidence of clinical inertia and is now working on solutions to overcome it at the point of care. Wednesday’s newsfeed included AJMC^®’s article “Analysis Finds Progress in Reducing Spending on Low-Value Services Positive but Sluggish,” which covered an analysis that found despite significant discussion about reducing low-value care, reduction has been slight. Thursday’s newsfeed included the AJMC^® article “Quest Diagnostics: Value-Based Care Cuts Costs, Boosts Care Coordination,” which covered a Quest Diagnostics webinar that discussed how laboratory services fit in with value-based care strategies and could reduce total healthcare costs, improve care coordination, and enhance member experiences.