Winter 2017 News

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Winter Winter 2017 2017 late-breaking news from your medical association late-breaking news from your medical association

Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals

Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Miscellaneous

Five Five Top Pharmaceutical Top Pharmaceutical Products Products Worldwide Worldwide

 Humira  Humira (AbbVie) (AbbVie) $17.6$17.6 billionbillion  Revlimid  Revlimid (Ceigene) (Ceigene) $ 8.1$billion 8.1 billion FiveFive TopTop Pharmaceutical Pharmaceutical Products Products Worldwide Worldwide  Rituxan  Rituxan (Roche) (Roche) $ 7.5$billion 7.5 billion  Humira Humira (AbbVie) (AbbVie) $17.6 $17.6 billion billion  Avastiln  Avastiln (Roche) (Roche) $ 7.2$billion 7.2 billion  Revlimid Revlimid (Ceigene) (Ceigene) $ 8.1 $ 8.1 billion billion  Harvoni  Harvoni (Gilead) (Gilead) $ 7.0$billion 7.0 billion  Rituxan Rituxan (Roche) (Roche) $ 7.5 $ 7.5 billion billion  Avastiln Avastiln (Roche) (Roche) $ 7.2 $ 7.2 billion billion A Medicine A Medicine ThatThat Blunts Blunts Opioids Opioids Can Help Can Help Problem Problem Drinkers Drinkers Too Too  Harvoni Harvoni (Gilead) (Gilead) $ 7.0 $ 7.0 billion billion If youIfdrink you drink moremore alcohol alcohol than than you want you want to or to should, or should, you're you're not alone. not alone.

A nationwide A nationwide survey survey by the byNational the National Institutes Institutes of Health of Health foundfound that 28 that percent 28 percent of adults of adults in theinU.S. the are U.S.heavy are heavy drinkers drinkers or drink or drink moremore than than is recommended. is recommended.

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Can Help Help Problem Problem Drinkers Drinkers Too heavy drinkers drinkers don't don't getBlunts the get help the help they they need.

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Yet, Yet, most most Institute Institute on Alcohol on Alcohol Abuse Abuse and Alcoholism. and Alcoholism. heavy heavy drinkers drinkers don't don't get get thethe helphelp theythey need. need.

"The "The biggest biggest problem problem we we have have in the in the fieldfield is that is that lessless than than 10 percent 10 percent of of with with an alcohol an alcohol useuse disorder disorder get get anyany treatment treatment whatsoever," whatsoever," sayssays George George Koob, Koob, director director of the of the National National DIY individuals Gene DIYindividuals Gene Editing: Editing: Fast, Fast, Cheap—And Cheap—And Worrisome Worrisome Institute Institute on Alcohol on Alcohol Abuse Abuse and and Alcoholism.

Alcoholism.

Kian Sadeghi Kian Sadeghi has postponed has postponed homework homework assignments, assignments, sports sports practice practice and all and the allother the other demands demands of being of being a 17-year-old a 17-year-old

high-school high-school juniorjunior for today. for today.

On a On Saturday a Saturday afternoon, afternoon, he is he in aislab in alearning lab learning how to how use toCrispr-Cas9, use Crispr-Cas9, a gene-editing a gene-editing DIY DIY Gene Gene Editing: Fast, Fast, Cheap—And Cheap—And Worrisome Worrisome technique technique that has thatEditing: electrified has electrified scientists scientists around around the world—and the world—and sparked sparked a widespread a widespread debate debate aboutabout its use. its Scientific use. Scientific Kian Kian Sadeghi Sadeghi hasoften has postponed postponed homework homework assignments, assignments, sports sports practice practice and1996 and all the all the other other demands being of being a 17-year-old aor17-year-old breakthroughs breakthroughs often raise raise big ethical big ethical questions. questions.

MoralMoral concerns concerns around around the the 1996 cloning cloning ofdemands Dolly of Dolly theofsheep the sheep or the the high-school junior junior for today.

