Alexis Boentes is a journalist based in Miami, United States of America. He has worked as a Video Journalist for various media, such as international broadcaster DW en Español, in Germany.

What has led to Ozempic being so accepted and recommended?

26 Nov 2024  |  Telemundo Miami (51)  |  Spanish  |  Medicare and Medicaid

Ozempic and Mounjaro are gaining popularity as effective weight loss medications, scientifically proven to reduce appetite and manage fat and sugar in the body. However, their high cost limits accessibility, with coverage through Medicare and Medicaid only for patients with diabetes or at risk of cardiovascular diseases. The Biden administration proposes expanding Medicaid coverage to over 4 million patients, reducing out-of-pocket expenses by up to 95%. This proposal, requiring a 60-day public comment period, faces potential opposition from Robert Kennedy, nominated by Donald Trump, due to concerns over government spending. Dr. Dadilia Garces emphasizes the importance of combining medication with lifestyle changes for chronic disease management.

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Medicare and Medicaid Healthcare Weight Loss

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I am a Kenya journalist based in Nairobi. Passionate about writing stories in Health, Environment, Education, Science and Agriculture. I tell stories not just about Kenya but the continent as a whole.

Updated Dashboard Helps Hospitals Assess Potentially Avoidable Utilization Under the AHEAD Model

01 Dec 2024  |  Mathematica  |  English  |  Medicare

The AHEAD Model, developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, aims to reduce healthcare costs and improve health equity by addressing potentially avoidable utilization (PAU) in hospitals. Mathematica has updated its Hospital PAU Dashboard to include 2022 data for 3,847 hospitals across the United States, aiding states and hospitals in understanding and strategizing around PAU rates. The model encourages hospitals to reduce PAU, offering financial incentives and promoting partnerships with primary care and community organizations. The dashboard allows users to compare hospital PAU rates to state medians, supporting applications to CMS and discussions with healthcare providers.

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Medicare Healthcare Reform Health Equity

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My work has appeared in  Fox News, Salon, Medscape, Healthline, Epoch Times, MD Magazine, Specialty Pharmacy Times, Contagion Live.

Important Changes in Medicare for 2024: What You Need to Know

19 Oct 2023  |  es.theepochtimes.com  |  Spanish  |  Medicare Changes

In 2024, Medicare will undergo significant changes, including tax increases for high-income earners and the expansion of telehealth services. Premiums are expected to remain stable despite new payment models aimed at improving healthcare quality. The Medicare tax hike will affect individuals earning over $400,000 annually. Medicare Advantage plans will expand, and their quality will be rated by CMS. A new payment model for primary care providers will be introduced, and pharmaceutical companies will be required to pay the government if drug prices rise faster than inflation. Telehealth services will be more accessible across the United States, and changes to the low-income subsidy will also take effect.

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Medicare Changes Healthcare Policy

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Yen Duong is a multimedia journalist based in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, she travels often around the region.

North Carolina's Congress Members Engage with Health Care Issues During Summer Recess

10 Sept 2019  |  North Carolina Health News  |  English  |  Medicare and Medicaid

The article by Yen Duong provides an overview of the activities of North Carolina's members of Congress during the summer recess, focusing on their engagement with health care issues. It details the various events, town halls, and site visits conducted by the representatives, including discussions on Medicare, Medicaid, affordable housing, and mental health care. The article also mentions the outreach efforts of Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, as well as Representatives like Alma Adams, David Price, G.K. Butterfield, and others. It highlights the active participation of some members in addressing constituents' concerns about health care policy, while noting the absence or lack of response from others. The article also touches on the upcoming special elections for vacant seats in the state.

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Medicare and Medicaid Health Care Policy Affordable Housing Mental Health Care Gun Laws Obamacare Prescription Drug Costs Paid Family Leave

I live in Kentish Town, north London and am a former BBC World Service radio reporter and producer, 1978 - 1984. I then went freelance and remained independent ever since but developed long term working relationships with a range of news organisations across news, sport and culture. This experience ...

Long Beach-based health plan providers are major employers

09 Feb 2014  |  Press Telegram  |  English  |  Medicare

Molina Healthcare and SCAN Health Plan, two major employers in Long Beach, are navigating the impacts of federal health policies. Molina is expected to benefit from the Affordable Care Act, anticipating revenue growth and expanding its workforce and facilities. SCAN, a nonprofit Medicare Advantage provider, faces challenges due to changes in Medicare payments but continues to grow. MemorialCare Health is also expanding its health plan operations. Both Molina and SCAN emphasize the importance of organizational culture and the need for employees with specific skills in healthcare and customer service.

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Medicare Healthcare Employment Affordable Care Act

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Misha Gajewski is a freelance journalist based in Toronto, Canada. She has worked in both the UK and Canada specializing in health and science reporting. Her work has featured on BBC News, CTV News, ITV News and Vice among others. She is also a producer for The Story Collider podcast.

