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What We’re Reading: Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination on Menstrual Cycles; Reduced Medicare Part B Premiums; J&J Announces Kenvue
COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a small, temporary increase in menstrual cycle length; CMS announced a 3% reduction in Medicare Part B premiums; Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced Kenvue as the name of its new consumer health company set to launch next year.
Link Between COVID-19 Vaccination and Menstrual Cycle Length Changes
A large study funded by the National Institutes of Health confirmed findings from a previous study linking COVID-19 vaccination with a small temporary increase in menstrual cycle length. The study included nearly 20,000 people from North America and Europe and found an average increase in menstrual cycle length of less than 1 day, but this increase was not associated with changes in the number of days of menstrual bleeding. Compared with individuals who did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine and compared with at least 3 cycles prior to vaccination, individuals experienced a .71 day increase in cycle length after their first dose and a .56 day increase after their second dose, on average. Those who received both doses in a single cycle saw the greatest change in menstrual cycle length, with a 3.91 day increase, on average. The study included 9 different vaccines and found no changes based on which vaccine an individual received. More research is needed to understand why these changes are occurring.
Medicare Part B Premiums to Decrease in 2023
The Biden administration announced a reduction in Medicare Part B premiums in 2023, marking the first time these costs will be lowered since 2012, The Hill reported. CMS specifically said there will be a 3%, or $5.20, reduction, with premiums going from $170.10 to $164.90 per month. The annual deductible will also drop by $7, from $233 to $226. The year 2022 saw the greatest increase in Medicare Part B premiums with a 14.5% increase linked to the FDA-approval of Alzheimer drug Adulhelm.
Johnson & Johnson to Launch New Consumer Health Company
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced Kenvue as the name of its new consumer health company set to launch in 2023. J&J’s consumer health segment generated $14.6 billion in revenue in 2021, and Kenvue as a standalone company is expected to generate sales in over 100 countries. In the news release, J&J noted this planned separation is subject to legal requirements, such as consultations with works councils and employee representatives.
Expert Insights on How Utilization Management Drives Physician Burnout
November 26th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the author of a study published in the November 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® to explore the link between utilization management and physician burnout.
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NCCN Guidelines Prioritize Quad Therapy in Multiple Myeloma
November 26th 2024In the most recent update to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for treating patients who have multiple myeloma, a quadruplet regimen became the preferred first-line treatment option for transplant-eligible and -ineligible patients.
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Metformin Improves Symptoms and Gene Expression in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia
November 26th 2024Patients with treatment-resistant central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia saw improvement in symptoms and gene expression, suggesting the potential of metformin as a new treatment option.
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