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 in 2023, where she produces content covering multiple disease states.

She has a BA in journalism from Seton Hall University. You can connect with Brooke on 

Videos

Eric H. Yang, MD, emphasizes the need for collaboration and interventions to protect patients’ hearts during breast cancer treatment.

Cardio-Oncology Collaboration Could Reduce Cardiovascular, Breast Cancer Risks: Eric H. Yang, MD

Molecular ESR1 changes may signal symptomatic progression before imaging in metastatic breast cancer, supporting camizestrant for improved quality of life.

Molecular Changes Provide New Way to Measure Breast Cancer Progression: Adam Brufsky, MD, PhD

Sabrina McCrear is an assistant editor for 

 (AJMC®), which she joined in 2025. She produces written and video content across a range of disease areas and manages social media platforms for 

Sabrina holds a B.A. in Journalism with a minor in Biology from Howard University in Washington, D.C. You can connect with her on 

Sachin H. Jain, MD, MBA, discusses 2026 health care predictions, including AI adoption, GLP-1 demand, MAHA growth, DEI’s return, and policy shifts.

2026 Health Care Predictions: AI, GLP-1s, MAHA, DEI: Sachin H. Jain, MD, MBA

Skylar is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The Center for Biosimilars®, and joined AJMC® in 2020. She is responsible for covering all aspects of the ever-changing global biosimilar industry and produces content that is accessible and informative for all health care stakeholders.

She has a BA in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University. You can connect with Skylar on 

Articles

ASCO GU 2025 had groundbreaking advancements in genitourinary cancer treatments, focusing on prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and health equity.

ICYMI: Highlights From ASCO GU 2025

The American Journal of Managed Care provides insights into the latest news and research in managed care across multimedia platforms.

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1rem

Topic

On today’s episode of Managed Care Cast, 

 spoke with Sachin H. Jain, MD, MBA, CEO of SCAN Group and Health Plan.

 for 2026, covering several topics and pinpointing what may change in the new year. Many of these issues included the succession of artificial intelligence (AI) in the health care space, expansion of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, increased demand for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist receptors, Medicare Advantage, digital health IPOs, and modest incremental policy movement.

During the interview, Jain expanded on his predictions, explaining how the short-term and long-term implications should come to fruition. Many of his predictions may have downstream effects should the Affordable Care Act subsidies expire at the end of the year. For example, GLP-1 receptor agonists will continue to grow and have been associated with the significant increase Americans are expected to see in their health care premiums next year.

Jain also predicted an increase in patient and provider dissatisfaction with the US health care system. Providers are “inflamed by flattening wages,” and 

authorizations are proving to be significant hurdles to adequate patient care, especially with the addition of AI. Whereas patients “have never felt more justifiably abused by US health care,” Jain wrote in his predictions.

 Government misinformation, specifically from HHS, combined with oversaturated, inaccurate health influencers on social media, is also fueling patient mistrust and the growth of the MAHA movement in the new year.

Lastly, Jain predicts that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives will make a drastic return as companies and government entities recoil from the public scrutiny of their dismissal. In 2024, Jain predicted the Department of Government Efficiency would slash DEI programs and major industries and companies would follow suit, which materialized with more fervor than anticipated. This year, he hopes that DEI initiatives make a comeback with the same intensity.

1. Jain SH. 10 healthcare industry predictions for 2026. Forbes. December 1, 2025. Accessed December 18, 2025. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sachinjain/2025/12/01/top-10-healthcare-industry-predictions-for-2026/

2. Grossi G. Prescription costs and inflation drive 2025 health insurance premium hikes. 

. August 14, 2024. Accessed December 18, 2025. 

https://www.ajmc.com/view/prescription-costs-and-inflation-drive-2025-health-insurance-premium-hikes

Listen above or on one of these podcast services:

To wrap up this year's author podcast series, 

speaks with Angela Liu, PhD, MPH, assistant research professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, about her December 2025 

, "Mental Health Care Use After Leaving Medicare Advantage for Traditional Medicare." 

 diagnoses who switched from Medicare Advantage (MA) to traditional Medicare (TM), examining their use of mental health services in the year before and after the switch.

In this Managed Care Cast episode, Liu discusses what inspired her research, highlights the key findings, and explores ways to improve 

 to mental health services for Medicare beneficiaries.

