This message was sent to ##Email##
To advertise in this publication please click here
|
|
|
.ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS
Strategic priorities for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to advance Medicaid reform
Health Affairs
In the months and years ahead, a key priority for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will be supporting and stabilizing states in their provision of Medicaid. This will require reversing some Trump administration policies such as allowing work requirements and restoring the integrity of Medicaid. But there is a need to go beyond reversing policy, to focus instead on improving Medicaid for Americans in need.
|
|
Managed care spotlight: 2020 year in review and 2021 outlook
The National Law Review
The past year saw significant developments in managed care regulation at the federal and state levels and we anticipate the rapid pace of change will continue through 2021. In this webinar, we analyzed the most significant legal developments affecting health plans in 2020 and explored what to expect in 2021. Our thought leaders discussed the impact of managed care regulations on a broad range of industry subsectors, from plans and providers to vendors and pharmacy benefit managers.
|
|
.MANAGED HEALTHCARE NEWS
What's next for the digital transformation of health care?
Managed Healthcare Executive
The COVID-19 pandemic brought on an era in which nearly every activity of our lives went digital. And while many yearn for a return to pre-pandemic days in the healthcare business, the “new normal” is here to stay with even more progression from digital health to data-driven healthcare.
|
|
Health care can save billions by automating admin transactions
Managed Healthcare Executive
The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare, Inc., or CAQH, recently released their eighth annual providers and payers report, 2020 CAQH Index, which found of the $372 billion widely cited as the cost of administrative complexity in the U.S. healthcare system, the industry can save $16.3 billion by fully automating nine common transactions.
|
|
.GENOMICS & BIOTECH
Researchers demonstrate the promise of precision genomics in cancer treatment
Medical Xpress
Researchers at NUI Galway have identified genomic signatures in women developing the most common type of breast cancer that can be associated with long-term survival. The NUI Galway team analyzed the genomes of breast cancer patients to look for associations with survival rates using advanced statistical techniques.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
TCS is the leading provider of software designed to support health plans, TPAs, ACOs, and other risk-bearing organizations.
|
|
Life-threatening genetic immunodeficiency reversed by a rare DNA change
News-Medical.Net
Researchers have revealed how a rare DNA change rebalanced the immune system of patients with a life-threatening genetic immunodeficiency.
Researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have discovered that three patients with a severe genetic immunodeficiency spontaneously repaired the harmful variants in their DNA and restored normal immune function over time.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Apollo delivers evidence-based guidelines in an easy to use format, available 24/7 from any internet-connected device. No software download required. Streamline utilization reviews and lower your costs today. Click here  to begin your risk-free trial, or call to learn more! 888.276.5563
|
|
How does a cell regulate the repair of its damaged DNA?
Phys.org
Human DNA can be modified or damaged in a variety of ways that can alter its sequence and potentially change the information that it encodes, from UV radiation to chemicals in our own bodies. One way the body can accurately copy damaged DNA is through a process called translesion DNA synthesis, which involves a complex of proteins called Rad6/Rad18.
|
|
|
|
.BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Could telemedicine be the key to defeating the mental health crisis?
Forbes
The world could be on the brink of a mental health disaster at a level that our society has yet to experience before. The impact of the COVID-19 quarantine and stay-at-home measures has had an effect on the financial security, housing, relationships and employment for millions of people and has led to an increase in emotional and psychological problems across the world.
|
|
| |
Promoted by TOLMAR Pharmaceuticals, Inc
 Tolmar Affirms Supply of FENSOLVI® (leuprolide acetate) for Pediatric Patients with Central Precocious Puberty; Company increases U.S. manufacturing capacity of drug to ensure uninterrupted supply amid industry shortage
|
|
|
COVID-19's mental-health toll: How scientists are tracking a surge in depression
Nature.com
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, new fast-spreading variants have caused a surge in infections in many countries, and renewed lockdowns. The devastation of the pandemic — millions of deaths, economic strife and unprecedented curbs on social interaction — has already had a marked effect on people’s mental health.
