Eli Lilly will tack on $450 million more to increase capacity in a diabetes drug plant in light of shortages; patients emailing and messaging medical providers online might be charged; 57% of adults in a recent survey think that the federal government should secure health care coverage for all Americans.
Eli Lilly Will Invest Extra $450 Million to Expand Diabetes Drug Plant
Eli Lilly and Co is planning to invest an added $450 million to its Research Triangle Park manufacturing location in North Carolina to keep up with the amplified demand for diabetes drugs dulaglutide (Trulicity) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, according to Reuters. In January, the FDA included both drugs on its list of drug shortages. The company intends to double production of the incretin drug class by the end of 2023, which includes both medications.
More Providers Billing for Patient Emails, Portal Messages
Electronic health communication has started to cost some patients when they communicate with providers online through emails and patient portals, The New York Times reported. CMS created billing codes for reimbursement for portal messages before the pandemic, and some insurers have followed suit. Billable messages must meet certain criteria to be charged and can be at the discretion of the providing institution. Electronic messages grew during the pandemic, and some providers said the time to respond adds to their workday. Critics are concerned that this new initiative could decrease health equity and drive people away from care.
Survey Shows Most Adults Favor Some Type of Guaranteed Universal Health Care
The majority of adults surveyed—57%— think that the federal government should guarantee health care coverage for all Americans, but most are partial to a private health care system rather than one controlled by the government, The Hill reported. The Gallup survey findings were the highest vote in favor of universal health care since 2018. Mostly Democrats and 59% of independents were in favor of the idea; just 28% of Republicans were, showing the complexities of Americans’ positions in their desire for governmental health care coverage simultaneously with a private coverage system.
Oncology Onward: A Conversation With Thyme Care CEO and Cofounder Robin Shah
October 2nd 2023Robin Shah, CEO of Thyme Care, which he founded in 2020 with Bobby Green, MD, president and chief medical officer, joins hosts Emeline Aviki, MD, MBA, and Stephen Schleicher, MD, MBA, to discuss his evolution as an entrepreneur in oncology care innovation and his goal of positively changing how patients experience the cancer system.
Listen
SABCS 2023 Sessions Touch on "Every Aspect of Breast Cancer"
December 4th 2023The 46th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium will take place December 5-9, with new and experienced attendees able to choose and learn from a schedule overflowing with the latest developments in breast cancer science and research.
Read More
Insufficient Data, Disparities Plague Lung Cancer Risk Factor Documentation
September 24th 2023On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the senior author of a study published in the September 2023 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® on the importance of adequate and effective lung cancer risk factor documentation to determine a patient's eligibility for screening.
Listen
NK Cell Therapy SNK01 Improves Cognitive Function in Alzheimer Disease for up to 11 Weeks
December 3rd 2023Among 10 patients evaluated, compared with their baseline at 1 week after receiving their final dose in the trial, 30% demonstrated clinical improvement on the Alzheimer’s disease composite score.
Read More
Health Equity and Access Weekly Roundup: December 2, 2023
December 2nd 2023The 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.
Read More