While prescription medication prices are no longer the fastest-growing commodity or service, prescription drug costs have still increased 2.5% since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from GoodRx.
Category: Healthcare Finance News
AHIP lauds CMS decision on Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm
Insurer advocacy group AHIP has praised the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for its decision to have Medicare cover an Alzheimer’s drug only for beneficiaries in clinical trials, agreeing with the federal agency that more evidence is needed …
HHS stands ready with 600,000 courses of new antibody treatment against Omicron
The federal government has purchased 600,000 treatment courses of a new monoclonal antibody treatment that data shows works against the Omicron variant.
Omicron currently is estimated to make up about 100% of all COVID-19 cases in the United States.
CMS expands coverage of lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced a national coverage determination that expands coverage for lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography (LDCT).
This final decision expands eligibility for people with Medicare to…
OSHA asks healthcare employers to reduce worker injuries
During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. healthcare workers experienced a whopping 249% increase in injury and illness rates in 2020 while serving patients. In fact, workers in the healthcare and social assistance industries combined suffered more injuries a…
Survey finds just 14% of hospitals are compliant with price transparency
In a federal price transparency rule that took effect January 1, 2021, hospitals were tasked with posting all of their prices online in clear, easily accessible formats. But a new survey from patientrightsadvocate.org has found that, to date, just 14.3…
Banner|Aetna partners with Virta Health on diabetes reversal
Banner|Aetna, a joint venture owned by Banner Health and Aetna/CVS, have partnered with Virta Health on a Type 2 diabetes reversal program.
The program is available for the more than 100,000 members in Banner/Aetna’s fully insured and Administrative Se…
FDA recalls illegally imported COVID-19 test
South Korean diagnostics company SD Biosensor has recalled its COVID-19 at-home tests after news broke that the kits were being imported into the U.S. illegally, according to an announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Telehealth especially important in areas where mental healthcare is scarce
When the nearest psychiatrist’s office is dozens or even hundreds of miles away, a virtual connection may be enough to help people living with serious mental health conditions get effective care through their local primary care clinic, a new study shows.
HHS is providing $66.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds to increase COVID-19 vaccinations
In an effort to boost vaccination numbers and confidence in getting the shots among targeted, underserved populations, the U.S.
