The American journal of managed care
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To assess whether hospital participation in alternative payment models (APMs) is associated with greater engagement in health information exchange (HIE) along 4 dimensions: volume of patients for whom information is exchanged, diversity of information types, breadth of partner types, and depth of technical approach. ⋯ Our finding that APM participation was associated with greater HIE diversity, breadth, and depth suggests that value-based payment may be spurring improvements in HIE infrastructure. However, our finding that APM participation is associated with lower HIE volume suggests that there may be an incentive to focus HIE investments on a limited number of partners.
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Pancreatic cancer is typically diagnosed in the late stage of the disease, making it the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. It is also one of the few cancers with an increasing incidence, particularly in the younger population. By 2030, it is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death. ⋯ Several immunotherapies and targeted therapies are currently in clinical trials and may significantly alter the trajectory of the disease. However, they typically cost more than $100,000 per year, putting significant strain on payers. Thus, it is important that payers plan now for the potential arsenal of new treatments and identify opportunities to manage their utilization as well as patients with the disease to contain costs.
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Migraine is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Approximately 15% of Americans experience migraines. Most people who have migraines feel that people who do not have them often underestimate their condition. ⋯ A new class of medication, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists, has been approved for migraine prevention in adults. The newly approved CGRP antagonists are erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab, while eptinezumab looks to 2020 for approval. Lasmiditan, ubrogepant, and rimegepant are currently emerging acute migraine therapies that may be added to the arsenal of current migraine management.
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Migraine is a highly prevalent neurological condition with substantial impact on individuals through associated complications, comorbidities, and increased healthcare costs. The burden on society is likewise substantial via increased healthcare costs and greater indirect costs, such as lost productivity. ⋯ A highly competitive and rapidly evolving market landscape is being shaped by biopharmaceutical manufacturers and managed care payers. With an understanding of the societal impact of migraine and the potential impact of CGRP biologics, healthcare providers and managed care professionals should be prepared to develop policies and procedures to ensure appropriate patient access to new therapies.
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Pancreatic cancer remains a disease that is difficult to treat due to a typically late presentation, relatively high resistance to chemotherapy, and lack of effective targeted therapies. The standard of care relies on cytotoxic chemotherapy, primarily FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine-based regimens. Dose modifications and/or the use of alternative combinations can reduce adverse effects, but these regimens remain highly toxic. ⋯ There is a great need for novel anticancer agents that provide efficacy with minimal toxicity. Currently, inhibitors of immune tolerance and immune checkpoint inhibitors; PARP inhibitors; novel cytotoxic chemotherapies, such as trifluridine/tipiracil; and modifiers of the tumor microenvironment, such as pegylated hyaluronidase, are in clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This activity will review the current treatment landscape and preview emerging therapies for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.