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What We’re Reading: MA 2024 Star Ratings; Rite Aid Files for Bankruptcy; Kaiser Permanente Workers Reach Tentative Agreement
Medicare Advantage star ratings reveal shifts in plan quality and performance; Rite Aid seeks debt reduction and restructures amid financial challenges; workers secure improved wages and staffing
Medicare Advantage 2024 Star Ratings Show Fewer Plans Achieve 5 Stars
The latest Medicare Advantage (MA) 2024 Star Ratings have unveiled a notable decline in the number of plans achieving a coveted 5-star rating, according to Healthcare Finance. The reported shift indicates changes in plan quality and performance across the MA landscape. Health insurers will need to adapt and improve in order to meet the evolving standards and provide the best possible care to Medicare beneficiaries.
Rite Aid Files for Bankruptcy, Appoints New CEO in Bid for Turnaround
American drugstore chain Rite Aid has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey as it grapples with declining sales, a substantial debt load, and legal issues related to the opioid epidemic, according to CNBC. The company announced the appointment of Jeffrey Stein as its new CEO and chief restructuring officer. While Rite Aid has historically relied on its retail pharmacy segment for growth, it has struggled to compete with larger rivals like CVS and Walgreens and faces stiff competition from online retailers. These challenges, coupled with ongoing lawsuits, have pushed the company to seek bankruptcy protection and undertake a restructuring effort in hopes of achieving long-term success.
Tentative Agreement Reached Between Health Care Workers and Kaiser Permanente After Strike
Unions representing 85,000 health care workers have reached a tentative agreement with Kaiser Permanente, one of the industry giants, following a strike over wages and staffing levels, according to The Associated Press. The deal includes minimum hourly wages of $25 in California and $23 in other states, along with a 21% wage increase over 4 years. Both parties emphasized their commitment to patient care during negotiations. The tentative agreement also addresses concerns around subcontracting, outsourcing, and investing in the workforce, marking it a significant milestone in the healthcare industry.
Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Health Equity and Access Weekly Roundup: April 27, 2024
April 27th 2024Racial disparities in end-of-life care, the role of wellness and faith in minority health, award-winning research on health disparities, societal factors impacting cardiometabolic health, and rising mental health challenges among US youth are all covered this week in the Center on Health Equity and Access.
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Navigating Health Policy in an Election Year: Insights From Dr Dennis Scanlon
April 2nd 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of The American Journal of Accountable Care®, about prior authorization, price transparency, the impact of health policy on the upcoming election, and more.
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Dr Kathy Zackowski Discusses the Importance of Rehabilitation Research and Trials in MS
April 26th 2024Kathy Zackowski, PhD, National MS Society, expresses the inherent value of quality rehabilitation trials for broadening clinical understandings of multiple sclerosis (MS) and bettering patient outcomes.
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