Advocacy groups create niches
National reports-Patient advocacy groups have multiplied during the past several years, each creating their own niche, ranging from patient education and support, to lobbying for research funding, to funding research to help patients and their families overcome illness and disease.
NATIONAL REPORTS-Patient advocacy groups have multiplied during the past several years, each creating their own niche, ranging from patient education and support, to lobbying for research funding, to funding research to help patients and their families overcome illness and disease.
But, no matter how large or small the advocacy group, Paula Kim, president and CEO of TRAC-Translating Research Across Communities, a consulting group that works with patient advocacy groups, says it's important they have a good understanding of and working relationships with health plans.
"You need to get people in the same room and do a better job of communicating and understanding each other's perspectives," she says. "For instance, I've seen major battles between advocates and policy makers who want something covered in clinical trials and insurance companies that say no, and everybody just digs in their heels."
"We've been able to negotiate with insurers in a very positive manner," she says. "We've been able to completely resolve most cases that involve appeals or preauthorization issues within the plan language."
Most Patients With HS Aren’t Aware of Approved Treatments
May 1st 2025Treating hidradenitis suppurativa is complex and often requires taking a number of medications, including antibiotics, hormone therapies and immunosuppressants. However, many of these treatments are used off-label, and at this time, only two biologic therapies—Humira (adalimumab) and Cosentyx (secukinumab)— are approved by the FDA for HS treatment.
Read More
Conversations With Perry and Friends
April 14th 2025Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., a longtime member of the Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisory board, is host of the Conversations with Perry and Friends podcast. His guest this episode is John Baackes, the former CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan.
Listen
Breaking Down Health Plans, HSAs, AI With Paul Fronstin of EBRI
November 19th 2024Featured in this latest episode of Tuning In to the C-Suite podcast is Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at EBRI, who shed light on the evolving landscape of health benefits with editors of Managed Healthcare Executive.
Listen
