Government: Page 74


  • Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Amazon gets EUA for direct-to-consumer, at-home COVID-19 test

    As the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, the tech behemoth initiated an in-house COVID-19 testing service for employees, initially in the U.S. and later in the U.K.

    By Nick Paul Taylor • June 9, 2021
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Mark Makela via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Nonprofit health plan CMOs: Data sharing needed to drive vaccine equity

    To achieve vaccine equity and approach herd immunity, healthcare organizations need access to timely, comprehensive vaccine data, the CMOs at the Alliance of Community Health Plans and PacificSource Health Plans argue.

    By Connie Hwang and Edward McEachern • June 7, 2021
  • Trendline

    Surprise Billing

    Federal legislation banning surprise bills has hit a barrage of roadblocks, complicating efforts to protect consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges.

    By Healthcare Dive staff
  • Ajay Purohit, a Biogen employee, points to brain scans of people with Alzheimer's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Biogen
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    In historic move, FDA approves closely watched, controversial Alzheimer's drug

    With the decision, the agency cleared the way for what many predict will become a lucrative and highly sought-after option — though fierce debate continues over whether Biogen's aducanumab actually benefits patients.

    By Jacob Bell • Updated June 7, 2021
  • One Medical website home desktop
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of One Medical
    Image attribution tooltip

    One Medical buying Medicare-focused Iora in $2.1B deal

    The acquisition by the Google-backed primary care chain aligns two players in the value-based care movement, which eschews traditional payer-provider arrangements in favor of a concierge membership model.

    By June 7, 2021
  • Medtronic pulls HeartWare HVAD pump from market amid recalls, patient deaths

    The medtech said the move was influenced by growing evidence the system had higher mortality risks than comparable devices. FDA advised providers to use Abbott's HeartMate 3 as an alternative.

    By Ricky Zipp • June 4, 2021
  • A picture of the exterior of the US Department of Health and Human Services. In front of the building is a black sign designating the building's name.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    CMMI's Fowler: More mandatory payment models likely

    "I recognize those come with their own set of disadvantages ... But I support this direction," CMMI head Elizabeth Fowler said Thursday.

    By June 3, 2021
  • Image attribution tooltip
    David Paul Morris via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Former FDA official Abernethy joins Google health spinoff

    The agency's former acting CIO pushed development of real world evidence as well as improved data sharing. At Verily, she'll head up the unit's clinical research business.

    By Jonathan Gardner • June 3, 2021
  • Medicaid insurers at heart of Nevada public option plan

    The state will bid out the business to private insurance carriers instead of doing the work in-house. Medicaid managed care organizations Centene, UnitedHealthcare and Anthem will be required to submit a bid.

    By June 2, 2021
  • An illustration of the KRAS protein
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from National Cancer Institute on September 27, 2019
    Image attribution tooltip

    In first, FDA approves KRAS-blocking cancer drug from Amgen

    Lumakras is the first drug proven effective in targeting the KRAS gene, which is often mutated in lung, colon and pancreatic cancers. Amgen will charge $17,900 per month for Lumakras at list price, which doesn't account for rebates or discounts that may be offered to insurers.

    By Ned Pagliarulo • June 1, 2021
  • Online Consultation with their Doctor
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Family healthcare costs decreased last year for first time in Milliman report's 16-year history

    However, the trend is not expected to continue into 2021. Costs are predicted to jump nearly 9% to $28,256 next year for a family of four.

    By May 28, 2021
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Leon Neal via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ransomware, other cyber threats mount as medtech industry tries to adapt

    "Everything is hackable," said Kevin Fu, the FDA's medical device cybersecurity chief, who noted that ransomware in particular can render a device useless.

    By Greg Slabodkin • May 27, 2021
  • Lawmakers revive push for public option with call for feedback

    The latest move signals Democrats are serious about an effort to pass legislation enacting the policy, seen as a more moderate alternative to "Medicare for All."

    By May 27, 2021
  • Abbott scientist creates antibody test kit samples.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Abbott, PRNewswire
    Image attribution tooltip

    HHS commits $4.8B to COVID-19 testing for the uninsured

    The American Clinical Laboratory Association, whose members include LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, had urged the Biden administration in February to make more money available.

