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What We’re Reading: MA Reimbursement Cuts Reduced; Social Security, Medicare Shortfalls; CDC Teams Sickened
Rates for reimbursement cuts will be lower than expected within Medicare Advantage plans; financial safety nets, in the form of Social Security and Medicare, are likely to be unable pay full benefits; CDC teams experience symptoms similar to East Palestine, Ohio, residents following train derailment
CMS Announces Lower MA Cuts Than Expected
The US government announced on Friday that cuts of reimbursement rates for health insurers offering Medicare Advantage (MA) coverage would be lower than expected, at an average of 1.1%, according to Reuters. CMS announced its expected total payments for 2024 would increase by 3.3% from 2023, or around $13.8 billion. These revisions are to be implemented over the next 3 years, with estimated cuts to be smaller in the first year.
Social Security, Medicare Expected to Fall Short Over Next Decade
The annual Social Security and Medicare trustees report released on Friday warns that these financial safety nets for millions of older Americans will fall short of money to pay full benefits over the next decade, according to The Associated Press. The report states that Medicare, which covers 65 million older and disabled Americans, will be unable to pay full benefits for inpatient hospital visits and nursing home stays by 2031 and that Social Security will be unable to pay out full benefits to its 66 million retirees by 2033.
CDC Teams Get Sick Following Ohio Train Derailment Investigation
The CDC has announced that team members sent to investigate the aftermath of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, became briefly ill in March, according to The Hill. Similar to symptoms reported by some residents in the area, 7 of 15 investigators experienced sore throat, headache, coughing, and nausea, stated a CDC spokesperson. It remains unclear whether exposure to chemicals and hazardous materials from the derailment are linked to these symptoms, which resolved for most team members who were then able to continue working within 24 hours of feeling sick.
Hospital Stays and Probable Dementia as Predictors of Relocation to Long-Term Care Facilities
October 22nd 2024This article explores late-life relocations in patients with dementia, hospital stays, and their implications for health care policy, geriatric care, and future research priorities.
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Bridging the Vaccination Gap: Insights on Global Immunization Challenges
July 30th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Jeffery A. Goad, PharmD, MPH, 2024-2025 president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, on the recent report from the World Health Organization and UNICEF on public immunization rates, with national and global health implications.
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Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Health Equity by Design
July 23rd 2024Melissa Clarke, MD, CMQ, the chief health equity officer at Elevance Health, explains "Health Equity by Design" and how Elevance Health is committed to ensuring a personalized and intentional approach for all its members.
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Cost Savings From an mHealth Tool for Improving Medication Adherence
October 21st 2024The Wellth smartphone app significantly increased medication adherence and lowered unnecessary health care utilization and costs over 9 months among Medicaid beneficiaries who were self-managing chronic conditions.
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