On On adraft athe Saturday afternoon, hestill is hein isainlab a lab learning learning how how to public use to use Crispr-Cas9, Crispr-Cas9, a gene-editing afrom gene-editing 2000high-school 2000 announcement announcement offor a rough of atoday. rough draft ofSaturday ofhuman theafternoon, human genome genome reverberate still reverberate today. today.

The The public benefits benefits from scientific scientific technique technique that that hasin has electrified electrified scientists scientists around around the world—and world—and sparked sparked ato widespread aalter widespread debate debate about its use. itsanimals use.

Scientific advances, advances, particularly particularly improving in improving health. health.

But some But the some scientists scientists say the say power the power to alter the DNA the DNA of plants, of about plants, animals or Scientific or breakthroughs breakthroughs often often raise raise big big ethical ethical questions. questions.

Moral Moral concerns concerns around around the the 1996 1996 cloning cloning of Dolly of Dolly the the sheep sheep or the or the people, people, and the andprofound the profound impact impact such such changes changes may have may have on individuals on individuals and society, and society, merits merits publicpublic discussion. discussion.

2000 2000 announcement announcement of aofrough a rough draft draft of the of the human human genome genome stillstill reverberate reverberate today. today.

TheThe public public benefits benefits from from scientific scientific advances, advances, particularly particularly in aimproving health. health.

Butresistant But some some scientists say say the the power to alter to longer alter thelonger the DNA DNA of plants, of plants, animals animals or or Rising Rising infections infections caused caused byina improving type by type of bacteria of bacteria resistant to multiple toscientists multiple antibiotics antibiotics ispower causing is causing hospitalizations hospitalizations and and people, and the profound profound impact such such changes may have have onStates, individuals on individuals and society, merits public public discussion. discussion. maypeople, mean may mean a and higher athe higher risk of risk death ofimpact death for children for children inchanges theinUnited themay United States, according according to aand new to asociety, study. newmerits study.

The study, The study, published published this this weekweek in theinJournal the Journal of theofPediatric the Pediatric Infectious Infectious Diseases Diseases Society, Society, foundfound that 3that out3ofout 5 children of 5 children admitted admitted to hospitals to hospitals Rising Rising infections caused caused by abytype a type ofinfection bacteria of — bacteria resistant resistant to multiple to multiple antibiotics antibiotics is spreading causing is causing longer longer hospitalizations andand already already hadinfections an had antibiotic-resistant an antibiotic-resistant infection suggesting — suggesting these these infections infections are spreading are more more often often inhospitalizations theincommunity. the community. maymay mean mean a higher a higher riskrisk of death of death for for children children in the in the United United States, States, according according to atonew a new study. study.

TheThe study, study, published published thisthis week week in the in the Journal Journal of the of the Pediatric Pediatric Infectious Infectious Diseases Society, found found that 3In out 3U.S., out of 5U.S., of children 5 children admitted admitted to hospitals to hospitals Dangerous Dangerous Antibiotic-Resistant Antibiotic-Resistant Infections Infections OnDiseases The On Rise TheSociety, Rise For Children For Children In that The The Study Study Finds Finds already already hadhad an antibiotic-resistant ancaused antibiotic-resistant infection infection —resistant suggesting — to suggesting these these infections infections are spreading spreading more more often often in the in and the community. community.

Rising Rising infections infections caused by a type by a type of bacteria of bacteria resistant multiple to multiple antibiotics antibiotics is are causing is causing longer longer hospitalizations hospitalizations and may mean may mean a higher a higher risk ofrisk death of death for children for children in theinUnited the United States, States, according according to a new to a study. new study.