    By Susan Kelly • May 26, 2021
  • Senate confirms Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as head of CMS

    Industry groups cheered her confirmation, saying Brooks-LaSure's policy know-how and experience managing insurance programs should help increase equitable access to affordable care in the U.S.

    By May 25, 2021
  • Anthem wrongly received $3.4M in MA overpayments, OIG says

    The insurer is the latest to face allegations of receiving Medicare Advantage overpayments tied to patients who were inaccurately identified as part of a high-risk group.

    By May 25, 2021
  • Glass vials of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Gabriel Kuchta via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Moderna, with new results, set to seek vaccine clearance for young teens

    The biotech's shot was strongly protective against COVID-19 in a study of 12- to 17-year-olds, a finding that could soon make it the second vaccine available for adolescents in the U.S.

    By Ben Fidler • May 25, 2021
  • Deep Dive

    Medtronic HeartWare system hit with slew of Class I recalls, device reports since 2012 PMA

    The pump has a higher rate of malfunction reports than rivals, according to an ECRI analysis of the FDA's MAUDE database. But it's hard to draw conclusions from a disparate system of safety reporting.

    By Ricky Zipp • May 24, 2021
  • A physician holds a telehealth session with a patient via computer.
    Image attribution tooltip
    [Photograph]. Retrieved from Regional Health Command Atlantic.
    Image attribution tooltip

    More than 1 in 4 Medicare beneficiaries used telehealth between summer and fall last year

    A Kaiser Family Foundation report also found a majority of beneficiaries using virtual care accessed it over the phone, hinting at continued demand for audio-only telehealth beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.

    By May 20, 2021
  • Exact Sciences precision oncology lab
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Exact Sciences
    Image attribution tooltip

    US panel trims colorectal cancer screening age, broadening payer mandate

    The action means private insurers have to cover the screening of adults aged 45 to 49 years under the Affordable Care Act.

    By Nick Paul Taylor • May 19, 2021
  • Eli Lilly fires back against HHS order to repay providers for violating 340B

    As California's Attorney General, HHS chief Xavier Becerra led a group of states pushing the agency to force drugmakers to comply with the controversial drug discount program late last year.

    By Hailey Mensik , Updated May 21, 2021
  • A picture of the exterior of the US Department of Health and Human Services. In front of the building is a black sign designating the building's name.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    HHS asks Supreme Court to keep site-neutral payments in place

    Hospitals and HHS have been wrangling about the issue since the federal agency moved to cut payments to hospital-owned outpatient sites in 2019.

    By Ron Shinkman • May 17, 2021
  • A picture of the exterior of the US Department of Health and Human Services. In front of the building is a black sign designating the building's name.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alex Wong via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    CMS again delays breakthrough device payment rule in nod to skeptics

    Medtech manufacturers pushed for the MCIT rule, but high-profile detractors like payer lobby America's Health Insurance Plans and doctor groups drove CMS to delay implementation, citing potential risks to Medicare beneficiaries.

    By Nick Paul Taylor • May 17, 2021
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Despite CMS rule, few hospitals post prices in a coherent fashion, study says

    Among 25 common items and procedures posted by the 100 largest hospitals, far fewer than 20% of facilities had decipherable pricing for any single item, according to the research in JAMA Network Open.

    By Ron Shinkman • May 14, 2021
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Fotolia
    Image attribution tooltip

    Missouri Medicaid expansion hits snag, headed to court

    Medicaid expansion in Missouri will now be decided by the courts as its legislature refused to allocate funds after voters approved expansion last year.

    By Updated May 21, 2021
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Lintao Zhang / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    EU plans to impose additional regulations on medtech AI products, other 'high risk' systems

    The proposed legal framework, which addresses potential artificial intelligence risks, seeks to regulate the technology and issue fines for noncompliance that could total billions of dollars, positioning Europe for a "leading" AI role globally.

    By Nick Paul Taylor • May 13, 2021