Julie Appleby

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Feds hope to cut sepsis deaths by hitching Medicare payments to treatment stats

A new Biden administration rule sets specific treatment metrics that must be met for all patients with suspected sepsis

Oct 12, 2023

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HATICE EROL/PIXABAY

Timing and cost of new vaccines vary by virus and health insurance status

Coverage, costs vary for vaccines targeting influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, short for respiratory syncytial virus.

Aug 29, 2023

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Proposed rule would make hospital prices even more transparent

The proposal from the Biden administration aims to further standardize the required data, increase its usefulness for consumers, and boost enforcement

Aug 17, 2023

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Rapid COVID-19 test. | SHUTTERSTOCK

Era of ‘free’ COVID vaccines, test kits and treatments is ending. Who will pay the tab now?

The national public health emergency, first declared in early 2020 in response to the pandemic, is set to expire May 11

Mar 2, 2023

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NATALIA MERZLYAKOVA/FOTOLIA

Want a clue on health care costs in advance? New tools take a crack at It

Under a new federal rule, health insurers and employers that offer health plans must provide online calculators for patients to get detailed estimates of what they will owe for a range of services and drugs.

Jan 3, 2023

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THOMAS BREHER/PIXABAY

Employers Use Patient Assistance Programs To Offset Their Own Costs

Employers are tapping into dollars provided through programs they have previously criticized: patient financial assistance initiatives set up by drugmakers.

Dec 8, 2022

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TOWFIQU BARBHUIYA/UNSPLASH

Employers Use Patient Assistance Programs To Offset Their Own Costs

A Washington woman unwittingly become part of a strategy that employers are using to deal with the high cost of some drugs.

Dec 6, 2022

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The federal health insurance marketplace, HealthCare.gov on May 31, 2022. | THE LUND REPORT/EMILY GREEN

Shopping For ACA Health Insurance? Here’s What’s New This Year

Several changes in health insurance coverage could affect those who purchase their own policies and are not on Medicare.

Oct 31, 2022

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Novo Nordisk offices in Fremont, California./Shutterstock

Diabetes Drug’s New Weight Loss Formula Fuels Cost-Benefit Debate

Ozempic’s peppy ads suggest that people who use it might lose weight, but also include a disclaimer: that it “is not a weight loss drug.” Now — as Wegovy — it is.

Aug 1, 2021

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Shutterstock

New Alzheimer’s Drug Manufacturer Launches Controversial Campaign

Facing a host of challenges, Aduhelm’s makers are running an educational campaign directed at consumers who are worried about whether their forgetfulness is a sign of disease.

Jul 24, 2021