The study, The study, published published this this Antibiotic-Resistant Infections Infections OnOn TheThe Rise Rise Forfound For Children Children The In The U.S., U.S., Study Study Finds Finds weekDangerous week inDangerous theinJournal the Antibiotic-Resistant Journal of theofPediatric the Pediatric Infectious Infectious Diseases Diseases Society, Society, found that 3that outIn 3ofout 5 children of 5 children admitted admitted to hospitals to hospitals Rising Rising infections caused caused by abytype a type ofinfection bacteria of — bacteria resistant resistant to multiple to multiple antibiotics antibiotics is spreading causing is causing longer longer hospitalizations andand already already hadinfections an had antibiotic-resistant an antibiotic-resistant infection suggesting — suggesting these these infections infections are spreading are more more often often inhospitalizations theincommunity. the community. maymay mean mean a higher a higher riskrisk of death of death for for children children in the in the United United States, States, according according to atonew a new study. study.

TheThe study, study, published published thisthis week week in the in the Journal Journal of the of the Pediatric Pediatric Infectious Infectious Diseases Diseases Society, Society, found found thatthat 3 out 3 out of 5ofchildren 5 children admitted admitted to hospitals to hospitals already already hadhad an antibiotic-resistant an antibiotic-resistant infection infection — suggesting — suggesting these these infections infections areare spreading spreading more more often often in the in the community. community.

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Winter Winter 2017 2017

Winter Winter 20172017 Winter Winter 2017 2017

Merck Merck Pulls Pulls Plug Plug on Verubecestat on Verubecestat Merck Merck has given has given up onuptheir on their in-development in-development drug,drug, Verubecestat Verubecestat after after discovering discovering that the thatdrug the drug had no hadeffect no effect on patients on patients with with mild mild formsforms of Alzheimer’s of Alzheimer’s disease. disease.

The drug The drug showed showed virtually virtually no chance no chance of meeting of meeting Merck’s Merck’s goal in goal a 2,200-patient in a 2,200-patient study.study.

Merck Merck Pulls Pulls PlugPlug on Verubecestat on Verubecestat Merck Merck has has given given up on up their on their in-development in-development drug, Verubecestat after after discovering discovering that that thethe drug drug had had no effect noaway effect on patients on patients with with mild mild health health drugs drugs has surged, hasdrug, surged, bigVerubecestat pharmaceutical big pharmaceutical companies companies have have largely largely backed backed away from from investing investing in the in the WhileWhile demand demand for mental for mental forms forms of Alzheimer’s of Alzheimer’s disease. disease.

The The drug drug showed showed virtually virtually no chance no chance of meeting of meeting Merck’s Merck’s goal goal in a in 2,200-patient a 2,200-patient study. study. field.field.

The number The number of psychopharmacological of psychopharmacological drug drug research research programs programs has shrunk has shrunk 70 percent 70 percent in theinlast thedecade. last decade.

While While demand demand for for mental mental health drugs drugs hashas surged, big pharmaceutical companies have largely largely backed backed away away from from investing investing in the intothe Marathon Marathon Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals willhealth temporarily will temporarily halt the haltsurged, rollout thebig rollout of itspharmaceutical of drug its drug Emflaza Emflaza acompanies drug a drug to have treat to treat genetic genetic muscle muscle deterioration deterioration used used to field. field.

The The number number of psychopharmacological of psychopharmacological drug drug research research programs programs has has shrunk shrunk 70 percent 70 percent in the in the last last decade. decade. treattreat a rarea form rare form of muscular of muscular dystrophy. dystrophy.

The company The company announced announced it planned it planned to charge to charge $89,000 $89,000 a year. a year.

Though Though the drug the drug has been has been available available in Europe in Europe for decades for decades it is the it islatest the latest example example of a business of a business model model that has thatdrawn has drawn the ire theofire doctors of doctors and Congress and Congress as theasdrug the drug Marathon Marathon Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals will will temporarily temporarily thethe rollout rollout of its of drug its drug Emflaza Emflaza a drug a drug to treat to treat genetic genetic muscle muscle deterioration deterioration used used to to is widely is widely available available abroad abroad for $1,000 for $1,000 a year. a year. halthalt treat treat a rare a rare form form of muscular of muscular dystrophy. dystrophy.

