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What We’re Reading: MA Plans Under Scrutiny; Military Abortion Access; CDC and Monkeypox Efforts
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are denying care while overcharging the government, watchdogs said at a Congressional hearing; overturn of Roe v Wade will not change how military treatment facilities provide abortions; the CDC activates the Emergency Operations Center in response to monkeypox.
Government Watchdogs Call for Action on Medicare Advantage Plans
As reported by Kaiser Health News, government watchdogs said Congress needs to crack down on Medicare Advantage plans that sometimes deny older patients essential medical care while simultaneously overcharging the government billions each year. Officials from the HHS Office of the Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office, and Medicare Payment Advisory Commission spoke at a hearing held by an Energy and Commerce subcommittee, but CMS officials did not appear. Recommendations included setting limits on home health assessments and reinstating an audit program that is now more than 10 years behind on regaining billions of dollars in suspected overpayments to health plans.
Military Still Offering Abortion Care to Service Members, Families
In the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, the Pentagon said the decision will not change how military treatment facilities operate because they are federal facilities. As reported by NBC News, the military will continue to provide abortions to military service members, spouses, and dependents in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is at risk. However, federal law prohibits the Pentagon from providing or paying for abortion care in other situations.
CDC Activates Emergency Operations Center in Response to Monkeypox Outbreak
The CDC announced Tuesday it is activating its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the monkeypox outbreak, allowing the agency to further increase its operational support as the outbreak evolves. The EOC works alongside both government and non-government organizations to outline an emergency response structure, and serves as a supplement to ongoing efforts by CDC staff. While the World Health Organization decided monkeypox is not yet considered a public health emergency, the CDC already began shipping orthopoxvirus tests to 5 commercial laboratory companies and expanded the monkeypox case definition.
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.
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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.
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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.
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What We’re Reading: ChatGPT in Health Care; Menthol Ban Meeting; Health System Cyberattack Impact
November 30th 2023ChatGPT is changing health care while also raising questions about artificial intelligence's promises and limitations; 24 Biden officials met with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives to discuss the FDA’s proposal to ban menthol cigarettes; a recent hospital cyberattack shows how the vulnerability of health care systems can put patients at risk.
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