CMS Proposed Payment Increase for Medicare Advantage
The government has proposed increasing average payments to health insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans by 0.25%. According to Reuters, last year the proposed increase had been 1.35% before it was later reduced to 0.5%. As Republicans consider replacing or changing the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Advantage plans, which have seen increases in enrollment of 7% in the last year, will be increasingly important for insurers’ business.
Shulkin Promises No Privatization for VA
While President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will enact sweeping changes, he will not privatize the department. David Shulkin, the current undersecretary of health for the VA, testified before the Senate Committee on VA and promised not to privatize the department during his tenure, reported The Wall Street Journal. Trump has expressed interest in further privatizing the VA, but Shulkin said he would oppose such efforts. Shulkin is a holdover from the Obama administration and had joined the VA in 2015.
A New Savings Account for People With Disabilities
The new Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account allows people with disabilities to save more money without losing government benefits. AP reported that the accounts are run by states, similar to 529 plans for college savings, and that eligible individuals would be able to save and still receive benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income monthly payments. Only 16 states offer these accounts so far and only legal residents who had a disability before the age of 26 can open an account. The funds in the ABLE account can be used on any expenses that improve the life, independence, or health of the person with disabilities.
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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