|
|
.NAMCP UPDATES
| | | | | |
| Home Instead, the leading provider of in-home care for older adults, has launched a new brand identity and campaign to promote the evolving organization. Formerly known as Home Instead Senior Care, the company was founded in 1994 by Paul and Lori Hogan to address a need for personalized care to allow adults to age at home, inspired by Paul’s own grandmother. It has since grown to more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises across the globe, which employ 90,000 professional caregivers and deliver more than 80 million hours of care annually. Created in partnership with creative agency Energy BBDO, the brand’s update includes a simplified logo and the removal of the term “senior care” from the official name – Home Instead. The changes are meant to be more inclusive and a reflection of the evolving global language around the way people talk about older adults. The name change also allows the brand to more broadly address helping aging adults meet their needs wherever they are on their care journey. Please click here to view the full press release.
|
| Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc., a dermatology therapeutics company developing medications for skin diseases requiring medical interventions, today announced that it has resubmitted the New Drug Application (NDA) for VP-102 for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum (molluscum) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The NDA for VP-102 was resubmitted based on the outcome and final minutes of a Type A meeting with the FDA, which was conducted to obtain clarity on the Complete Response Letter (CRL) issued by the FDA in July 2020. Click here to view the full press release.
|
| Biodesix, Inc., a leading data-driven diagnostic solutions company with a focus in lung disease, today announced publication of an analysis of the company’s Nodify XL2® lung nodule test. The test supports clinical decision-making for suspicious nodules by more accurately identifying patients with a very low risk of malignancy and shifting those patients into surveillance, thereby minimizing invasive procedures on those with benign nodules. Please click here to view the full press release.
|
| LivaNova PLC, a market-leading medical technology and innovation company, today announced the publication of a new study in the International Journal of Bipolar Disorders that showed adding Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy (VNS Therapy®) to treatment as usual (TAU) significantly improves outcomes in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD). The study examined patients from a five-year prospective registry and found 63% of TRBD patients treated with adjunctive VNS Therapy in addition to TAU had a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, as measured by a 50% or greater reduction in the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), compared with 39% of patients in the TAU alone group. Click here to view the entire press release. Click here to view the entire press release.
|
| Additionally, LivaNova PLC announced a publication in Contemporary Clinical Trials, which details the design for “A Prospective, Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Blinded Trial Demonstrating the Safety and Effectiveness of VNS Therapy® System as Adjunctive Therapy Versus a No Stimulation Control in Subjects With Treatment-Resistant Depression” or the RECOVER clinical study. RECOVER is currently under way as part of a Coverage with Evidence Development framework of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) National Coverage Determination process. Click here to view the entire press release.
|
| In late 2018, the National Association of Managed Care Physicians (NAMCP) decided to create the Value Based Care Council (VBCC). The VBCC mission supports empowering medical directors with information and resources to assist them in making value based decisions that support achieving the Triple AIM of improved outcomes and the patient experience while reducing overall costs. The goal is to improve the integration of cost, quality, and access in the clinical decision making process so as to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of extracting value from the associated spend in order to optimize outcomes.
Pursuant to the above, and in response to an unmet need in the marketplace, the VBCC developed a short form in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency with which value propositions can be shared between industry and the medical leadership of various payers throughout the country. This same short form provides a concise and consistent manner with which value propositions can be shared and provides the ability to align expectations prior to actually conducting conversations or having a meeting regarding a product or service.
