News

A new study explores the tangible effects of the ACA and the study author weighs in on the implications for managed care.

The death rate from overdoses involving benzodiazepines, a class of sedatives that includes Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin, has increased more than four-fold since 1996, according to a study appearing online in the American Journal of Public Health.

As organizations and politicians continue to sound the alarm that drug prices are rising, another new report confirmed the trend. Total spending on medicines in the US reached $310 billion in 2015 on an estimated net price basis, up 8.5 percent from the previous year, according to a new report from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.

Experts says UnitedHealthcare’s new boutique-style health plan is designed to drive innovation in primary care.

FDA advisory committee recently voted to recommend approval of obeticholic acid (Ocaliva, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). If approved, Ocaliva would be the first new treatment for PBC in nearly 20 years.

FDA recently approved venetoclax (Venclexta, AbbVie and Genentech) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have a chromosomal abnormality called 17p deletion and who have been treated with at least 1 prior therapy

As a result of a recent case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, advocates of healthcare transparency may need to adjust their data collection strategies.

Following on the heels of UnitedHealthcare, Highmark weighs whether staying on the exchange marketplace will be viable.

Here are 10 solutions that come together to provide a multifaceted approach to medication adherence.

While FDA’s approval last week of infliximab-dyyb (Inflectra, Celltrion and Hospira), a biosimilar to Remicade (Janssen Biotech) for rheumatoid arthritis, Chron’s disease and other conditions is positive, FDA’s approval pace for biosimilars is too slow, according to a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM).

Medicare Advantage plans that are slow to submit risk adjustment data are at a big disadvantage.

This year’s Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting 2016, held April 19 to 22 in San Francisco, will feature several sessions of important to managed care professionals. Here are our top 10 recommendations.

CMS regulation will lead to major changes in Medicaid managed care programs; changes that focus on quality improvements, increased transparency and accountability, and strengthened state and federal oversight.

Some experts argue that prescription drug monitoring programs can be a game changer when it comes to curbing prescription abuse and misuse. Here are 11 states that stand out for their PDMPs (or lack thereof).

Here is an analysis of trending technologies and how they affect patient satisfaction.

A number of traditional brand-name pharmaceuticals have lost, or will lose, patent protection this year. What does this mean over the longer-term for controlling costs?

PCSK9 inhibitor benefits patients with statin intolerance

Don’t let these common misconceptions stop you from this high-impact, low-cost way to engage with patients.

Type 2 diabetes medicines containing saxagliptin and alogliptin may increase the risk of heart failure, particularly in patients who already have heart or kidney disease, according to FDA’s new Drug Safety Communication.

Telemedicine could improve diabetic patient outcomes, expand access, and provide better economic value for patients. Find out how.

Soon after FDA expanded access to the “abortion pill” or mifepristone (Mifeprex, Danco Laboratories), some states may be combating the decision.

A recent Supreme Court decision shines the spotlight on the healthcare price transparency debate.

FDA recently approved reslizumab (Cinqair, Teva Pharmaceuticals), an injectable used with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of severe asthma. Here are the top 5 facts to know about Cinqair.

Consequences range from cardiovascular disease to renal disease

The approaches reflect a growing number of initiatives meant to tie drug prices to value. Find out more.

Here are some of the innovative approaches payers and providers are taking to quell the diabetes epidemic, and curb the costs associated with it.

As patients look to make more informed decisions about healthcare services, payers can leverage comparative analytics to deliver greater price transparency

There is so much data available at all levels of healthcare, and technology and public support is on the cusp of a breakthrough in using this information for widespread improvements.

FDA recently approved the first generic version of Nasonex nasal spray (mometasone furoate monohydrate, Apotex Corp).

Here are three questions payers must ask to determine providers’ readiness to engage in risk-based reimbursement.