Prescribing Brand Name Drugs Instead Of Generic Drugs Costs Medicare $1.7 Billion A Year, Study Finds

02 Mar 2021  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Medicare

A study published in JAMA Open Network reveals that prescribing brand-name drugs instead of generic alternatives costs Medicare $1.7 billion annually. Despite laws encouraging generic drug use, 8.5 million out of 169 million prescriptions in 2017 were for brand-name drugs when generics were available. The study highlights that both clinicians and patients often request brand-name drugs, leading to higher costs. Factors such as incentives, rebate walls, and perceptions about the quality of generic drugs contribute to this trend. The study suggests policy changes to promote generic drug use and reduce costs.

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Medicare Healthcare Costs Pharmaceuticals

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I am a freelance journalist based in Aarhus, Denmark. I previously spent five years in Washington, D.C., covering public health, policy and industry issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, maternal mortality, addiction and mental health. My work has appeared in Smart Cities Dive, Morning Consult and ...

Medicare Advantage Is Growing, but Roadblocks Could Emerge for Some Health Insurers as Competition Heats Up

01 Oct 2023  |  pro.morningconsult.com  |  English  |  Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating that at least half of eligible beneficiaries will be enrolled by 2030. This expansion is driven by major health insurers, regional plans, and tech-centric startups offering competitive benefits. However, the market faces potential saturation, leading to slower growth for some large players. Concerns over higher spending in Medicare Advantage compared to traditional Medicare are debated, with some experts emphasizing the value of extra benefits. The Department of Justice is scrutinizing fraud within the program, while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are expected to refine risk adjustment models. Despite these challenges, Medicare Advantage's growth is likely to continue, influenced by both market dynamics and regulatory changes.

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Medicare Advantage Health Insurance Healthcare Policy

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Austin Landis is a video & digital journalist covering migration and Latin America from Colombia, using her experience closely covering the United States' evolving immigration policy for the last four years.

Austin spent the last five years reporting on national politics in Washington for ...

Takeaways from Biden's State of the Union address

08 Feb 2023  |  ny1.com  |  English  |  Medicare

President Joe Biden's State of the Union address emphasized unity and bipartisan cooperation, urging Congress to 'finish the job' on key issues like rebuilding the economy, lowering healthcare costs, and addressing climate change. Biden highlighted legislative achievements, including infrastructure projects and job growth, while addressing challenges like inflation and the debt ceiling. He called for protecting Social Security and Medicare, tackling the fentanyl crisis, and reforming policing. Biden also advocated for restoring abortion rights and passing protections for LGBTQ+ Americans, urging a rejection of political violence and extreme partisanship in favor of democratic ideals.

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Medicare State of the Union Bipartisan Legislation Infrastructure Economy Healthcare Climate Change Social Security Inflation Debt Ceiling Fentanyl Crisis Police Reform Abortion Rights LGBTQ+ Rights

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Krista Mahr is a journalist reporting on Africa, based in Johannesburg. She is an active contributor to several news organizations including the Washington Post, the Financial Times, Newsweek, Bloomberg Businessweek, Associated Press and others. 

Mahr was previously based in New Delhi, where she ...

A crackdown on ‘misleading’ Medicare Advantage ads

06 Apr 2023  |  www.politico.com  |  English  |  Medicare

The Biden administration is set to prohibit misleading advertisements for Medicare Advantage plans, as part of a final CMS rule announced by HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. The rule aims to eliminate overly general ads that confuse older adults about their eligibility and plan details. It also includes provisions on prior authorization, health equity, clinical psychology coverage, and the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. Key measures include compliance with traditional Medicare coverage requirements, appointment wait-time standards for behavioral health care, a health equality index for Medicare Star Ratings, and expanded low-income subsidies for Medicare Part D.

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Medicare Health Policy Advertising Regulations

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I'm Duncan Moore, a visual journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. Currently producing visual and written content for organizations and publications such as the UN Environment Programme, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, BBC, Great Big Story, Deutsche Welle, Bloomberg and more. Some highlights from my work ...

Pamela Price, Travel Editor of The Malibu Times, is a journalist based in Palm Springs, California, USA. Price graduated from the  University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, prior to relocating to Izmir, Turkey. After serving as Travel Editor for Shape Magazine for eight years she co-authored  three ...

Medicare perpetuates privilege -- not equity

14 Jun 2023  |  South Central Florida Life  |  English  |  Medicare

Medicare's decision to decline full coverage for a new Alzheimer’s therapy has sparked opposition, particularly as it affects older individuals in rural areas and communities of color. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' use of 'coverage with evidence development' is criticized for delaying access to treatments for minority populations and exacerbating healthcare inequities. The article argues that this regulatory tool is being misused to ration care and neglect certain patient groups, contrary to Medicare's intended purpose of providing equitable care.

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Medicare Healthcare Policy Racial Inequality

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Professional Journalist/Reporter/Producer and Anchor with over 14 years experience in the broadcast news arena for TV and Radio.
General news as well as business and hard news topics.
Based in Connecticut, USA, short distance from New York city and Boston and able to cover stories across New ...

