For decades, Americans have spent more on prescription drugs than people in other countries. The Biden Administration has been involved in ongoing efforts to stem this trend, making prescription drugs more affordable to both improve public health and provide economic relief to Americans. Two new reports highlight the pervasiveness of the cost trend.

This is a “golden age of digital health,” according to Daniel Otzoy, digital health technical advisor at John Snow, Inc.

Optum and Change Healthcare officially merged today. Change filed a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission today in connection with the closing, in accordance with the January 5 merger agreement. WHY THIS MATTERS

About 84% of nonprofit hospitals updated their charity care policies from 2019 to 2021, during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, and according to findings published in JAMA Network Open, these updated policies resulted in mostly positive changes. However, restrictions in charity care and unclear eligibility criteria are still common and deserve regulatory attention, authors […]

Beginning January 1 of next year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will introduce a new virtual primary care option dubbed the “Virtual Care Team Feature,” which enables members to receive comprehensive virtual healthcare through a team that includes dedicated primary care providers. These providers can treat certain mental health issues and provide health coaching […]

People with Medicare will see lower premiums for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans in 2023.  The projected average premium for 2023 Medicare Advantage plans is $18 per month, a decline of nearly 8% from the 2022 average premium of $19.52. 

In advance of the event, October 24-28, Anne Snowdon and Toni Laracuente of HIMSS talk about how digital transformation can further more equitable care worldwide.  

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved Medicaid Section 1115 demonstration initiatives in Massachusetts and Oregon, both of which aim to test improvements in coverage, access and quality.

Retail giant Walmart, which is increasingly muscling its way into the healthcare space, is partnering with Kindbody as the fertility provider for its new Center of Excellence (COE). Kindbody is a family-building benefits provider for employers.

Beyond a social issue, health equity is a financial one, according to veteran healthcare executive Shreesh Tiwari.