A new analysis links provider concentration with higher insurance costs; regulators target hospital compliance with new consumer surprise medical billing protections; stakeholders urge lawmakers to restore flexibility for telehealth coverage; and, a pair of new reports underscores the impact of rising drug prices.
A new study draws attention to the growing issue of unnecessary care; meanwhile, hospital mergers continue to reshape the care delivery landscape; Medicare Advantage enrollment is projected to grow; and, drugmakers exploit patent loopholes to maximize revenue.
With annual changes to the popular Medicare Advantage (MA) program currently being proposed, stakeholders are reminding lawmakers of the important role that MA plays in the lives of millions of beneficiaries. In fact, the MA program now serves more than 27 million seniors and individuals with disabilities across the country, connecting Americans with a coordinated model of care that’s been shown to improve health outcomes and help address critical health-related social needs.
New, consumer-friendly protections aimed at addressing surprise medical bills go into effect; Big Pharma rings in the New Year by raising prices on hundreds of drugs; meanwhile, increased focus is being paid to what hospitals charge for the drugs they distribute; and, facility fees for telehealth visits come under increased scrutiny.
Happy New Year, and thank you for your support throughout 2021!
Thank you for all your support this year.
A new report debunks Big Pharma’s rhetoric; the prices charged by hospitals for scans are all over the place; meanwhile, an increasing number of Americans skip out on care as a result of costs; and, a recent analysis shines a light on ER spending.
Changing the conversation surrounding “white-bagging”; hospital prices are anecdotally arbitrary; stakeholders come to the defense of the Medicare Advantage program; and, a new study shows Big Pharma spending more on marketing and promotion than R&D.
Stakeholders urge the Administration to move forward with their final rules addressing surprise medical bills; private equity interests drive tech investment in hospitals; a handful of drug price hikes drove up billions in healthcare spending last year; and, a majority of Medicaid managed care plans are now offering health equity benefits.
Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to say thank you for being a part of the Health Action Network. We hope you have a healthy and safe holiday with your family and friends.