Will Reforming Medicare Billing Rules Benefit Patients?
Last month, the federal government proposed changes to Medicare’s billing rules. The net effect: Doctors will spend less time with their patients. As a physician myself, I know that’s not necessarily a good thing.
Why Breastfeeding Moms Need More than Awareness
Breast is best, the familiar adage reminds parents of newborns. And this August, Breastfeeding Awareness Month gives families, health care providers and policymakers a chance to reflect on the benefits that breastfeeding offers babies and mothers alike. It also begs the questions: How do hospitals, health plans and regulatory policies encourage breastfeeding? And where they could improve?
Are “Bad Drug” Ads Bad for Patients?
Some 2 million Americans take blood thinners. Nearly 30 million have diabetes. Tens of thousands more treat heartburn or cancer with medication prescribed by their doctor. Chances are, these patients’ attention piques when they hear the medicine they take followed by “medical alert” or “warning” blaring from their television. Many, including senior citizens, might even abandon their prescribed medicines out of fear.
New Step Therapy Requirement Coming to Medicare Advantage
The federal government has given Medicare plans a new tool to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. But it could have the unintended consequence of limiting patients’ access to some medications.
How ICER Gets it Wrong
An influential calculation of how new drugs impact annual spending is flawed – and patients may be paying the price in reduced access to innovative medicine.
New Treatments Will Target Parkinson’s Patients’ “Off” Periods
Existing therapies help Parkinson’s patients control their tremors and stiffness – most of the time. Now, new versions of the drug apormorphine could address breakthrough symptoms, which about 90 percent of patients experience during what’s known as “off” periods.
Policymakers Increase Efforts to Eliminate Hepatitis C
Direct-acting antivirals, which provide about a 90 percent cure rate, can prevent cirrhosis and liver cancer, reducing the number of liver transplants needed, and minimizing disease transmission. The initial list price of the drugs gave many insurers and health systems sticker shock, though market forces continue to drive down the price.
How Policymakers Can Stop Patients’ Co-Pay Surprise
Can policymakers prevent new co-pay accumulator programs from surprising patients at the pharmacy counter? The short answer: yes. They have several options, in fact, according to a new overview of policy proposals from the Institute for Patient Access.
Patients Face Rising Costs, Varied Coverage
New research paints a troubling picture of patient access to prescription medication.
The Importation Question
To import, or not to import? The question of whether to bring foreign, lower-priced versions of prescription drugs to the United States is back.
