In addition to the substantial clinical burden that is tied to diabetes in US, the annual economic burden that is associated with disease management jumps from $18 billion to $232 billion between the transition of pre-diabetes to full-fledged diabetes. In an effort to prevent that shift to diabetes, mitigate the development of detrimental comorbidities, and to avoid downstream consequences such as end-stage organ damage, the panelists acknowledged that it is critical to diagnose and treat patients earlier and more aggressively. Although patients will present with varying stages of disease upon initial diagnosis, there is optimism that opportunities can be created and seized to better patient outcomes, improve quality of life, and reduce the managed care burden.
Stuck in Prior Auth Purgatory: The Hidden Costs of Health Care Delays
June 19th 2025Delays, denials, and endless paperwork—prior authorization isn’t just a headache for providers; it’s a barrier for patients who need timely care, explains Colin Banas, MD, MHA, chief medical officer with DrFirst.
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From Red Tape to Relief: Rewriting the Rules of Prior Authorization
June 23rd 2025Up to 257 million Americans could benefit from these prior authorization reforms that could have cross-market implications on health care plans administered through commercial insurers, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid.
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Moving Evidence From Research to Practice: Q&A With Ken Cohen, MD
June 23rd 2025In 2025, each issue of Population Health, Equity & Outcomes will feature a profile of a health system leader transforming care in their area of expertise. This issue spotlights a conversation with Ken Cohen, MD, executive director of translational research at Optum Health.
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