Timely Health Plan News and Commentary
Public health is the work of protecting the health of entire populations rather than individual patients: tracking disease, preventing outbreaks, promoting vaccination and screening, and studying what actually improves health outcomes. Research findings and public health data also drive coverage decisions, because health plans and regulators rely on evidence when they decide which services, screenings and treatments to cover.
This section covers public health developments and medical research with consequences for patients and health plans. That includes infectious disease, including COVID-19 and influenza; chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cancer; Alzheimer's disease and dementia; mental health and substance use; maternal and child health; and studies on health care costs, outcomes and access. We report on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and on peer-reviewed research and survey data.
A single study rarely settles a question. When we report research, we identify who conducted and funded it, how large it was, and whether the findings are preliminary. This content is news and general information; it is not medical advice, and readers should discuss treatment decisions with a licensed clinician.
Research and public health news connects to our other sections. Drug approvals and vaccine coverage appear in Prescription Drugs and Pharmacy, preventive services coverage appears in Health Insurance Coverage, public health policy appears in Healthcare Policy and Law, and research on aging appears in Senior Care.
The latest public health and research news appears below, newest first.
Most children treated in emergency departments for severe allergic reactions could be heading home far sooner than they are. That’s the message from a new study led by experts at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, published June 10 in Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health. [Read more…]
In a major win for consumers, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a rule that will strip an estimated $49 billion in medical debt from the credit reports of approximately 15 million Americans. This move is set to increase privacy protections and put an end to aggressive debt collection practices that have used credit reporting to pressure individuals into paying disputed or erroneous medical bills. [Read more…]
EmblemHealth has announced the results of its study on the awareness level of value-based payments by employers and consumers. Both groups were unsure of the differences between value-based payment and fee-for service payments. However, when given a definition, they strongly preferred this model to deliver the highest-quality care while also reducing costs. [Read more…]
The Frontiers of Digital Health is the premier open access publication on digital health. It features a new approach to personalized behavioral interventions for historically underserved communities. Kelsey Lynett Ford (DrPH) and Ashley B. authored the program and article that showcase an innovative perspective on behavioral design and equity. The case study from COVID-19 vaccine illustrates this point. West, PhD; Amy Bucher, PhD; and Chandra Y. Osborn, PhD. [Read more…]
After decades of legal scrutiny, psychedelics such as MDMA and psilocybin were granted a stamp by Health Canada for medical purposes. The Canadian legislation allows the use of psychedelics for medical purposes beyond palliative care. This is a significant breakthrough for health professionals and advocates calling it a major step forward in the treatment of serious or life-threatening conditions. This is a great news for patients who are interested in psychedelic treatment for mental illness. It will also offer Compass Pathways (NASDAQ CMPS), ATAI Life Sciences, NASDAQ:ATAI), Revive Therapeutics Ltd.(OTCQB:RVVTF), Mind Medicine/MindMed (NASDAQ :MNMD), (NEO:MMED), Numinus Wellness (TSX :NUMI), (OTCPK :NUMIF), which are currently conducting clinical trials on various psychedelics) a smoother path to approval. [Read more…]
Radius Health, Inc. (“Radius”) and Menarini Group (“Menarini”) shared details about the elacestrant data of the EMERALD study. These results were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The data was presented by Dr. Aditya Barhia, MD as a “Late Breaker”, and shared in an oral presentation. [Read more…]
NCCI recently surveyed over 100 workers compensation insurance professionals to find out what tops their minds are. The survey, which has been conducted annually for over two decades, highlights key considerations for each new year. [Read more…]
A new study According to Chubb, cybersecurity is a top priority for Americans. Cyber risks are growing and actions have not caught up with them yet. Significant changes in our daily lives, work and activities. caused by the COVID-19 epidemic. [Read more…]
Fellowes, a Pioneer in commercial air purification, is Happy to Announce their AeraMax Pro air purifiers have proven that a 99.99% aerial loss of a coronavirus surrogate within 60-minutes of performance. For months, the CDC, ASHRAE, and’healthy construction’ scientific assistants have advocated portable air cleaners with HEPA filtration for security against SARS-Cov-2. [Read more…]
Dentists are highly capable to administer vaccines, and this choice will enlarge the vaccine supply and reach more people throughout the nation, particularly those residing in health professional shortage areas. [Read more…]
Health Transformation Alliance (HTA) Published results based on The paid claims data of 1.8 million U.S. workers of their HTA member-owners and their relatives. The study consists of the indirect effect of COVID-19 on non-COVID-19-related pharmaceutical and medical usage and prices from January to October 2020 in comparison to January to October 2019. The entire report can be obtained here: [Read more…]
Vesttoo has released its US COVID-19 era mortality version and excess mortality hazard forecast for the forthcoming years. The model, based on historical inhabitants and death counts in the past 80 years, revealed a rise of between 10-20% in mortality rates in 2020 in comparison with the typical historical rates, together with the danger of elevated mortality to continue in the upcoming years. [Read more…]
