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What We’re Reading: Weight Loss Drug Coverage; COVID Vaccine Potential AEs; Shifting Medicaid Policy
Insurers grapple with expanding overage for weight loss medications; a new analysis reveals a potential correlation between COVID-19 vaccinations and various adverse effects (AEs); reshaping Medicaid programs remains an ongoing debate about ensuring health care access.
Weight Loss Drugs Reaching Coverage Milestones Under the ACA
As the obesity crisis continues, semaglutide (Wegovy) has gained attention for its effectiveness in weight loss, according to Stat. However, its high cost—more than $16,000 annually—poses challenges for insurers under the Affordable Care Act, (ACA), raising questions about accessibility and affordability for patients seeking the treatment. Despite hurdles, efforts are underway to expand coverage under the act, potentially reshaping the landscape of weight loss interventions.
Multicountry COVID Study Links Vaccines, Potential Adverse Effects
The most extensive study conducted across several countries has identified a correlation between COVID-19 vaccines and potential adverse effects, including myocarditis and Guillain-Barré syndrome, according to The Hill. The findings highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and research to ensure the safety and efficacy of worldwide vaccination campaigns, underscoring the need for transparent communication and vigilant surveillance in the ongoing global effort to combat the pandemic.
Trump Pushes States to Overhaul Medicaid Amid Political Tensions
Former President Donald Trump's renewed advocacy for Medicaid overhaul has placed pressure on states to navigate complex health care decisions, including potential changes to eligibility criteria and finding of health safety-net programs, according to Politico. Amid concerns over access and the federal-state partnership, this development amplifies the ongoing debate over Medicaid's role in ensuring health care access for vulnerable populations and highlights the overall complexities of state-level health care policymaking.
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 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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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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