Angela Liu, PhD, MPH, speaks about her study that examined mental health care use by Medicare beneficiaries before and after switching from MA to TM.

Switching From MA to TM Increases Mental Health Care Use: Angela Liu, PhD, MPH

Today, we are bringing you a conversation on the evolving landscape for 

(IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) treatment.

Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, vice president of ambulatory pharmacy at Emory Healthcare and Winship Cancer Institute, spoke with:

Marilyn Glassberg, MD, the John W. Clarke Professor and Chair of medicine at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Ayodeji Adegunsoye, MD, MSc, PhD, FACP, FCCP, assistant professor at the University of Chicago

Janet Pope, MD, MPH, professor of medicine and division member of rheumatology at the University of Western Ontario in Canada

IPF and PPF are increasingly prevalent conditions that pose a growing burden on both patients and health care systems. Despite the availability of FDA-approved antifibrotic therapies, the median survival for patients with IPF and PPF remains less than 5 years after diagnosis—underscoring the critical unmet needs that persist in this field. The panelists discussed the impact these conditions have on patients' lives, evaluated emerging agents, and addressed economic considerations that affect treatment decisions and health care resource allocation.

“Living with IPF is a whole different ballgame,” said Adegunsoye. “Patients have to grapple with new dyspnea and exertion. Shortness of breath when they take a few steps. They can't go to the park to play with their grandkids anymore. They can't play tag anymore with their family members. That is very distressing, and they have to learn coping mechanisms that help them get over it.”

Glassberg highlighted the importance of diagnosing patients early and the challenges around that.

“Does the patient just come in with a really bad cough and really short of breath? Not usually,” she said. “Part of the problem is picking them up early because it’s 

Pope highlighted the polypharmacy issues these patients might face because they have other comorbidities they’re being treated for, such as systemic sclerosis or heart failure, which can affect adherence rates.

“The less often you have to take a drug, the more likely you'll take it in general,” she said. “But tolerability has been an issue with patients, and by tolerability, I will say lack of tolerability on some drugs,” she added.

Experts discuss the clinical and economic burden of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), emerging clinical data, and strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Managed Care Cast Presents: New Evidence and Economic Considerations in IPF Care

, Rachel A. Prusynski, DPT, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Washington's School of Medicine, speaks with 

about her research published in the November 2025 issue.

, "Medicare Advantage Reimbursement Structures Impact Home Health Delivery and Outcomes," explores how 

 and patient outcomes differ between 3 plan types: traditional 

, episodic Medicare Advantage, and per-visit Medicare Advantage.

Throughout the conversation, Prusynski discusses what motivated the research, the study's key findings, and the broader implications for improving the quality and 

Rachel A. Prusynski, DPT, PhD, discusses her study on how payment models affect home health care delivery and patient outcomes.

Home Health Care Delivery, Outcomes Vary by Payment Model: Rachel A. Prusynski, DPT, PhD

Today, we are bringing you a conversation on how topical therapies can effectively manage atopic dermatitis.

Brian Keegan, MD, PhD, FAAD, a dermatologist with Princeton Dermatology, spoke with:

Alexa Hetzel, MS, PA-C, physician assistant with Schweiger Dermatology Group

Vikash D. Oza, MD, director of pediatric dermatology at NYU Langone

Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD, dermatologist and dermatopathologist at True Dermatology

In addition to discussing the clinical benefits and impact on patient outcomes of using topical therapies for atopic dermatitis, the panelists explored how health economics research informs treatment decisions by demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and accessibility of topical therapies. The panel also analyzed the potential health care cost savings and resource optimization achieved through strategic use of topical treatments and atopic dermatitis management.

The experts noted that the experience of adolescent and pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis differs from adults, and they have their own unique challenges, which impact the types of medicines chosen.

Oza also highlighted the chronic nature of the disease.

“We often see patients who've been experiencing their disease at a level we wouldn't want them to for a while, and I think it's important to say it's a chronic condition,” he said. “Eczema is not a 1- or 2-week issue that you have for your child. This is something that, for many families, they're going to be dealing with for years on end.”

