Medicare
AAN position statement outlines policy proposals for lowering drug costs
The American Academy of Neurology released a position statement that highlights the significant challenges high drug prices create for patients, physicians, health systems and payers.
Medicare plans limit access to treatments for C. difficile infection
Medicare beneficiaries have limited access to recommended treatments for Clostridioides difficile infection, researchers reported in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Q&A: Opioids for pain prescribed more often to white patients
Primary care physicians more often prescribed opioids for low back pain to white patients than patients of historically underrepresented groups, according to findings published in JAMA Health Forum.
CMS issues Medicare coverage to home-based kidney transplant rejection test by NephroSant
The CMS Molecular Diagnostics Program has issued a local coverage determination for use of a needle-free urine test by NephroSant that detects allograft rejection after kidney transplantation, according to a company press release.
Decline in acute MI, stroke hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries during pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare beneficiaries presented less frequently to hospitals for acute MI and stroke compared with 2018 and 2019, according to new research published in JAMA Cardiology.
Study shows cost, outcomes are similar for peritoneal vs in-center hemodialysis
Despite fewer comorbidities and access to pre-dialysis care, patients on peritoneal dialysis do not have lower mortality, hospitalizations or cost of care compared with those on in-center hemodialysis, a recently published study shows.
Physician assistants will benefit with direct pay under CMS proposed rule
In its proposed rule for the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule, CMS includes a section on billing for physician assistant services. It has people talking, but few know what it does – and does not – mean.
CMS nixes 'most-favored nation' pricing model for Medicare Part B
CMS plans to rescind a Trump-era interim final rule that would have established a “most-favored nation” pricing model for Medicare Part B drugs, following months of lawsuits that saw the proposal stalled in federal court.
Expanding Medicare eligibility may reduce health care disparities
Medicare eligibility was associated with sharp reductions in racial and ethnic disparities in health insurance coverage, access to care and self-reported health, according to findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
CMS updates CGM, insulin use criteria for Medicare beneficiaries
CMS will now allow Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes to use any insulin along with continuous glucose monitor therapy and eliminate a four times per day testing requirement, part of a policy change to the local coverage determination.