Buyers Of Short-Term Health Plans: Wise Or Shortsighted?
November 20, 2018
Supporters of the nation’s health law condemn them. A few states, including California and New York, have banned them. Other states limit them. Read More
Medicare/Medicaid Posts
From Rising Drug Prices to Mobile Clinics, 8 Key Healthcare Trends to Watch
November 20, 2018
Access to high-quality healthcare was a recurring theme last week at the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions’ annual conference in Washington, D.C. Read More
Lack of Competition Leads to Higher ACA Plan Premiums in Rural Areas
November 20, 2018
The lower premiums in urban areas were partially connected to more competition among plans and providers. Having more plans also means they can spread the financial risk rather than having one or two payers shoulder all of it, leading to lower premiums. Read More
Playing On Fear And Fun, Hospitals Follow Pharma In Direct-To-Consumer Advertising
November 20, 2018
The scene is shadowy, and the background music foreboding. On the TV screen, a stream of beleaguered humans stand in an unending line. Read More
Primary Care Physician Visits Drop Among Patients with Employer Plans
November 20, 2018
NPs and PAs have recently taken on a larger role in primary care. Health experts say those roles will help fill primary care gaps in the coming years with physician shortages expected. Read More
Waiting on 2 States, CVS Delays Aetna Deal Closing Until After Thanksgiving
November 20, 2018
CVS expects to close its $69 billion acquisition of Aetna after the Thanksgiving holiday. Read More
Express Scripts Ramps Up List-Price Pressure With Newfangled ‘Flex’ Formulary
November 13, 2018
During a yearslong examination of drug prices, there’s been no shortage of criticism for growing list prices, and in recent months, some companies have heard the talk and lowered their prices. Now, top PBM Express Scripts is rolling out a new formulary to help support the moves—and the plan could heap more pressure on players in competitive drug classes. Read More
Breach of Obamacare Site Spilled Sensitive Data
November 13, 2018
More than two weeks after announcing that the Obamacare website, HealthCare.gov, had been hacked, the Department of Health and Human Services has revealed that the breach exposed a wealth of information, including partial Social Security numbers and immigration status. Read More
Billions In Questionable Medi-Cal Payments
November 6, 2018
California’s Medicaid program made at least $4 billion in questionable payments to health insurers and medical providers over a four-year period because as many as 453,000 people were ineligible for the public benefits, according to a state audit released Tuesday. Read More
Congressional Report Says Insulin Market Benefits Drugmakers and Insurers, Not Patients
November 6, 2018
“Perverse” incentives in the insulin supply chain lead to artificially high prices, as well as limited competition in the markets, according to a bipartisan report released Thursday by two lawmakers. Read More