TheThe company company announced announced it planned it planned to charge to charge $89,000 $89,000 a year. a year.

Though Though thethe drug drug hashas been been available available in Europe in Europe for has for decades decades ita istrend itthe is the latest example example ofInaof business aInbusiness model model that that has has drawn drawn thedeals the ire of ire doctors of doctors and and Congress Congress aswho the as the drug drug Paying Paying for performance for performance been has been a trend forlatest some for some time.time. none none instance instance insurers insurers are striking are striking deals with with pharma pharma companies companies who is widely is widely available available abroad abroad for for $1,000 $1,000 a year. a year. receive receive discounts discounts on pricey on pricey drugsdrugs if those if those treatments treatments do not dodemonstrably not demonstrably improve improve patients’ patients’ health health outcomes. outcomes.

This same This same model model is is also makings also makings its way its to way thetoC-suite. the C-suite.

As anAs example, an example, Trinity Trinity Health, Health, whichwhich operates operates 93 hospitals, 93 hospitals, tie the tieCEOs the CEOs pay to pay thetosystem’s the system’s Paying Paying forfor performance performance has has been been a trend aofout trend for for some some time. time.

In none Insmoking none instance instance insurers are are striking striking deals deals withwith pharma pharma companies companies whowho overall overall effectiveness effectiveness in keeping in keeping patients patients out the ofhospital, the hospital, lowering lowering smoking andinsurers obesity and obesity rates, rates, and other and other population population health health metrics. metrics. receive receive discounts discounts on pricey on pricey drugs drugs if those if those treatments treatments do not do not demonstrably demonstrably improve improve patients’ patients’ health health outcomes. outcomes.

ThisThis same same model model is is alsoalso makings makings its way its way to the to the C-suite.

C-suite.

As an As example, an example, Trinity Trinity Health, Health, which which operates operates 93 hospitals, 93 hospitals, tie the tie the CEOs CEOs paypay to the to the system’s system’s overall overall effectiveness effectiveness in keeping in keeping patients patients outout of the of the hospital, hospital, lowering lowering smoking smoking andand obesity obesity rates, rates, andand other other population population health health metrics. metrics.

state state

state state

KFF Updates KFF Updates StatsStats on Medicaid on Medicaid spending spending Recently Recently the Kaiser the Kaiser Family Family Foundation Foundation released released its funding its funding on Medicaid on Medicaid spending spending in California in California KFFKFF Updates Updates Stats on on Medicaid Medicaid spending spending  In  Stats 2015 In 2015 Medicaid Medicaid spending spending in CAinamounted CA amounted to $85.4 to $85.4 billion; billion;  In  2015 In 2015 26% of 26% people of people in CAinwere CA were covered covered

by Medicaid/CHIP;

by Medicaid/CHIP; Recently Recently thethe Kaiser Kaiser Family Family Foundation Foundation released released its funding its funding on Medicaid on Medicaid spending spending in California in California  4 in 54Medicaid in 5 Medicaid enrollees enrollees in CAinare CAinare families in families with with a worker; a worker;  In 2015 In 2015 Medicaid Medicaid spending spending in CA in amounted CA amounted to $85.4 to $85.4 billion; billion;  34%  of 34% Medicaid of Medicaid spending spending in CAinis CA forisMedicare for Medicare beneficiaries; beneficiaries;  In 2015 In 2015 26%26% of people of people in CA in were CA were covered covered

by Medicaid/CHIP;

by Medicaid/CHIP;  One-fifth  One-fifth of state of state general general fund fund spending spending in CAinis CA forisMedicaid; for Medicaid;  4 in45inMedicaid 5 Medicaid enrollees enrollees in CA in are CA are in families in families withwith a worker; a worker;  58%  of 58% allof federal all federal fundsfunds received received

by CAbyare CAfor areMedicaid. for Medicaid.  34%34% of Medicaid of Medicaid spending spending in CA in is CAfor is for Medicare Medicare beneficiaries; beneficiaries;  One-fifth One-fifth of state of state general general fund fund spending spending in CA in is CAfor is for Medicaid; Medicaid; “Medical “Medical Bill” Bill” Law Law  58%58% of all of federal all federal funds funds received received

by CA by are CA are for for Medicaid.

