Managed Care Minute: February 28, 2015

The rapidly increasing prescriptions for expensive specialty medications, rather than their price growth, are the primary driver of escalating dermatology Medicare Part D expenditures, necessitating policies that balance innovation, access, and affordability.

Julia Lucaci, PharmD, MS, of Becton, Dickinson and Company, discusses the benefits of blister packaging for chronic medications, advocating for payer incentives to boost medication adherence and improve health outcomes.

According to the American Medical Association, blame for the ongoing physician shortage may lie with overly burdensome administrative processes, an antiquated Medicare payment system, and lack of education for residents in primary care and psychiatry.

A quick roundup episode of major health policy developments, from shifting COVID-19 vaccine guidance and scientific publishing controversies to rising cancer care costs and the impact of oncology biosimilars.

Assertive community treatment, a strongly evidence-based practice for delivering care to individuals with schizophrenia and low health care engagement, is applicable to disengaged, medically complex patients.

The new Blueprint for Patient-Centered Value Research offers a roadmap for embedding patient voices throughout every stage of the research journey to foster more equitable, transparent, and responsive health care systems.