News

Coordination of care helps decrease costs and ensures effect use of resources

Patent expirations are slowing and other tools are needed to manage costs

Tricky regulations stir up questions about what constitutes overpayment and when disclosure is needed

Design policies carefully to attract members shopping around in the individual market. This growing segment is sure to boost enrollment figures in 2010.

Compared to other countries, U.S. patients are more likely to forgo care because of cost

Healthcare market dynamics don't adequately drive quality, but that bubble will eventually burst, according to Francois de Brantes of Bridges to Excellence. Plans need to take more risks and upset the status quo.

Administrative spending supports care coordination, prevention and technology investment

The industry spends trillions each year, and another $1 trillion is needed to fix it

A new says rising obesity rates will continue to be an increasing burden on the health care system over the next decade.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Oncology Physician Resource have launched an oncology treatment initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of care for patients with certain types of cancer.

The report notes that workers with employee-only coverage have seen their annual employer contributions decrease, while those with family coverage have seen their annual employer contributions increase.

Agents in late-stage development for the treatment of orphan diseases.

New combination: Telmisartan/amlodipine (Twynsta) was approved on October 16, 2009, for high blood pressure.

Eslicarbazepine acetate (eslicarbazepine, or ESL) is a new antiepileptic agent awaiting FDA approval.

Recent FDA approvals (through December 2009) related to Zirgan, Welchol, Sculptra Aesthetic, Berinert, Crestor, Agriflu, and Byetta.

Generic drugs approved by FDA (through December 2009): Lansoprazole 15 mg and 30 mg tablets and Perindopril erbumine tablets, 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg

New indication: Telmisartan tablets (Micardis) was approved on October 19, 2009, for cardiovascular risk reduction for patients unable to take an ACE inhibitor.

Generics makers have aggressively challenged drug patents before scheduled expiration, while brand-name manufacturers have delayed generic entry through 30-month stays, citizen petitions, and deals to "authorize" generic products that are less threatening to the brand.

Evidence-based recommendations utilize an integrated approach that combines nonpharmacologic approaches (specifically patient education, exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy) and pharmacologic approaches in the management of fibromyalgia.

Two leading industry groups put their heads together for seemless care

Secondary use of electronic data from claims and clinical sources will drive savings

Tweak them all you want, policies still lack enough action to truly bend the cost curve

More than 4 million annual provider visits, including visits to the ER, can be attributed to adverse drug events

Dig into the minds of members and you'll find that they don't always make logical choices. Behavioral economics can shed light on their thought process

Only 20% of PDPs will offer gap coverage, and even then, most are limited to generics. House and Senate bills aim to help out.

Let no assumption go unchallenged in this new era of healthcare, including the one that says rhinovirus is 'just' the common cold

Commonwealth Fund State Performance Ranking (2009): 48

Healthcare is funded by taxes and subsidies, but privately insured people are encouraged to buy upgrades