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What We’re Reading: Medical Debt Prevalent in US; NC Medicaid Expansion Proposal; More Seek Mental Health Help
A recent study found that 1 in 5 households were strapped with medical debt; hospitals and hospital systems in North Carolina proposed a way to expand Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of adults; the CDC reported that more adults sought mental health treatment in 2021 compared with 2019.
Medical Debt Prevalent in 1 in 5 Households
A study in published in JAMA Network Open found that 1 in 5 households are struggling with medical debt, which leaves them more vulnerable to food insecurity, eviction, and inability to pay for necessities, according to NBC News. The study also found that medical debt is the driver of health and financial inequalities in the United States, which emphasizes the need for reform. Uninsured people had the highest risk of medical debt but it was also common for those with private insurance, such as high deductible plans and Medicare Advantage.
North Carolina Hospital Systems Propose Medicaid Expansion
Hospital systems and hospitals in North Carolina proposed a way to expand Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of low-income adults in the state in order to restart stalled negotiations. The offer was sent to Republican legislative leaders and to Governor Roy Cooper and included reforms to state laws that require regulatory approval before some medical buildings can be constructed or services offered in the region. An expansion bill was passed in the House earlier this year but did not include medical supply-side proposals that the Senate had wanted. House Speaker Tim Moore was appraising the offer before the General Assembly is scheduled to return on Tuesday.
Treatment for Mental Health Increases in 2 Years
The CDC released data that found that the percentage of adults receiving treatment for mental health has increased from 19.2% in 2019 to 21.6% in 2021. Adults aged 18 to 44 years were more likely to receive treatment, especially women in that age group. Adults who had received treatment were on medication for their mental health, had therapy from a mental health profession, or had both in the past 12 months.
CMS' 340B Repayment Proposal May Harm Vulnerable Hospitals, Reward Those With Higher Revenues
April 26th 2024The 340B hospitals not receiving an offsetting lump-sum payment from CMS following 2018-2022 cuts later ruled unlawful are disproportionately rural, publicly owned, and nonacademic, according to a new study.
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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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Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
February 13th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the February 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on how health plans can screen for health literacy, social determinants of health, and perceived health care discrimination.
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Mental Health Diagnoses, Care Challenges Rise Among US Youth, Report Finds
April 26th 2024While behavioral health care utilization has been rising, the treatment landscape has been worsening. New findings show that 20% of youths did not receive any form of treatment within 3 months of their initial behavioral health diagnosis.
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