FDA approval of Wegovy expands coverage access for Medicare beneficiaries
- Following new FDA approvals for Wegovy, one in four Medicare beneficiaries with obesity may gain coverage access to the drug to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, according to KFF data. The FDA’s approval of using Wegovy to combat the risk of heart attacks and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease who are overweight or obese...
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How are Medicare plans lowering drug costs for beneficiaries?
Affordable access to prescription drugs is a necessity for managing chronic and acute conditions and staying healthy. However, as drug costs rise, both affordability and accessibility are dwindling. Over 80 percent of surveyed adults said...Medicare spending on GLP-1 drugs reached $5.7 billion in 2022
Medicare spending on GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, surpassed $5 billion in 2022 and is likely to continue growing as coverage expands, according to a KFF analysis. GLP-1 drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and...Healthcare spending is higher in Medicare households, study finds
Healthcare spending is higher in households where Medicare covers all members, a KFF issue brief found. Around 66 million adults receive health insurance coverage through Medicare, including 59...Medicare Advantage enrollment increased by 1.7 million beneficiaries
Medicare Advantage enrollment has increased by 1.7 million beneficiaries since 2023, with for-profit health plans dominating the market, a Chartis report revealed. Among 65.9 million Medicare-eligible...Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries Receive Less Home Healthcare Services
Medicare Advantage beneficiaries received shorter and less intensive home healthcare services than those in traditional Medicare, a study published in JAMA Health Forum found. The Medicare home...UnitedHealth Group Scrutinized for Alleged Antitrust Practices
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating antitrust allegations against UnitedHealth Group, with a specific focus on the ties between UnitedHealthcare and Optum, according to a Wall Street...How Do Payers Cover COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments, and Tests Post-PHE?
After the public health emergency (PHE) ended, many federal regulations that facilitated access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and tests expired. While some policies may still apply, coverage...HCSC Announces $3.3B Cigna Medicare Business Acquisition
HCSC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, intends to seal the acquisition of Cigna’s Medicare businesses for $3.3 billion, the payer announced. The purchase...US Drug Prices Are 8x the Cost in Peer Countries for Some Drugs
Despite efforts to reduce drug costs through Medicare negotiation for 10 common medications, the US still pays more for these drugs than almost any other nation, even after factoring in discounts and...Does Integrating Medicare and Medicaid Improve Care for Dual Eligibles?
Integrating Medicare and Medicaid coverage for dual eligible beneficiaries was associated with higher use of home- and community-based services (HCBS) but did not reduce hospitalization or improve care...Sponsored Article
Leveraging Social Determinants for Medicare, Medicaid Engagement
Medicare and Medicaid populations encounter significant obstacles to care because of social determinants of health, such as economic instability, lack of transportation, isolation, and food...What Health Plans Are Available For People With Disabilities?
Public and private payers alike offer a multitude of benefits for people living with disabilities. According to the CDC, up to 27 percent of adults in the United States have some type of disability, including mobility, cognition,...Sponsored Article
How to Tailor Member Engagement for Medicare, Medicaid Populations
Healthcare spending in the US is on a fast track. Federal actuaries expect total expenditures to reach $7.2 trillion by 2031, with Medicare and Medicaid spending projected to increase rapidly. For...How Do Payers Cover Prenatal, Postpartum Care for Pregnant People?
Prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care help ensure healthier pregnancies and better birth outcomes for pregnant people. Access to this essential care comes easier with adequate health insurance. Pregnant people are almost guaranteed...Sponsored Article