When families come into the clinic, there is a lot of hand-holding, Spizuoco said, to explain the treatments. She recommends having handouts and doing demonstrations to show basic skin care and how to pat dry instead of rubbing dry.

Topicals play a role for every pediatric patient, Hertzel added, because some patients are hesitant to get a shot or can’t swallow pills.

“We may be only left with topical options, and with the chronicity of the disease, maybe we want to get control in a short term and use something where we're just kind of plowing it down so they're not so itchy, they can sleep, and everybody in the family can sleep as well,” she said.

Experts discuss how topical therapies effectively manage atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients, enhancing outcomes and addressing unique challenges.

Managed Care Cast Presents: Leveraging Topical Therapies for Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

 speaks with Melanie T. Turk, PhD, RN, an associate professor in the School of Nursing at Duquesne University and author of a study published in the October 2025 issue.

, "Opportunities and Obstacles Associated With the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program," examines the challenges of implementing the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) from the perspective of program suppliers nationwide.

In this conversation, Turk discusses the limited adoption of the MDPP and the inspiration behind her study. She also outlines her key findings and shares next steps for implementing and sustaining the program.

Melanie T. Turk, PhD, RN, discusses her study on nationwide challenges program suppliers face in implementing the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP).

Challenges, Opportunities in Implementing the MDPP: Melanie T. Turk, PhD, RN

) speaks with Laxmi Patel, chief strategy officer at Savista, about how the proposed federal Budget Reconciliation Act could 

, rural hospital dependence, or provider tax funding could face the most immediate disruptions and what payers can do to prepare.

, this conversation explores how coverage loss, 

, and administrative burdens may evolve if these reforms move forward—and what proactive, 

Laxmi Patel of Savista discusses how the Budget Reconciliation Act could widen Medicaid coverage gaps and strain hospitals across states.

How Medicaid Reforms Could Deepen State Coverage Gaps

 speaks with Tory M. Wolff, MBA, author of a study published in the September 2025 issue and managing partner of Recon Strategy, a management consulting firm specializing in health care strategy.

, "Impact of More Primary Care Visits on Commercial Health Care Costs," found that more frequent routine primary care visits among certain higher-risk 

 adults are associated with lower net population-level 

In this conversation, Wolff explores the inspiration behind his research, expands on his findings, and discusses the next steps to better understand the long-term value of routine primary care in commercial populations.

Tory M. Wolff, MBA, discusses his study showing that frequent routine primary care visits may lower costs for higher-risk commercially insured adults.

Frequent Primary Care Visits May Lower Costs for Higher-Risk Commercially Insured Adults

 speaks with Jonathan Gabison, MD, DABOM, and Stephen Lott, PharmD, MS. At the University of Michigan, Gabison is an obesity medicine specialist and family physician, while Lott serves as director of the postgraduate year one managed care residency program and manager of the prescription drug plan.

, "Understanding Insurance Coverage Policies for Incretin Mimetics for Weight Management," determined that the high costs associated with these therapies limit insurance coverage and contribute to variation in utilization management strategies aimed at controlling short-term spending.

During the conversation, the investigators discuss how high costs, misconceptions about 

, and inconsistent coverage policies continue to hinder equitable, patient-centered care.

This Managed Care Cast episode explores how high costs and inconsistent insurance coverage for incretin mimetics impact obesity management and patient care.

 High Costs, Coverage Variability Limit Access to Incretin Mimetics for Weight Management

 speaks with Lindsey Leininger, PhD, health policy professor and faculty director of the Center for Health Care at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, and Allister Chang, MPA, co-founder of 

, a social-impact startup that aims to improve community well-being by transforming everyday moments in laundromats into opportunities to build trust, support 

, and connect families with health and social services.

, "Unmet Health Care and Health-Related Social Needs of Laundromat Users," published in this month's issue, identifies laundromats as a promising community-based setting for Medicaid outreach, with Medicaid enrollees comprising the majority of users and facing disproportionately high levels of unmet needs. 

During the conversation, Leininger and Chang highlight how engaging with enrollees at laundromats can help foster trust, address unmet social needs, and strengthen Medicaid engagement. 

Lindsey Leininger, PhD, and Allister Chang, MPA, highlight the potential of laundromats as accessible, community-based settings to support Medicaid outreach, foster trust, and connect families with essential health and social services.

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