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Sept. 22, 2020
 
 
 
 
ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS
 
 
Medicare accountable care organizations reduce spending on surgery
AJMC
Surgical care among older adults is costly. Although Medicare accountable care organizations are designed around primary care, there are reasons to believe that participation may also affect spending on surgery. This study examines the impact that Medicare Shared Savings Program ACO alignment has on spending for inpatient and outpatient surgical care.
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CMS issues new guidance to advance value-based payment models in medicaid
Home Health Care News
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is once again calling attention to its previously outlined commitment to value-based care strategies. The agency on Sept. 15 released new guidance to help states shift more toward value-based approaches under their Medicaid programs. The overarching goal of the guidance is to better align health care provider incentives across payer types, in turn moving the U.S. health care system closer to a quality-over-quantity methodology.
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MANAGED HEALTHCARE NEWS
 
 
Accounting for the social determinants of health during the COVID-19 pandemic
Managed Healthcare Executive
The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a medical crisis. Since the highly contagious disease hit American shores in early 2020, the virus has dramatically changed all sectors of society, negatively impacting everything from food supply chains and sporting events to the nation’s mental and behavioral health.
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SPONSORED CONTENT
Promoted by Moss Adams LLP
• Tips to Help Your Health Care Organization Combat Coronavirus Complications
• 4 Ways Lean Health Care Helps Hospitals Confront Sepsis and Other Safety Concerns
• Keep Physician Compensation Contracts in Compliance to Avoid Stark Law Violations (January 2019)
• On demand webcast: Patient Safety Awareness Week: Improve Patient Safety with Lean, featuring PeaceHealth
 
 
Proposed Medicare cuts threaten anesthesiology practices already struggling amid pandemic
Managed Healthcare Executive
Medicare has proposed drastic cuts to its payment rates for important healthcare services, threatening the practices of physician anesthesiologists who have been on the front lines of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
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GENOMICS & BIOTECH
 
 
Future of genomics at risk without greater public trust in how genetic data is shared
Medical Xpress
The largest ever survey on global public attitudes towards genomic research and data sharing suggests that work is needed to raise levels of public trust in how genetic data is used in order for that data to fulfil its promise to advance human health and medicine.
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE
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Early SARS-CoV-2 transmission reconstructed using genomics
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
The news of infections caused by a novel coronavirus, and the everyday use of the names SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, became widespread around February. But, the question of how long the virus had already been present in the U.S. before that time has remained unknown. Now, a team of researchers has reconstructed some of the early transmissions of the virus.
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Harnessing DNA molecules for disease detection and electronics
Phys.org
DNA molecules express heredity through genetic information. However, in the past few years, scientists have discovered that DNA can conduct electrical currents. This makes it an interesting candidate for roles that nature did not intend for this molecule, such as smaller, faster and cheaper electric circuits in electronic devices, and to detect the early stages of diseases like cancer and COVID-19.
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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
 
 
 
 
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
 
 
Using mental health software, practice reduces depression for 59% of patients
Healthcare IT News
For quite some time, Commonwealth Pain & Spine, with 12 locations in Indiana and Kentucky, struggled with how to most efficiently and effectively address the mental health needs of its patients suffering from debilitating chronic pain. Staff witnessed the effects on their patients daily, and they have a commitment to offering truly comprehensive pain management. Staff recognized the struggle of living with chronic pain each day and how that daily struggle takes a toll on patients’ overall mental wellbeing.
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Preparing for the mental health repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic
Psychiatric Times
Our mental health system is facing something of a perfect storm. The stress of the COVID-19 contagion, the civil strife and social disruption, and economic insecurity is causing an increased demand for mental health treatment.
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Tolmar Affirms Supply of FENSOLVI®
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
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Certain coping strategies can help offset pandemic's mental health hits
Penn State via ScienceDaily
The early days of the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to negative mental health effects for many in the U.S., according to new Penn State research. But the researchers also found that some coping techniques — like wearing masks and focusing on self-care — were linked with positive mental health.
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NAMCP UPDATES
 
 

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.
 
 
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