A new FDA rule will allow hearing aids to be purchased without prescriptions; the FDA has received more than 48,000 reports of faulty Philips respiratory devices between May and July; HHS has extended postpartum Medicaid in Hawaii, Maryland, and Ohio.
Hearing Aids to Be Available Without a Prescription
An FDA rule will allow hearing aids to be accessible over the counter as early as this fall, which will make hearing loss treatment more accessible and potentially less expensive. The rule will apply to patients 18 years and older who have mild to moderate hearing loss and to air-conduction hearing aids, which are worn behind or inside the ear. The FDA has given numerous requirements of the OTC hearing aids, including that all hearing aids need user-adjusted volume and a lower maximum sound output to avoid patients overamplifying.
FDA Receives Reports on Faulty Philips Devices
The FDA has received more than 48,000 reports of faulty Philips respiratory devices and ventilators between May and July, which have resulted in 44 deaths. This number is twice the number of reports the FDA received in more than a year, until April. This comes 1 year after Philips recalled their products in June 2021, in which Philips aimed to repair and replace the devices for most of their patients by December 2022.
HHS Approves 12-Month Postpartum Medicaid Extension
HHS approved a 12-month extension for postpartum Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage in Hawaii, Maryland, and Ohio. This move can allow up to 34,000 people annually to get Medicaid and CHIP coverage for a full year after their pregnancy. With his approval, and previous state approvals, 318,000 Americans are estimated to be eligible for 12 months of postpartum coverage in 21 states and Washington, DC. An estimated 720,000 people nationally would benefit if all other states adopted this option. Currently, Medicaid covers 42% of all births in the nation.
FDA Approves Vadadustat for Anemia in Patients With CKD Undergoing Dialysis
March 28th 2024The FDA approved vadadustat (Vafseo), an oral medication, to treat anemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis for at least 3 months. This fills a need for a new treatment option as anemia is common in these patients and can significantly impact their quality of life.
Read More
Exploring Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Variations
March 26th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the March 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on variations in prior authorization use across Medicare Advantage plans.
Listen
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.
Listen
CMS released a final rule to help patients obtain Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage and issued a proposed rule to update Medicare payment policies and rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities; debate over if gift card incentives are acceptable in health care marketing.
Read More