Using telemedicine interventions during COVID-19 to expand care post COVID-19.

Despite available technology and supportive evidence in the literature, the integration of telemedicine interventions in the US health care system has remained sluggish for decades. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed widespread utilization of virtual visits and remote monitoring in urgent, primary, and specialist care settings out of sheer necessity. Specifically, in the rheumatology subspecialty, a lack of available providers and a patient community hindered by mobility and access issues have underscored the value of telemedicine.

Provider and patient insights into the cancer care journey.

Objectives: To assess provider and patient preferences for an oncologist selection tool, value-based care, involvement in cancer care, and end-of-life planning.

Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of primary care providers (PCPs) and insured patients with cancer.

Methods: We asked PCPs about their method of oncologist referral; utilization of an oncologist selection tool that directs patients to high-quality, high-value oncologists; involvement in cancer care and value-based care; and when an advance directive should be established.

Curbing the costly trend: exploring the need for a progressive approach to the management of specialty pharmaceuticals under the medical benefit.

Background: Specialty injectables and protein-based biologic therapies represent the fastest growing segment of the drug trend for many plan sponsors. Coupled with the decline in spending on traditional pharmaceuticals and so-called blockbuster drugs coming off patent, the upward trend of specialty drug spending continues at an unprecedented rate, precipitating a shift in the focus of payers who manage prescription drugs.

Objectives: To characterize the current and future specialty drug spending and describe contemporary trends among payers for managing cost and quality in this segment, as well as to elucidate the shortcomings of the current efforts and to explore a comprehensive approach for addressing the cost and quality concerns directly associated with specialty injectables and protein-based biologics through interrelated management interventions.

Managing the cost drivers of medical injectables.

In recent years, the cost increases of medical injectables--pharmaceuticals and apparatus used to treat rare and chronic diseases--have far outstripped the rises in medical costs in general. Health plans have taken notice, and many are designing and implementing new procedures for managing these treatments. The task is complex and challenging, but identifying and addressing the cost drivers and, in particular, creating specialty pharmacy networks, hold the promise of containing the spiraling cost of medical injectables.