Pharmacists Say They May Not Stock Less-Expensive Medicare Drugs

21 Oct 2024  |  ctnewsjunkie.com  |  English  |  Medicare

A survey by the National Community Pharmacist Association reveals that 90% of independent pharmacies may not stock reduced-priced Medicare Part D drugs due to inadequate reimbursement policies. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' guidance is criticized for not ensuring fair and timely payments, putting pharmacies at financial risk. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are highlighted as powerful entities controlling drug pricing and reimbursement, with CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRX dominating the market. The Federal Trade Commission is suing these PBMs for anticompetitive practices. Despite legislative efforts, transparency and fair practices remain a challenge, impacting independent pharmacies and drug affordability.

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Medicare Pharmacy Benefit Managers Drug Pricing

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Robin Seaton Jefferson is a writer/reporter/journalist based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America, specializing in health care and health care technology, biographies, business writing and news for older adults. She has been a journalist in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area for 26 years ...

Medicare Will Now Pay For Acupuncture In Part Due To Opioid Abuse

24 Jan 2020  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Medicare

Medicare will now cover acupuncture for chronic low back pain, partly due to the opioid crisis. The CMS decision allows up to 12 sessions in 90 days, with an additional 8 sessions for those showing improvement. This move is part of the Trump Administration's strategy to expand pain treatment options and reduce opioid reliance. The decision was influenced by private payer policies and evidence supporting non-pharmacologic therapies. While acupuncture's effectiveness is debated, it is considered a low-risk option when performed by certified practitioners. The CMS aims to offer a range of treatment options to combat the opioid epidemic.

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Medicare Healthcare Opioid Crisis

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Gary Strauss is a freelance journalist and content strategist  based in Washington, DC, United States.  He is an award-winning writer/editor/blogger who has vast background in financial reporting and editing, hard-news and feature writing. His work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic, ...

Biggest Social Security Changes for 2023

05 Dec 2022  |  AARP  |  English  |  Medicare

Social Security benefits will see an 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment in 2023, the largest increase since 1981, resulting in a $146 average monthly increase for retirees. The maximum benefit for those at full retirement age will be $3,627. The standard Medicare Part B premium will decrease, and the income threshold for Social Security taxes will rise to $160,200. Earnings limits for beneficiaries not at full retirement age will also increase, and the earnings test will be adjusted. Social Security Disability Insurance thresholds will rise, and the amount needed to earn Social Security credits will increase to $1,640.

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Medicare Social Security Retirement Benefits Inflation

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Michael Sutton is a researcher based in Phoenix, United States of America. As an Edupreneur, he applies gamification, serious gaming, ed-tech (wikis and blogs), experiential/ active learning, and simulations within his workshops and courses to motivate ENGAGEMENT, INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, RETENTION, ...

CMS Releases First Annual Evaluation Report For Kidney Care Choices Model

02 Oct 2024  |  www.mondaq.com  |  English  |  Medicare

The CMS released its first annual evaluation report on the Kidney Care Choices Model, highlighting key findings from its initial year. The model aims to improve care management for Medicare patients with chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease. The report noted increased planned starts of renal replacement therapy and a rise in home dialysis treatments. However, it found no significant impact on overall Medicare payments or quality measures, except for specific changes in arteriovenous fistulas and optimal ESRD starts. The report emphasized the importance of continued evaluation to assess the model's long-term viability.

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Medicare Healthcare Kidney Care

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Michael Warren is a journalist based in Washington, United States of America.

Can Medicare money protect doctors from abortion crimes? It worked before, desegregating hospitals

05 Oct 2023  |  apnews.com  |  English  |  Medicare

The Supreme Court's pending decision on Idaho's abortion law may rely on federal spending power to protect doctors from state criminal codes, drawing parallels to Medicare's role in desegregating hospitals in the 1960s. Justices questioned the Biden administration's authority to withhold Medicare funds from hospitals that refuse emergency abortions. The administration argues that federal conditions attached to Medicare funds are essential. Historically, Medicare was used to enforce desegregation in hospitals, demonstrating federal leverage over state policies. The article explores the balance of federal and state powers, referencing past and present legal challenges.

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Medicare Abortion Federal Spending Power Desegregation

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Legu Zhang is a journalist based in Washington, United States of America.

Explainer: Where do Harris and Trump stand on social welfare?

15 Oct 2023  |  www.voanews.com  |  English  |  Medicare

With the U.S. presidential election approaching, social welfare policies are a key focus. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have differing approaches to Social Security, Medicare, affordable housing, and family support, reflecting their respective party values. Harris advocates for expanding benefits and government support funded by higher taxes on the wealthy, while Trump emphasizes economic growth through tax cuts and reduced government spending. Both candidates propose measures to address housing shortages and support families, but critics highlight potential challenges in their plans. The article provides a comparative analysis of their positions on these critical issues.

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Medicare US Presidential Election Social Welfare Social Security Affordable Housing Family Support

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