Medicaid.

At theAtend theof end theofyear, the year, Governor Governor Brown Brown signed signed AB 72, ABknown 72, known as theasSurprise the Surprise Medical Medical Bill law, Bill which law, which was enacted was enacted to protect to protect patients patients fromfrom surprise surprise medical medical bills by bills capping by capping payment payment to physicians to physicians who are whoworking are working out-of-network. out-of-network.

WhenWhen patients patients undergo undergo a medical a medical “Medical “Medical Bill” Bill” Law Law facility, procedure procedure in an in in-network an in-network facility, they they can still canunwittingly still unwittingly receive receive care from care from an out-of-network an out-of-network physician physician who subsequently who subsequently bills bills At the At the end end of the of the year, Governor Brown Brown signed signed AB AB 72, known known the asAssociation the Surprise Surprise Medical Bill law, law, which which was was enacted enacted to protect to protect patients patients themthem directly directly for costs for costs theyear, insurance theGovernor insurance company company will not willcover. not72, cover.

NowasNow the the Association ofMedical American ofBill American Physicians Physicians and Surgeons and Surgeons (AAPS) (AAPS) have have from from surprise surprise medical medical bills bills by capping by capping payment payment to physicians to physicians who who are are working working out-of-network. out-of-network.

When When patients patients undergo undergo a medical a medical filed afiled lawsuit a lawsuit in theinUS theDistrict US District CourtCourt requesting requesting the court the court to block to block the new the law. new law.

The AAPS The AAPS complaint complaint statesstates that the thatlaw theviolates law violates the the procedure procedure in an in in-network anConstitutions in-network facility, they cancan still unwittingly receive receive care from from an out-of-network anrate-setting out-of-network physician physician who subsequently subsequently US and USCalifornia and California Constitutions as itfacility, violates as itthey violates the Due thestill Process Dueunwittingly Process Clauses Clauses by delegating bycare delegating rate-setting authority authority to private towho private insurance insurance billsbills them them directly directly for for costs costs the the insurance insurance company company will will not not cover. cover.

Now Now the the Association Association of American of American Physicians Physicians and and Surgeons Surgeons (AAPS) (AAPS) have companies. companies.

They They also allege also allege that the thatAct theisAct alsois unconstitutional also unconstitutional because because it requires it requires arbitration arbitration for the forout-of-network the out-of-network physicians physicians onhave on filed filed a lawsuit a lawsuit in the in the US District US District Court Court requesting requesting the the court court to block to block the the new new law. law.

The The AAPS AAPS complaint complaint states states that that the the law law violates violates the their their reimbursements reimbursements and empowers and empowers private private insurance insurance companies companies to deprive to deprive out-of-network out-of-network physicians physicians the market the market valuevalue of their of their the US and US and California California Constitutions Constitutions as itasviolates it violates thethe DueDue Process Process Clauses Clauses by delegating by delegating rate-setting rate-setting authority authority to private to private insurance insurance services. services. companies. companies.

They They alsoalso allege allege thatthat thethe ActAct is also is also unconstitutional unconstitutional because because it requires it requires arbitration arbitration for for thethe out-of-network out-of-network physicians physicians on on their their reimbursements reimbursements andand empowers empowers private private insurance insurance companies companies to deprive to deprive out-of-network out-of-network physicians physicians thethe market market value value of their of their services. services.

National cont.

National cont.