The COVID-19 pandemic has a majority of Americans more conscious of the health and embracing health tech from telemedicine to virtual work outs, according to another healthinsurance.com national survey of 1,000 U.S. adults. [Read more…]
QuoteWizard® has published a report last week evaluating each state for administering the COVID-19 vaccine after initial distribution. [Read more…]
Chubb has earned the highest customer satisfaction rating in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study. Chubb is receiving this prestigious award based on its performance in five key customer satisfaction factors including claims, interaction, billing and payment, policy offerings, and pricing. [Read more…]
Providence Therapeutics has announced that Health Canada has provided a Notice of Authorization for its Clinical Trial Application. [Read more…]
INOVIO (NASDAQ:INO), a biotechnology company focused on bringing to market precisely designed DNA medicines to treat and protect people from infectious diseases and cancer, has announced the publication of peer-reviewed Phase 1 clinical data from the first cohort of 40 participants for its COVID-19 DNA vaccine candidate, INO-4800, in EClinicalMedicine, an open access clinical journal published by The Lancet. [Read more…]
Two cases of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, which originated in South Africa, have been identified in the UK. [Read more…]
Millions of Americans set lofty resolutions and fitness goals to kick off 2020…which were promptly kicked to the curb when the COVID-19 pandemic turned our lives upside down. [Read more…]
To assist with the nation’s fight against COVID-19, SNA International, LLC (SNA) provides emergency response support services to state and local governments. [Read more…]
Many have Predicted 2020 the Entire Year of Disturbance and endurance, both emotionally and physically. Together with the entire world feeling the beat of COVID-19 exhaustion, lockdowns, overwork, childcare, home education and much more, it may feel like the nation is jointly suffocating. [Read more…]
Here are the Top 10 COVID-19 Vaccine Questions and Answers that we have compiled, with help from Ontario’s doctors: [Read more…]
Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have formed a new consortium that will examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on preterm birth and healthcare, funded by $300,000 in grants by the Freedom Blue Cross Foundation, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware’s donor-advised finance, also BluePrints for its Community. [Read more…]
Paradigm, the industry leader in solving catastrophic and complex health care challenges and improving lives, today announced the results of a study1 conducted by an independent actuarial firm. Among other key findings, the study shows that catastrophic workers’ compensation cases managed by Paradigm achieved lifetime medical savings of 32%, and a return to work rate nearly six times higher than industry standards. The study examines a sample of Paradigm-managed cases from the last seven years. It consistently found improved cost and clinical outcomes compared to conventional case management industry standards. [Read more…]
Manulife Singapore will be offering each healthcare worker in Singapore up to four complimentary admission passes[1] to the Manulife Sky Nets – Walking at Jewel Changi Airport from 25 November to 25 December 2020. The month-long initiative is held in support of SG Cares Giving Week 2020, and a gesture of Manulife Singapore’s appreciation to frontline staff, for their tremendous efforts amid the pandemic this year. [Read more…]
As COVID-19 surges across the nation, a new coalition of America’s leading provider and health advocacy organizations and states are launching an unprecedented, unified effort to help people stay safe from COVID-19 and increase awareness about financial help to enroll in coverage under the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid. Increased awareness is critical to protect people during our nation’s worst health crisis. [Read more…]
Tufts Health Plan Foundation today announced 64 community organizations will share $900,000 in funding to help in on-going COVID-19 response efforts. The nonprofit organizations focus on urgent needs in communities, especially those disproportionately affected by the virus. The funding, first announced in June, is in addition to the $1 million in COVID-19-related grants awarded earlier this year. [Read more…]
GERMANTOWN, Md., April 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The HealthWell Foundation®, an independent non-profit that provides a financial lifeline for inadequately insured Americans, has opened a new fund to assist individuals who have been laid off or furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Through this unique fund, HealthWell will provide up to $6,000 in financial assistance for 3 months following grant approval to eligible households which had annual incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level prior to being laid off or furloughed. [Read more…]
SHENZHEN, China, April 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Tencent’s insurance platform WeSure, launched a new initiative on April 16, following the establishment of the “WeSure Charity Fund”. By embodying the concept of public welfare in the design and implementation of insurance products, the Fund aims to increase philanthropy. Working with Two Sigma, China Guanghua Science And Technology Foundation, the Fund’s latest initiative will provide insurance protection to 2600 cured COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, who are classified as high risk under vast majority of commercial medical insurance policies and cannot be insured within two years following infection. [Read more…]
SEATTLE, April 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, released a report today projecting the COVID-19 pandemic will reduce U.S. nationwide healthcare expenditures by at least $75 billion and by as much as $575 billion in 2020. The report, “Estimating the financial impact of COVID-19 on 2020 healthcare costs,” models 18 different scenarios with varying infection rates and durations of care deferral. Key findings of the report include: [Read more…]