Medicare

An analysis conducted in Japan among patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF) revealed excessive polypharmacy at hospital discharge is associated with an increased risk of mortality after 1 year.

Medicare Advantage plans must leverage data-driven insights and omnichannel telepharmacy software to guide meaningful interactions with high-risk members and boost Star Ratings performance.

The randomized study consisted of an intervention delivered by general practitioners in the Republic of Ireland.

In a National Coverage Determination decision memo released Tuesday, CMS said it will gather public comment for 30 days about its plan to limit coverage for Alzheimer disease (AD) biologics that target plaque buildup in the brain to patients enrolled in certain clinical trials.

A Danish study observed emergency department (ED) health care providers and identified 5 factors that could play into patient involvement in medication discussions, particularly in older patients with polypharmacy.

CMS proposed rulemaking Thursday that would pass pharmaceutical price concessions to beneficiaries in Medicare Part D plans and make the medical loss ratio in Medicare Advantage plans more robust.

The most-read AJAC papers of 2021 analyze real-world programs to transform health care and provide insight into physician perspectives of health care and insurance.

This year’s most-read articles on Medicare covered topics including accountable care organizations, value-based payment, and star ratings.

Coverage from the 2021 COA Payer Exchange Summit.

Coverage from the 2021 COA Payer Exchange Summit.

The findings come from an algorithm that was based on 4 criteria-based tools, including 2 widely-used measures designed to ferret out inappropriate medication prescribing in older adults.

Three policies to revamp insurance consumer protections for health care delivery are explored, with highlighted areas for improvement being maternal health coverage and loosening of network adequacy requirements.

Antibodies produced by vaccinated people may be less successful at fighting against Omicron compared with other variants; Congressional leaders created a plan to lift the debt limit with only Democratic votes in the Senate, staving off Medicare cuts; cases of depression and anxiety among youths both doubled during the pandemic.

People aging with HIV have more drug–drug interactions compared with those without HIV, according to results of an observational study.

The authors of this study examined expense reports to understand how participants in Medicare’s Accountable Care Organization Investment Model spent to achieve program goals.

It’s right to acknowledge that dental, hearing, and vision are important for total health care for Medicare beneficiaries, said Melissa Andel, MPP, vice president of health policy at CommonHealth Solutions.

The announcement of a "strategic refresh" for payment models under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation offered no details on what practices should expect when the Oncology Care Model (OCM) expires in 2022.

A report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation confirmed that practices within the US Oncology Network and Tennessee Oncology participating in the Oncology Care Model (OCM) program have contributed significant savings to the agency.

To guide its growth and its forays into home-based care, SCAN Group recently announced a Diversification Advisory Council, a group of 6 leaders from inside and outside health care with expertise in health care technology, reimbursement, and consumer engagement.

Appeals court affirms decision to place a hold on the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for large employers; rising Medicare premiums linked with controversial Alzheimer drug; 3 states expand COVID-19 booster shot eligibility to all adults.

COVID-19 prompted CMS to make major adjustments to the Medicare Advantage (MA) Star Ratings System, resulting in better-than-average performance for nearly all plans. However, these changes were temporary, and MA plans will have to reset their strategies for 2023 and beyond.

Michael E. Chernew, PhD, co-editor-in-chief of The American Journal of Managed Care®, discussed cost and sustainability issues specific to commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid at the National Alliance 2021 Annual Forum held in a hybrid format in Washington, DC.

The share of patients meeting the definition of polypharmacy for the condition of overactive bladder declined from 2006 to 2017, but the phenomenon was still prevalent in women and patients in nursing homes, according to a recent study.

Multiple comorbidities and medications are prevalent in older cancer populations, who may benefit from structured medication reviews by specialist geriatricians.

The annual report, from the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, the CDC, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, details US cancer trends.

Physician and health policy advocates praised the emphasis on streamlining models and ending silos, but practices that invested in the Oncology Care Model (OCM) await key details.

Medicare Advantage enrollees, particularly those with lower out-of-network benefits, may have restricted access to top-ranked hospitals for complex cancer care compared with traditional Medicare enrollees.

Ahead of Medicare open enrollment, which starts October 15, CMS released its annual report of which Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D drug plans achieved 5-star ratings.

The 2022 performance year’s Star Ratings require Medicare Advantage plans to take a more significant role in preventing readmissions.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that adding dental, vision, and hearing benefits would increase Medicare’s direct spending, but the American Dental Association (ADA) is claiming reimbursement will not be enough to cover these costs