Shortfalls Under ACA

A recent ruling by a U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled that the U.S. government must pay more than $200 Shortfalls Under ACA million to an Oregon insurer, Moda Health Plan, who experienced financial shortfalls under a Affordable Care Tax provision intended to cover insurers financial shortfalls. The risk corridors were set up under the 2010 A recent ruling by a U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled that the U.S. government must pay more than $200 health law to spread risk by collecting money from insurers with healthier populations and distributing it to million to an Oregon insurer, Moda Health Plan, who experienced financial shortfalls under a Affordable Care those with older, sicker customers. Though funding for this initiative was frozen by Congress, it seems that at Tax provision intended to cover insurers financial shortfalls. The risk corridors were set up under the 2010 least this insurer will recover its losses. health law to spread risk by collecting money from insurers with healthier populations and distributing it to those with older, sicker customers.

Though funding for this initiative was frozen by Congress, it seems that at Organ Transplants Centers Evaluated least this insurer will recover its losses.

The number of organ transplants performed in the U.S. hit a record high in 2016, with 33,606 transplants

national Prescriber Checkup Database

national

performed, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. However, not all transplant centers experience Organ Transplants Centers Evaluated similar outcomes. According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), it uses a risk-adjusted The number of organ transplants performed in the U.S. hit a record high in 2016, with 33,606 transplants assessment to evaluate how often patients are alive with a functioning transplanted organ one year after the performed, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. However, not all transplant centers experience transplant. SRTR assessed outcomes of centers that perform liver, heart, lung, kidney, and kidney-pancreas similar outcomes. According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), it uses a risk-adjusted transplants. A score was then assigned the hospitals with a score of one (the worst) to five (the best). No assessment to evaluate how often patients are alive with a functioning transplanted organ one year after the hospital received a five in the kidney-pancreas transplant category. Among West Coast hospitals receiving a five transplant. SRTR assessed outcomes of centers that perform liver, heart, lung, kidney, and kidney-pancreas for the other categories were: transplants. A score was then assigned the hospitals with a score of one (the worst) to five (the best). No hospital received a five in the kidney-pancreas transplant category. Among West Coast hospitals receiving a five Liver: UCSF, CPMC, and Veterans Administration in Portland, OR. for the other categories were: Heart: Keck Hospital/USC and U of Washington (Seattle).

Lung: UCSF and Stanford; Liver: UCSF, CPMC, and Veterans Administration in Portland, OR. Kidney: UCSF, Keck Hospital/USC, U of Washington, and Oregon Health and Sciences/VA, Portland, Heart: Keck Hospital/USC and U of Washington (Seattle).

Harbor UCLA, and St. Joseph, Orange County.

Lung: UCSF and Stanford; Kidney: UCSF, Keck Hospital/USC, U of Washington, and Oregon Health and Sciences/VA, Portland, KaiserHarbor Permanente Operating Income UCLA, and St. Joseph, OrangeGrows County.as Does Membership Kaiser Permanente saw revenue and operating income increase in 2016. Operating revenue for its nonprofit hospital and health plans climbed 6.4 percent year over year to $64.6 billion in 2016. After factoring in Kaiser Permanente Operating Income Grows as Does Membership expenses, Kaiser ended 2016 with operating income of $1.9 billion, up from $1.8 billion in the prior year. Health Kaiser Permanente saw revenue and operating income increase in 2016. Operating revenue for its nonprofit plan membership growth ended 2016 with 10.7 million members, an increase of 4.2 percent from the prior hospital and health plans climbed 6.4 percent year over year to $64.6 billion in 2016. After factoring in year. Kaiser also completed acquisition of Seattle-based health plan, Group Health Cooperative, which brings expenses, Kaiser ended 2016 with operating income of $1.9 billion, up from $1.8 billion in the prior year. Health membership over 11 million. plan membership growth ended 2016 with 10.7 million members, an increase of 4.2 percent from the prior year. Kaiser also completed acquisition of Seattle-based health plan, Group Health Cooperative, which brings Informationover about Costs Difficult to Obtain membership 11 million.

