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Study examines impact of the elimination of preferred pharmacy networks on Medicare Part D program

A new actuarial study released by The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association examining the impact proposed changes to the Medicare prescription drug program finds that eliminating preferred pharmacy networks in Part D would increase premiums by approximately $63 annually for over 75 percent of Part D enrollees and raise overall program costs by an estimated $24 billion over the next ten years.

10 Mar 2014

First Edition: March 10, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about how the Virginia Assembly's impasse on Medicaid expansion is playing out.

10 Mar 2014

Longer looks: Health care in jail; preventing Medicare drug fraud; new medical codes

"Sheriff Ashe," [the waitress] began. "My daughter is in your jail." She then told me her daughter's story. "Laura," as I'll call her here, was a bright and sociable girl who, after graduating from high school, went on to community college.

10 Mar 2014

Costs for medications expected to rise by 3 – 5% in all health care settings in 2014

Costs for medications are expected to rise by three to five percent in all health care settings in 2014, according to a report published online ahead of print, by the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (AJHP), the professional journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

6 Mar 2014

Medicare drug program falls short in tracking fraud

Medicare's massive drug program continues to be in the news, from a report finding that it fails to adequately track fraud, to continued opposition to an administration proposal that would revamp the program.

5 Mar 2014

Study finds significant reduction in hospital admissions with Medicare Part D prescription coverage

A new study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Illinois at Chicago finds that Medicare Part D prescription coverage significantly reduced hospital admissions and program expenditures totaling $1.5 billion annually.

4 Mar 2014

Plan to revamp Medicare drug plans meets resistance

A bipartisan group of senators are criticizing the Obama administration's efforts to make significant changes to Part D drug plans.

4 Mar 2014

First Edition: March 3, 2014

Today's headlins include stories detailing ongoing challenges with state-run exchanges as well as previews of what's next regarding the federal budget process.

3 Mar 2014

Research roundup: Medicaid peer support; doctor Jokes; ACA's asset rules for coverage

Since 2009, the eight states (Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin) participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Maximizing Enrollment program have worked to streamline and simplify enrollment systems, policies, and processes for children and those eligible for coverage in 2014. ... States [focused] on five key areas: 1) applications, 2) eligibility determinations, 3) renewals and transfers, 4) notices, and 5) business processes.

3 Mar 2014

Storytelling can help doctors recall opioid guidelines

In the fight against a nationwide prescription opioid abuse epidemic, Penn Medicine researchers are using storytelling to help doctors recall important, potentially lifesaving national guidelines on how to prescribe these medications.

3 Mar 2014

Medicare Part D cost-saving plan draws opposition on several fronts

Among other things, the proposal would limit the types of antidepressants -- and other kinds of drugs -- that are available to Medicare beneficiaries. Drug industry and insurer groups are lining up against the change.

27 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 27, 2014

Today's headlines include a number of stories about Obama past and present administration officials -- notably, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden -- who are stepping up to "sell" people on enrolling in new health law insurance coverage.

27 Feb 2014

Report: Spending on health care for children increased between 2009 and 2012

Spending on health care for children covered by employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) increased between 2009 and 2012, rising an average 5.5 percent a year, with more dollars spent on boys than girls, and higher spending on infants and toddlers (ages 0-3) than any other children's age group, finds a new report released today by the Health Care Cost Institute. Per capita spending on children reached $2,437 in 2012, a $363 increase from 2009. The study shows a growth in prescription use by children through age 18, as well as a rise in the number of teens being admitted for mental health and substance use (MHSU) treatment.

27 Feb 2014

Medicare official defends proposed changes to prescription drug program

In written testimony, Jonathan Blum, deputy administrator of the Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services, says the changes are needed to head off cost increases, but an industry-sponsored study argues some of the changes could cost taxpayers more.

27 Feb 2014

Santalis Pharmaceuticals partners with TFS for marketing of OTC dermatology products

Santalis Pharmaceuticals Inc., a joint venture with TFS Corporation Ltd., of Australia (ASX: TFC) is pleased to report the execution of an exclusive license agreement with a global pharmaceutical company for the marketing of a number of over-the-counter (OTC) dermatology products containing TFS' sustainably cultivated, pharmaceutical-grade East Indian Sandalwood Oil (EISO).

26 Feb 2014

Regeneron receives FDA acceptance for EYLEA injection for treatment of macular edema

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for standard review the Company's supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection for the treatment of Macular Edema following Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO).

26 Feb 2014

New report reveals prevalence of heroin-related overdose deaths in Kentucky

A new report from the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) reveals the prevalence and charges associated with drug overdose in the Bluegrass state.

25 Feb 2014

GOP strategists prepare to pounce on Medicare advantage payment changes

The new payment rates for private Medicare Advantage plans -- expected to be announced Friday -- are likely to become political fodder in the midterm elections, reports Politico. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans come out against proposed changes in the Medicare prescription drug program which they say would increase seniors' costs.

24 Feb 2014

Kindred Healthcare consolidated revenues decline 1% to $1.22 billion in Q4 2013

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. today announced its operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2013. The Company continues to benefit from its repositioning strategy through the planned exit from a nursing center and a transitional care hospital and the closure of another nursing center during the fourth quarter of 2013.

20 Feb 2014

IBM content analysis software helps identify patients at risk for developing heart failure

IBM today announced that Virginia health system Carilion Clinic has identified 8,500 patients at risk for developing heart failure in a pilot project that could lead to early intervention and better care for these patients.

20 Feb 2014

Prescription Drug News and Research

Study examines impact of the elimination of preferred pharmacy networks on Medicare Part D program

First Edition: March 10, 2014

Longer looks: Health care in jail; preventing Medicare drug fraud; new medical codes

Costs for medications expected to rise by 3 – 5% in all health care settings in 2014

Medicare drug program falls short in tracking fraud

Study finds significant reduction in hospital admissions with Medicare Part D prescription coverage

Plan to revamp Medicare drug plans meets resistance

First Edition: March 3, 2014

Research roundup: Medicaid peer support; doctor Jokes; ACA's asset rules for coverage

Storytelling can help doctors recall opioid guidelines

Medicare Part D cost-saving plan draws opposition on several fronts

First Edition: February 27, 2014

Report: Spending on health care for children increased between 2009 and 2012

Medicare official defends proposed changes to prescription drug program

Santalis Pharmaceuticals partners with TFS for marketing of OTC dermatology products

Regeneron receives FDA acceptance for EYLEA injection for treatment of macular edema

New report reveals prevalence of heroin-related overdose deaths in Kentucky

GOP strategists prepare to pounce on Medicare advantage payment changes

Kindred Healthcare consolidated revenues decline 1% to $1.22 billion in Q4 2013

IBM content analysis software helps identify patients at risk for developing heart failure

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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