Heart Failure Death Risk Drops 50% in Those Who Receive Flu Vaccine
A new study shows people with heart failure who receive a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine have a 50 percent drop in the risk of death during flu season and a 20percent drop in the risk of death during the rest of the year.
FDA Chooses Influenza Vaccine Strains for the 2018-19 Season
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee chose the Northern Hemisphere’s 2018-19 influenza (flu) vaccine strains based on the World Health Organization’s recommendations.
Flu Vaccine Recommendations Updated by CDC and AAP
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has updated its 2017-18 recommendations regarding the use of seasonal influenza (flu) vaccines and guidance for vaccine providers about the use of flu vaccines for the 2018-19 season.
CMS Launches New Voluntary Bundled Payment Model
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has launched a new voluntary bundled payment model that qualifies as an advanced alternative payment model under its quality payment program.
CMS Proposes Paying for Telehealth and Overhauling Medicare Billing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is proposing a plan to pay doctors for virtual visits and overhaul Medicare billing standards put in place in the 1990s.
FDA Introduces Biosimilar Action Plan
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration introduced its Biosimilar Action Plan to help speed up approvals to enhance access to lower-cost biologics.
HHS Loosens Restrictions on Short-Term Health Plans
A final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services allows insurers to once again sell short-term health insurance for up to 12 months, as well as makes the plans renewable for up to three years.
CMS Restores Risk Adjustment Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services adopted an interim final rule to restore $10.4 billion in funding to insurers to help them provide coverage to sick and
costly enrollees.
Tuberculosis Vaccine May Reverse Type 1 Diabetes
A recent study shows two injections of the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine a few weeks apart may reverse the causes of type 1 diabetes over several years.
WHO Recommends Typhoid Vaccine in Children in Endemic Countries
The World Health Organization is recommending a single dose of the typhoid conjugate vaccine (Typbar-TCV) for use in infants and children older than 6 months and a catch-up vaccine in children up to 15 years in countries where the infection is endemic.