According to a recent study by TransUnion Healthcare, 43 percent of 2,058 patients with health insurance said it was somewhat or very difficult to get upfront information about costs from providers. Another 21 percent of Information about Costs Difficult to Obtain patients never tried to obtain cost information.

According to a recent study by TransUnion Healthcare, 43 percent of 2,058 patients with health insurance said it was somewhat or very difficult to get upfront information about costs from providers. Another 21 percent of Consumer Interest in Telemedicine patients never tried to obtain cost information.

Accenture, a global professional services company that provides strategy, technology and others services, recently released a survey on consumer interest in Telemedicine. Among the key findings were: Consumer Interest in Telemedicine  78% of consumers surveyed were interested in receiving care virtually; Accenture, a global professional services company that provides strategy, technology and others services,  Only one in five survey respondents have ever received virtual health care; recently released a survey on consumer interest in Telemedicine. Among the key findings were:  77% would like to track indicators like blood pressure with technology;  78% of consumers surveyed were interested in receiving care virtually;  3 in 4 respondents wanted to use telemedicine for follow-up appointments  Only one in five survey respondents have ever received virtual health care;  44% would be more likely to try virtual care if their physician recommended it;  77% would like to track indicators like blood pressure with technology;  37% attributed their interest in virtual care to its convenience WebMD Saw 70 Million Visitors  3 in 4 respondents wanted to use telemedicine for follow-up appointments in its Third Quarter  44% would be more likely to try virtual care if their physician recommended it;  37% attributed their interest in virtual care to its convenience WebMD Saw 70 Million Visitors in its Third Quarter 2 Winter 2017 2

Winter 2017

ProPublica, an independent non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest, recently updated its Prescriber Checkup. Its Medicare Part D searchable database shows the prescribing habits of hundreds of thousands of doctors Prescriber Checkup Database across the country. Anyone searching can see the physician’s location, specialty, amount of prescribed Part D medications filled, and ProPublica, an independent non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest, recently updated its the total dollar amount of all filled prescriptions along with the breakdown of each medication. The database is touted as a tool for Prescriber Checkup. Its Medicare Part D searchable database shows the prescribing habits of hundreds of thousands of doctors patients to find and compare doctors who participate in Medicare's Part D program. It is also a valuable tool for physicians to across the country. Anyone searching can see the physician’s location, specialty, amount of prescribed Part D medications filled, and compare their prescribing practices against others in the same field. An unintended side effect of the new transparency tool is that the total dollar amount of all filled prescriptions along with the breakdown of each medication. The database is touted as a tool for some patients may be using the search tool to search for doctors likely to prescribe them widely abused drugs. When the database patients to find and compare doctors who participate in Medicare's Part D program. It is also a valuable tool for physicians to debuted, ProPublica used the data to uncover several findings including those doctors who often prescribed narcotic painkillers and compare their prescribing practices against others in the same field. An unintended side effect of the new transparency tool is that antipsychotic drugs in quantities that could be dangerous for their patients, many of whom were elderly. It also uncovered those some patients may be using the search tool to search for doctors likely to prescribe them widely abused drugs. When the database doctors wrote far more prescriptions than their peers for expensive brand-name drugs for which there were less expensive generic debuted, ProPublica used the data to uncover several findings including those doctors who often prescribed narcotic painkillers and alternatives. antipsychotic drugs in quantities that could be dangerous for their patients, many of whom were elderly. It also uncovered those doctors wrote far more prescriptions than their peers for expensive brand-name drugs for which there were less expensive generic Dementia Numbers Double alternatives.

