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.ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS
Alternative health plan designs catching on among employers
BenefitsPRO
Look for employers to adopt alternatives to the traditional health plan offering over the next three years, a study by Willis Towers Watson suggests. The research firm surveyed 397 employers in August and September, and found almost three-quarters of employers plan to adopt a new health care delivery model over that time span.
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Inpatient-outpatient shared electronic health records: Telemedicine and laboratory follow-up after hospital discharge
AJMC
Continuity of patient information across settings can improve transitions after hospital discharge, but outpatient clinicians often have limited access to complete information from recent hospitalizations. We examined whether providers’ timely access to clinical information through shared inpatient-outpatient electronic health records was associated with follow-up visits, return emergency department visits or readmissions after hospital discharge in patients with diabetes.
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.MANAGED HEALTHCARE NEWS
How health insurers can adapt to the new normal
Managed Healthcare Executive
Whether you’re embarking on your first telemedicine visit or you’re trying to find the closest rapid testing site, COVID-19 has undoubtedly transformed how consumers interact with health insurance. The “new normal” poses novel challenges and big opportunities for health insurance providers.
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Prior authorization, utilization management can have unintended consequences, PBMI panel says
Managed Healthcare Executive
The tools of prescription drug utilization management — step therapy and prior authorization — can help guarantee that the right patients get the right treatments, while controlling costs. But these methods are being exploited beyond their original intent, and some patients suffer needlessly, according to panelists taking part in the 4th Annual Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute Specialty Pharmacy Rx Forum.
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.GENOMICS & BIOTECH
As genomic testing increases, it is time to focus on post test care for patients
The BMJ Opinion
Genomic testing is increasingly a part of mainstream healthcare and is positioned high on the political agenda. A recent U.K. government report and previous announcements by Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, have raised the profile of genomics as a technology offering significant benefits to patients in terms of predicting and diagnosing disease, as well as personalizing treatments.
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CTU’s new grant provides incoming students enrolling in the RN-BSN degree program 20% off tuition for those who apply and start courses by Jan. 5, 2021.
- Program costs starting at $9,984, with grant savings applied
- Save up to $2,496, with grant applied
- Available to apply from Oct. 1, 2020 – Jan. 5, 2021
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Genetic sequencing could help track COVID-19 mutations, spread
HealthITAnalytics
Genetic sequencing can help monitor mutations in COVID-19, potentially improving diagnostic testing and transmission tracking, a study published in Cell Reports revealed.
Next generation sequencing can help researchers and scientists track where the virus has come from, leading to more targeted public health interventions.
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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
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DNA-binding proteins meet their mismatch
Nature
Proteins that bind to DNA are ubiquitous in biology. The ability of these proteins to bind to specific DNA sequences with high affinity is often central to their function, and it is not uncommon for a single mutation to affect the ability of a protein to bind to DNA. It is surprising, then, to find that many DNA-binding proteins can bind more tightly to sequences that have been engineered to contain a type of single-nucleotide change called a mismatch.
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.BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Pandemic places renewed focus on mental health care
Spectrum News
The mental health effects of the pandemic may not be understood for months or years after it finally ends.
But groups that provide mental health care and advocate for it, as well as Governor Andrew Cuomo, are highlighting the mental strains created for people during the crisis.
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Promoted by Decipher Biosciences
Decipher predicts overall survival and is the 1st genomic classifier validated in a Phase III, randomized controlled trial in prostate cancer. In RTOG 9601, Decipher identified high-risk patients most likely to benefit from the addition of hormone therapy to salvage radiation. Dan Spratt, MD Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at University of Michigan
gives his perspective on this important development.
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More green space may improve children's mental health
Healio
An increase in green space may improve children’s mental health, according to results of a cohort study published in JAMA Network Open.
“Urban environmental stressors, including artificial light, air pollution and noise, are ubiquitous in areas of high population density, and there is a growing body of research linking these aspects of the urban landscape to mental health,” Meredith Franklin, PhD, of the department of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote.
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.NAMCP UPDATES
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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| 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.
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| "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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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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