Program on Medicare Policy Archives | Page 12 of 54

A New Use for Wegovy Opens the Door to Medicare Coverage for Millions of People with Obesity

Apr 24, 2024

Issue Brief

The FDA recently approved a new use for Wegovy, the blockbuster anti-obesity drug, to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease who are overweight or obese - a decision that opens the door to Medicare coverage of Wegovy, which is prohibited by law from covering drugs used for obesity. This brief analyses how many Medicare beneficiaries could be eligible for the new use of Wegovy and the potential impact…

The Vast Majority of Nursing Facilities Will Need to Hire More Staff to Comply with the Final Federal Rule When Fully Implemented, Unless They Qualify for an Exemption

Apr 22, 2024

News Release

Based on a new KFF analysis, fewer than 1 in 5 (19%) nursing facilities currently meet the minimum staffing standards set out in the final requirements of the federal rule released today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS adopted staffing standards that are similar to the staffing requirements in the rule proposed last year, which included minimum staff levels of 0.55 registered nurses and 2.45 nurse aide hours per resident day.…

With Current Staffing Levels, About 1 in 5 Nursing Facilities Would Meet Fully-Implemented Minimum Staffing Standards in the Final Rule

Apr 22, 2024

Policy Watch

This analysis uses the most recently-available data to examine the percentage of nursing facilities that currently meet the minimum staffing requirements in the final rule.

Ten Things to Know About Consolidation in Health Care Provider Markets

Apr 19, 2024

Issue Brief

As policymakers and regulators pay more attention to consolidation in health care provider markets, this brief examines and summarizes the evidence about consolidation, including recent trends, the impact on prices and quality, and proposals to address consolidation and increase competition.

Retiree Health Benefits: Going, Going, Nearly Gone?

Apr 12, 2024

Issue Brief

This data note analyzes five national surveys to assess trends in retiree health coverage among people ages 65 and older. These five surveys produce somewhat different estimates of retiree health coverage, but together paint a clear picture: the share of Medicare-age adults with employer- or union-sponsored retiree health coverage has been shrinking and appears to be on the way to extinction.

Gaps in Medicare Advantage Data Remain Despite CMS Actions to Increase Transparency

Apr 10, 2024

Issue Brief

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has recently taken actions to increase transparency in Medicare Advantage, however substantial data gaps remain that limit the ability of policymakers and researchers to conduct oversight and assess the program's performance, and for Medicare beneficiaries to compare Medicare Advantage plans offered in their area.

Medicare Spending on Ozempic and Other GLP-1s Is Skyrocketing

Mar 22, 2024

Policy Watch

This policy watch analyzes the latest data on Medicare Part D spending on GLP-1 drugs, initially approved to treat diabetes but in high demand as treatments for obesity, and shows how spending on these drugs has increased substantially in recent years.

Gaps in Data About Hospital and Health System Finances Limit Transparency for Policymakers and Patients

Mar 22, 2024

Issue Brief

This brief describes gaps in data about hospital and health system finances and business practices that limit transparency for policymakers, researchers, and consumers. It examines data issues involving finances, debt collection practices, charity care, prices, ownership, and the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

Medicare Households Spend More on Health Care Than Other Households

Mar 14, 2024

Issue Brief

This brief examines the financial burden of health care spending among households where all members are covered by Medicare compared to non-Medicare households.

FAQs on Prescription Drug Importation

Mar 11, 2024

Issue Brief

These FAQs address questions related to prescription drug importation, including the current status of importation proposals, details of Florida’s importation program recently authorized by the FDA, and concerns and challenges with this approach.

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