In 2015 dementia claimed double the amount of lives it did in 2000 yet promising treatments fail in trials. Now dementia has unseated AIDS as one of the world’s top killers, according to the World Health Organization. In 2015, dementia killed 1.54 million Dementia Numbers Double people. It replaced HIV/AIDS as #7 on the global health list of the ten biggest causes of death worldwide. The Alzheimer’s cases are In 2015 dementia claimed double the amount of lives it did in 2000 yet promising treatments fail in trials. Now dementia has growing rapidly across the U.S. and may triple by 2050. The increase is particularly striking among Latinos, who as a group are at unseated AIDS as one of the world’s top killers, according to the World Health Organization. In 2015, dementia killed 1.54 million least 50 percent more likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop the disease. This is in part because Latinos live longer, on average, people. It replaced HIV/AIDS as #7 on the global health list of the ten biggest causes of death worldwide. The Alzheimer’s cases are than whites and also because they are more likely to suffer from certain chronic conditions that put them at greater risk for growing rapidly across the U.S. and may triple by 2050. The increase is particularly striking among Latinos, who as a group are at Alzheimer’s. Compounding the issue is the fact that the elderly population is growing three times faster among Latinos. least 50 percent more likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop the disease. This is in part because Latinos live longer, on average, than whites and also because they are more likely to suffer from certain chronic conditions that put them at greater risk for Cleveland Clinic Report 2016 Income Drop Alzheimer’s.

Compounding the issue is the fact that the elderly population is growing three times faster among Latinos.

The Cleveland Clinic suffered a nearly 50 percent decrease in operating income in 2016, falling to $243 million from a record high of $481 million the year before. CEO Toby Cosgrove reports that the decrease was expected and was driven by falling reimbursement Cleveland Clinic Report 2016 Income Drop brought about by the Affordable Care Act as well as rising drug costs.

The Cleveland Clinic suffered a nearly 50 percent decrease in operating income in 2016, falling to $243 million from a record high of $481 million the year before. CEO Toby Cosgrove reports that the decrease was expected and was driven by falling reimbursement brought about by the Affordable Care Act as well as rising drug costs.

Wallet Hub, Ranks Healthiest Cities

A personal finance website based in Washington, D.C. recently ranked the 100 metropolitan areas for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals on a number of different criteria. One criteria ranked the healthiest cities in the U.S. Wallet Hub, Ranks Healthiest Cities Ranking No.1, San Francisco followed by Salt Lake City, Scottsdale, Seattle, Portland, OR, and Irvine. The unhealthiest ranked cities A personal finance website based in Washington, D.C. recently ranked the 100 metropolitan areas for STEM (science, technology, were: Detroit, Brownsville, Texas, Memphis, Laredo, Shreveport, and Corpus Christi. Go to their website for the full report. engineering, and mathematics) professionals on a number of different criteria. One criteria ranked the healthiest cities in the U.S. Ranking No.1, San Francisco followed by Salt Lake City, Scottsdale, Seattle, Portland, OR, and Irvine. The unhealthiest ranked cities Health Spending Relative Employee to Income Level were: Detroit, Brownsville, Texas, Memphis, Laredo, Shreveport, and Corpus Christi. Go to their website for the full report.

Health Affairs recently published an article on employee health spending relative to income level. The key findings were:  Annual healthcare spending per patient was $4,835 for the lowest wage group Health Spending Relative Employee to Income Level  19% in the lowest wage group used preventive case, versus 38% in the highest Health Affairs recently published an article on employee health spending relative to income level. The key findings were:  Lowest wage employees had 31 hospital admissions for 1,000 versus 17/1,000  Annual healthcare spending per patient was $4,835 for the lowest wage group  Low earners had 4x the rate of avoidable admissions (4.3/1000 vs. 0.9/1000)  19% in the lowest wage group used preventive case, versus 38% in the highest  ER visits were 3x higher for the lowest wage employees (370/1,000 vs. 120/1,000)  Lowest wage employees had 31 hospital admissions for 1,000 versus 17/1,000  Annual healthcare spending per patient was $$5,074 for the highest wage group.  Low earners had 4x the rate of avoidable admissions (4.3/1000 vs. 0.9/1000)  ER visits were 3x higher for the lowest wage employees (370/1,000 vs. 120/1,000)  Annual healthcare spending per patient was $$5,074 for the highest wage group.

Winter 2017

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Winter 2017

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