Mar 24, 2023 | Managed Care Friday
13: Percent of Cologuard tests that are reportedly positive, but the colonoscopy ends up negative, a "false positive," and so the anxiety of waiting isn't great for patients and now some payers are wondering exactly how many false positives there are, which might be a bigger issue. Where's The Surgery? Cigna has launched an education program for their Medicare members to push more procedures to non-hospital affiliated surgery centers, like shoulder arthroscopies and knee cartilage removal procedures at rates $1500 to $1800 less compared to health system owned facilities, a JAMA analysis...
Mar 21, 2023 | Legislation/ Budgets/ Macro
The Biden administration released its proposed budget for FY 2024, which includes a proposal to increase federal government healthcare spending by several hundred billion dollars above the current law baseline. Most of the larger policy proposals are unlikely to be enacted, but illuminate areas of policy emphasis for the administration, including pharmaceutical manufacturers and managed care plans. Click to read more.
Mar 17, 2023 | Managed Care Friday
10,000+: The number of mental health apps circulating on app stores, according to a recent estimate by the American Psychiatric Assocation. While some are filling an important gap in access to mental health treatment, not all apps are equal. An ORCHA review of more than 500 mental health apps found nearly 70% didn't pass basic quality standards, such as having an adequate privacy policy or being able to meet a user's needs. That figure is higher for apps geared toward suicide prevention and addiction, some of the most vulnerable populations. A number of apps are incorporating AI to help...
