Proton Pump Inhibitors Can Heighten Risk of Early Death
A new study in BMJ Open finds that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) sold over the counter to treat heartburn increased the risk of premature death for users, and the risk was heightened when the drugs were taken for longer amounts of time. According to the New York Times, lead study author Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, urged consumers not to panic, but said PPIs should be reserved for people with demonstrated medical need, like for a bleeding ulcer. When these popular drugs are being consumed unnecessarily, however, people are “getting no benefit, only the risk,” he told the Times.
Medicare Advantage Plans Less Appealing to Sicker Patients
Sicker elderly patients are more likely to drop their Medicare Advantage (MA) plans than their healthier counterparts, according to an NPR article summarizing a Government Accountability Office report. Of 126 MA plans studied by the report, 35 had disproportionately high rates of sicker patients dropping out. Many patients reported that they found it too hard to access their preferred physicians, including specialists, in the MA plans. Some then chose to sign up for traditional Medicare instead.
Wisconsin Court Rules Against Malpractice Award Cap
An appellate court in Wisconsin has determined that the state’s $750,000 limit on non-economic medical malpractice claims is unconstitutional, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The case involved a woman who had all 4 limbs amputated after doctors failed to detect a strep infection; she and her husband then sought over $25 million in damages for the resulting pain and suffering. In contrast, the US House of Representatives voted last week to cap non-economic malpractice damages at $250,000.
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.
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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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Homelessness Compounds Hospital Stay Challenges: Study Reveals Prolonged Discharge Struggles
March 28th 2024In this investigation, outcomes of interest were morbidity rate and length of hospital stay or a traumatic injury among a homeless population, and whether age and/or injury severity had an influence on that relationship—with implications for improving the discharge process for these patients.
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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.
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