HHS Announces Price Cuts for 10 Medicare Drugs
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has negotiated lower prices for 10 of the most expensive and widely used drugs covered under Medicare, which is expected to save the Medicare program $6 billion in the first year and reduce out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries by $1.5 billion.
CMS Proposes Payment Cut for Physicians
CMS issued a proposed rule that announces and solicits public comments on proposed policy changes for Medicare payments on or after Jan. 1, 2025.
FDA Modernizes Informed Consent Guidance, Aligning with Common Rule Changes
FDA has published new draft guidance on informed consent that lines up with revisions to the Common Rule made in 2017, offering up-to-date recommendations on starting the process with the sharing of essential clinical trial information in ways that patients can understand.
SAMHSA Releases Annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health
SAMHSA released the results of the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which shows how people living in the United States reported their experience with mental health conditions, substance use and pursuit of treatment.
HHS Releases Final Rules Protecting Consumers Purchasing Short-Term Health Plans
The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury have released the Short-Term, Limited- Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage, or “Junk Insurance,” final rules. Short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI) is a type of health insurance that is typically designed to fill temporary gaps in coverage when an individual is transitioning from one source of coverage to another.
CMS Finalizes Rule to Advance Health Equity
CMS finalized policies to support primary care, advance health equity, assist family caregivers and expand access to behavioral and certain oral healthcare.
Biosimilars and the Fight Against Inflation
New legislation promised to increase patient access to critical drug products by lower costs. Will it work?
How the No Surprises Act Protects Consumers
New federal protections shield millions of consumers from surprise medical bills, which are unexpected bills from out-of-network providers, out-of-network facilities or out-of-network air ambulance providers.
Drug Vial Sizes, Waste and Recovering Costs
Manufacturers have mainly stayed on the periphery of the discussion about how to remedy the issue of unused or wasted drugs from single-use vials, but the REFUND Act is changing that.
Two Major Changes in Medicare in 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps the healthcare system. Two improvements to Medicare in 2022 seek to give people greater access to telehealth and other care delivery options.
