MHE April 2023

More than two-thirds (68%) of the respondents to the survey expressed confidence that the COVID-19 is "behind us." An overwhelming majority (80%), though, indicated that annual COVID-19 vaccination will be needed for the foreseeable future.

Aside most of the 311 respondents to the 2023 Annual Managed Healthcare Executive Pharmacy Survey favoring PBMs, two-thirds indicated they favor restrictions on rebates and discounts so PBMs won’t favor drugs with high discounts. A similar proportion favor transparency rules that would require disclosure of rebates and discounts.

Results show that beliefs about biosimilars are mixed

Vast majority of respondents indicate that CMS price negotiation is a positive development

COVID-19 is viewed as the condition putting the most upward pressure on drug expenditures, but over the next five years, respondents are eyeing migraine and hematologic cancers.

Medicare Advantage plans have been associated with increased screening rates. But managed care tactics and narrow networks may be a disadvantage for people needing care.

Millions of people may lose coverage when continuous enrollment ends in May. But tens of thousands may be added back, thanks to a federal judge’s ruling.

Less government oversight, a sense of urgency and the rise of telehealth created new openings for healthcare scam artists. Providers need to have their guard up.

Technology is often focused on administrative tasks. Some healthcare leaders say it also can help fix the sector’s labor shortage by diving into patient care.

Aetna, Signify Health and now Oak Street Health. Some see advantages to CVS acquiring a primary care provider — for U.S. healthcare as well as CVS. Others see risks of even more consolidation in the healthcare sector and perhaps a financial hit to CVS because of Oak Street’s net losses.

Social isolation loneliness is increasing and not just because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows it can have devastating health consequences.

For-profit companies now dominate hospice care in the U.S., and private equity firms are moving in. Some say the trend reflects the underlying economics and need for scale.

Three ADCs are in late-stage trials as treatments for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.