Prescribing Alzheimer's Disease Treatments by Provider Type and Geographic Region: A Comparison among Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants
Study examining prescriptions for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) medications by provider type and geographic regions, including non-metro and a range of metro settings. Analysis is based on commercial and Medicare supplemental claims data.
Author(s): Jenny Y. Park, David L. Veenstra, Christopher J. Wallick, Zachary A. Marcum
Citation: BMC Geriatrics, 22, 522
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2022
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and provides recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Chapter 2 presents a report on access to care for beneficiaries in Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs), who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, or have multiple chronic conditions. Also includes chapters on alternative payment models, safety net providers, the cost of drugs covered under Medicare Part B, the accuracy of Medicare Advantage payments, the alignment of fee-for-service payment rates across ambulatory settings, and segmentation in the stand-alone Part D plan market.
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Changes in Transmucosal Buprenorphine Utilization for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kentucky
Explores changes in prescription rates of transmuscosal buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky. Compares prescribing rates in rural versus urban areas and examines rates on a week by week basis.
Author(s): Feitong Lei, Michelle R. Lofwall, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
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Expanded Naloxone Distribution to Reduce Rural Opioid Overdose Mortality
Discusses a study on the effect community-based and pharmacy-initiated naloxone distribution has had on rates of rural opioid overdose mortality. Highlights an intervention that expands naloxone access points in rural communities and pharmacies in addition to traditional provider-based treatment.
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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April 2022 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) April 2022 meeting. Covers high prices of drugs covered under Medicare Part B, initial findings from MedPAC's analysis of Part D data on drug rebates and discounts, segmentation in the stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan market, leveraging Medicare policies to address social determinants of health, an approach to streamline and harmonize Medicare's portfolio of alternative payment models, and aligning fee-for-service payment rates across ambulatory settings. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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What Happens When COVID-19 Emergency Declarations End? Implications for Coverage, Costs, and Access
Identifies federal health-related COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declarations, the flexibilities each provides, and implications for ending them. Topics covered include COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination; telehealth; Medicaid coverage; Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance flexibilities; and more.
Author(s): Juliette Cubanski, Jennifer Kates, Madeline Guth, et al.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Family Foundation
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2021 340B Health Annual Survey: 340B Continues to Support Essential Programs and Services in the Face of Significant Financial Stress on Hospitals
Summarizes the results of an October - December 2021 survey of 510 hospitals, including small and rural hospitals, that participate in the 340B drug pricing program. Describes how these hospitals utilize their savings from the 340B program to benefit patients. Discusses the importance of the program to Critical Access Hospitals, Disproportionate Share Hospitals, and other safety-net facilities. Explores the potential effects of additional cuts to the 430B program.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: 340B Health
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Use of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Among US Adolescents and Adults With Need for Opioid Treatment, 2019
Results of a study to estimate use rates of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and to identify associations between MOUD and characteristics of people who may have needed treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Features statistics including characteristics of adolescents and adults with past-year OUD treatment need and likelihood of MOUD among adults who may have needed OUD treatment, with breakdowns by large metropolitan, small metropolitan, or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Pia M. Mauro, Sarah Gutkind, Erin M. Annunziato, Hillary Samples
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(3)
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy, 2022
Annual review of Medicare payment policies, with recommendations to Congress. Includes discussion on Medicare payment policies directly affecting rural providers and beneficiaries. Addresses payment adequacy for healthcare facilities and services, improving Medicare payment for post-acute care, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and the impact of healthcare provider consolidation.
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Broadband Internet Subscription Rates and Opioid Prescribing via Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Explores the effect of the DEA's temporary permission for providers to prescribe opioids via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky. Discusses the effect this permission had on rural areas and in counties with low and high rates of broadband access.
Author(s): Douglas R. Oyler, Svetla Slavova, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
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