The Product Value Proposition Customer Engagement Short Form can be found on the NAMCP website (www.namcp.org) in the Value Based Care Council subsection of the Councils tab, under tools and resources. Please contact Will Williams at wwilliams@namcp.org with questions or for additional information.
|
| Jazz Pharmaceuticals is excited to announce the approval of ZEPZELCA™ (lurbinectedin) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. ZEPZELCA is a second-line therapy that has been studied in both platinum-sensitive and -resistant SCLC patients. Please click here for more information.
|
| Takeda Pharmaceuticals is part of, "The Fight Is In Us", an initiative to maximize the individual and societal benefit of COVID-19 plasma. The campaign will focus on recruiting COVID-19 survivors to donate their plasma at licensed blood and plasma donor centers.- If you’ve recovered from #COVID19, your immune system has antibodies that could be used as a treatment. See if you can help others by donating plasma www.TheFightIsInUs.org. #TheFightIsInUS
- The antibodies that helped you or someone you know fight off COVID-19 may be able to help others. Visit www.TheFightIsInUs.org to see if you qualify to donate plasma. #TheFightIsInUs
You are a survivor, now you could be a hero. Plasma from recovered #COVID19 patients could play a key role in creating a potential therapy for coronavirus. Learn how you can donate at www.TheFightIsInUs.org #TheFightIsInUs
|
| Biodesix, Inc., a leading diagnostic company in lung disease, recently announced a partnership with Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) to bring a COVID-19 Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) test to the FDA for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval to support the escalating need for testing in the U.S. Two studies published this month, ahead of peer review, reported that ddPCR testing showed superior sensitivity and precision for clinical detection of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) compared to existing test methods that are performed using qPCR. Biodesix currently has a focus on lung disease and offers other diagnostic testing for lung cancer utilizing the ddPCR platform.Click here for more information.
|
| "Modeling Cost-Effectiveness of On-Demand Treatment for Hereditary Angioedema Attack" was recently published in the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy's February 2020 issue. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease that causes painful and potentially fatal episodes of swelling (attacks). HAE attacks can be unpredictable and the need to treat sudden attacks promptly and effectively is critical to minimize risk of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. A cost-effectiveness model was evaluated that considers evaluation of on-demand medications, healthcare utilization and patient well-being. For access to the publication, please click here.
|
| Biodesix, Inc. announced initiation of the next phase of their biomarker development program with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer Inc. The companies have completed initial discovery and development of a new proteomic test that identifies likely responders to the anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor (BAVENCIO®) (avelumab). Development efforts will now focus on transferring the test into Biodesix's CLIA lab in Boulder, CO for clinical phase test validation. The new test was developed through retrospective analysis of the circulating proteome of cancer patients treated with the investigational drug candidate, utilizing the proprietary Biodesix Diagnostic Cortex™ artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Click here to read the full press release.
|
| The NAMCP Medical Directors Institute recently held the first meeting of its Executive Leadership Council (ELC) at the recent Fall Managed Care Forum. The NAMCP Medical Directors Institute decided in late 2018 to create the Value Based Care Council (VBCC) with a mission to empower medical directors with information and resources to assist them in making value based decisions that support achieving the Triple AIM of improved outcomes and the patient experience while reducing overall costs. Click here to view an overview of the genesis, formation, and work of NAMCP's Value Based Care Council. Please click here to view the press release.
|
| LivaNova PLC (NASDAQ:LIVN), a market-leading medical technology and innovation company, today announced the first patient enrolled in "A Prospective, Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Blinded Trial Demonstrating the Safety and Effectiveness of VNS Therapy® System as Adjunctive Therapy Versus a No Stimulation Control in Subjects With Treatment-Resistant Depression" (RECOVER). The study will evaluate Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy (VNS Therapy) for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) in accordance with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) National Coverage Determination as part of its Coverage with Evidence Development Program. The first patient was enrolled by Dr. Azfar Malik in St. Louis. Click here to read the full press release.
|
| Biodesix, Inc. this week highlighted findings from multiple studies demonstrating the significance and clinical utility of its VeriStrat® blood-based proteomic test as a predictive biomarker for patient survival outcomes and as a diagnostic tool to improve the clinical management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This information is vital to implementing optimal treatment strategies for patients and supports disease state monitoring. To date, VeriStrat testing has helped more than 50,000 patients in determining the best treatment for their lung cancer. Click here to see the full press release. | |
|
|
|
7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063
|
